PcBuilder's 2018 Tacoma Build

Just finished swapping out one of my CV axles for another OEM with a CVJ high angle inner boot. The clamp had rippped into the inner boot of the original CV. Much better angles.



Going to take the one with the ripped boot, re-boot it with a CVJ high angle boot, and swap it to the other side. At least now I’ll have a spare CV for when I do stupid stuff with the front locker.

Speaking of dumb stuff, went wheeling yesterday and got caught on a ledge. Didn’t realize I was caught on my driveshaft and put some nice scrapes and dents into it. Going to see if I can get it rebalanced before it destroys my u-joints and other stuff. Stupid move on my part. Once I slid over and was dead on with the ledge I should have backed off and readjusted, but I wanted to play with the front locker

 

Pictures from this weekend.

_DSC0022 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0037 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0041 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0043 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0044 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0049 by Brent Prater, on Flickr



_DSC0051 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0058 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0063 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0065 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0067 by Brent Prater, on Flickr




_DSC0089 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0093 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0101 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0107 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0115 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0126 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0133 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0136 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0139 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0149 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_DSC0152 by Brent Prater, on Flickr


_DSC0160 by Brent Prater, on Flickr

 

Got the leaking axle rebooted and installed. The tulip was on there good as it took me three hours with a hammer, a punch, some penetrating fluid, and a torch to finally get it off. Never once did it let loose until it was completely removed.




Also adjusted the coilovers back down to about 1” of lift to keep from topping them out on fast off road stuff. Makes me want to add limit straps in the future.

Got a JLT catch can kit too in the hopes that I don’t hydrolock my engine at steep angles. Cheap insurance that may or may not work

 

A few photos from this weekend’s snow run. My maxtrax finally came in handy getting a few vehicles on stock tires up an icy hill, so that was cool. Most of these photos were taken by my friend who is a much better photographer than me haha

 

Parts starting to roll in. I don’t think I’ve ever had truck parts that were packaged so well.

 

This is high on my list. I'm looking forward to seeing how the ADS stuff works with this kit, all I've ever seen is King paired with it.

 

I’m looking forward to see how everything works together. Hopefully the shocks will ship out by the end of next week. There are one or two others that I’ve heard are running ADS with these. One guy had custom triple bypasses made.

 

When it's all done and working, I'll grill you on the shock specs, wheel specs, etc, and how they all work together . . .

 

Sounds good!

First thing I’m doing after it’s installed is testing out the flex to see what wheel spacers I need to order. No clue what I’m gonna be able to get away with. I’m hoping I don’t need more than .5”, but the 35’s might require more...

 

Did some wheeling through some dry river beds to test out my new camera setup. I'm quite pleased with the performance to say the least. Thanks to @m3bassman and @turbodb for some helpful lens recommendations. Already extremely happy with the 50mm prime. Unfortunately still waiting on the zoom lens to show up.


_MG_0213 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0215 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0216 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0217 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0225 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0231 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0236 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0239 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0258 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0265 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0275 by Brent Prater, on Flickr




And a few photos from my friend's camera

 

All of the remaining Archive Garage parts for the rear suspension have finally trickled in and the last part and most exciting part finally arrived

 

Finally got started on the Archive Garage hammer hangers, shackles, u-bolt flip, and Deaver U402 stage 3’s.

The rivets for the factory hangers were no joke, especially since the lower ones attach the spare tire carrier crossmember to the frame. Eventually got them out with cutting the rivet heads down flat to the frame, drilling a 1/4” pilot hole about a quarter of the way through, and then lining up the air hammer into the pilot hole to press them out.

Got the driver side complete and back on the tire and will hopefully finish the passenger side tomorrow.

 

Subbed! I’ve seen a few posts of yours on the NM threads. I’m up in ABQ, but would love to come wheeling down south some time.

Plus we have a pretty similar rear suspension setup.

Did my hammer hangers recently. Didn’t have an air hammer, so a ball joint press kit from harbor freight made easy work of the lower rivets. And just more drilling for the uppers. And installed my Deaver u402 stage 3s.


Plus also had my AG shock relocate burned in. With 12” king smoothies.


If you don’t mind me asking, where is that wash/off roading you posted of the group from feb 7? I’m really looking to find more proper wheeling in NM.

 

Awesome! I can’t wait to get my ADS shocks installed with the shock relocate. I pretty much have zero down travel right now with the factory shocks still installed haha

That wash is just North of Alamogordo, so pretty close wheeling to me. There’s quite a few different routes you can tell through the river washes. Still a lot of routes I want to check out.

 

Got the leaf springs and Archive Garage stuff finished. Rides pretty stiff as expected, but feels planted on the road and less boat-y.

 

Selling some take-off parts and some new parts that I don't plan to use.

FS: Leaf Springs w/AAL, Shackles, U-bolts, Marlin Crawler LCA Brace, Sway Bar Relocation Brackets | Tacoma World

 

Got a few small things knocked out this morning. Installed extended brake lines, Archive Garage wheel sensor skids, replaced my broken front reservoir clamps, and removed the spare tire lift-thing. #weightsavings


_MG_0882 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0874 by Brent Prater, on Flickr
_MG_0886 by Brent Prater, on Flickr

 

Nice build. Im in a similar situation build wise as you were about a year ago. Gonna run my suspension into the ground and probably gonna do the exact same setup as you. A co worker and buddy are about to do the hammer hangers and I'm gonna help haha should be a good time

 

Nice. I’ve only driven the truck on the highway about 30 miles since getting things installed, but I hope to test it out off roading soon. I grinder, a really good drill, and an air hammer are your best friends when installing these things.

 

We have access to a plasma cutter, drills, and an air hammer so it should be a good time