cbechtold's Long Travel IFS Crawler Tacoma Build and BS Thread

I just put on some cheaper KYB shocks and struts. It rides stiff, but much much better then before

 

The stock suspension was ok on the 01-04. I honestly did expect better since Toyota revamped the whole truck. Then again, it may not help that my had almost 225,000 miles on it when I changed the suspension. KYB? Never heard of them.

 

They have decent reviews and a LIfetime Warranty. Ive heard the Tokico(think thats the name) shocks are a terrbile ride

 

Hmm... Interesting... If I could give a honest recommendation for some cheep shocks. Then it's easily Bilstiens with stock coils and stock leafs. I've heard that it give one of the greatest rides compared to the stock suspension, that's if you don't compare it to ICON or Fox.

 

Just going to leave this here...


Untitled by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


Untitled by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

 

Demello bolt on? Stoked for you!

 

Yep... I've had these on since the end of May. I'm pulling them off to drill the hole in the frame for the last bolt that I've been too lazy to do a few months now. However... That's not all I'm doing today...

 

Sway bar off. Now for a bit of a test drive...


Untitled by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

 

To be 100%, honest without the sway bar, it drives just fine. Like what everyone has said, it's will dive in the corners, but drive it like a truck and it's just fine.

I do say, I might make a quick detach sway bar if I ever decide to go back got the sway bar. Just something so I don't spend 30 minutes getting the truck ready for the trails.

Edit: Had a bit of a chat with my dad and he says that I would be better off with pulling the sway bar off when I get to the trail and then reinstalling at the end, like the way his FJC's sway bar is setup.

Or when I start wheeling just leave it off during wheeling season, and install it during winter. Or better yet, just leave it off for good.

 

Got the final bolt in for the sliders... Took way too long how ever... I spent most of the afternoon doing this...

Just be clear, I'm just exaggerating. I knew that this wasn't going to be fun and I knew it was going to be hard but it's finished... Maybe not be pretty but it's finished... Plasma cutter would have been great here...

Disregard the following image...


Untitled by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

This was the nightmare of the day... Details can be supplied if wanted...

 

Ever since I bought my Tacoma in the beginning of this year, I've always wonder what the random chunk of metal hung by a metal bracket and cover with rubber is. So does anyone know what this is?


Untitled by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

It's looks to be something that has to do with vibrations or something... Any help is greatly appreciated.

My real question about it, is if it's safe to remove from the T-case? It would seems so since my father's second gen Tacoma doesn't this hanging off the T-case.

 

I wouldn't remove it but yes, I think it is a dampener of sorts. We talked about it awhile back somewhere on tw but I can't remember where haha. Someone knew the legit answer tho

Edit:
Might have been in the "what have you done to your 1st gen" page or something... I'll look, curious again.

 

My father just found out what it is. It's apparent a vibration dampener. If removed, it will just cause more vibration in the stick that controls 4WD, 2WD, and gearing in the t-case compared to usual. I might try taking it off and see what difference it makes but I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be staying on.

 

I had an annoying rattle that I chased and it turned out that stupid thing was it. I took it off and it doesn't seem to really make that much of a difference.

 

Good to know. Gives me a bit of confidence that I should be alright when I take it off the weekend.

 

If its still good though, I wouldn't mess with it. Mine had ripper apart from the rubber bushing, that's why I took it off.

 

It's in good condition. My fear is that I'm going to tear it off while wheeling. I rather take it off and deal with the added vibration then risk damaging it.

 

Put the sway bar back on today, as well as I pulled of the t-case vibration dampener.

I can tell that the sway bar is controlling the lean, but the vibration dampener has made no difference being on or off.

Maybe I'll put the vibration dampener back on when I get some skid plates from BudBuilt or if I build my own, either way, I won't have to worry about having the dampener get torn off.

 

Removed my vibration dampener thingy and haven't noticed any ill effects. Truck vibrates more since the swap anyway so whatever Lol

 

I was honestly expect it to be like my father's triple sticks where you can visibly see them vibrate. Maybe if I get dual cases and triple sticks then I'll notice vibration through the sticks, but that's far out from now.

Typically the SAS will do that. I definately feel vibrations in my father's FJC, but it's nothing bad at all. After about 10 minutes, I completely forget about it.