Igor: Double Cab 4x4. Frankenstein's Helper

No. Mine has the switch. Double cabs didn't have the switch because they assumed the kiddos go in the back seat.

 

Double cabs don't have a switch.

 

Oh that makes sense

 

ah, that makes sense.

 

Idk. Don't have the option to shut it off

 

Build Update: Wheelers Superbumps Front and Rear

In preparation for my trip to Utah, i wanted to spruce the suspension just a bit in hopes i could romp Igor through the smoother stuff. I already had the Kings up front and Foxes in the back with Alcans. So bump stops seems like a good way to go.

I really liked what they did to Frankenstein when i installed them on him(here). So i bought the kit again from Wheelers and i bought their front kit.

The front kit is NOT made for 1st gen Tacomas. Its for 2nd gens. But ive seen a few on here fit them in various ways and had an idea on making them work i wanted to try.

I started with ideas for the front and grabbed my old stock LCA from Frank for some RND.

IgorsBumps-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The stock ones just un screw pretty easily, just need a wrench that fits, found a pipe wrench works great.

IgorsBumps-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The stock bumps are different sizes, the front ones are larger in diameter and a tad taller too.

IgorsBumps-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The Wheelers bumps are massive in comparison. I also have another bump, an ES Foam one i believe that is another popular option for people to swap in. But you have to drill and tap the LCA or the frame due to different threads.

IgorsBumps-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This show cases one of the bigger problems with these up front. They are so tall that at ride height you are in the bumps. Granted they are very soft and don't limit down travel but do change the ride a lot. They also don't hit straight on. The biggest problem with using them as seen here.

IgorsBumps-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This is where i decided to try something different then what most had done. Usually people from what i have read had just cut 3/4-1.24'' off the bumps. Which helps but still doesn't make them hit square.

I found a place to get 1' of UHMW the same diameter(3.25'') as the lower part of the bump on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/221557297720?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

IgorsBumps-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then I roped my Dad into helping me with is wood shop tools.

I decided to make shims to angle the bumps more into the truck, I started with 1/4'' on one side with a 1/4'' rise. We sketched it out on a square block to set the angle on the band saw for later.

IgorsBumps-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then we had a problem, getting a perfect 180º cut on a round chunk of material is basically impossible. My dad suggested planning it so it had flat edges. We tested the idea on some wood first.

IgorsBumps-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This does a few things. It allows us to use the flats as guides on the band saw and it allowed me to easily find the center for drilling a hole later.

So we did it to the UHMW

IgorsBumps-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then cut the angled shim out and then a second one easily.

IgorsBumps-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Looks promising. So I drilled some holes.

IgorsBumps-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Again, looks promising.

IgorsBumps-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

While i was doing this i cranked up the coilovers a bit too as i knew id need to for the bumps and of course the new tires.

IgorsBumps-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And here it is mounted

IgorsBumps-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Was a PITA. The wrench is small and not a lot of room. But i sucked it down as hard as i could, the bolt cut threads into the shim and a bit into the spacer itself. Felt very snug and i didn't want to have them rotate.

I could tell that it needed trimmed still though. So i took them off and cut 3/4'' off.

IgorsBumps-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Looks better..

IgorsBumps-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I ultimately decided to run with it but cut another set of spacers that was only 1/8'' on the short side and 3/8'' on the tall side. At ride height, im not in the bumps, but close. They still hit at a small angle but i think this is a good mix. If i angle them too much then at full stuff they won't compress right.

This is the front at ride height.

IgorsBumps-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I also got the rear kit and had the 1/4'' WHeelers spacers left over and decided to put them on. Which i regret and will be removing them when i redo the leaf packs.

IgorsBumps-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Also added some Allpro Axle relocation plates. I could tell id have too with the small tires to fit the new 255s on.

IgorsBumps-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Install is pretty straight forward, the Frankenstein link shows some more details, but this install did have some tricks.

The plates just go on the bottom of the axle, i used the 3/4'' hole.

IgorsBumps-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Using this though, creates and issue with the rear bumps. They use the stock U bolts to hold them down. But since im moving the axle i need to move the bumps.

Nothing a die grinder can't fix.

IgorsBumps-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsBumps-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Since ive come back from my trip before i wrote this i can say they are nice! My rear just needs major help all around and the bumps couldn't fix the problems single handedly. The front though felt great most the time. Was great on high speed and in the rocks. But i can't give a great review on them as i haven't offroaded without them. Thinking of taking them off to see what its like.

I also left the rear front bump on as the super bumps are so soft it'll go too low. Granted my shim may be enough but i just left it after reading the super bumps would compress too much.

On to the next mod!

 

@Squeaky Penguin

Theres my take on the superbumps. For now anyways.

 

Build Update: Sliders

Since some of the trails we were planning on running had some big ledges and rocks on them. I new id need sliders.

I for some reason didn't want weld on sliders to Igor at first. But after shopping around. It wasn't going to happen. Everyone wanted 6-700 bucks for them So screw that shit. Then the affordable weld on ones i didn't like and lead times for others was too long and wasn't want i wanted.

