Any knowledge shop in CA to setup 3 link

Helping a buddy, trying to source a few reputable shop to setup his 3 link suspension for his first gen. He will not attempt the install himself, so no need to say "you'll save money by doing it yourself"

Do you know of a knowledgeable and skill shop in CA that has done 3 link on a first gen tacoma? Heard about RST, but pricey.

Any shop you're aware of near you? Name them here so he can look them up.

Thanks

 

Traction automotive in Fresno ca
https://traction-automotive.business.site/

 

Look at Rock Solid Toys. Wyatt and crew do excellent work.

 

BAMF built a nice 3 linked first gen

 

Lol. Buddy spoke with BAMF and he won't built another one, lol

 

Buddy said he don't want to take out a second mortgage or lose his kidney...

 

Even if he was Scrooge mcduck with all his money he still shouldn’t go to RST
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/beware-rock-solid-toys.687511/

 

What part of CA are you in?

 

We don't do them anymore, but I'd be happy to talk you out of it..haha

 

Talk out of a solid axle or out of going to RST?

 

Out of doing a swap. I have no comment on the RST thing.

 

I want to hear your opinion.... so you're saying the 7.5 taco clamshell is sturdy enough to handle 37 and rock crawl? So a solid axle swap is overkill?

 

I didn't know it was a 95-04 Tacoma but Having wheeled the piss out of a 99 on 35's then swapping it and running 37's I can tell you it was a more useful truck on 35's and just knowing my limits. Once I swapped it I didn't do any different trails, just did them easier. Actually made stuff kinda boring. And while the truck was still street-able it wasn't fun to drive on the street. I actually broke more with the swap than with out because i thought I could do the harder lines, which I did but that's when I would break.

I'm not saying don't do a swap, I'm saying to do it right and pay someone to do it is a costly adventure. There use to be a couple shops that did it but there really isn't much money in it and those shops become black holes for customer money and good intentions. Now if someone is capable of doing a swap and you can do it your self at home. I'd buy what ever kit has the best reviews and go for it. BUT don't expect it to be a great daily after that.
The main issue with being a daily (to me) was the hydro assist steering which most opt for as the standard boxes don't do well in the rocks with large tires. Unless tech has changed in the last 15 years and there is a better way now. Those hydro assist have a bit of delay in them making freeway driving a little less than fun. Again you can drive it daily but you will slowly find your self not wanting to.

I rarely see someone's build go for what they have into it even close to that. IF I was going to build a crawler unless I was trying to prove that I could do it, I would try to find someone elses build you like and has a proven track record of working and working well. I'd much rather buy someone elses project that was done well, change a few things and use it.

I've had a number of Toyota's and still occasionally do a rock crawling type trail. I do just fine and can turn around and drive it home. Plus how my current dailys are set up, i can do a decent crawling trail but also hit the desert and do fast stuff. It does both things pretty well actually.

I did just purchase a crawler I built years ago 2005 Tacoma on 40's it was done right, with the right parts and I plan to use it mostly for a company vehicle to show off products I will take it on some harder trails. would love to go back to the rubicon with it but we will see.

Bottom line, when someone says they are going the "pay" someone to do the work, I think the money is better spent on decent modifications and time behind the wheel then weeks if not months or years on jack stands installing a kit for a gain they may never see the full benefits of.

 

What other things made it a bear to drive as a DD, I know you mentioned slow response of Hydro assist.

I love the fact of now having a tow rig, no extra tow vehicle, trailer and insurance.

I havent seen any good builds in years. Last one i lusted over was Bash buggy Wngrog (IH8MUD). Few of his rigs actually.. Too many rigs to mention from Pirate4x4.

Like others, i still dream of SAS my 2nd Gen.

 

It's all perspective I guess and how you drive. Personally I'm not a fan of rear swing out tire carriers on SUV's or even trucks. It's just one more thing you have to open to get to your stuff. So maybe I'm too old and lazy now haha.

For me the solid axle converted was tall, heavy and sloppy. My Tacoma was at least. BUT that's mostly because I had it set up that way. I wanted to run 14in coil overs in the front and 14in shocks in the rear. It had a dumb amount of flex on the trail and I rarely used the front locker because it flexed so well. I like to be able to jump in my daily and zip all over town. Not slow down for corners while the side mirrors scrap the concrete on a turn or be concerned about those expensive 37's-40's wearing out.

Getting in and out of it wasn't as easy as my current daily 4runner on 35's. Mileage was crappy. every noise made you wonder what was going on and if something else needed replaced or rebuilt. I also didn't do all new stuff, junk yard axle, rebuilt with new parts except for the arb which I should have bought new because it was missing parts. Had a bearing sieze up one time in the hub. and broke two axles on the front. Also had to rebuild the Toyota steering box after the swap twice, (screwed up the first time). Then added hydro steering. At that point my family had grown and we got a tow vehicle it was also nice to be able to wheel it and not worry about driving home.
I also laugh when people quote super low prices for doing it them selves in their driveway with junk yard parts. TRUST Me it's not cheaper haha. It pays in time and frustration to buy nice quality new parts or at least proven parts, meaning something that's mostly put together and works.

My 2007 FJC ran on 35's with the factory rear axle known for blowing up, with a super charger and I even had a marlin crawler in there. Never broke a rear diff while I was driving it! It had secondary bypasses in the front and bypasses in the rear. Loved that vehicle. Did everything great. It was awesome to go to an event and either crawl or go fast then drive home in comfort. I've continued that formula on every Toyota we've had since and it works well.

I'm looking forward to getting out with the 2005 Tacoma rock crawler I just got. I think I will enjoy using it, but that's because I've forgotten the amount of work that's went into when I worked on and I was absent for a lot of the other work that went into it to make it a reliable crawler. It's maybe one of the most street worthy ones that I've had a hand in building but still isn't something you would want to take a trip to the store in on a regular basis. haha

 

This was my 1999 Crawler going up duran falls.



This is when it was still IFS on 35's at axle alley in AZ I think that trail has since closed.


My FJ with marlin on 35's. the marlin made it so easy to crawl!


Current 4runner



And the new one.

 

That 1st Gen Bodystyle always reminds me of FrankenTaco from TX. Wheel the wee out of it for a week and drive back to TX. All on leaf spring Suspension.

Im not shooting for something Extreme. 3 link front with D60, 63" leafs with 14B, Atlas 4sp.

I just want to keep driveable onroad.
Gone are the days of gutted Solo car driven on the street.

 

How does that front axel drive shaft work? is it high pinion or am I not seeing what I think I see. The shaft looks like it is going right in the top.

 

If your referring to the Last pic. thats a Currie Rock Jock its a Highpinion diff

 

I've met Franken taco many years ago, I even helped work on his truck (trail fix) I believe he was one of the first to swap his tacoma when the tacoma name first came out. Not sure where that truck ended up, years ago he asked me to help sell it for him but not sure he ever did. Really nice guy.