My kid lost interest so I'll build it for the Lil Mrs. build

I'm not sure how much wider 1st Gen long travel width is over a 3rd gen axle width. But I know I would need to be wider.

If I did a 3rd gen axle I could probably make up the width in the full float set up. But If I was doing that kind of fabrication, it's better to just do a Ruff Stuff axle.

The Ruff Stuff axle (even with a Harrop) would also, probably be a pretty close price tag to an e-locked 3rd gen axle. And wiring a Harrop would definately be easier than trying to disipher Toyota's non-sense with the locker wiring.

I'll just build another one of these.

 

Looks like a complete third gen axle assembly with elocker is going for about $2800 delivered, on eBay. That still leaves you with a considerable amount of work to do. From my understanding though, hooking up the elocker is not nearly as complicated for the third gens as it was for the first and second gens. It just needs power and a switch on a relay. I ordered a wiring harness to make it work on my 2nd gen for $100, but that plugged into my 4wd module for a power source, and you don’t need to do that.

 

Ordered a bunch of the water pump / timing belt stuff to pick up on Friday.

I'll update the spread sheet tomorrow.

Figure it's a good time to get everything to square one. Also, I'm planning on pulling the motor for other purposes. The timing belt should be way easier while the motor is out. I've done it a half a dozen times with the engine in the engine bay. This time should be way easier.

 

Got a line on some IFS hubs and a 3rd member.

Wheelin and dealing, shakin and bacon. lol

 

Save for later

https://prosteeringcolumn.com/1996-...zZORN7EjLsP-TllcuA_g9tbvX59daLbxoCK7wQAvD_BwE

 

Ordered 4 of these. They should make determining the bends on the roll cage a lot more straight forward.




https://www.roguefab.com/product/prototractor/



I also realized something pretty cool about my Woodward Fab bender. The 2 inch die and the 1.75 both have the same CLR (bend radius) of 6 inch. Which means I can use the same Prototractors to bend both sizes of tubing.

https://youtu.be/rqfWTy_sNHE?si=Ehniv9HxjLcOZCsh

 

Someone makes a cage for the access cab if you're looking for some homework to copy...

https://tedesigns.com/collections/toyota/products/95-04-toyota-tacoma-access-cab-cage-kit

 

Nice! Good looking out. I hadn't seen that company.

Just looking at that... holy shit, this is going to be an f'ing pain in the ass.

 

3D modeling can simplify the process. I would consider make it repeatable.

 

So, if I'm pulling the motor what are some things I need to think of doing while it's out?

I'll doing the timing belt, water pump, valve covers, and accessories (P/S pump, Alt, A/C Idler pully) whiles out. That can all be done with it in, but it's just easier.

Clean up the entire motor, replace rear main seal while it's split from the trans.

Engine cage, I think I actually want to tack that together with the motor in and the full weld and gusset it after the motor is pulled.

New motor mount frame perches.

I think I'll do the coil bucket reinforcement and Total Chaos UCA double shear kit, so I can get the back.

I also think I'll do the TC Long Travel Dual shock hoops with the motor out as well.

The plan, right now, is to see if I can tie the engine cage in to the double shock hoops, or to find out if I need to tie in to the coil bucket it's self.

The only other thing I can think of, while the engine is out, is headers. Not sure I want to spend that money at this point.

Am I forgetting something?

 

When I worked on the camper I did a full 3D model for every panel and frame piece. Design took about a week, three or four versions, but it paid me back.

 

That would be a good idea. Especially if I was going to do a cage for another 3rd Gen 4 Runner. But, being honest, I'll likely never build another cage again.

I wonder if I should reach out to tedesigns to see if there is a way for me to scan a 3rd gen 4 runner for them. If they'd even be interested.

 

I have actually considered buying Bend Tech Pro

https://www.roguefab.com/product/be...sXK0KQH05HyCMugwBrQwe7iI-wla8O2oaAj4uEALw_wcB

It's $295. If I knew I was going to do a lot of bending, it might be worth the investment. You can design (and save plans) for everything from cross members and rock sliders, up to full roll cages with the Pro version.

If I could put the bender to work it would pay for it's self pretty quickly. But if I'm just going to do a one off project... is it worth it? (Is where I'm at).

When talking investment I'm not just talking the 300 bucks, I'd also have to learn to use the program. It's probably pretty simple, but I'm probably even simpler

 

And finally we arrived to your initial question: what will you gain by doing it by yourself? Let's just buy a fabricated cage for this type of cab and move forward. Or build it from scratch and make repeatable to make race truck later. My opinion: start from the blueprint and 3D, it's 2025, computer is your friend when you learn how to use it. BTW, I'm a software engineer and have 20+ years of professional experience with different systems. They are not related to car industry but the idea is always the same: make it right, make it simple. Even if you have paper cuts for your cage and scan it later - it will be huge for somebody else or yourself in future. That's progress.

 

What will I gain?
Practice
Being able to say "I did that"

And probably about 5 grand over having someone else do it for me

And... No one works on my trucks but me.


But I do see your points.

 

I think the proper way for this is long term planning. Are you planning to race in future? Are you planning to fabricate stuff in future? Are you willing to share your intellectual property with others? For free or sell?

 

Everything is a prototype at this point. The truck was a prototype leading to another project. This is that other project. There is a certain degree of repeatability that could definately help in a future project... BUT... this roll cage, for example. Will get done, and there will undoubtedly be a BUNCH of changes I will identify as we use the truck.

Being that I'm not a cage fabricator, I'm sure there will be things here and there that I'll wish I had done slightly different. So, I'm not sure how much of it will necessarily be replicated in "version 2" in another truck. And, I doubt I'll ever build another 3rd Gen 4 Runner anyway.

 

The C in CAD.



edit: Or maybe this is C++?

 

I prefer to use these. You can get cleaner cuts.