2000 TRD OFFROAD MT (Black Betty aka Black Hole aka Tamiya Bruiser II) Rebuild Thread

Here is the hell I am in now.

They won't come out...

 

These $40 Amazon spring compressors are significantly better than the O'Rileys lone a tool. Seems like a pretty solid tool once you remove all of the "safety" crap and grease it up a bit. I'm not certain It would have worked with all of the built-in safety "features". Anyway, got the job done and saved me $60.

 

We have dampers. Assembly wasn't too bad. I will warn potential "do it yourself ers", you have to align one of the tophat screws with the front of the shock. If you don't you'll be getting more use out of your spring compressors. The strut has to be oriented a specific way to bolt into the truck.





I could officially put 4 wheels on the truck right now... More to do first....

 

Front and mid axles inspected and greased. Ready to go.

 

Sooooooooooo

I got fired yesterday....

3 years at that place. Good riddance.

Their reason was, " I didn't do anything". Well, they didn't give me anything to do.

Just ranting. On to the truck.

 

So, I want this truck drivable yesterday. I've got no money. I'm going to have to buy brake fluid I have diff fluid. I'd really like to do the transmission and transfer case right now but that's some high dollar oil. That will have to wait.

 

All driveshafts have been inspected and greased. I installed the front.


Now on to the steering rack.

 

And Viola!!!



It was not too difficult to swap everything over. Surprisingly, the most difficult part was the input bushing (the thing the steering wheel shaft bolts to). It was really rusted on there. A 2 jaw puller made quick work of it... After I found the puller.

 

This is where I am now. I'm about to install the steering rack into the truck. I will post up my progress as I get things done.

 

Oh, almost forgot. I am not replacing the steering ball joints. I'm reusing the old ones. They are both Nok and feel loose (they are easy to move around) but I can't feel any play in the joint. I'm pissed. If I hadn't just lost my job I'd buy new OEM ones. What's $150? I guess it's more important now. So now I'm replacing every ball joint and bearing underneath the truck EXCEPT...

Fu@k you Mr. Business.

 

Installed and torqued. On to the next.

 

Rear dampers go on. These are limiting my down travel but about 3" on each side. Need longer shocks.


I ended up using a ratchet strap to compress the springs enough to connect the dampers.

 

I put on the old front brakes because I cannot afford the 37s yet and the Tundra big brake conversion will not fit in my existing 15" wheels.

Threw on the bed (it's not bolted on yet).



Then I had to throw on 2 wheels to get the look. Getting close!!

 

Bamba-Lamba

 

Came for Tamiya Bruiser content... Leaving slightly disappointed. Although the snow wheelin 1st gen pics are legit!

 

Finally got some new tires. 35x12.5x15 BFG MT KM3. Not doing 37" yet (Too expensive). I'll stay with 35"s for a bit to see how she does. I put 6oz of balance beads in each one. I was going about 80mph on the interstate and it was smooth as butter. I'll post some pictures of her in her natural habitat once I can get out. Lotsa snow around here lately.

 

Sorry you were disappointed...

I was/am considering some kind of custom "TRD Off-road" sticker for the back of the truck. I like the idea of Tamiya badging it. I still have a lot more to do before I am worried about stickers on the truck.

Edit:

Main thing I need to do is go wheeling. Though I still need to address the front skid plate. Diff is awfully exposed.

 

Started on my skid plate. It's not done yet but here is where things stand.