Hellonweels89’s build

Finally saved up enough for my lift kit so I figured I’d share my progress.

I bought my 2010 access can in 2014 bone stock with around 45k on it. It has the 2.7L with the five speed manual trans.



First thing I did was install a leveling kit (spacer on the front end). Then after my front license plate “fell off” I cut out part of the front number and wired in an LED light bar.



Next I wired up a cobra 29LX CB radio. I wired it directly to the battery through a push button switch. Since there isn’t much room to begin with in the access cab I mounted it under the seat and ran the microphone port underneath the carpet to the trim right behind the shifter. I then added an external speak behind the drivers seat headrest and a loud speaker in the grill. Next problem was that I couldn’t switch from the CB to my PA without getting out of the truck so I took apart the CB and wired a micro switch directly to the contacts and put the switch next the the microphone port. Pics to come...

I also bought led bulbs through VLEDS and replaced all the bulbs in my headlights. The turn signals are switch backs so they’re a white light, then switch to a turn signal, then back to a white light when the turn signal isn’t used. Apparently the base mode Tacoma’s don’t come with DRLs so wired my parking lights to the switch backs so they’re a DRL now.

Then it was finally time for a lift. I ordered up some Fox Racing 2.5’s with the external reservoirs, pro comp UCAs, OME progressive leafs, front diff drop, Method wheels, and BFG AT’s in 285/70/17.

Before the lift. I think I had 200 lbs of sand bags in the back when I took this picture.


After.


Here’s a pic of the front suspension.


I got roughly 3 inches of lift in the front and 4 in the back. I’ve been keeping the sand bags in the back to try and settle the new leaf springs a bit faster. With the sand bags I have 3 inches of lift in the rear.

I had to do some minor trimming to the front fender liner because the tires were rubbing but that was about it.

After the lift/tires my truck was hurting with the stock gears, and fuel consumption was horrible. So I decided to re gear to 4.88’s. I ordered up some nitro gears and started that adventure.


Pulled the rear diff

This was one of my pattern checks


I put in the solid spacer instead of using the crush sleeve (definitely my preferred method) and I also put in a Yukon LSD since it’s mostly my DD and didn’t want to put in a locker.

I also put the hypertech speedometer controller in because after the regear my Speedo was WAY off. I think it was reading almost 90 when I was doing around 65 on the freeway.

In a week or two I’ll be taking the front diff out and setting that up. For the mean time I pulled the front drive line just in case I flipped it into 4WD by mistake.

In the future I want to get a Relentless Fab high clearance rear bumper and summit front bumper and some rock sliders. P.S. if anyone is selling some near northern NV, PM me!

I hope you guys enjoy!

 

Here are some pics of my CB radio install.

 

Looks great. How does it feel on the highway with 33s and 4.88s?

 

Truck looks awesome!

 

Feels like stock if not a bit nicer. My gas mileage is back to normal which is a huge bonus although I try to keep it around 65 for the most part.

 

Thanks for support!

Quick update. I finally took out my front dif, when I opened it up I quickly realized I had the wrong gears. I bought "thick" gears instead of "thin" ring and pinion gears so I'll be calling ECGS in tomorrow morning.

 

I finished putting in the front diff Saturday night, which was an easier setup than the rear since I swapped the rear carrier. I removed the front swaybar to make it easier getting the CVs into the hub assembly and so far it's been fine on road and on the freeway up to about 75. I'll leave it off for the time being and see how things go though.
Unfortunately I'm hearing an weird noise/vibration while at freeway speeds now. I think it's either the front drive line or the needle bearing on the diff. On my way home from work I'll drive in 4wd and see if I still get the noise, if I do it's probably the front drive line and I'll pull that when I get home.

 

I tracked down the reason I was getting the vibration a few weeks ago. I installed a front diff drop when I did my lift, I re-geared the rear end shortly after and pulled my front driveline so that I didn't mistakenly switch to 4WD before I reinstalled my front diff. After I finished the front, I noticed the noise/vibration and I thought the front diff drop was throwing my drive line out of phase, since the diff drop lowers the forward end of the diff with spacer but cant lower the rear end of the front diff, leaving it at an angle.
I measured my CV angle with the diff drop, then took the drop out. There was only a 3 degree difference (on level ground in my garage), but it put my front drive line back in phase so I don't have any more noises or vibrations.

 

I have some fun stuff coming soon. Weld on slider, Relentless front and rear high clearance bumper, lights, winch, and stiffer springs. As the parts start coming in I'll do my best to take pics and posting the info. I cant wait until I get it all done.

 

I have to modify the Cali Raised brackets for the Baja Designs light bar so I cut the BD brackets and I’ll be welding those to the CR brackets tomorrow night after I take some measurements on the light bar.

 

Subbed for the 2.7L action!

 

Haven't had time to update this thread in a while. I put on my relentless front and rear bumpers, Warn winch, and Baja lights. Hopefully I'll be able to weld at home soon and then I'll do the cab mounts and sliders.