Brett's average build thread

For now sticking with 882's on the truck. Much happier with the ride. I'll keep the 883's just in case, as things get added and the weight increases I may put them back on. But I have no idea where the added weight "breakover" point is so to speak. I feel the 882's can handle a skidplate easily with my current weight and I don't think sliders add that much forward weight.

 

My 882s handle the weight of skids just fine. My skids are heavy. At least as heavy if not heavier than Budbuilts.

 

I'm looking for 2 to 2.5 inches will the 882s and 883 put me over that? Same setup as you plus heavy skid. So the 883 were to stiff for you? Also what degree Axel shims did you use? What's next on the mods list?

 

Both springs gave the same amount of lift, 883's definitely felt stiffer. Lift on mine was about 3" plus. So yes they will probably go over 2 1/2". I can't really say for sure, I'm new at this too.

I used a 4° shim at the axle, that seems to vary by truck.

Debating on the next mod. I'm thinking just drive it for now.
Most likely a locker and some rear frame work.

 

The 882's are actually longer than the 883's by .79 of an inch. That being said they will give the same amount of lift but the 883's will be quite stiffer. I've got the 882 on Bilsteins and it rides great with bumper/winch/skids. In the end I got a little over 3 inches of lift due to the stock suspension being original and sagging a lot.

 

Hey! I think I saw you on Overland, near the drive in, yesterday. Truck is looking good!

 

Thank you!
I live near Overland and Mulberry. I was either going to or from the bank or Pringles.

 

It was a beautiful day today, hit 60, didn't feel like working, set the phone to voice mail....

So I did this little project that I have been wanting to do but it's not glamorous so I had been putting it off. My Hi-lift is in the way as it floats around in the bed of the truck and I wanted to mount it to the bedside.

Every piece used was scrap that I had, function was more important than form on this one.

Started with two wheel studs and lugnuts from an old International.
Hit 'em with a wire brush and cleaned the rust off.


Then I welded the studs to some scrap strap and a square piece that might have had a purpose in another life.


These were welded to the bed side, that is some thin stuff by the way...


Not proud of the welds, but did I mention that it's quite thin, hard to join to different thicknesses, but it's strong. The sheet metal will tear before the weld breaks and I don't see that happening anyway.


Used some spray on bed liner to cover the welds and went a little too far.
I plan on lining the bed eventually anyway.
( it looked good as it went on and I was slightly mesmerized by it )
The studs are straight, it's the camera angle.


And now it's out of the way. Tight to the bed, no rattles. I can't stand unauthorized rattles.


Inverted lugnut to cut down on loss of skin.


I might try some of those quick fist things on the other side for the shovel.

 

Looks great. That a great solution. Even with the weight of the hilift, I'd be surprised if there is enough weight to tear that thin sheet metal.

 

Thanks Adam, I was hoping for a better "look", but the jack covers it anyway.
Once it's all bed lined I think it'll look better, my truck bed is beat to death on the inside.

 

So I was reading this thread
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...clicking-sounds-c-heater-fan.html#post8054590
and it reminded me of a story...

Several years ago a buddy and I went fishing at a lake that we had never been to before.
It was a short hike in to the lake and we tent camped for the night.
As evening settled in, we noticed movement in the tall grass and started to hear squeaking now and then, didn't think much of it at the time as it was beer thirty and we see critters all the time.

As darkness fell, and we were eating by the campfire, we had mice come right up to us, damn near climbing on us trying to get at the food.
They were around the fire pit, the tents, my dog, running around everywhere.

All night long the little bastards were running over the TOP and sides of the tents, scratching at the tent material, driving my dog absolutely nuts and there was no sleep to be had. I could hear my friend in his tent smacking the walls and cursing...literally thousands of them, it was freaking surreal.

We had to keep the food in the tent, a big no-no, but we knew it didn't stand a chance outside, and thus the mice trying to get in the tent. We both carry and since sleep was out of the question we figured we were ok if something bigger and furrier came along.

