Run to the Hills! - Jason's Completely Stalled Colorado GTFO Build

WARNING! Lots of words in the first post here. Don't give a shit about the backstory? Then skip to the good stuff here.


CURRENT CONFIGURATION - As of October 2021

89,000 miles










BACKSTORY

Alright. So it's after midnight, I can't sleep, and I've been putting off starting my build thread for weeks now. Might as well get this thing going, right?

So... here's what got me into this whole Tacoma thing. After a turbulent couple of years which saw the end of my 11 year marriage, I decided that, in looking back, I had gotten away from many of the things that were important to me. One of those things is a love for the outdoors, and an appreciation of solitude. For the last ten years or so, I had basically neglected that aspect of who I am. So here I am, single but stable, and slowly getting back to that type of life.

That's great and shit, but the fact of the matter was that I had no means of getting the hell out of the Greater Denver-Boulder Metro and up into the jaw-dropping country that is so tantalizingly close by. A few years ago, I had a nice Chevy Silverado 4x4, but that got traded in on a new ride for the now ex-wife. I have a pretty sweet '71 CJ5, but it's in Utah, slowly dry-rotting in a storage unit until I can get it out here. (EDIT 4/11/20: The Jeep is now safe and sound with me in Colorado ). Say hello:



Anyway, after much rumination, I came to the inevitable conclusion that a Tacoma was the perfect Adventure Facilitator (obviously). I took my time looking, and found a 2002 TRD Off Road with 55,000 miles on it. The thing is damn near brand new, and it's exactly the foundation I wanted to get me to the places I want to go.

Here she is the day I bought her. Ain't she purdy?



Which leads me to Mod #1: Yank the fucking nerfs and sell those shits on CL. I never have liked nerfs...

For the next few months, she sat pretty much in that condition, while I started brainstorming which direction I wanted to go with her, and also assessed how it was all going to be financed. What I came up with was that I wanted to make this truck a capable expo rig first, and crawler second. This will likely never be a badass LT desert speedster, or a fucking awesome SAS rig. For now, she exists to get me to the mountains and the deserts. Maybe even out to the plains, who knows? Oh, and unless something goes horribly wrong, she'll never be my daily driver, either. Although, in a pinch, she should still be able to handle that just fine.

So, being my usual OCD self, I started a spreadsheet with all of the stuff that I want to do with the truck, and then prioritized those things accordingly. Little did I know just how far down the rabbit hole I would go...

I did manage to get my essentially stock proto-EAF rig up to the mountains a few times before it got too fucking cold. Check it out:






Anyway, I want to use this thread to document how all of this goes, to brainstorm, and to get input from people that know a helluva lot more about this stuff than I do. So if any of y'all want to chime in, please do. I welcome any input, and we all know what a wealth of knowledge this place is. Tomorrow, I'll throw down with a list of mods that I've done, that I'm in the process of doing (or procrastinating on), and of course the list of things I have yet to do, but reeeeally want to do.

Stay tuned, and thanks for reading. I promise there will be more pictures and fewer words the rest of the way.

ETA 8/14/16: It was brought to my attention that there was a glaring lack of Iron Maiden in this build thread. Sadly, I somehow dropped the ball on that. My apologies to TW, Iron Maiden, America, my band mates, and my mother. Absolutely inexcusable. H/T to @Wolftaco0503 for bringing this offense to light.



BASELINE - July 2015

• 2002 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road Xtracab 4x4 SR5
• 55,000 miles at purchase
• Three previous owners. The guy I bought it from rarely drove it. The first two owners were cousins of his that were both in the military, and were both deployed quite often.
• White exterior
• Gray interior
• Nearly stock except for
  • 2015 TRD wheels
  • BFG Rugged Terrain P265/70R16 tires
  • In-dash DVD
  • Lame ass nerf bars (removed immediately and sold for whiskey money)
  • Goofy trim on the dash applied by one of the previous owners. Ended up with a fucked up dash in some areas, but it's WAY better than that crap. Wish I had pictures of that abomination...

So there ya go. Now it's time to get this party started!

 

Nice truck

 

BUILD SEQUENCE & MOTIVATION

Happening now or very soon
1 - Basic Upgrades, Tools, and (maybe) Comms:
Mostly tools at this point, then hopefully a HAM setup later. CB is DONE.

2 - Mid-Travel Suspension, Wheels & 'Dirty Fives':
COMPLETED. Uh, except for my liners and flares on my bedsides. But the front tubbing, sealing and liners are done, thank God. The rear King 10" smoothies are now installed too.

