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

Thanks Dan! Kurt said he can have the motor assembled as a long block in about a week or two after I deliver parts to him. I'm just waiting on a piston and a freeze plug for the back of the motor. Unfortunately it does look like I'll be down for the vast majority of wheeling season. Especially since I also have to break in the motor and differentials before I can wheel or drive long distance.

 

What tools did you use to make the brake lines? I know Eastwood sells a bunch, wasn't sure if you used theirs or not. They all came out awesome!

 

Thanks man! I used a mastercool universal flaring kit, a few hand benders, a drill with a countersinking bit, and some sand paper.

 

Today was a pretty big day for me. Front end is pretty much done at this point outside of a few minor details. That being said, I am beyond stoke to finally have the front back on the ground today.


PXL_20220617_212750259.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

She's gonna look mean once done. Definitely sitting very high right now, but with no motor and suspension isn't broken in yet, she's definitely got a bro lean going on right now.

Outside that, I was also able to run the front diff breather line and got it as high as I could.


PXL_20220617_192615373.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Also got some new edge trimming for the fenders. These have some sheet metal inside them so these should stay on the fender compared to the last one I used.


PXL_20220617_192310739.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

And with that behind us, now I'm turning my attention to the rear suspension and axle swap now.


PXL_20220617_231628849.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

I'm getting pretty motivated so here's hoping I can knock this section of the build out in some decent time. I'm definitely ready to enjoy a little bit of wheeling and camping if I can get the truck broken-in in time.

 

Rear axle swap is in full swing, and the rear suspension update is at a stand still for a little bit. I'll explain in a bit.

While I'm not swapping out the leaf pack, I am putting longer shackles on the truck. The rear will sit about an extra inch taller and interior help level out the truck with LT up front.


PXL_20220619_181127825.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Had to cut the old shackles out, but these new ones are definitely beefier compared to stock.

Here's ride height and full droop with only axle weight. Full droop is probably a little more than what I will actually have since I'll be prioritizing up travel this time around.


PXL_20220619_182758623.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20220619_182834378.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Out with the old...


PXL_20220619_195045903 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20220619_200321977 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

And full pause on mounting up the rear axle. Unfortunately I didn't think to measure the rear axle tubes on the Sequioa axle, and it turns out that the Tacoma u-bolt flip kit I bought from RuffStuff didn't fit at all. Silly mistake as well, but I did order the u-bolt flip kit before I got the axle. I do already have 3 1/4" u-bolts on order, so hopefully next weekend I can get the axle set and the pinion angle set.


PXL_20220619_221843019 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

As for the rest of the time I spent on the truck, I cut my bedsides back to match the front fenders. This did include having to cut the gas tank door, which sucked, and I dropped the angle grinder on it and it left a good dent.


PXL_20220620_183016249.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20220620_183053372.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20220620_183119972.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20220620_204516884.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20220620_225500953.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Overall, not too bad. Once I get the truck out of the garage I'll be able to tell how good or bad the cuts are, but the passenger side is looking pretty good. While I think the cuts are going to look a little bit ridiculous on 35s, it's the only way I can do it without just leaving the holes for the fender flare clips. Either way, I'm digging the no fender flare look right now. Hopefully the new u-bolts arrive this week and I can work on getting the Sequoia axle set in place.

I'll end this with an update on my motor. I dropped off everything my builder needs to finish rebuilding my motor. While I won't be seeing my motor for a little bit longer, I know that next month I will have my motor back as a long block. As of right now, my dad and I are aiming for August to have the truck out of the garage and, this might be pushing it a little, possibly at Marlin Crawler Round-Up this year. MCR is definitely pushing it since I need to break in everything and test it before I run the Rubicon. Doable? Yes, but it's going to be close.

 

I’ll see ya at the round up! With @betterbuckleup and @Tof-Corey

 

Here's hoping I'll see you guys out there! I'm going to try and make it out there!

 

Why did you decide to cut the fenders now? Why not just wait until it's all bolted up and you can flex it out and do that last to cut the minimal amount.

 

I want the fenders to match more than anything. I also like the look of the fenders without the holes in them.

 

Damn you went fully commit to get rid of those holes! I am always so torn on them, I hate the holes and could fill them with weld but then would need to get it all painted. But with no flares, even with the cuts I got now, 35's look tiny. It's a lose lose haha

Also that trim you are using looks like the same trim I run and it's MUCH more durable and stays on better than anything else I have tried so far.

 

Yeah, I also though about welding them shut, but I don't have time or money to have this truck wrapped or repainted. Guess that means I'll need some bigger tires to fit wheel well better.

 

With LT, bigger rear and a crawl box, I always felt these trucks could reliably handle a 37. But that's based on theory on how well it does on 35's for me personally

 

It is very dependent on how you wheel. A Ford 9" rear, ARBs, and RCVs would definitely allow for a lot more abuse, though the steering rack is still my worry. I'm still toying with the idea, but I'm definitely using these 35s before I buy tires and wheels again. The part that is definitely not my favorite is that I'd have to re-tub the firewall and cut out and/or rebuild new inner fenders. Everything barely clears up front with 35s.

 

What size is the sequoia rear end? A Currie 9” setup would be a sweet setup.

 

Toyota 8.4. Same size ring and rinion, but a stronger carrier. Currie makes a sweet setup.

 

Yup the steering is now the weakest point. Even on 35's I have gone through a bunch of pumps/racks before finally having success with all brand new OEM stuff, and even then my 2017 rack is leaking again. Seen very interesting concepts between rack savers/swing set, but almost all will require a ton of custom fab.

 

I wonder how difficult, or if it would even be feasible to swap a howe rack in

 

The setup I've like the most has been the one made by TNT Fab.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpUfSeB6-_/

It's be pretty tough given the location of where it's need to go. Full Hydro would be easier to package, but on a street drive vehicle, full hydro is a big nope from me.

 

Does he sell those? I don’t see an actual website. I’d be interested in the price. Looks like a sweet setup

 

I liked this setup too, but did NOT like no boots to protect those rack seals.