2000 4wd ex-cab

I swapped over to Falken AT3W from the same size Toyo AT2 yesterday. Very impressed with the Falkens and was drawn to them due to wet weather traction. The Toyos were a bit scary on wet roads even with a good bit of tread left.

 

My wife expressed an interest in hitting some trails with me when I mentioned it so I plan to add 4xi sliders and an offroad bumper of some sort. I'm also considering another rear bumper.

Two years ago I swapped the 2nd leaf spring with a Dakota leaf to help with the sagging leafs. Today I swapped the 3rd leaf which raised the rear up an inch. Front is now 22.25" from fender to center if wheel and rear is 23".

Here's a comparison of the 3rd OEM leaf and the3rd Dakota spring. I also included a pic if work in progress and new stance.

 

Nice looking truck, is that the radiant red? It looks similar to mine- I have a terrible eye for colors- the OEM color is ‘Sunfire Pearl Red’ . The mirrors are off of a 2000 4Runner, eventually to be painted gloss black. This phase- currently in the middle of the 97 grill and headlight mod- still have to do some trimming of the stock buckets for getting the headlights aligned properly.
Then some more aux fuse panel wiring re wiring the moose lights and fogs from the relay location between the battery and fender adjacent to the relays from the ‘Headlight Services’ harness I installed a few weeks ago.

Trying to do the mods that are paid for, the rest will have to wait till next year.

 

Thanks. 3K4 is the paint code. I think its sunfire red pearl. Our trucks certainly are very similar. I upgraded mirrors too. I'd like to trade you bumpers.

 

Solid copy there, I really like the iconic look of the ARB. I was able to get it in a package deal from 4Wheel Parts, came with a set of IPF lights discounted enough that with shipping it was list price, so boom jumped on that one.

I am very curious to hear how the Dakota spring mod is working. I am finding that I do have some lift aft, but it has settled down some to where I am about level. Of course I haul a lot of stuff around-it is a truck after all.
I plan on painting the mirrors semi gloss black, once I get the wiring sorted out (connectors and harnesses either bought or built) and wire in a time delay relay for the heaters.


Still have to clean up the switch panel wiring and get the stereo hooked back up, run another 12 awg ext cord back to the bed for a future fridge, compressor and light fuse panel for the shell.


I was able to get the rear work lights installed and wired:

But first some spring yard work and gardening.

I still have some trimming of the stock plastic headlight buckets to get the 97 headlights aligned to fit the grill- so it can be painted- and then I can call the headlight upgrade done.

I had hoped to order a 4xInnovations rear bumper - figured to modify it with some wrap around plate, and possibly add a double swing out to their existing package, but given the sudden lack of work and capital- due to the pandemic, well maybe next year.

Then hopefully order a Drifter, and install a Warn in between that and some solar upgrades on my cabin. Seems like the do list adds 3 items for every 1 completed task, or is that the way the honey do list goes? Detecting a trend here...
I guess that keeps one out of trouble...

 

Got the truck cleaned up so here's a few shots of the Falken 265/70r16 AT3W.

 

I ordered a 4xinnovations front plate bumper and sliders. Sliders are in but I just can't bring myself to weld onto this frame. I'm designing some brackets to weld the sliders to. The brackets will be 1/4x4" flat bar that will wrap around the frame. Welding is pretty permanent and I have commitment issues when it comes to truck parts.

 

Sliders project is coming along. All tacked up and ready to weld out.



There's quite a few details and pictures on these are here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-weld-on-sliders-converted-to-bolt-on.663074/

 

I think I'm going to go to the 2nd notch on 5100's in front and add the 2nd OEM spring to the rear(will give me: OEM 1st, OEM 2nd, Dakota 3rd and Dakota 4th). I think this will give me close to 1" additional lift. I used a floor jack front and rear to simulate the lift. The sliders I'm adding weigh 100 lbs and the 4xI bumper will add nearly a 100 lbs in the front and i definitely don't want to drop any. Might look better with 32's but I just put these Falken 31's on.

 

Wow, the truck is looking great, mine is more Monet like, looks better from a bit farther away, but it was an abused child before I got it, and functional fixes move to the head of the line.