3 - Bumpers, Sliders and Skids:
COMPLETED. Bumpers are good to go and the sliders are finally welded on. Skids are painted and mounted. Armor achieved.

4 - Bed Rack and Roof Top Tent:
COMPLETED. Well, except for the hundred or so little mods I want to do to the rack and tent. Whatever. I do have some things drawn up in Solidworks that I'd like to do to improve my current setup...

5 - Winch, and Recovery Gear:
COMPLETED. Just need to do the initial loaded spool on the winch line.


Going to happen (i.e. paid for and on its way)
6 - Crawler Box and HD Clutch:
Last September, I was within spitting distance of getting up to Mosquito Pass near Leadville, Colorado. But as soon as I got up to the old London Mine and I started up that final stretch in my stocktastic Taco, I realized very quickly that if I was going to get to the top, I'd have to beat the fuck out of my pretty new truck to do it. Even in 4LO, with the E-locker engaged, I found myself either going faster than I felt comfortable going and banging the shit out of the truck, or riding the damn clutch to slow down my ascent. After about 100 yards of that, I decided that I liked having an intact vehicle to safely convey me back to Denver, my job, and my home, and so I reversed my way back down to the mine. Thankfully, there weren't any vehicles trying to come up while my dumb ass was beating a retreat back down... Backwards.

TL;DR:

Crawler box ->

more sane crawl speeds both on ascents and descents ->




Likely to happen (i.e. no budget, but doable)
7 - Electrical Upgrades:
Dual battery system, high output alternator, and electrical stuff for the RTT and future expo goodies, lights, etc.

8 - OBA/CO2, OBHW, Solar, and other #EAF bling:
Gotta get my ARB compressor mounted up, wired and plumbed. I also really dig the idea of a hot shower out in the boonies.


Could happen, but not for a while
9 - Mild Performance Upgrades:
This would be mostly stuff like headers and exhaust. Snorkel has been purchased, but I'm still pulling together stock air box parts.

10 - Supercharger:
After loading up the truck with armor, and all the rest of my crap, it would be oh so sweet to get some power back; maybe even be able to bomb up the passes out here. I can dream, I suppose...


Might as well ask for a unicorn as well
11 - Solid Axle Swap or Long Travel:
Since the extremes of the suspension spectrum for these trucks seem to have Long Travel on one end and SAS on the other, I see myself leaning toward long travel. I have a Jeep already, and if I'm buying badass axles, it'll be for that. But a well thought out LT/SUA setup that is geared toward load carrying would be pretty awesome too...

12 - Expo Trailer:
If this ever happens, it's gonna be a LOOOOOOONG way down the road from here.


Anyway, there it is. Next up is the running list of mods! What's been done (not much yet), what is in progress, and what I'm still waiting on.

 

RUNNING MOD LIST


Completed Mods:

SUSPENSION
- King Extended Travel Coilovers (July 2016)
- King 2.5 10" Smoothie Rear Shocks, Remote Resis, Comp Adjusters (July 2019)
- Wheelers Super Bumps (July 2019)
- Ruff Stuff U-bolt Filp Kit & 5/8"DIA U-Bolts (July 2019)
- Custom Rear Shock Relocation - behind the axle, slight lean back, vertical from the back (July 2019)
- Whiteline Polyurethane LCA Bushings (February 2019)
- SPC Adjustable UCAs (February 2019)
- Total Chaos Spindle Gussets (February 2019)
- Total Chaos Cam Tab Gussets (February 2019)
- Energy Suspension Steering Rack Bushings (February 2019)
- Kartek 7" Front Limit Straps (February 2019)
- Durobumps Front Bump Stops (February 2019)
- All-Pro Off Road Expo Leaf Springs (July 2016)
- Bilstein 5125 Rear Shocks, INTERIM (July 2016)
- Polyurethane Shackle and Hanger Bushings (July 2016)

WHEELS & TIRES
- SCS F5 16x8 3.5BS Matte Gunmetal Wheels, 5x (June 2016)
- Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx 315/75R16 Tires, 5x (June 2016)
- BORA 1" Wheel Spacers, 2.5" total BS (August 2016)

BRAKES
-

Callahan Brake Parts CCK11208 FRONT OE [2] Calipers + [2] Drilled/Slotted Rotors + Quiet Low Dust [4] Ceramic Pads Kit

