The LAWL Team Build Thread!

Build Index: HERE

Alright, alright, alright...

Welp, ya' can't build much if ya' ain't got parts and materials, right?

So, way back in April of 2018 I bought a complete Old Man Emu suspension kit with 886X struts and Dakar Heavy leaf packs from HeadStrong Off-Road. The plan was to buy the kit, wait a month or so, buy the wheels, and so on, until I had everything I needed to proceed with the suspension up-grade.
Things were on track, I had purchased wheels (SCS F5's in Bronze in 16x8 +0mm offset) and tires (Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx in 285/75-16) and a few other incidentals, when I realized that I needed OME's BP-51's instead of the 886's/Nitrochargers (also from HeadStrong). So, I sold the 886/Nitro's to somebody here on the forum and ordered up the BP-51's. What the hell, it's only money...
I added parts, including SPC UCA's (purchased used from a forum member in Reno, NV), Wheelers U-Bolt flip kits, ECGS's front diff bushing and tool, and assorted other doo dads.
My pile of parts looked something like this:









Glacier N.P., MT 2019



Grand Teton N.P., WY 2019



Chasing @theesotericone around Coyote Flats, CA 2020



Jump Up Point, AZ, 2018 (currently same picture as TacomaWorld Home page at top)

 

Build Index: HERE

Alright. I am going to post a little Diddy I came up with way back in 2017. Now, I realize that I have linked it all over tarnation, but I believe it is part of my build storyline. (Yeah, SOME build threads have a storyline... If yours doesn't, well ) And I KNOW that many of you have seen this. If so, just keep scrolling like nothin' happened. I have included the original pic's.
Anyhow, I got a mess of flat tires up in Northern Nevada and it turned the tide for fortifying the Taco.
***********************************

Posted in May, 2017.
Ode to a tire.

We drove to Northern Nevada to prospect for gold.
I didn’t suspect my Tacoma would leave me cold.

Not so much the Taco, but the Goodyear Wrangler Adventures,
When both rears blew, it almost knocked out my dentures!

On a road called Imlay we hit a big bump,
the kind you feel right in your rump!

We quickly saw lights and warnings on the cluster,
we sprang into action with all the speed we could muster,

With Nascar Pit speed we made quality repairs,
we promptly sped off thinking we had no more cares…

Sitting around the campfire we chatted about tires,
And nervously dozed off hoping things didn’t get dire.

After a Trego Spring soak and an ice cold beer,
I returned to the truck to find another flat Goodyear.

A plug and some air and we headed on our way,
not yet knowing the Applegate Trail would bring total dismay!

Zipping down Jungo we heard a big whoosh,
And right at that moment my brain turned to mush.

A two inch long gash let out all the air,
I’m tellin’ ya’ now, it just isn’t fair!

Nine bunched up plugs wouldn’t hold back the air,
in this remote country four tires is a scare!

Found cell service and called tire shops for 200 miles,
The Winnemucca Wal-Mart brought warm, winning smiles!

We eagerly met a nice man called Chris,
as he reshod my steed I enjoyed total bliss!

Having four P-rated flat tires in less than 24 hours,
tells me the LT 10-pliers won’t leave me so sour!

Seriously.

 

Are they free?

 

Build Index: HERE

Welp, I took off work for the Labor Day week of 2018 to work on my truck. Suspension in hand, along with tires, wheels, u-bolt flip kits, and a winning attitude, I dove in. I disassembled, cleaned, and lubed the Dakar Heavy packs and removed leaf #3 to convert them to medium packs. I then installed them along with the BP-51's and u-bolt kits.
This is where I ran into a little snag... The BP-51's have a 3/4" shaft, which equates to a larger upper bushing and bushing washer. The new bushing washer does not fit into the upper mount. After an exhausting 3 1/2 minute search on Tacoma World (I found nothing on this), I started looking at solutions. Ultimately I drilled out the upper mounts to fit the 7/8" washers.







Chaco Canyon N.P., NM 2018



Liberating a Rubicon, Dove Opener Owens Valley, CA 2017



An Undisclosed Location, 2020

 

TW Patent 181838

 

You okay there cooter?

 

Patience GrassHopper.

 

Look again you scalywags...

Post 704.

 

Uh huh, ya'll quiet now...!

 

Build Index: HERE

Alright, alright, alright, I have strange people coming in here and telling me I suck as a build thread narrator... Perhaps I'll make a poll about that...

So, after installing the rear suspension with the upper shock bushing washer boondoggle, the front went together fairly smooth. The only thing that slowed me a little bit was the U.C.A. through bolt removal and reinstall. I pulled them because I installed a pair of S.P.C. upper control arms. The passenger bolt was cake. The driver's bolt, however, was slightly more challenging. I should have removed the battery for easier access. That would have made a difference. Other than that, the front was fairly easy to install.

Turns out I had the dreaded front diff needle bearing vibration after the lift install. The vibration would manifest itself at 35 mph and dissolve around 50 mph. I managed to poke a pin hole in the outer CV boot while installing ECGS's bushing, which I sealed up by cleaning thoroughly and applying boot cement to the hole. Not a speck of grease leaks any more, and I have no bad vibes!






Kavanaugh Ridge, Inyo Nat. Forrest, CA 2016



An Undisclosed Location, 2020


Prospecting in CA, 2020

 

I quoted @Red Mud Ray 's post. But since he didn't have any content, it doesn't reference his post.

 

Thanks
That was my silent reply to your post 714

 

Gotcha

 

How are you doing Red?

 

Had a busy 'find the ducks' and 'place them in a row' type day.

 

I hope you found them all and everything is in order.