2001 Double Cab Diesel Expedition Build

Not possible.

Any motor other then the one it came pre wired to work with from toyota requires extensive fabrication.

 

I think that there will be a bit of fabrication. For now I am happy with the stock motor. If all goes right I will start the search for a motor this summer. I would like to run the D-4D motor. If it came down to it I would tube the front end, but I doubt that will have to happen.

I've got a decent bit of fab work under my belt. So, I don't feel like this motor project would be above my skill level.

 

I agree. That would be the game plan. Find a complete front clip.

 

It will be a lot of man hours!

 

So I have had a really bad experience with bumper superstore. It seems like I am not the only one. STAY AWAY!

 

Got to work on the front end today. I have just about everything torn out. There were a lot of rusty bolts. I spent the better part of a couple hours on one.

The wind was taken out of my sails for the day when I realized that I had to move the steering rack to take off the lower control arms. I kept telling myself that the work will be worth it when the truck drives like new in a few days. Assembly will go by much quicker then disassembly. I am going to freshen up the components with a coat of paint as well.

Here are a couple pictures of the work...

Passenger front:


Driver Front:


Parts Removed:

 

Yeah. That would take a long time to build. I have been Project lead of several builds that were 3-5 years long. These were cars that would run several hundred thousand dollars.

 

One thing that I did try and diagnose was the horrible noise that would come from the front end when I engaged 4wd. It's not the diff or transfer case, for sure. I am replacing both CV axles, they were pretty bad. So, I think that was part of the problem. The other thing that I noticed was that the majority of the noise was coming from the front drive shaft. I am that I can replace the joint and not have the replace the axle. Fingers are crossed!

If you guys have any ideas what it could be let me know. I can get some video of the noise and post it tomorrow if that would help.

 

My DC is a non-ABS truck. Has anyone added ABS to their truck? I am thinking about starting to piece together the conversion.

 

I think most people delete the ABS. I don't know of anybody adding ABS to their truck.

 

I don't want my abs. Tries to kill me haha

 

The reason I was thinking about it is that the truck is a daily driver for me and it gets pretty snowy in Utah. It's more of an added level of safety.

 

Personally, I dont have ABS. But ive only read bad things about it on TW so Im kind of glad I dont have it. I think there is a whole thread where people completely for ABS and people completly against ABS argue haha.

Here it is, however is is a 2nd gen discussion

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/68167-abs-truck-dangerous.html

 

Haha. I am sure there are people that argue either way about it. Maybe once my new wheels and tires show up I will feel differently about it.

Thanks for the link. I searched, but didn't find anything. I will check it out.

 

Personally, I wouldn't bother with converting to ABS. Not worth the effort IMO.

 

I tend to agree. I was curious of people experience.

Your tires are siped. Did that help with winter traction? Do your tires wear faster because of it?

 

Alright guys... What is the trick for getting out the lower control arms? The bolts are out everything is disconnected, but the sleeve running through each side of the control arm is stuck. It's a major pain in the A**!!

 

A sawz-all...... as long as you have new bushings and sleaves

 

I started to sawzall the arms out. I will finish up tomorrow morning hopefully. I don't have the new sleeves, but I will get them ordered in the morning as well.

 

VICTORY!!! After many hours and many sawzall blades the lower control arms are out. Monday I will take them and other parts down to the machine shop to have everything pressed out and in. I will pick up the new camber bolts from toyota tuesday. Those suckers are expensive, $140. I swear dealerships should have a sign that says, "Grab ankle and get ready for a rough ride."

While everything is apart I took a wire wheel and got off all the surface rust, primed, and painted it all. It looks much better. As I work on other parts of the truck I will do the same thing.