Callahan Rotors and 13WL Calipers, Tundra Brake Upgrade (May 2016)
- Wheeler's Off Road Extended Front Brake Lines (May 2016)
- All-Pro Off Road Extended Rear Brake Line (May 2016)
- (May 2016)
- BSV-LSPV Delete and FROR/Jeg's Proportioning Valve (July 2019)

INTERIOR
- WeatherTech DigitalFit Floor Mats (April 2016)
- 2003 WRX Bucket seats (May 2016)
- Wet Okole Seat Covers (August 2019)

EXTERIOR
- Rear frame plating and boxing (July 2019)
- Line-X Bedliner (August 2015)
- All-Pro Off Road Pack Rack Bed Rack (July 2016)
- Daystar 1" Body Lift (April 2017)

ENGINE
- Fumoto F-103N Engine Oil Drain Valve (October 2016)
-

$7 Fumoto LC-10: Lever Clip for F-Type Valves (Not Compatible with SX Series)

Fumoto LC-10 Lever Clip For Fumoto Engine Oil Drain Valve (October 2016)
- Redline Hood Struts (January 2017)

STEERING
-

$26 Magnefine 3/8" Magnetic Inline Transmission/Power Steering Filter

Magnefine Magnetic Inline Power Steering Filter (February 2019)
-

$30 Hayden Automotive 1011 Power Steering Oil Cooler

Hayden Automotive 1011 Power Steering Cooler (February 2019)
- Energy Suspension Steering Rack Bushings (February 2019)

DRIVETRAIN
- URD Short Throw Shifter (October 2015)
- ECGS 5.29 7.5" Clamshell Assembly w/ARB Locker (August 2016)
- ECGS 5.29 8" 3rd Member Assembly (August 2016)

ARMOR
- Addicted Off Road Tube Front Bumper (April 2017)
- Trail Gear Tube Rear Bumper (December 2016)
- Adventure Off Road Weld-On Rock Sliders, courtesy of @3378jakesr5 (April 2017)
- RAT Products IFS Skid Plate (November 2016)
- RAT Products Transmission Skid Plate (November 2016)
- RAT Products Transfer Case Skid Plate (October 2017)
- BAMF Rear Diff Skid (October 2017)

RECOVERY
- ComeUp Seal Gen2 9.5rs Winch 9500lb, 3/8"x100' Synthetic Line
-

$50 Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap (3" x 30') - 31518lb Break Strength - Emergency Recovery Strap Tow Rope for Truck, UTV, ATV & More - Heavy Duty Towing Strap for Offroad 4x4 Use - Compatible with Jeep

Rhino 3"x30' Tow Strap 10,000lb Working Load, 30,000lb Breaking Strength (July 2017)
-

$75 ARB 4x4 Accessories ARB705LB Recovery Snatch Strap Orange 30' x 2 3/8", Load capacity 17600 lb, NATA approved, 20% Stretch

ARB 705LB 2-3/8"x30' Snatch Strap 17,500lb Breaking Strength (July 2017)
-

$41 Hi-Lift 3" x15' Reflective Loop Recovery Strap STRP-315

Hi-Lift 3"x15' Tow/Tree Strap 30,000lb Breaking Strength (July 2017)
-

Axle Strap by Vault - Premium Tie Down Your Vehicle to a Trailer with Heavy Duty Straps - 10000 Lbs Break Strength - 3333 Lb Working Load - Great Accessory for Ratchet Straps, Come Along or Winch

Vault Axle Strap 10,000lb Breaking Strength (July 2017)
-

Driver Recovery 10-Ton Winch Snatch Block - Heavy Duty 20000 Pound (10T) Capacity Pulley Accessory

Driver Heavy Duty 20,000lb Snatch Block (July 2017)
-

LIBERRWAY Shackles 3/4" (2 Pack) D Ring Shackle Rugged Off Road Shackles 28.5 Ton (57000 lbs) Maximum Break Strength with 7/8'' Pin Heavy Duty D Ring for Jeep Vehicle Recovery, Red

RETECK 3/4" 9500lb D-Ring Shackles (July 2017)
-

$42 Boulder Tools | Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit - Flat Tire Patch Kit, Tools for Quick and Easy Repair - Tire Plugs Kit Suitable for Car, Truck, RV, SUV, ATV, Motorcycle, Tractor, Bike & Trailer

Boulder Tools Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit (July 2017)
-

$52 ARB ARB220 Offroad Winch Cable Recovery Damper in Orange and Black Line Dampener

ARB 220 Recovery Damper (July 2017)
-

$127 Hi-Lift Jack 48" X-TREME Jack XT-485

Hi-Lift X-Treme 48" Jack, mounted on forward side of gear rack (October 2016)

ELECTRICAL
...

