ClevSix's '01 DCSB Build

I figure since I'm about to start building this truck I'd start a thread.

So, I bought my '01 DCSB SR5 TRD back in late Summer 2015. It was an almost completely stock truck with no obvious issues. It had a Deck Plate Mod and a power lock added to the tailgate, that was about it. I knew about the potential for frame issues and checked this one over and the it looked good. However, not long after owning it I discovered the the frame was in worse shape that initially thought. I found a few spots on the inner wall that had perforated. The original owner never had it inspected by Toyota so the frame is no longer covered. I had to make a decision, cut my losses, sell it and start my hunt all over again or save this truck from an early grave. I quickly fell in love with THIS truck so the that ended that. Time to start figuring out how to save my "new" baby.

This is how it looked the day i brought it home:


This is after a day at The Cliffs Insane Terrain for my first Off Road trip with it: (Fun was had by all)


I took it to The 2015 Southern Cruiser Crawl at Hot Springs ORV. I was really impressed by what I was able to do with a stock truck. The only real trouble I had was clearance. I was dragging the belly on EVERYTHING...

That's when the planning for how to build my Taco really got going... Part of me really wanted to go SAS and 37"s but this is still my DD. I thought maybe keep it IFS and go Long Travel... In the end I decided to go with more of a Mid Travel on a budget setup. Down the road I may still go SAS, only time will tell. I've done a couple simple MODs already, Gray Wire Mod and extended Dif Breathers for example.

Now the real fun is about to begin. I recently picked up some used suspension parts and am prepping to lift it. It will be a set of KINGs up front and new leafs with an AAL and longer shackle in the rear. I am aiming for 2.5-3" over stock. Still working out exactly what wheel & Tire combination to go with.

I'm working with a friend to figure out what we are going to do for repairing the frame and getting armor (sliders, bumpers, skids,etc...). The truck is still safe to drive at this point but the frame will need work soon.

 

Is it a prerunner or 4wd?
And What new leafs? and aal?

 

It's a 4wd. I'll post pictures of the suspension tomorrow.

 

I ordered some replacement spacers for the Kings and they haven't arrived so I didn't get to the lift yet.

Here is a little better detail on what has been done and what I plan to do as of today.

Vehicle:
2001 Toyota Tacoma DCSB SR5 TRD Off Road, 3.4L V6, 4x4 with the factory rear locker

Planned Suspension: (Purchased but all yet to be installed)

King coilovers (600 lb spring rate)
Wheeler’s HD 3-leaf AAL
3° axle shims
Daystar +1.25” greasable shackles
Bilstein 7100 12” rear shocks
Light Racing UCAs
U-bolt flip - (Shock Relocation required but still TBD)
Extended Rear Brake line

Other Planned Mods: (All of these are still in the early planning stage)
Frame Repairs/reinforcement (Frame Rot)
Siders
Bumpers Font & Rear
Rear Swingout for spare tire and fuel can
30% Window Tint
33" Tires
Front Turn Signal Relocation
Spray in bed liner in bed and rocker panels
CB w/102" whip (Maybe a HAM or FM Radio as well)
LED lights anywhere I can figure them out
Upgraded Skid Plates
2nd Battery with battery isolater
Winch
More yet to be determined (I'm open to suggestions)

Installed/Completed Mods:
Grey Wire

Rear Diff-Breather Relocation

5” Deckplate (installed by PO)
Power Locking Tailgate (installed by PO)
Blacked out Stock Rims (installed by PO)

 

I almost forget my "custom" exhaust... My muffler started falling apart so I went cheap and bought a Thrush muffler & glass pack (I had a really good discount). I put the glass pack just after the O2 sensor. Then the bent bit of pipe runs to the muffler and out the stock tail pipe. It sounds surprisingly good for a Thrush. I had planned to replace it all in a year or so but I might just leave it until it falls apart. By then I'll probably need to do the entire exhaust including headers.

 

Following

 

The lift is in but it was too dark to get a good after picture so details and pictures should be up tomorrow.

 

So here is the after shot of the lift:

As you can see the tube steps are off, they got in the way and need to go anyway. It is sitting about 4 - 5 inches higher all the way around. Looks like I need to start adding weight (bumpers, skids, sliders,...) to get the CV angles a little better. The stock springs were really sagging.

 

Looking good bud so when's the new shoes getting mounted?

 

How to install a lift on a 15 year old Toyota that spent it's life in IL/WI...

Step 1, buy cutting, grinding, & welding stuff because you will need them...

Step 2, remove the old rusted/busted OEM crap by any means necessary (see step 1).

Step 3, go buy/find replacement parts for whatever you broke that you didn't plan for. (I got lucky, I had enough spare parts to make it work).

Step six, install new suspension.

When your done sit back and enjoy...

Here is a side by side of before and after:

 

New shoes will be next on the list but will have to wait until July at the earliest.

 

I would look into getting some rock sliders next.

 

They are high on the list. I'm planning, with some help from a friend, to make my own sliders. I should be picking up my new skids in a week or so.

 

Where are you getting your skids?

 

From RAT. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-skids-by-rat-products-im-back-cheapest-ever.412312/

 

That's what I have for my 3rd gen 4Runner. Solid skids for a good price.

 

I heard good things and then I met the guy...for the price and no shipping because I can pick them up... I can't wait to get them!

 

Good. I have known Ryan for awhile, definitely a good guy. Met him a couple years ago. When he lived down here he would go offroading with me.

 

So the seal on my water pump blew the other day. Since I have to pull it all apart I ordered new belts and such to go with my new water pump. Once I got it all apart and inspected everything I came to the conclusion that the Dumbass that did the timing/water pump 30K miles ago didn't do it right and that is why the seal failed. All the belts and the water pump look new, aside from being a bit dirty... Well I guess I now have some spares.

I don't have it all back together yet, life decided I have other priorities and my Taco will have to wait.

I also picked up a set of air shocks for the rear and a spring kit for the rear brakes. Those will be next on the "Taco To Do List".

 

After getting the water pump and timing belt in I discover my battery was failing, it would charge up to 12.5 volts but quickly dropped to about 8 volts. I installed a Blue Top Optima to replace it. Eventually I want to run dual batteries but that is low on the list.

I installed new springs in the rear brakes and once I got it all together I pulled on the E-brake and the cable broke... So I ordered a new cable and since the cams in the rear are all rusty and froze up again I order those as well.

I ordered a 3M head light restore kit, new vacuum lines and a few other little things. I have a pile of parts sitting on my back seat at this point. I'm planning to go with Dick Cepek Extreme Country LT255/85R16 for tires. Still working on plans for bumpers and sliders, designing my own... I had shoulder surgery so the Taco is going to sit and wait for a bit while I heal up.