Next day, after a sleepless night, we fished for awhile only, had moderate luck but nothing spectacular.

After hiking back to the truck and opening the door, I first noticed a small package of mixed nuts and m&m's lying open on the floor. It was one of those tiny snack bags. I don't even recall where it came from, must have been under the seat as I had not bought those in sometime.

I started the truck and turned on the fan to get some heat.
The fan made a WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP sound and stopped.

wtf?

So I opened the glove box to grab a flashlight and look under the dash where the blower is and saw a small amount of shredded paper (my registration and insurance ) and...some nuts and m&m debris in the glovebox. A nest in the making...

So now, at this point, after what we went through the night before, I had an idea what might be wrong.
Fortunately the Tacoma blower assembly is easy to get at, so I opened it up and sure enough there was the remains of a mouse that had been caught in the squirrel cage right when I turned it on. Was kind of a mess

We never went back to that lake again. And now I always turn the vent to recirculate when in the woods to try and prevent that from happening again. Little bastards.

 

Changed the oil today. Pain in the ass each and every time.
As promised, another mileage update.
I started running 87 octane in the tank again to see if there is a difference.
Last two tanks were 19.1 (mixed octane on that tank) and 18.5, not really a significant drop.
Did notice a little less "pep".
I'm also long overdue for plugs and wires, might do that Saturday and see if there is a difference.

 

Liking the build, def has swayed me toward 882s. Been on the fence about what coils to go with to get a little more lift out of the front. I wish I was getting 19 mpg still, right now I'm at about 15.

 

Maybe a tuneup?
Nice start to that 4runner build, are you gonna finish it?

 

Plugs are about a yr old. I'm thinking the cats are goin out and getting clogged. Had a p0420 code come on the other week but after clearing it has not come back since. (It'll prob come back on here soon)

The 4Runner is up in the air, I want to finish it but college budget makes it hard to do things. I'm kinda planning to get into a roller and sit aside till after college.

 

I understand the budget issue. Good thing is parts are always out there and sometimes waiting allows better stuff to come on the market.

Glad you mentioned the cat, I have no codes but might be something to look into as to where my hp went. After I Seafoamed, engine ran better, high idle came down faster after a cold start and mileage seemed to increase but the horsepower seems to have dropped. I wonder if I plugged it a little.

 

Changed the plugs today, 18° F out and snowing, wanted it done.
No pics of the process, there was high concentration going on trying not to break cold brittle wires and intake components.


Looks like everything is burning like it should.


They didn't look too bad, they did need changed though, I can't remember last time I changed them, so it was time.

After the change, it seemed to idle a little smoother.
I left the wires alone, they looked fine, no cracks, I'll change those next time.

Checked on a cat from the stealership, their asking $1027.00. They can keep it.

 

Calibrated and installed the UG today.
This is what I had to work with for distance test.
If you have one, you know that it recommends 50mph or higher for a minimum of 2.5 miles. I used my GPS to calculate mileage driven so I could start and stop at a safe opportunity, I went a total of 3.89 miles.
The discrepancy was like 1.08 whatever it measures.


Looking for my Velcro, I found this bracket. I added more bend to it and doubled a layer of 10lb double stick tape.


Test fit, I ended pinching the small curl on the base a little tighter, can't be seen in this pic.


Then I added my Velcro to that surface and the back of the UG. I might re-bend it and place it a little further back, but for now I'll see how it does.


It sits higher than everybody else's, but the only light it blocks is the seatbelt light and I ignore that anyway. I can also access all the buttons without removing it.






Pretty cool little toy

Edit:
I did end up making another bracket and moved it back about 1/2"
I like this much better. It allowed me to move it down a little as well.

 

I def want to get one of those here soon.

 

Package today from Marion AL. The Stage Two charging system from Bamatoy.http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/ma...coming-2nd-gen-electrical-system-upgrade.html


Lets see what's inside. The white sheet is the instructions


Very well packed!


New cables and battery terminals, These are some nice pieces of hardware.


So pretty. The heart of the charging system.


Install will have to wait for a warmer day