MARYLAND TACOMAS

Not sure if I'm ready to do that yet, once I get a daily driver... who am I kidding, a tuner car... I'll go full retard with fabricating truck parts. For now I just wanted to finish getting the rust under control.

1. Abuse rust heavily with grinder and wire wheel.
2. Hose down frame and axle with distilled water via pressure washer.
3. Sponge bath with lab grade 200 proof alcohol (thanks day job) (also this shit gets you hella drunk)
4. Convert all rust with Eastwood and Naval Jelly
5. Encapsulate with Eastwood brush on.
6. Top coat with Rustoleum
7. Spray recycled and filtered gear oil over everything.
8. Drive through MD salt roads without concern.

3 people because I didn't remove the tailgate, a person on each wheel well and someone on the rear to support the weight of the tailgate. The tailgate is 80% of the weight and I'm sure that if I removed it first, then my GF and I could have easily lifted everything. The bumper can be removed by one person as long as you eat your wheaties. If you want a spare hand for taking off the bed, let me know, you just need to remove the 6 bed bolts, and disassemble the wiring harness. Remove the gas cap and the filler neck pops right through the body... no problem!

 

I think I've actually removed/unplugged/etc, every part that needs undoing to take off the bed at one point or another. I've just never actually removed the bed.

My rear bumper is a tad heavier than stock, so I usually just lower that down with the floor jack.

 

Completely forgot your bumper is aftermarket... the harnesses are easy, it's just the converter, taillights, license plate lights, and making sure any part that is snapped to the bed is unsnapped.

 

mocked up my new area lighting over the weekend, for camping and evening wrenching.




don't worry, zip ties are only for mock-up.......

 

Can you fully open your toolbox, or does the bed rack inhibit it?

 

it's a huge box, so it hits the bed rack. a low profile one that sits flush with the bed rails, but has the same width, would probably open all of the way. still easily usable though.

 

Anyone else's pants tighten in the front just now?

 

Buying a Hypertherm Powermax45 tomorrow, let the skid plates begin! Over the next 6 months we're going to build our own downdraft 4'x8' CNC table and convert this plasma unit to be the cutter.

Who is volunteering to come over and let us mock up full skids? Looking at you @Bawlmore or @SquirrelyPatriot

http://www.hypertherm.com/en-us/Products/Handheld_cutting/Systems/powermax45.jsp

 

I volunteer as tribute for the transmission, transfer, rear diff, LCAs, and gas tank.

 

My body is ready.

Should have it by the end of the week. Need to pick up a compressor and run yet another 220V line in the shop.

 

Let me know if any DeWalt or Bostitch compressor/tank would suit your needs. I can get you a quote from the employee store tomorrow (drop shipping is free).

 

Need a compressor that can do 6 cfm at 90 psi, what do you got? Was looking at one from Home Depot, Husky for $489. 220V power.

 

11.5 cfm at 90 psi. had mine for about a year and love it.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal?cm_vc=-10005

 

Got a hub assembly for free if anyone needs it. Has about 55k on it, since I replaced the bearing. It would help in a pinch or to prep for bearing replacement. I bought 2 complete hub/bearings from nj636 and had them put in during the frame replacement . I'm in White Marsh.

 

speaking of fabrication stuff.... at some point in the near future im taking a welding class, but cant decide weather to go for TIG or MIG, im led to believe that MIG is easier to learn but stainless and aluminum can be a challenge to weld with MIG, whereas TIG is harder to learn but it can do stainless and aluminum easily. any opinions on which course i should be going after?

 

The answer is yes. Both have their challenges, but IMO MIG welding is more commonly used. But, TIG has its advantages too. I would learned both if you have the chance.

 

Nice, thanks for the recommendation. Gotta get something in the next day or two. Plasma cutter is ordered, should be here by Friday.

 

tractor supply has them in stock (usually about 5-10 out back). they loaded it right into my trailer with a fork for me.

 

I need skids bad. For the railroad tracks.

 

Plasma cutter is ordered, Tim should be getting back to me later about the compressor. Going with the same one Colin recommended.