The Frankenstein Build! LT/Expo/Trail rig..and BS

Hells yea man! just got home and showered...whew. Was a long weekend. Did a ton!


i have a shit load of photos to go through..some bad ass stuff

enjoy the lights man!


yea thats a 2wd taco though..still sweet though.

 

Hey Monte, just wanted to give you a huge thank you for helping me out this weekend. Couldn't of gotten as far as we did without you man. It was nice meeting you. Thanks!



















Also,

Installing links like a bad ass.

 

Haha you bet man!! Was my pleasure. Super fun weekend for me. Good to finally meet you. I enjoyed working with you and Jon. Can't wait to see that beast do work!

 

So, I originally said I wasn't going to do this...but..well..i can't help myself. I just love sharing this stuff and telling the stories behind it.

As some people know, I went up to my good friend Jon's place to help him work on another members truck, Eric or SupraTT. The goal for the trip? Cutting out Eric's front Leaf SAS setup and putting in a 3 link setup, something I knew very little about but wanted to have a hand in helping.

Oh and we only had 4 days...

I showed up a day late on Thursday night, really Friday morning at 1 am. Got straight to work on Friday.

Here is the shop all the magic is going down in....and by shop...i mean barely a two car garage...thats not heated..and has one electric circuit for the whole thing...
3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The electrical side was hilarious. While the welder was going, the lights would literally flicker. I don't even know how many times the breaker got tripped that weekend, but it was a LOT.

On top of that. We have very basic hand tools. A grinder, a shit small drill press, welder, tube bender and the 3 guys who just really act a whole like like they know what they are doing....

Still amazing the shit we pulled off in such a simple space..haha

anyways..

Jon and Eric had already got the Link mounts setup and the first thing to do was cut the lower links.

One guy cuts, the other spins the tube.

3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And I got more photos of the truck.

The panhard bracket didn't fit right and this is how it ended up. We would fix the gap later.

3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Lower Link brackets and crossmember mock up

3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

By this time there wasn't I lot I could do to help cut the links, so I slipped out and took photos of Jons monstrosity of a “Tacoma:

Holy....shit....


3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This thing in person is....INSANE. I can't believe how well done it is. And after working up there, I REALLY can't believe how good it is with what little Jon has to work with.

The tube work on this thing is crazy. And its all done with a manual tube bender too..

3link adventure-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DAT ASSSSSS

3link adventure-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

There are some really cool simple touches too...like this tire carrier. Need more grip on the bars? Lay some bead down...I mean..duh right?

3link adventure-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Some nice dimple die action too..

3link adventure-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The tire mount is from one of the old hubs off one of the axle's Jon got. Works like a bit sandwich on the tire. Big and clever. Easy to remove the tire too.

3link adventure-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Front axle

3link adventure-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Sliders? Fuck it. Make them the body mounts

3link adventure-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Think thats a drive shaft? Think again..thats the rear link...HUGE

3link adventure-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Supposed to be something here...i can't quiet put my finger on it......Oh yea! A motor...haha

3link adventure-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The cage is no slouch either.

3link adventure-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Oh I'm sorry, did you want a floor in your race truck? Too fucking bad.

3link adventure-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Needless to say....holy mother of god this thing is gonna be sweet when it moves by itself...in 2025 haha

Its been a long slow build but wow. Very impressive Jon. Keep it up

3link adventure-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Mean while, after I went and changed pants, work was still being done in the shop.

3link adventure-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Eric drilled the holes in the links for the plug welds

3link adventure-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Rear cossmember V1

3link adventure-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This will get plated later

3link adventure-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Upper link mount

3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We sleeved the lower links. 18'' each in the center

3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The holes are filled will weld to hold them in place.

3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Upper link mount is made from an old leaf spring hanger a lot of random stuff was reused for this whole build. Probably one of the cheapest 3 links ever done..

3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

weld the bungs on Jon!

3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

He does alright...not bad for a 110v Hobart that makes the break flip every 10 mins haha

3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Lower links in

3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Panhard is beef a hell huh!

3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

hey..look at that..3 links...

3link adventure-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Its a tight fit with the hydro steering..but it does fit!

3link adventure-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Daddy like..

3link adventure-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

More Weld porn

3link adventure-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This is how we fixed the Panhard mount

3link adventure-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then we had a problem. The crossmember we had in place wouldn't let the tranny go back if Eric had to pull it. So we cut out the center section and would add bar across the back later. For the tranny mount, Jon had an interesting and unique soloution. Using two bars that come off the CB crossmember then tying it to the new crossmember and then attaching it to the stock tranny mount. So it sort of cradled the whole thing.

Pictures show it better..

3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The modified tranny mount.

3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The new rear crossmember

3link adventure-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Jon, welding in his most favorite position..After he did this, he said “See, this is why I cut the floor out.”

