JTB's build thread "STKN4LO"

alright guys, I have been lurking around these forums for a while. At first I just cruised them for fun, and than a few months back I finally signed up...


This is my 3rd 1st gen tacoma, and I love them. I looked long and hard for this truck as I was looking for something kind of specific. Here in AZ I looked at about 10 trucks when i set out to get a 4x4 tacoma. Many had 180k+ miles and people still wanted $9k for them, and they seemed to be getting that price tag as they werent in the classifieds for long. I wanted 120k miles or less, and was ready to pay to play. I came across my truck with 99k for $7,000. I haggled the guy to $6,700 bucks and we struck a deal.


I bought a 2001 Xtra cab, 3.4 and 5 speed. I was commited to the 5 speed and 6 cyl and extra cab this time around. (my previous 2 were both single cab 2wd models). 99k miles, the interior wasn't perfect, and the exterior is not perfect either. It has scratches and some dents, although 20mph or 20ft away the truck looks pretty decent. The interior just needed a good solid cleaning, and detail job.


The first weekend I had it I took it wheeling on valentines day, and shortly there after the mods started.


Long story short this truck was completely stock and these are the things I have added to it since I purchased it. I've also completed general maintenance that i wanted to be done to feel more comfortable cruising it around( timing belt with all components, water pump, idlers etc, new serpentine belts, new hoses, coolant flush, both front CV's, all fluids changed, the fan pulley bracket was replaced, along with a heavy duty fan clutch for towing added, and I also did new pads and drilled/slotted rotors up front.) As far as fun things this here is how the truck sits today:


Mods:
3" eibach/Bilstein 5100 front lift
Rear OME Dakar Leafs with 5100s to match.
Window tint(Rear quarter windows, and rear window is limo, front 2 windows are 15%)
Installed the bed tool box from my previous truck.
33x10.50x15 General Grabber Red Labels on 15" black steelies.
Front 1.25" wheel spacers
30" light bar tucked behind the front bumper.(I see most people only do 20" bars)
Front Sway bar is removed.


I have wheeled the truck this way for a few trips and have some new fun things in the making.

I am currently prepping the truck to have the differentials swapped. I found a local forum member to me selling a nice set up.

Rear complete axle, 4.56's and lockright all set up by "ZUK". (drum to drum)
Front non ADD clam shell with 4.56's and lockright locker as well as, AISIN manual locking hubs, and spindles for the swap. (disc to disc)

These parts seem to be in pretty good shape and should be installed this upcoming weekend I've been tearing them down, cleaning them up and prepping them to be installed. Looking forward to getting some of my torque back, and enjoying some low gearing. I thought about going to 4.88s but found these for a good deal with the lockers already. I plan to be selling my drivetrain parts, and the parts I don't use from the ones I got in the deal.

Buying these unfortunately pushed back my plans for some rock sliders a little ways, so I will just have to be careful for now. I'm a full time worker/part time college student so I will go through stints with slow progress.

Anyways, here are some pictures of her as she sits today. Arizona son makes her look a bit orange.

 

Here are a few pics of the truck where it's at right now.

 

A couple more.

 

Very clean truck, didn't know they came in that color.

Let us know how the 4.56 crawls with 33's. Was planning to eventually regear after I get my 33's to either 4.56 or 4.88

 

Will do! I was originally wanting to go to 4.88s with lockers, however by the time the swap is complete and I sell my original parts I will probably only be into this entire gear change and locker swap about 400 bucks. This includes new front c.v shafts as well as new ball joints.

 

Well today I got my 4.56s, manual hub conversion, and lockers installed. Man, sure is nice to use 5th gear as normal again. Don't really hear the lock rights but I feel them on occassion with the 5 speed. Got my lo range back in 4 lo as well! Sure is nice! No pictures of during the work. Just a couple relief pics after.

 

Also, I will be having a front clamshell diff, a.d.d. spindles, and a complete rear end for sale in the coming weeks. Rear end Will be drum to drum... Perfect for 4x4 swap, or to build some axles to save down time on your rig.... Units only have 106k miles on them.

 

Where in AZ are you? Pics look like Phx. I'm looking for TW members in Tucson

 

@Ace115 I'm in the Chandler Arran Tucson is only about an hour and a half from me. I would like to get in on some trail runs down there and do some exploring.

 

I've done quite a few of the trails around here. Everything from rock crawling to rough dirt roads and off road site seeing. My Tacoma isn't hardcore trail worthy yet but it would make most of the trails in this area. What kind of trails are you looking for? I'm hoping to find or put together a group for some trips in our area.

 

I like a challenge, but I don't have any armor yet ( I did things a bit backwards this time around just because I came across some good deals.) so im not a fan of just beating the living heck out of my truck. but i'm not a fire road kind of guy either. pinstriping is gonna happen... I like a good mixture.


the first trail I did in my truck when it was completely stock was broken arrow up in sedona. It's not too hard, but had some challenging spots, some nice crawls, and of course the staircase.

 

Well, if we can get a group together Id like to run the tails in the Redington Pass area. It could take all day with moderately challenging obstacles and most of the harder lines have bypasses.

So what's next on your build? Are you going to stay with stock suspension? LT or SAS?

 

My next plans are sliders, I want to get them on before I smash my rockers and stuff. I'm also wanting to go to 5125 bilsteins in the rear to allow full droop of my rear leafs....but I will probably wait until these start leaking.

 

Are you looking at a specific brand of sliders or build your own? I'm toying with the idea of building my own. I have a bender but don't have my own welder. A buddy that is close has a really good welder I could use or have him weld for me.

 

Fab work is something I don't touch. I have a guy who owns a shop up here in phoenix that I went to school with and he does good work, and can build me a set the way i want and install them for cheaper than I can purchase some for so I have been going back and forth with him about design. we are sitting right at $400.00 with the design I want and thats with them installed.

 

That's a good deal including installation. Looking forward to seeing what design you went with.

 

Got some progress going with my sliders. We took a few things from a dew designs that I liked and kind of made a hybrid. I like the kick ups for the bed, we rolled the outer horizontal tube upwards to keep things nice and close to the cab. I sanded the first one today with 80 grit, hopefully I will have time to do the other one tomorrow, and than I will paint them up! We also decided to use a blend of 1.5 and 1.75" tube. I'm pretty stoked how they turned out. When they get welded to the truck, they will be welded to 1/4" plates on the frame with 2.5" triangle gussets.

 

A few pics. To show you what we ended up with.