LIGHTS
-

Auxbeam Round LED Driving Lights, 7" Offroad Light with Super Bright 160W 16000LM White Light Bars

Auxbeam Driving Lights, 7" LED, 80W, Spot/Flood Combo

NAVIGATION
-

DeLorme AG-008727-201 InReach Explorer Two Way Satellite Communicator with Built in Navigation

DeLorme InReach Explorer AG-008727-201 Two Way Satellite Communicator with Built in Navigation (November 2016)

AUDIO
- Pioneer MVH-X370BT In-Dash Digital Media Receiver (August 2015)

CAR CAMPING/EXPO/OVERLAND/YADA YADA YADA
- Tepui Gran Sabana Ruggedized Roof Top Tent (October 2016)
- Indel B 45qt fridge (October 2016)
- Partner 2-burner Camp Stove (October 2016)
-

$154 TETON Sports Celsius Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag - Queen-Sized Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag with Full-Length Zippers - Double-Layer 2-Person Camping Accessory for Car & Tent Campers, 0˚F, Green Taffeta

Teton Sports Mammoth Queen Size 0° Sleeping Bag (September 2015)
- Camco Olympian Wave 3 3000btu Catalytic Heater (September 2015)
-

Fan-Tastic Vent 01100WH Endless Breeze - 12 Volt Fan

Fan-Tastic 01100WH 12V Fan (September 2015)
- 2x 3 gal Rotopax Fuel Containers, mounted on aft side of gear rack INTERIM (February 2017)

BUG OUT/ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE/SHTF
...


In-Process Mods (work is being done, I swear!)
- Rear Suspension and Frame Final Tasks...
- Tack Weld Mod
- Winch Spool Cover
- Bed Reinforcement and Tool Storage

On-Deck Mods (on its way or on a shelf in the garage)
- Marlin Crawler TacoBox 4.70:1 Crawler Box
- RADesigns Triple Stick Shifters
- Crossmember/skid and mount for crawler box
- Odyssey 35-PC1400 Battery (2x)
- Blue Sea Systems ML-ACR 7622 Automatic Charging Relay
- Breather Enclosure and Remote Breathers
- Upgrade to Cam Straps on RTT


Obsolete and/or Reversed Mods (plans change)
- 4Crawler 2" Body Lift

• installed May 2016
• removed July 2016
• Installed to reduce tubbing, removed to lower CG.

- Bestop EZ Fold Tonneau Cover

• installed August 2015
• removed July 2016
• Can't use it with a bed rack.

- Napier Sportz 6' Bed Tent

• bought August 2015
• removed July 2016
• Bought an RTT.

- Air Bedz Compact Truck Tent Mattress

• bought August 2015
• removed July 2016
• Bought an RTT.

- Wheeler's Off Road Front Super Bump Stops

• bought July 2016
• removed August 2016
• Didn't like the fact that they were so tall. Not much suspension travel before they made contact.

- All-Pro Off Road E-Locker Motor Skid

• bought April 2016
• removed August 2016
• Pulled it when I swapped my 3rd member. Being replaced by a BAMF rear diff skid.

- Energy Suspension Hyperflex Urethane Body Mounts

• bought May 2016
• removed April 2017
• Removed and replaced by Daystar 1" body lift.
• Daystar BL had the lift built in to the body Mounts.

- All-Pro Off Road Gear Rack

• installed October 2016
• removed September 2017
• Lowered the bed rack height, which made this unusable.

- All-Pro Off Road Uniball Upper Control Arms

• installed July 2016
• removed February 2019
• wanted to go to an adjustable UCA with a high-misalignment ball joint

 

MISCELLANEOUS STUFF...

USEFUL LINKS

SUSPENSION & STEERING

1. Alignment Numbers (h/t Carter @rngr)
2. Alignment Numbers (h/t Brett @BDN)
3. Alignment Numbers (h/t Brett @Squeaky Penguin)
4. LBJ, TRE, Rack Bushings (h/t Monte @Blackdawg)
5. Tack Weld Mod (h/t Monte @Blackdawg)
6. LBJ/Bolt/Nut (h/t Brett @Star-Lord)
7. Rear Suspension Setup (h/t Jason @jberry813)
8. Spindle Gussets (h/t @MonkeyProof)
9. Spindle Gusset Metallurgy (h/t @drr)
10. Supplemental Spindle Gusseting (h/t @glorifiedwelder)
11. 4-link Info (h/t Ray @SilverGhost)
12. Anti-Squat & Anti-Dive (h/t Ray @SilverGhost)
13. Shock Tuning (h/t Jason @jberry813)
14. Leaf Spring Shackle Geometry (h/t Jason @jberry813 and Brett @Squeaky Penguin)
15. 1st Gen SUA Options (h/t @Dalandser)

