2004 Tacoma SAS

Wasn’t happy with any of the upper axle link mounts I was finding online (size and height options, also in Canada so $$ to get one shipped up here alone) so I opted to build my own. Also got the interior sorted out, shifters are sealed and booted. Pretty happy with how it turned out. Used another stock shifter boot for the rear shifter, remolded it and glued/screwed to the bottom of the original cup holder.

Also have a psc power steering pump from my tj I’m going to try to use. Should fit good from what I understand.

 

Sub a dub!

 

Welded all my brackets out, cut off the factory crossmember and tacked the link brackets in. Plugged the numbers into the calculator to see how it looks, overall pretty happy. Not much I could really change if I wanted to though without buying all new brackets.

Looks like the lower link is going to get into the frame at full bump so I’ll decide what to do once I start cycling it. Exactly 1 inch from string line to frame, so I can likely make it clear



Also got my spare tj pump in. Almost bolt in, just a spacer had to be put in behind it. Will need to swap pulleys yet but I’ll wait until I see how the steering feels with this pump. Found a couple reservoirs but I think I’m going to use the Chase bays baffled reservoir. Seems like the best bang for my buck.

 

Got some mock up links in, panhard in place, coilover mounts and shock hoops tacked in. Need to make some inserts to change my tie rod to under the knuckle, then I can cycle everything and adjust.

Once everything clears I can move on to frenching in the air bumps into the frame. Hoping by the end of next weekend it should be a roller and then just need to order drivelines, paint the bed and trim fenders.

 

Anyone have any recommendations on driveshafts? Looking for Toyota parts, not 1310 joints like some offer. Single joints on both shafts.

 

you don’t want to build your own? You obviously can fab and everything you need is available to buy either piecemeal or in a kit. Sourcing the tube locally will save a ton of money.
I have used marlins kit a few times and it always held up with a 22re and dual cases. TGs is $$$ and I had there old old version from late 2000s and it sucked no idea on current version.

jess at high angle also used to sell a kit for yotas

 

I’ve considered it, and could build the front with the Marlin kit easily enough I think. I’m hesitant to build them as this truck will see lots of highway miles and it would be nice to have no vibrations. Maybe I’m just being lazy though haha. Exchange is a killer right now so maybe that’s going to be my best option.

 

Makes sense. I have had shafts from lots of shops and I have never had one that was vibe free especially a long slip shaft. If you end up sending it out then you probably really need to find a local shop so you can make sure it meets your quality requirements.
I have a tow rig so all my long slip shafts are sq tube.

 

I tow for the most part, but lots of trails around here are 20-40 minutes of highway to get to. Would be nice to just hop in and go sometimes.

thanks for the information.

 

You are kinda already too far along, but why not stretch the long side of the housing? You'd end up with one custom inner shaft but I feel like that would be a fair trade for not having to run such wide spacers.

 

yeah thinking back that’s what should have happened, but running custom shafts wasn’t something I wanted to do. One of the main reasons I switched to Toyota stuff is the availability of spare parts, as my buddies run the extended short side and tons of stock widths. Nothing is fast, easy or cheap to get in Canada, so I’m trying to make things easier this time.

 

What housing did you have before that didn't work?

 

Stock housing with 3” added to the short (passenger) side. It pushed the third member too far into the oil pan.

 

Gotcha. Did you consider a fabbed housing? Might give you even more clearance. not to mention a lot stronger too

 

I didn’t really consider one as stock housings were available and pretty much free. And again, not wanting custom shafts was a big reason for this. I should be fine running spacers. If I have any problems with it I’m honestly probably going to put one tons under it.

 

fair point. ya spacers should be fine realistically. dunno what wheels ur planning on running, but could shoot for a deeper offset to minimize the size of the spacer too

 

I’ll be running two different sets of wheels and tires, 15x12 and 17x9, so probably just easiest to run the spacers. Not that worried about strength from them, I’ve never seen a good set fail.

 

Gotcha. That's one way to do it. Won't be doing 4 tire rotations that setup though

 

whats the reasoning behind this? Honest question.

Thanks man

 

I probably said that in a weird way haha. I’m running two different sets of wheels and tires throughout the year, 15x12 and 38x15.5r15 in the winter and 17x9 and 37x12.5r17 in the summer. Sorry for the confusion