Box Rocket - 2003 TRD Doublecab

You don't know about frame plates? Rear frame sections are notoriously weak and are prone to bending especially with consistent loads. Solutions are to box the rear frame or weld reinforcement plates to the outside of the frame rail to stiffen it up.

 

Fortunately for me, a good friend and fellow Land Cruiser/Tacoma owner is a Master Technician and Regional Service Trainer for Toyota. He's gonna give me a hand which is sweet since he knows all the tricks and has all the right tools. Woot!

 

Well I love welding so thats right up my alley.

Had no idea about frame plates...

I better make some tho!!

 

There are lots of sources for premade frame plates if you don't want to build your own. This is just one option from Trail Gear.

 

Prefer to use my welder and save money. Its amazing the amount of scrap steel dumpsters on a Marine base. I just finished my bumper and it cost me about 40 bucks in grinder wheels and paint- didnt spend a dime on steel.

Actually found a half sheet of 5/16 plate in the dumpster and with the help of a forklift its in my shop ready for cutting into frame plates.

Thanks for the pic it will do wonders for placement and size.

Dude you by far have the most informative thread on this sight. I have read it start to finish a few times and thoroughly enjoy seeing the transformation.

Much appreciation and gratitutde for taking the time to write it up week after week.

I am just now getting back to square one with mine after the wife got into an accident but hopefully I can get it into the "box rocket" class one day!!!
Again thanks man.

 

Hey buddy I am trying to find an aux light for the bed of my truck, where did you pick that one up you have??

 

Found it at a local warehouse. It's a Hella Matador.

 

how do you like those dakar springs? im done with my aals and gonna buy some leaf packs here soon. also gonna be getting a snorkel soon as i have taken in a good bit of water and fear for my engine vs my stupidity

 

The Dakars have been good for me. I would definitely get them with the optional D6XL AAL. The base Dakars don't handle bed loads well but the AAL takes care of that and doesn't limit flex.

Snorkels are pretty cheap insurance for your motor. Some people think they are totally poseur, and maybe they are on some trucks, but the first time you actually need it it will pay for itself.

 

Yep Surplus boxes

 

Nice Build. I like it.

 

they look like medic chests painted black?

 

Nope not a medic box. I have one of those too that I use my my Land Cruiser. It's a little too big IMO. When it's loaded it is pretty heavy if you have to move it. The boxes on my bedrack are about half the size so I can still carry the same amount of stuff in them but they are much more manageable if I need to move them around.

 

hows the OME setup working for you? any sagging or anything?

 

OME suspension is working great for me. I have the OME AAL in the rear springs as well so that has helped with sagging. I have no complaints.

 

good to hear. im real back and forth on what i want to upgrade to with my suspension. now im deciding between OME or the bilstien eibach combo with a leaf pack. just heard that the OME is prone to sag, i figured you would be the guy to ask. seems like you put it to good use lol

 

Aweome looking truck, i dig!

 

The OME Dakar springs will sag unless you also use the D6XL AAL. Before the AAL mine sagged as soon as there was any load in the bed. After I installed the AAL to the Dakars they handle a load MUCH better and the ride is still really good.

I would recommend getting all of your OME/ARB products from Cruiser Outfitters http://cruiseroutfitters.com/. There is nobody as knowledgable about the products as Kurt Williams and he runs it on his own Tacoma. His prices are really good too.

 

No pics but I got my new timing belt, water pump, new drive belts, and new front crank seal all installed on Saturday. It was a good day. Glad to have that stuff out of the way for a while.