El Honcho - 1st Gen Taco build

Finally got around to picking up some parts for the rear end. Found some F55's on CL for cheap. Before everyone says that those are worse than F67 because they sag more. My answer. I don't care. It's what was available to me, in my budget and it's still an improvement over stock geometry. Also had to keep the shocks in budget too. Picked up Bilstein 7100's 14". So far I have everything cut off and new geometry tack welded in. The only thing that keeps me awake at night is getting the pinion angle correct. Right now with the perches tacked in, the truck at ride height, the pinion is about 3/4 of a degree off according to my digital angle finder. That is well within spec of 4 degrees however, at full bump my u-joint is doing the classic V shape. How can I tell if at full bump the U-joint is good? Put the truck in neutral and rotate the driveshaft? To me, at ride height which is where you set pinion angle, it looks great. I think I'm overthinking this. Let me provide my set up details. Quickly, I have to get outside and start working.

9" custom shackle that I made myself from scratch.
Deaver F55 61.5"
Eye to Eye: 53.5

I used the equation from Total Chaos to come up with that number.
X+y=Z+1
X+9=61.5+1
x+9=62.5
x+-9=62.5-9

X=53.5

It is set exactly at 53.5 and it looks great! Bumps exactly in the stock location and the shackle is exactly at 90 degrees at full droop.

Any help in regards to the pinion angle is greatly appreciated. It has me stressing out so hard! I don't want any play and vibration issues in the driveshaft. I want to do this once and never mess with it again. Or at least not for a little while lol.

The only thing that I haven't done is cut out my lower shock mounts. I have them traced on plate steel right now just need to death wheel them out. Also, no upper shock mounts and now I realize that I will have to take the shock through the bed to utilize all the available or as much up travel as I can.

Need ideas!!! I really don't want to make a full bed cage and I don't think it's in the budget. I'd have to beg the girlfriend and that's just downright degrading! LOLLLLLL

I have an idea for some shock towers that I think could work. I will post pics when I can.

Here is the page to the front of my truck.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/solo-motorsports-lt-kit-install-help.483541/


Thanks again TACO WORLD!!! You guys are awesome!

 

More to show how much I could strap it at. Not saying a 14" shock will achieve 17". Still have to place shock to see what I will actually get.

 

Pinion @ Full Bumpski

 

If I get creative maybe I can keep these inside the wheel well which was the original idea...

 

The wear mark on the inside of the well is about where this top mount needs to be...

 

Pinion at full droop

 

ANY and ALL comments are encouraged! If something doesn't look right or any information regarding how my pinion angle is PLEASE let me know so I can address it before I fully burn this stuff in. Pry won't be doing that for a few days though. 3-5 days I bet. Thanks broski's!