The Hella sealed beam H4 lights are great just need to do some more trimming to the plastic buckets level them out, they are E codes, and I really like the cut off, and with the headlight hoops and scatter from the aftermarket lights, there was some weirdness in the pattern.
The fogs are great, but I have yet to get a chance for a full dark look to see how the Anzo HIDs stack up against the old IPFs. Or the trailer work lights aft.

A couple questions if you don’t mind.
1) on the paint code- where did you source the paint? I am swapping in a 97 grille, and thinking about going black and Sunfire pearl red, as well as the fillers beneath the headlights.
2) on the Dakota springs- about what year? (disregard, I found it on your write up, thanks) Judging by the side bu side with the OEM second leaf, the Dakota springs look to be about the same length as the OME Dakar AAL, I am considering tracking some down to add a leaf or two to my OME Dakar exp pack in addition to the OME AAL that I put in. Not looking for the stink bug look, just a slight rake with a load, and of course to eliminate the bro lean when towing.

Thanks

 

Thanks Steve. Something to keep in mind, the paint isn't going to match exactly due to fading. If you want to invest the time, you can bring your paint back some(mine came a long ways when I spent some time on it).

1. I had a local auto parts store mix the paint form me with good results. Next time I need paint, I plan to use this: http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

2. This thread will answer all your questions about the leafs. Dakota springs work and Chevy springs work well too. There is a 150 page thread on this but here is my thread from when I did it: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/omd-1st-gen-leaf-mod.500081/

 

Yes, that’s true, I really want it to paint the 97 grill, kinda like Madjik’s grill, like the look. And since it is just the front, it might just kinda blend. Probably wait till next summer to paint anyway, give me a chance to get all the finishing correct bits for that mod and many others. I already have a can of the SPR factory touch up paint, up at my place in Ak.
So I did at least get the grill/Hella H4 upgrade to the 80% stage- needs paint and better side lights but the budget rules at this point in time:

I did score the old springs from my fiancé’s 06 recall replacement, but they are likely going to end up on the 85. As the truck sits, isn’t bad but it is almost empty so something is still necessary:

not to mention that little cancer bubble on the fender, damn calcium chloride...

 

4xinnovations bumper made it today. Weighs in at 95 lbs and is super nice. I'm thinking about modifying the hex cut outs into circles or squares with large radius corners like I have drawn in pic below. I've included a few more images of the bumper. I love the Shrockworks hoops and will be putting hoops like them on this bumper.

 

I went over the edges with a flap disc and it didn't really need much. At work, I have the rep of being able to find a burr on an egg. I went to the extreme and rounded over almost every edge(even on the backside) including the 4.25" light cutouts.

 

So, I've decided to turn the hex holes into 4.25" round holes(like the Relentless Predator). I plan to set the bumper up on a Bridgeport milling machine this evening to make the transformation. It should be interesting.

 

Hoop tubing came in from Shrockworks.

 

Oldschool set up on mill.

One hole done.

 

Success. Loving the round holes.


Got the center hoop cut to 11.5" high. Shown here upside down on surface plate. I used a height gauge to scribe lines at 11.5" on both ends of tubing. Then to the horizontal bandsaw to cut it on the lines.


I'll mount bumper to truck next to determine final height. Shrockworks height is 10.5-10.75". I'm thinking a little taller since the 98-00 headlights are pretty tall are are partially obscured by the headlight guard hoops on the Shrockworks hoops. I'll make my final height determination once it's on the truck.

 

I added the 2nd OEM rear leaf to the packs: 1st and 2nd are OEM and 3rd and 4th are Dakotas which added 1-1.25". I also moved to the 2nd notch which raised the front .75" I believe current set provides a 2" lift. Rear springs have some nice arch to them now. I do wish I would have dog eared the ends of the 2nd spring, might tackle that another day. It took me about 2.5 hours to add the rear leads and nother 2.5 to move the 5100's from 1st to 2nd notch. From ground to bottom of fender is currently 37.0" front and ~38.0" rear.

I did the BPV bracket while I was at it.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

The plate bumper is becoming a reality. I got it fitted up(with a few tweeks). I still gotta make the frame mounts and cut the center hoops height and then cope the headlight hoops. There are a good bit of details over on this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/23320910/