knuckledusters 98 xtra cab build

Cool truck! Amazing what you can do with a small amount of $$

 

Thanks!
Didnt think anyone actually even looked at this thread lol.
Im definantly on a budget, having three vehicles as toys + two bikes eats up a lot of $$ not to mention trying to maintain two daily drivers as well.

 

Haha, I look at a ton of build threads. Big or small

I really have been looking into buying a Jeep as a fun "play-in-the-woods" toy because I'm trying not to ding up my 2012 too much haha. Without even buying it though, I can tell it's already going to be super expensive. I'd rather just put that money into my truck and enjoy one vehicle

 

Been there done that too lol.
I bought this from a co worker for $500 not running.
He had it sitting in a garage at one of his rental properties that was going into forclosure, he was going to let the bank that was forclosing on the house take it.
Tuned out to be the alternator was locked up bei g all that was wrong with it aside from all the brakes being locked up from sitting for 5+ years.












Of course this was after i put about 2 grand in it... Had 0 rust though when i got it which os rare for an ohio vehicle.

 

My trucks factory charging system was really struggling with the winch. Having a stock 60 amp alternator and a 680 ca 10 year old battery didnt help much but that will be addressed as well.
On my last outing using the winch it would actually kill the engine under hard load with the engine idled up to around 3k.
Had to do something about that...

About the only info on an alternator swap for a 3rz I could find was using a gm cs130 from a late 80's-early 90's corvette. By chance I found one local on craigslist for $35 turned out to be a like new reman.





While I was at it I figured id upgrade the wiring as well.
Found a 25' roll of #2 awg welding cable at menards on clearance for $44.
The local welding supply store wanted ove $3 a foot.





I also had to buy a new harness pigtail which was about $10 at oriellys and a higher amp fuse. No pics sorry..

The #2 wire is huge, im thinking a little to over the top at this point. I had to modify the fuse block to house the pieces of wire I had to install in there.

 

As for wiring up the cs130 there are a couple options-
You can buy a pre made harness like this one

http://store.alternatorparts.com/partno4618061.aspx

Or you can buy a pig tail and tap into you existing harness using this diagram- i chose this route

 

To make the cs130 work you have to slightly modify the bracket on the truck which involves spacing it forward about 3/8" using washers. The adjustment bracket needs spaced forward as well.

 

Heres a shot of the new cables installed, i also replaced the ground that goes from the battery to fender well with piece of 8 awg I had laying around.




I also ended up with a brand new red top, my neighbor gave me one he had that wouldnt hold a charge- told me he bought it a couple years ago at a local parts store. I took it back there under his name and walked out with a brand new one..
I figured now would be as good a time as any to make a battery hold down since I was using a ratchet strap previously.

 

Wired up some in cab winch controls and moved the winch solenoid under the hood.

 

Slight mishap the other day. Tree:1
Tacoma:0

 

Picked up some goodies in the last month or so,
Bought everything to turn my gopro into a dash cam




And a 52" ebay led light bar