Lambo's Daily Driver --> Trail Hunter Build (dbc trd) - Now I need a new daily...

do you get any rubbing with the chains?

 

Oh yeah it was pretty bad. I was surprised they didn’t rip the flare off to be honest. In fact, they didn’t really do any damage at all... just created a lot of noise.

I’m still planning on doing the axle relocation plate to fix it but I’ve been too lazy

 

ya I've been looking into chains this past week. Sounds like the front is a no go, but was curious about the rear. is

 

Just bought vbar chains for the rear. Work good. No rubbing if I don't flex

 

What leafs do you have? Apparently the Dakar leafs shift the axle forward 0.75". I need to get that fixed... Also I'm just using bullshit Wal-Mart chains lol

 

Dakars with AAL

 

Haven't done much with the truck in a while. But, the weather was nice here so I changed the oil... and then I found out I have a small coolant leak.

My E30 is the only thing that's allowed to leak fluids. Guess I'll have to sort that out on the taco. Pretty frustrating to be honest.

 

Just got a new camera today. Had to go try it out. It's gonna take a little bit of practice to get used to the Sony after using my Nikon since forever...

DSC05117 by Phillip Keefe, on Flickr

 

A bit of an update since my e30 engine swap has been taking up my time and, more importantly, my money...

Yesterday I took my truck to a shop to diagnose some weird suspension noises I was concerned about. It would clunk and kind of shudder when I hit a manhole cover, or a crack in the street. I had jacked the truck up and looked over everything myself, numerous times... but I wasn't finding anything. So I brought it to the shop to have them take a look. They said they noticed some play in the driver's side lower ball joint. Lower ball joints ain't nothin to fuck with on these trucks...

So, I replaced the LBJ's today. Luckily I had a set of OEM ones that I had been meaning to install for a while now. Super easy to install them. However, I tore one of my tie rod boots during the process so now I get to do those as well

I also learned that it's probably a good idea to replace the LBJ bolts when you replace the ball joint because mine look pretty crusty. I'm not a fan of reusing bolts when they're in that condition... especially for important parts.

As for the suspension, after talking with a friend about it. I think some of the stuff I'm experiencing is probably due to the stiffness of the 883 coils, especially since I don't have a ton of weight utilizing their capability. I might try contacting Toytec and see what they say about dropping down to 881's or something. Especially since the springs are so cheap.

 

I need to do this. OEM FTW

 

Yeah OEM is the only way to go with lower ball joints. I need to order some more so I have trail spares...

 

Arnt they stupid expensive? 250 CAD here in the Great White North.

A little cheaper if i order online

 

Yeah I think they're like $200 USD for a set here. But, I'd rather spend the extra money for the quality.

 

I also picked up another toy to help me go broke quicker

 

Oh I'm getting OEM as well. I rather have the quality. But it's 250 each, not for the pair I believe.

 

Damn... yeah Toyota of Dallas has the right LBJ for $110 and the left LBJ for $88 for some reason.

 

Mine did this as well. I think when we flex out the rear, the leaf springs press against the plastic and pull it off. I'm not sure there is a solution other than relocating the mounts. If you figure something out, let me know.

Do it already. Put off your other mods on the list. I held out too long to do mine knowing that with 190k on my truck that my calipers probably needed a rebuild and my truck is a completely clean, rust-free California truck. When I pulled off the old calipers I realized that the bottom pistons on both sides were barely moving and only the tops of the pads were getting used. I went with NAPA remanufactured calipers (save your original Tacoma ones and put them back in the box for the core refund - they don't check or care that they aren't the same caliper for the core deposit), StopTech slotted rotors (they are coated everywhere but the braking surface so they won't rust out here), and StopTech stainless braided front lines for the Tacoma - small issue that the banjo bolt was a little long but torquing it a bit higher than the service manual got it all snug and no leaks; EBC Greenstuff pads. I moved out here a few days ago with a 5x8' trailer and total weight including my 4,000 lb truck was 7,300 lbs. I never had any issues with braking.

Yep, I have the same issue on my 2003 DC with the Dakars. I haven't installed my AALs yet.

@Camps - Where did you get yours? I have seen a few for sale but I don't remember seeing ones that had two positions.

The downside to sticking with the 15" wheel as your spare is that after you do the Tundra brakes, you won't be able to put the spare up front. You'll have to swap a rear 16" up front and then put the spare on the rear. It took me a long time to find a SINGLE OEM aluminum wheel (same as yours) for cheap and then another several months to find a matching tire for a decent price.

What don't you like about the tube bumper? I want to keep my truck as light as possible, but I need to get some sliders, skids and a decent front bumper now that I'm out in Colorado.

The Bay Area Metal Fab CB mount is solid. It may be worth dropping the $40 to just be done with it and spend your time out on the trails. If you want to save 20%, you could visit the site every day and wait until it goes on the 20% sale (right side column shows DEAL OF THE DAY).

I have done this and it is worth it. I tried LED headlights and they were unsafe and a stupid color temperature. I have 80/85W bulbs in there now. If you do this, I recommend figuring out some type of LED strip or something to have DRLs because you don't want to be running the headlights all the time with their limited lifespan. I only used mine at night over the last year and 11k miles and the right low beam finally died. The driver is still going strong so I'm leaving it in to see how much longer it lasts. I worry about the long term durability of projectors since I have been hanging out on a lot of washboard in Death Valley.

If timing lines up and I get a bumper soon, I'd be willing to trade you my 881s for your 883s.

 

You are running an AAL?? I am surprised that the back end of your truck doesn't stick up higher than it does. I just ordered the OME 3" lift kit today, and the tech told me I wouldn't need the AAL (I have a 2004 Ext Cab with topper on full time).

 

I haven't installed the AAL on my truck yet because I haven't had the time. It's only level when there is no weight in the back and no topper. The double cabs have more weight over the rear than the extended cabs though.

 

Stay away from jeeps and nissans

No reason to lower ones caste in society by hanging with them