93 [22R-E] 4x4 Toyota Pickup Build

Why seal the tailgate? I'm assuming you mean you put a seal around it like a door seal.

seriously

 

It's just a dust seal to fill in the giant gaps. (I'm going to miss being able to see out the passenger side one when backing up haha)

I'm not supergluing it shut or anything.

 

The seal wouldn't fit flush on the sides so I kind of chopped it up and sealed all the gaps.





It's hard to see that it makes sense without seeing the tailgate almost closed and closed and where the gaps no longer are. I also put a piece at each top corner of the tailgate to seal the biggest gap.

And the bottom was straight forward obviously

 

The rain did the washing for me today. It's crazy, the last two winters here in the MidWest have been super weak. Hardly any snow at all . . .

 

I saw this bad larry today and stopped to talk to the owner. He said his pops has been fabricating for years and they would have no problem helping me build my bumpers when I get around to it.

 

This is literally my dream rig. All I would do is throw some different wheels/tires on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai28jtff2QE

 

^^ that's one sweeet rig! I would not have thought to turn the tailgate into cargo space.

 

I've already opened mine to mess with the latch and am trying to figure out how to make a couple cubbies in there at least.

Took the Pickup in just now to get the E-brake fixed and coolant leak found (I can't find a leak, a wet spot, or a puddle, but the reservoir is always empty ha).



I know I'm in good hands when I drop my truck off to a place like this

 

Yeah, this is a pain in the ass, but absolutley necessary for dirt roads/camping.

Is that a purpose-made tailgate seal, or did you just use hardware store seals?

 

Access brand tailgate seal for a Tacoma. I cut it up to fit my purpose.

 

Got my E-brake fixed and finally found the leak in the engine coolant.


In other news, non-truck related:
I ordered my first DSLR today :woo:

Body:
Nikon D5100

Lens:
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX
Nikon 55-200mm VR AF-S f/4-5.6G ED

Filter:
Tiffen 52mm UV Protector
Tiffen 52mm Polarizing

Bag:
Crumpler 5 Million Dollar

Strap:
Crumpler Industry Disgrace

Cleaning Kit:
Air Blower
Lens pen
Brush
Wipes

Memory:
Lexar - 16GB SDHC Professional Class 10

Battery:
EN-EL14 Lithium-Ion

I can't wait to work with a real camera rather than my phone or a point and shoot.

Plan is to shoot with what I've got and learn a ton and then someday sell off the kit lens and pick up a 10-24 because I love wide landscapes and architecture etc.

 

How do you like the N94's in the rear? I'm thinking of doing suspension this summer and am still researching, but there's such little info on the difference between the N85's and N94's. All I've heard is that the 85's are supposedly stiffer, but I'd like to hear some real reviews on them. I'll probably go with the medium load Dakars.
Thanks!

 

I don't have the Dakars yet so that is going to be night and day different between us but I like my shocks just they way they are. If they were more stiff I wouldn't be happy and if they were any more plush I wouldn't like the way they handle either. The shocks that were on this thing when I got it were super soft, like a caddy, hit a bump at speed and kind of bounce up and down until gradually planing out. I hated it.

These are perfect as is IMO. Stiff enough to where I feel no roll on curves on the highway and soft enough to hit some decent bumps going a little quicker than I should with only a small amount of a shudder to the old bones.

It really all is subjective though, man. The Dakars will stiffen your ride up more than mine. I'd go with the 94s again. Hope my babbling helps somewhat. Wish you were closer I'd just toss ya the keys and you could try em out.

 

Yeah, I figured the dakars would make a huge difference. Your response is very helpful, thanks! Now if like to find someone who has the 85s to see what they say, but I'm pretty sure that I'll go with the 94s. Your description sounds exactly like what I want, so that pushes me to 94s.
Thanks!

 

No problem. It is honestly likely that you would like the improvement of either. The Dakars are pretty stiff. I'd just go with the softer ones.

 

The softer dakars? My reasoning for going with the medium duty is that my camper shell is super heavy because it's galvanized steel, so I'll always have a few hundred pounds on there.

 

I meant the softer shocks since your leaf pack will be plenty stiff.

As far as I know the only difference between the Dakars and "Heavy Duty" Dakars (or whatever they call them) is they add an extra leaf in there. Depending how much lift you want I think the standard ones without the extra will be plenty. They're made to handle with a load as is.

 

Very nice...I like seeing the older trucks kept up so nicely!

 

Thanks. Me too

 

Ok, I get ya. Yeah I'm 99% sure I'm doing the softer shocks and medium duty dakars.
Thanks for your help!