Rich's Long-ass-taco LT Build Thread

Not to mention if my fab guys started telling me arms/etc. were wrong length I would picked up the phone personally. Unless other stuff was installed incorrectly, I don't see how the uppers could be the wrong length since stuff like that is built on a jig

 

Yeah, I'm not trashing them. As I said I haven't called them. I'm just stating where the problems are.

 

My fab guy called them a ton.

The over budget amount was really just labor charges at 14k. Part of that was from the amount of mods being unknown since its a new kit without a lot of examples to go off of.

For example we knew there would be trimming, but it was WAY more than expected. This required a lot of sheet metal work we were not expecting. The battery had to move, the fuse box, etc... So there was a lot of custom wiring.

These areas were not Solo's fault, just were unexpected to some degree.

The problems that cost me a lot of time from kit issues were the towers needed a lot of work to fit. The uppers were supposed to just bolt up and you definitely can't so that. The spacing was off and the long sheer bolt can't be used because the factory tower has to have the center cut our of it or the coilovers would bind/impact them.

The machining of parts for fitment issues were next. Bushings, tie rods, hubs all needed machining to just fit. It was only at the end of the build that we realized it was going to need even more work to get it align able.

 

I would think it would be built on a jig. It (seems) like that is not true. That is what my fab guy was pissed about that the spindles are CAD and not jig built... But as stated before I have not talked to solo. I will be calling today.

 

This was a miscommunication between me and my fab guy. We hit a over budget point at July 1st and when I asked how much to finish it I was given a number. So I gave the go ahead and said ,"just finish it!" Unfortunately that was took as finish it regardless of further increases, and Joey slammed on that truck big time through the whole month of July. The hours racked up and the final bill was a shock.

It's worked out now. Joey did great work, but he is costing me too much to let him finish the job. That is why I'm taking it from here.

 

Do you have fab experience?

 

this x2. Solo has been in the game longer than 99% of the people in the LT section even began to think about building a LT truck. Shitty situation nonetheless, hope it gets all worked out.

 

Ok so just a quick update for today. Called Solo and talked to Flynn today...he is going to repair or replace the upper arms & spindles. I'll be pulling them off this weekend to ship back.

My truck was the first to use the factory shock towers and the bushing sizes were not worked out yet. Apparently Solo would just completely remove it and use their double sheer kit for the inners.

As for the steering linkage, I will shorten those myself. It's lathe time!

 

Enough to be dangerous, but I'm more of a designer / machinist.

 

Nice, glad to hear you're being taken care of.

 

Suspension for days!


Disassembly started


Next up the Dana 44 U-Joints

 

looks good, me and hiatt1991 where at solo today...theyre also working on a 2013 dcsb prerunner looks awesome

 

Yup. Nice SUA goin on with that.

 

Did you guys see the other trucks ? Very cool stuff and fabwork there.

Oh and looks great dude!

 

Ya. I really like their red ranger.

 

So is the 4x4 aspect of the build lining up as it should?

 

Yeah, to axles & part time hubs look good.

 

Flynn mentioned that... Pretty cool

 

Well, I can tell you that axle removal sucks...
Had to remove the axle since the lower spindle ball is double sheer with the bolt needing to lift up through where the axle is.

So it's either remove the hubs and take the axle in one piece or break the axle u-joint.

The design is strong, but I would hate to do this on the trail.