45acp’s DIVORCED build!

I've been taking this at quite a leisurely pace but I'm just about finished up with the passenger side.





Any recommendations for a silicone or something to cover it with, similar to what I removed?

 

Read ups I've read people use herculiner or 3M and duplicolor both make an undercoating that is a softer material. This way its softer to absorb impacts from small rocks making it last longer and be quieter in the cab.

3M Underseal Rubberized Undercoating Black (Aerosol)

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Underseal-...-Aerosol/dp/B000ALJYVA/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_a

and seam sealer

Good write up here too. Something for you to compare to

 

I have a couple questions if you dont mind. Im about to do the same thing and Im just curious.

What size wire did you use in the welder? I ask because I believe mine is way to thick.

What gauge plate did you use to plate it back up with?

And what did you use to make the cuts with?

 

Looks great, man!

 

Also something to be aware of is the door supports you cut thru. A few people mention them in their right ups. Just something to watch if you notice your doors sag in the future. Or since you haven't done the drivers side yet maybe beef it up a lil while your in there.

 

Looks great jon!


just go get a can of primer spray about 2 coats. then 3-5 coats of a rattle can bed liner. I have been using Rustoleum with great results. My dad used Duplicolor on his bumper and so far so good.

 

Thanks, that write-up makes me feel a lot better about how much I cut out (and my welds ).

Here it is all done. I went over it again since the last picture to ensure I got good strong welds.

I was originally using .030 wire but it was really hard to tell when it was too little or too much before it started burning though the metal. Not much time in between.
I started using .024 wire and it made a world of difference. Much more controllable.

I used 1/8" steel to reinforce the door. 22 gauge sheet for everything else.

I used a combination of angle grinder (mostly with the cut-off wheel) and a sawzall. It was a PITA because of all the structure in a small area and different metal thicknesses.

 

looks like good welds for the most part. Kinda spotty perhaps on the one side..but still, im jellly your doing this and not me haha

 

How did you do this? No one really mentions it. Or shows it in pics lol

 

3rd pic on the last page..

 

Yeah I think you're right about the side. It was the first section I did and with the .030 wire. Now I'm thinking I should hit that side again with a few tacks just to be sure.

Actually, most of the entire length of that side was with .030. World of difference on the other end with the .024.

 

I know which pic you are talking about but all I see is 22ga?

 

Jon don't forget the seam sealer and hurculiner will penetrate and seal up all the little pinholes so as long as the plating is on and you can't see any holes you should be good to go.

Lookin good man!

 

First couple of pics are of the 1/8".

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/198660-45acp-s-divorced-build-13.html#post5046932


So like an idiot, I just realized I should have tack welded a nut on the inside of the body panel for the lower mounting bolt for the fender flare, since I need to relocate it back farther. Suggestions? Should I just tack a nut on the outside instead?

 

^^^ gotcha!!! I see it now lmao duhh sometimes it helps to look on something other than my phone

you sure the flares are gonna fit when done? You will have to trim the fender some as well once you put it back on. I mean I know you can trim some of it and still have the flare fit and work. I only took this much out of mine and had to fight the flares back on a little.

 

Sorry, I meant the fender itself. The flare on the other hand... probably gonna end up gluing a piece to the bottom that I trimmed off and mount it by the same bolt as the fender.

 

SixStringSteve ran into the same issue on this build thread. I dont think he ever mentions what he ended up doing. Maybe send him a message?

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?88552-97-tacoma-build-Abner

 

Was just about done and took the truck out to get an idea of how much room I had. Looks like the body mount will be a problem, and I doubt having the caster adjusted forward would fix it, so body mounts will get chopped.

I used .024 wire for the entire drivers side, including for the 1/8" plating (which I added more of this time around). I think the welds were a lot better than before and the whole thing looks cleaner this time.













Too close!



Mini-me helping out

 

Looks awesome Jon! Welds are much better on Driver side.

Can't wait to do it myself now..

 

Was that compressed or under its own weight?

IMO I'd get it aligned before I started chopin into the body mount. There isn't much there compared to the second gens lol

Specially if the alignment cured the problem. Would hate to do all that work if you didn't have to. Unless you just like to weld stuff with your new welder (yes I'm jealous)

Lookin good man!