When Jon starts thinking about cutting something you have to react quick to make sure nothing disappears from the body of the truck..haha

3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Finished product

3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then around 1 am on Saturday we started the shock hoops...finally..haha which we of course reused from Erics truck

3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Super tight fit..but..everything clears just fine

3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

everything on this build was insanely close. I perfered to say we got it perfect...no luck involved haha

Steering was super tight too..but it clears stop to stop

3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Shiny 14''s baby...and waaaaayyyyy to small of coils..100lbs/150lbs.

3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

on it own weight!...sorta...not really..coils wouldn't hold it

3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then the next morning, the day we had to part ways. We did the shock hoop crossmember and bump stops. I did the bumps, Eric and Jon did the crossmember.

3link adventure-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We reused the bump stop plates from his old setup. The bottom bump plates are modified spring perches.

3link adventure-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Now, I was up working on Eric's truck...but..i could NOT pass up the opportunity to ad a FrankenFab touch to Jon's Beast. So I put these on for him

3link adventure-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Was over a year and a half in the making. But they look good on Jons rig.

But we were short on time so we kept working while Eric and I half packed at the same time. Jon started on a front bumper, but never finished it. Eric has already made plans to go back to finish it.

3link adventure-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Everything pretty much button up besides the need or paint...and beefier coils

3link adventure-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


So...it was photo shoot time






This...is what a stock truck looks like next to Jon's....


3link adventure.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

40s vs 31s..ish..wow

3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

40s make 37s look tiny even..haha

3link adventure-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr



best picture ever

3link adventure-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
3link adventure-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And then I drove home! With Jon's Tube bender in my truck. Thanks buddy Can't wait to use it.

Anyways.

Thats pretty much it. Just wanted to share. It was a super fun weekend and was good to get to work on a truck of some sort and just wanted to share the photos.

Please go check out their builds if you haven't. They are great!



Eric's build: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/195730-erics-supercharged-shit-box.html

Jon's build: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/198660-45acp-s-divorced-build.html

 

Awesome stuff!

That comparison between a stock tacoma and Jons rig is crazy!

 

Seriously..that thing is amazing. I can't believe it. Was awesome to see in person.

 

Cant wait to see it rolling.... Eventually haha

 

yea..10 more years! haha

 

Again another great writeup Monte,,, Jon's thread gets the rusty pics and yours gets the porn, luv it!

 

Thanks man

Haha nah he gets plenty of porn..really his rig is the porn...haha

 

Monty, it's awesome that you and Jon put so much effort into Eric's truck. That type of thing makes me proud of the forum.

Also, awesome job on documenting the whole experience. You could be a professional blogger or journalist with your picture/story correlation and quick writing style. (ignoring spelling/grammar mistakes and your love for the ellipsis, HA)

 

You guys did some great work!! Awesome stuff!

 

Thanks man. Really I just think of this as my blog more than anything at this point.

Who has time for spelling

It was fun!

 

So now we know why it's taking so long for his build, who the fuck uses an angle grinder to literally cut everything?! He needs to go and buy at least a porta band!

Awesome pics and explanations.

Maybe when I make my move I'll stop by his so he can help me SAS my truck, I'll have all my tools to It will be unannounced obviously, I'll roll up at 3am open up his garage, cut something off my truck so it can't be driven, then he'll have to help. I'll bring some booze so it'll be cool, and I'll have to not tell my girl, maybe tell her I broke something, who knows I'll figure it out. Just no one tell him, I want this to be a surprise.

 

Yep, and he HAS NO VISE!!! Everything was fucking held by hand.

I think just cutting your IFS off really quick will be a perfect way to make Jon have to SAS your truck!

You need to wait until at least 5 am though. Jon is probably up at 3 am... freaking night owl.

 

Love the story telling and awesome pics as always.

 

It really is amazing what he has done with the tools he has...or more the tools he doesn't have haha

I bet he'd be down haha

Nah 3 is his bed time haha

He better have a vice by the summer. Or I'll be disappointed

Thanks man!

 

Haha you fuckers.

I have a dewalt portaband, though I don't like using it on thick pieces as the blade tends to wander and seemingly wear out faster. Been wanting to get a swag table mount for it.

What vice do you guys suggest?? No more than $200.

How are these?

$180 Yost Vises 750-DI Multi-Jaw Rotating Vise System | 2 in 1 Multipurpose Bench and Pipe Vise | Secure Grip with Swivel Base | Made with a Combination of Ductile Iron & Hardened Steel | Large, Blue

http://www.amazon.com/Yost-Heavy-Duty-Multi-Jaw-Combination-360-Degree/dp/B00CBL62HQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0RDY3WB0HN3S8TGVZ8D9

Grizzly G7062 Multi-Purpose 5" Bench Vise

http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G7062-Multi-Purpose-5-Inch-Bench/dp/B0000DD5ZY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0RDY3WB0HN3S8TGVZ8D9

 

]

Does the saw have adjustable speeds? Slower will help along with some cutting wax.

 

He doesn't have to be down, he'll have no choice.