Allenfab’s 2008 5-lug SAS and LS swap

Steering from firewall to frame is done. Took me three tries to get the steering box back together after the drilling/tapping and rebuild because I’m a jackass but I’ll save that story.

got some DOM and other steering stuff coming so that’s what’s up next

 

Are those axles out of a 99-04 Super Duty? I'll be following the build, as I am starting to gather parts for a similar swap on my 07 regular cab. After seeing yours, I thunk I'll take the KISS principle and go leaf sprung on the front.

 

Yup, 99-04’s. Good axles that are cheap. Only drawback is that leaf spring perch width, makes the shackle mounts a bitch

 

Are they a PITA as far as mounting the springs to the frame, or? I'm guessing the center section is in the way for moving the perches around to the width you need?

 

Also, since you're deciding between 35's and 37's. First is 35's, second 37's. EDIT: frame height is at 21" under the driver's door.

 

Those motor mounts look great. Im hoping to have mine tackled on Thursday. I got the motor trans and transferase all mated together, that way its clearanced correctly.

I wish I had the fab skills you do. I have to outsource all my welding. If I didnt, the second my truck hit dirt id have a motor sitting on the ground...lol...

 

Maybe some of both. I actually don't mind the perch width as it adds some stability to the truck. But the width makes the shackle mounting points right where the frame is still wide as fuck, so if you really want to use shackles and want a low ride height you're going to have to french them into the frame, there is no other way around it.

I actually bought some 37's a few months back off a friend/fellow member here, I guess I never posted them. They are just some used Toyo's that will get me by for a little while. I think my frame height is going to end up around 24" when all said and done

 

haha thanks man, I have been following your build. I wish that part of my build was going faster but it just isn't. I have a np241 with a 32 spline input but I need one with a 27 spline input so I can get that mounted up and I can finish the transmission crossmember. Just need more money at this point lol

 

May be too late but did you look into running the shackles forward? You may be able to get it lower that way especially with having to outboard them a bit.

I actually wish my truck was a bit taller, it gets hung up on everything and the break over angle sucks dong on the steep hill climbs down here, so that belly height may be just fine!!

 

I had shackles on the front of the springs on my old one-ton Tundra and didn't care for them that way (had someone else build the truck and they did them that way). Definitely makes it easier to keep it lower, that's for sure, but the ride quality was lacking (also because of the guy who built it, used lifted diesel super duty springs on the front, rode like a old horse and wagon )

I think I will end up liking my ride height a little higher than I was anticipating, even though its a short wheelbase truck. Lower will be mo better for what the truck will be used for really but you can only get these things so low

 

Weekend update...

Frame side panhard bracket welded up. I built it a while ago but had to modify it to raise it up a little higher. The panhard bar itself is also welded and painted, but waiting to do the axle side mount until I do the steering links which may get done this week..



While waiting on the rest of my steering parts, I started to mess around with a front bumper. I still really want to keep the factory bumper on most of the time but am going to build a tube bumper that the factory bumper will slide over and secure with a couple of screws. The challenge will be getting it to look good but I think I can do it.

 

I need a bracket like that one for my rear pan hard bar...and a new pan hard bar with heims for some adjustability.

 

Pretty welds - I assume mig ??

 

DM for quote

 

Correct. Quick, easy, and cost effective

 

22.5” frame height on 37s

 

Finally got to read your build thread. Looking great!

Still remember the previous one, the white reg cab, with nostalgia . Man, that was such a crazy bad ass build!

22.5" frame height on 37"s is amazing.

Curious, why not links and coilovers on this one? Was that part of the idea of wanting to keep things simple and low(er) cost?

Always enjoy seeing the stuff you build. Very creative and well executed

 

Thanks man! But yea, I just wanted to keep things simple and relatively low maintenance this time. Leafs will do most everything I need them to do at a fraction of the cost.

How have you been enjoying your truck still?

 

Got ya'. That makes sense, especially now that prices have gone up so much on everything. Coilovers are so much darn expensive compared to two years ago. It's insane.

Yep, still enjoying the truck! Need new tires soon, so I'm in that process of researching which tires to go with next.

It is awesome you are building another reg cab. I am biased of course, but I think reg cab Tacomas are such cool platforms for a SAS.

 

Good to hear!

What's funny is that I never liked regular cab trucks throughout my life until I got that white Tacoma, now it's the only cab configuration that I will build now. Plenty of room for just me, they fit in my garage even when fully built, fit on my trailer and not too big for my F150 to tow, and they can get into way tighter spots out in the woods when hunting which is what I mostly do these days. Having all that with V8 power is what is going to be really fun