'99 Flatbed Hunting Rig Build

Hi everyone,
I'm starting this thread to lay out everything I'm doing to convert a '99 3.4l manual extracab into a dedicated hunt truck. I run hounds and fly falcons, so the truck will be getting a flatbed to accommodate 4 large dog boxes and 2 bird transport boxes. I'll be using this thread to keep track of my own progress, but hopefully it will help others too. I hope it helps, and if I"m making a mistake hopefully you guys will point it out before I'm in too deep!

I am by no means a mechanic, and this will be my first tacoma. I used to wrench on motorcycles in my younger days and I have access to tools. Probably haven't wrenched on anything in 10 years or more, and I've never worked on anything with 4 wheels newer than 1965, but I'm mechanically fluent at least.


Here's the truck:
195k miles at purchase.
Salvage title restored, from front end damage without airbag deployment.
Work done by the previous owner:
10/08/21 Coolant; coil pack wires
10/28 Battery replaced
11/1/21 New injectors
11/21/21 New Coil packs and spark plugs
1/14/22 New Head gasket; Head sent to machine shop for resurfacing. New timing belt, New water pump, oil change.

I've attached a picture of the damage, and a picture I took when I bought it. Frame horns appeared to be in good shape, and the repair work looked solid, so I wasn't much concerned there.

There is a lot to update on the truck to get it in safe running condition. Here is what I've purchased so far:

Wheels:
BFG K02's 265/75/R16
Spidertrax Toyota 6 on 5-1/2" x 1-1/4"
TRD wheels. Not sure the model year they're off of

Suspension:
Energy Suspension Rack Kit
Old Man Emu Shackle Bushing Kit
Old Man Emu Complete Suspension kit-- 2882's In the front, Dakar leafs, Nitro sport shocks
Wheeler's Differential Drop Kit

Steering:
This was an oversight on my part when checking the truck over prior to purchase. I checked for play in the rack, which it had, but I didn't see any leaks so I expected to do bushings to correct it. After bringing it home I noticed huge build up of fluid in the boot, and the local shop couldn't get it aligned--so now we're going down our first rabbit hole.
Since I'm going to be replacing the rack, might as well get everything done at once.

Ready for install:
OEM Steering rack (includes inner tie rods)
OEM outer tie rods
OEM lower ball joints
OEM Upper ball joints


I haven't looked at the CV axels, though I did note one boot was loose when buying it.
I suppose I should replace them at the same time, but I'm just a little leary of trying to do too much at once and overwhelming myself.
The OME lift is going to stretch the CV boots as it is, so the smart thing to do would be to replace them now.


The Cab:
The interior is immaculate. The radio has been replaced tastefully, but it is otherwise untouched inside.
The steering wheel is in good physical condition, but appears to have unglued itself from the actual inner wheel, so the wheel material moves under your hand when gripped.

Back window: another oversight! The rear window is heavily tinted, and I completely missed the fact that the pane directly behind the driver seat is actually smashed and held together entirely by the tint. looks like something tapped the bottom corner of the pane just right. Unfortunately there is enough missing in that corner that there is a hole, so the rear glass will need to be replaced. I found some on carparts.com locally, but the install seems problematic to do at home. Will need to research this more.

Looming Concerns:
Engine----Feels ok now but, knowing that the PO had to do the head gaskets, and head resurfacing while chasing a misfires makes me a bit nervous. I didn't get documentation on the work, though I know where it was done, but it will make me wonder either way.
I'm not an engine guy, so I will be out of my depth with those issues, and I get overwhelmed quickly with those problems.

Transmission--- I noted a grease/grime build up at the trans mounting bracket on the frame. There don't appear to be any visible leaks that I can find, but I do worry about that build up. First gear is fairly difficult to engage at random moments. Not sure what to make of that yet. The clutch engages well otherwise. As you can tell, I'm also not a transmission guy, though I would probably be willing to rebuild one of these before I would mess with the engine.



I will attempt to speed run the lift and steering upgrades this week, so I will update with pictures after that.
Once that is complete the bed will come off and we will start fabbing the flatbed.
I will be making a version very similar to OverlandUnderbudgets flatbed, minus the pelican case stuff. I have made up a design and I'll share that shortly.

 

Build two, with dog boxes please

 

Welcome to TW!!!

 

That damage does not look particularly bad, and no airbag deployment?!?!

I've seen vehicles in much worse condition than that driving around; I'm guessing it was totaled because of the age and mileage?

 

I'd like to have the original bed when you take it off. Where are you located?

 

Here are my tentative sketch-up models. Everything in the model is scaled to exact proportions. The biggest variable will be whether we run into any obstructions where the mounting brackets go once the OEM bed is removed. Calculated weight for the flatbed alone (with diamond plate bed cover) is 290lbs. I will either need to be creative with the dog box build or have it made out of aluminum in order to keep the overall weight down. each dog is between 60 and 90 pounds, so working weight will be a concern.

 

No rig rack?

 

There is going to be a headache rack, I just didn't draw it out because I won't know the exact dimensions for it until I get the height of the bed properly nailed down. I want the rack to be flush with the top of the cab, so we will fab that up last. The sketuchup design has space allotted for it, you just cant see it in the screen shots.

 

Yeah I was a little surprised when I first went and looked at her. It really was pretty hard to find any sign of the repair.
There's a high probability that I'll do more damage to her hunting out of it at some point, so the salvage title wasnt a worry to me so long as the frame was straight and nothing had been mickey moused under the hood.

 

Flatbeds are definitely the way to go, less body panels to scratch up and dent

 

Off topic question, what do you fly falcons for? Hunting rabbits or something?

 

You can haul more dogs on a flat bed too
Nice hounds you got there. I'm running greyhounds and staghounds, no nose but boy do they fly.

 

Yea so, just build two beds like that and I’ll come get one

 

I ask myself that question every season.

I fly falcons at jackrabbits with the hounds mostly. I also fly them at ducks and quail depending on the time of season.

 

Whats your plan for the original bed?

 

That’s pure ‘Mercia.
I suppose the hardest part will be catching the flacon!

Good luck with your build!

 

Yard art until I'm sure that this flatbed idea isn't garbage. Nothing kills value like major modifications.
Once I've had a full season on the truck to be sure I don't want to revert it back to stock then I'll put it up for sale.

 

Where are you located?

 

I'm out in Arizona, a bit far from you.

 

As usual.