I really liked how my Dads sliders looked. Very clean and tight to the body. Barely tell they are there. They are made by Demello and bolt on, but they wanted $600 bucks plus shipping and 8 week lead time. Wasn't gonna happen.

So said fuck it, I'll build some.

Bought 16' of round 1.75'' DOM tubing, 16' of 2x2 tubing and some scrap pieces. All .125'' wall

Cut the main tubes to 70''

IgorsSliders.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I cut the frame legs too and went for 40º for starters. They are 7.75'' long.

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

Id hoped to use the tubing bender Jon gave me a while ago. But the die was a 1.65'' one and i had forgotten that. So couldn't do it myself. But i figured out how to mark where i wanted it bent and went to a local exhaust shop in town. I know the owner fairly well haven't gone to school with his youngest son most my life. I asked if he could do it and he said to come by the late afternoon. I came and he used his nice hydraulic bender and we had them bent in 10 mins. Settled at 40º and best of all he didn't charge me!

IgorsSliders-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Used a 6'' cut offwheel and cut the tubes. Also almost cut my leg off.

IgorsSliders-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then used this POS tube notcher to cut my mini legs. PITA. this thing was damn near worthless.

IgorsSliders-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

But it worked. I got the mini legs or whatever cut, 2'' long and started welding everything together.

IgorsSliders-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

For frame plates, i just ordered the TG ones. for 30 bucks, hard to beat and was fast to get them and better then what i could make most likely in my time frame.

Got them mounted and clamped up.

IgorsSliders-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then the absolutely painful process of getting everything lined up and taced together...by myself. Was a PITA.

IgorsSliders-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Took a few trys to get them how i wanted. but did and then and to finish welding.

IgorsSliders-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Little bit of paint.

IgorsSliders-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Burned them on the truck!

IgorsSliders-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Very tight..

IgorsSliders-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Welding upside down suuuuuccckkks

IgorsSliders-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Very happy with the results though. And they worked great, trust me, the paint isn't on there in all the spots anymore..

IgorsSliders-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IgorsSliders-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Worth mentioning now that i added 255/80r17 Cooper St Maxx's too. Really enjoyed them offroad and good on road too. Tall tire, really tall, but very nice.

I also bought some sweet SCS Ray10s in the limited copper finish. But they won't be here till christmas. So i have to run my dads stock 2nd gen wheels for now. To do that i needed to run my 1.5'' wheel spacers up front. Still running the extended thread lugs too. Just need cleaned off.

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

Next mod is my tundra brake overhaul. Gotta change something first though. Learned a LOT of stuff doing that mod. Have lots of useful info to share.

 

Awesome write-ups! Can't wait for the trip report

 

Thanks!

So many photos haha was a good trip though.

 

Good info.

If I fail at my hydro bump project, I'll hit you up for a couple spacers in trade for a speedo gear.

Can't wait to see photos from the trip.

 

Deal man. I have tons of UHMW left.

I have no idea how you will fit hydros on a stock LCA. Though I swear I've seen photos of it done. If I recall correctly it had a strike pad welded on that was extended away from the stock LCA a bit as clearances are so tight.

 

Something like this



That's not a tacoma but you get the idea. @Squeaky Penguin

 

I'm envisioning the back of the LCA, where the sway bar mount is. I have grinders and a welder. It'll either work or it won't.

 

Hmm Id go off the front id think due to the steering. Why everyone does hydros up front on lt kits.

 

Started the photo thread and posted the first batch of photos: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/m-d-u-photo-thread.458786/

 

You ever think about swapping the S/C on Igor? And, like everything else? Frank can retire as DD

 

You have everything you need in Frank to convert Igor to a manual.

 

No not really.....well. Okay it crossed my mind.

But no not gonna do that. I have some plans to spruce Igor up so I'll enjoy him more on the trail of I need to take him again. But Frank is just dialed how I like to drive. Fast. Igor not so much.

That said. Igor is getting the blower for sure if Frank just won't let it work.

Probably build a rear bumper this winter as I very much missed the swingout and table while camping. I have plans for a half stock/ tub bumper for winch mount and lights. Cheap to do myself.

Rear suspension needs help bad. Leafs couldn't cope with the weight. And I don't have enough travel out back. Was pathetic really.

Pretty happy with the front but the Kings will get replaced at some point with ads and I need UCAs.


But before any of that.

I have to do the following:

Tie rods, inner and outer
LBJs
Valve cover gaskets
Timing belt and water pump.

Hit 182k on this trip. So everything is about due.

Doing a 5 speed swap would be amazing. Id love too. If you find me another $700 4Runner I'll do it. Be worth it for the tranny swap and a new front diff. @BossFoss haha

Either way. Both are different rigs. Id like Igor to perform Offroad well if not similar to frankenstein, which will be hard to match, while still staying clean and comfortable. So we will see how things unfold.

 

I look everyday just for something to do. I'll let you know if something promising comes along for sure