WHEELS & TIRES

BRAKES

INTERIOR

1. Sound Deadener Materials (h/t @GHOST SHIP)

EXTERIOR

1. Bigger Wiper Blades (h/t @Madjik_Man)

ENGINE

1. LS Motor Swap Stuff (h/t Monte @Blackdawg)

DRIVETRAIN

ARMOR

RECOVERY

TOOLS

1. Basic Tool Loadout (h/t Jake @3378jakesr5)
2. Tool Storage (h/t Wes @BadBrains)
3. Oh Shit Kit (h/t @Digiratus)
4. OSK & Spares (h/t @Blackdawg )

ELECTRICAL

1. 100W Renogy Solar Panel and Wanderer Controller (h/t Brandon @aero3685)
2. 140A GM Alternator Upgrade (h/t Mike @cynicalrider and Monte @Blackdawg)
3. Deutsch Connectors and Crimp Tool (h/t @TMFF )

LIGHTS

1. Baja Designs 8" HID Driving Lights (h/t @Gramps)
2. Clear Side Marker Lights (h/t @rngr)
3. Rock Lights (h/t @Coop68)

NAVIGATION

AUDIO & COMMS

1. APRS AND General HAM Info (h/t @Animus313)
2. More APRS Info (h/t Monte @Blackdawg & Ben @m3bassman)
3. Amateur Radio Repeater Directory (h/t Al @GPLarge)
4. HAM Intro Stuff (h/t Brandon @aero3685)
5. APRS Rig (h/t Jim @jim532)
6. APRS Thoughts (h/t @turbodb)
7. Speakers in Stock Locations (h/t @Digiratus)

HARDCORE MF’ING CAR CAMPING

1. Single Vehicle Wheeling (h/t Chase @Mxpatriot)
2. Intro to Photography (h/t Monte @Blackdawg)
3. OBA Air Tank
4. Storage Case Supplier (h/t @Seabass)
5. First Aid Kits (h/t @TinyTech626)
6. Tourniquet Use (h/t @Mxpatriot)
7. Go Fast Campers (h/t @Squeaky Penguin)

COOL SHIT

1. Prepper/Self-Sufficiency Books (h/t @Noelie84)
2. Star Photography (h/t @Blackdawg)

TORQUES

Code:

20 ft-lb body mount bolts
27 ft-lb (24mm) trans and transfer case plugs
29 ft-lb (H10) front diff filler plug
36 ft-lb (24mm) rear diff filler plug
36 ft-lb (24mm) rear diff drain plug
40 ft-lb leaf spring main eye (poly bushings)
40 ft-lb leaf spring shackle eye (poly bushings)
40 ft-lb leaf spring shackle hanger (poly)
48 ft-lb (H10) front diff drain plug
53 ft-lb rear shock mounts
59 ft-lb (14mm) lower ball joint mounting bolts
59 ft-lb (19mm) rear bumper to frame
80 ft-lb U-bolt nuts
83 ft-lb lug nuts
87 ft-lb UCA pivot bolt
90 ft-lb UCA to spindle bolt (All-Pro UCA)
100 ft-lb (19mm) lower coilover bolt
101 ft-lb [90, nylock] front diff bolts, front
174 ft-lb (36mm) hub nut

QUANTITIES


SERVICE INTERVALS


NOTES


BADASS BUILDS

SOLID AXLE SWAP

1. 2005 Bulletproof Taco: 1 Ton SAC (Mark @NwiTACO)
2. 99’ Reg Cab 3-Link SAS, 1Ton Axles, Atlas (Osvaldo @1999RegCab)

LONG TRAVEL

1. jberry's Retarded Desert Penguin (Jason @jberry813)

OVERLAND

1. The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures (Nick @Crom)

LOCAL TW FOLKS

Tim @Adventurous (Westminster)
Austin @alee891 (Westminster)
Brett @BDN (FoCo)
Ray @SilverGhost (Reunion)
Tim @TMFF (Thornton)
Jake @3378jakesr5 (Lakewood)
Brett @Squeaky Penguin (Steamboat)


