GHOST SHIP: Custom Chingaderas

This is why I love you man! Haha cuz that is some super clean work and you’re just a good dude. Sergio is a G!

 

Thanks Ryan!

I make stuff for the laydays too.

 

And the horse you rode in on...


It’s one of those jobs I just hate doing alone and would prefer as part of a complete suspension install but it’s really satisfying when you get a report back that it cured the vibes immediately. Had a little fun getting dirty under @Fuerte ’s truck today.

 

Nice man!

 

Also modified a Yakima rack system to fit around a tri-fold tonneau cover that relocates the attachment rails. The original rack system came off the owners previous F150. He hauls 16 foot fish/dive kayaks and now can do it with his little truck.

 

Ah man if I would’ve known you do the ECGS bushing install I would’ve gone to you...

 

And some more leather. Hand dyed veg tan 6 oz leather with a low-sheen wax finish. Still waiting for some black edge dressing to arrive to finish the edges but you get the idea.

 

All good man. Haha. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it here before.

 

Thanks for the great work but most importantly I think I have a new homie!

 

VERY NICE SERGIO!! You impress me with every fab build you do. I dig it.

 

Thanks Drew! Still got that bumper coming up that we talked about.

 

Yes, def something that should be done together with lift - less time and less headache.

I heard you can do diff drop to prevent from needle bearing from failing. what do you think? Would you do both diff drop and ECGS on a leveled (front) truck or just one?

Edit to add: Also how can you tell if your need bearing needs replaced?

 

I have no direct experience with a diff drop so I can't help you there but the benefit of doing one is that it lowers the diff to keep your CV angles happier and in turn puts less stress on the needle bearing. However, the needle bearing itself is a known problem with Tacomas to the point that Toyota Corp put out a TSB to replace it (with an "updated/stronger" needle bearing). Some guys had some luck getting the dealership to install the ECGS bushing when coming in for that TSB, but it was few and far between since I'm sure a lot of dealerships were hollering, "liability, yadda-yadda". I'm sure by adding a diff drop, you may extend the life of the OEM needle bearing, but I doubt it solves the problem of wear completely. If you're just leveling the truck, then your lift is conservative by comparison to a more common 3" lift so I wouldn't go as far as adding a diff drop and ECGS bushing prematurely. I've replaced a few bushings on new trucks as a preventative step, but this is honestly the first one that came in to rectify a vibration problem. When I pulled the bearing I noticed two of the needles weren't seated completely and didn't free rotate and there were signs of brinelling on the axle shaft which are not entirely uncommon to some extent. The way you can tell if the needle bearing is bad is if you're having driveline vibrations at lower speeds (usually from 15-40 MPH). On a straightaway, you can engage 4WD without harming your diveline and if the vibrations go away, then it points to the needle bearing as a source of the vibes as opposed to hub/bearing or tire balance issues. Vibrations are a bit subjective though- some people are a lot more sensitive than others. I don't feel like I have any on my truck and I haven't done the ECGS bushing with 85k on the clock and my truck has been lifted for the majority of that time. I have the bushing, just haven't gotten around to installing it.

 

Great info. Thanks. PM (edit: to be) sent re. quote.

 

Some sheet metal work on the scooter:
I never really liked the bobbed fender and wanted a full fender. So I took an 87-92 FXR fender and drilled and welded on it till it fit like a glove. Just needs finish work and paint.

Stock:



FXR full fender:





definitely not a direct bolt on. Had to drill new holes, metal work some of the old mounting points including plug weld them shut and smooth the metal out and get everything lined up for the rock seat height to remain the same. Just need to splice in a new taillight.

 

Shop upgrades. No more manual bending so I guess I’ll have to get my workouts elsewhere.