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

No worries! Haha it's a big thread..

 

Well....I agree. Other than it's not reuseble haha

They are both one and the same..haha

Though the purple one is in very sad state now. Was just down there and saw it again. Frank is bad though too.

 

Something seems to happen to them when they don't get driven regularly. The redhead looks like she's aged 20 years, all hunched over just sittin' in the garage. Can only image poor frank being outside all this time.

 

So how is the LT kit from MCM Fab holding up after 5 years? Any corrosion issues? Im thinking of going with this kit for my truck.

 

Well...I've put about...0 miles on it in shit...idk..almost 3 years

That said it is still in great shape. I'll probably replace the bushings for good measure when I do the overhaul. But it's an excellent kit. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I love it. I hate off roading without it honestly.

Plan to add the solo spindle to it as well.

 

Cool
Did you do any gusseting in the front yet? I didn't see any in your build.

 

Nope. I have uca gussets and a cross over brace though to install.

Plus will beef up the front cross member. Rear frame for outboard shocks. Hopefully front secondaries too.

 

Hey man. Been reading a ton of info on your write ups just trying to learn for now... idk if you have seen me around the webs yet. But I own Paul’s truck now. I should actually say that better- “I am in love with Paul’s truck now”. I’ve been commenting a lot on his build thread. But it’s be cool if I can connect and run some questions by you every now and then being that we have very similar set ups. Anyway, thanks for all the future hours of maintenance you will be saving me. My name is blake steinke, or @artichokedipp on insta. I’m happy to be in this family. Thanks again.

 

Welcome man! I tried buying that thing haha glad it's in good hands. Great truck.

Happy to help any time. Can get me here or Instagram @monte_n

 

Yes it does, but not a ton. You will notice though but it's not terrible.

It doesn't go far enough in to get in the area of the clutch. I've never had an issue with pushing the clutch all the way down.

 

Probably could but be a major pain as I'd bet it could mangle the steel as well. If you back it with a sheet of wood and clamp it down good Id be it'll be fine.

 

I've cut 1/8" with a jig saw, other than it throwing tiny metal needles everywhere especially into your eyes from under your safety glasses it works well. If you can get a very fine tooth blade like a 24-28TPI blade if will cut sheet metal just fine. I don't see it being any different to a real Body saw used on sheet metal.

 

Yeah I'm sure it'll work. But I just envision it going well and then suddenly going all sawzall on it and fucking it all up hahaha

 

Yeh that's a concern for sure, but the higher TPI you get the less likely it's decided to send that piece of metal into the stratosphere.

 

Eastwood used to sell this in a kit with their body saw and angle grinder. It's the tits.

https://www.eastwood.com/air-shears.html



Unless you are floating the jig saw idea to work with what you already have.

 

Hey man. Have you done “the gray wire mod” to have the ability to lock the rear in high? Trying to find instructions...

 

I have not, I've never owned an Elocker. Only open diff trucks and added ARBs later to Frank.

Pretty good write here though: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/grey-wire-mod.4405/

 

Awesome man thanks!

 

Just was reading through this real quick. I see that you installed with 18 inch 700lb. Did you end up putting a 16 inch on?

 

Long travel taken off today. Freaking hot as hell.

Going back to Montana to install on Igor. So Frankenstein transition has begun.