WISH LIST

SUSPENSION

1. Add resis to front coilovers
2. Custom Alcan leaf pack

WHEELS & TIRES

1. 285/75R17 tires
2. 17x9 3.5BS wheels

BRAKES


INTERIOR

1. Sound dampening material
2. Vinyl floor
3. LED lighting

EXTERIOR


ENGINE

1. TRD 3.4L Supercharger
2. AEM FIC-6 Controller
3. Methanol Injection
4. TRD Headers

DRIVETRAIN

1. Polyurethane motor, transmission, crawl box mounts
2. Better clutch
3. FZJ-80 9.5 full-floating rear axle
4. Harrop lockers front and rear

ARMOR


RECOVERY


ELECTRICAL

1. Dual battery system
2. Both batteries in bed

LIGHTS

1. HID Retrofit
2. PIAA 5161 Fog Lamps

NAVIGATION

1. Tablet
2. HAM with APRS

AUDIO

1. Upgraded speakers

HARDCORE MOTHERFUCKING CAMPING

1. Canvas sides for bed rack
2. GFC, bitches!
3. Drawer system to replace slide

MY TRIP REPORTS

• Bunce - Ironclads - T-33 Plane Crash (July 2017)

INTERESTING TRIP REPORTS

• Moab, April 2017 - Austin @alee891 and Ryan @Reh5108

 

Build History in Pictures


July 2015





August 2015





September 2015







May 2016





June 2016











July 2016









August 2016









September 2016





October 2016









November 2016















April 2017







May 2017







July 2017











August 2017













September 2017














October 2017









August 2018





September 2018

 

All these stories of divorce on here lately get me bummed.

BUT I'd be damned if I didn't say they result in some of the coolest builds on TW too. Good luck dude, looks like you have a ton of work ahead of you. Can't wait to see this beast get built. Also why 1 piece drive shaft? does the crawl box push it that far back that it's still relatively protected?

 

Thanks, man!

Yeah, the divorce is what it is; I'm just trying to make the best of it. Seeing it happen to the guy on the Ask A Girl thread really bummed me out too. Hope he and his kids make it through.

The one-piece is just an option at this point. I've heard that you risk more exposure to the shaft that way, so that might wave me off when the time comes. I want to ask the fellas in the crawl box thread what they're recommendations are, since I'm still a newb with a lot of this stuff.

And I hear ya on the work left to do. I have a garage full of parts that need to get onto the truck ASAP. Hopefully by the end of the weekend, I'll have the lift and tires on there, and be able to get an idea of the slash and burn required on the tubbing. You know all about that!

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Hey man I'm in Thornton... Let me know if you ever want to wrench together!.. Here is my Tacoma.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/deadhead-2002-tacoma.434817/

 

Yeah, bud! Will do for sure! Once I get things on and shaken out, I'm hoping to jump on some of the local rides and whatnot.

 

Good deal let me know if you need any help!

 

Yeah I was reading that this morning too, such a bummer.

Good luck on the tubbing. It's definitely better to do with two people, I can't imagine doing it solo. Since you gotta take out the coilover to properly tub, it would be a good time to do your suspension install too.

 

That's what I've heard about the fronts, and exactly what I was going to do for full lock/full stuff. My thought was to get the UCAs, coilovers, leaf springs and tires on so that I could dial in the preload/ride height up front. Then get it aligned so that I'm working off of the right geometry when I pull the coilovers and stuff the tires. Does that sound right? I understand that I'll likely have to hack some things up just to get it to the alignment shop too...

How did you handle cycling the rear? I've heard of breaking down the leaf pack and only using the main leaf, but with a SOA setup, it seems like you'd end up with the axle further up by the thickness of the missing leaves... I'm probably missing something.

Anyway, thanks for the input!

 

Your game plan for the front sounds like it "should" work. I did mine in 2 days by myself and with some family time mixed in.

For the rear I just cut an inch out from the fender. Can't go to much more than that as the fuel door is in the way. Didn't have an issue on red cone last weekend.

 

The thing removing the coilovers does is that it removes any equation of lift anyway. And aftermarket UCA's will get you more caster which will push the wheels forward away from the firewall anyway. So if you tub for stock coils and uca's you will have more than enough space for clearance no matter what.

And like @TimF said, people generally just trim the rear fender back an inch and call it a day. That's all I plan on doing as well.

 

@TimF did i just see you on 120th???? i had the tan tacoma with RTT

 

Yes sir that was me.


Your truck looks bitchin! Reminds me of what mine was before the 315's, scratches and, dents.

 

Rad.... i see your in thornton too... im u