Run to the Hills! - Jason's Completely Stalled Colorado GTFO Build

I’m honestly more than a little worried that I did just that. But I don’t see any glaring evidence on the frame.

I should have beefed up the rear frame before that Moab trip, but oh well. Shit happens.

 

Taco lean comes from the rear. I was not impressed at all with all pro leafs after messing with them quite a bit on a 2nd gen. Just poor quality.

I wouldn't worry about bent frames or anything like that.

 

I’ve actually been pretty happy with mine, but I’ve heard horror stories about recent 2nd gen sets. They’re still maintaining the lift that I had when I bought them, but a nice set of Alcans will be next up once these are truly clapped out or I win the lottery.

Honestly, my improperly setup bumps may have contributed to that side wearing out while I was loaded up and the suspension was working hard. Lesson learned, and I’ll try to address it when the rear shocks get done.

 

Measure the clear distance between the spring hanger and the shackle mount. I bet they're different from side to side - which would lead to shackle angles being different.

 

I’m having trouble visualizing this, Dan.

Are you talking center of the main eye mount to the center of the shackle mount at the frame? Yeah, if those dimensions are different from side to side that would be a trip. You’d think they’d want those pretty much exactly the same.

Thanks for the tip!

 

You got it - it's amazing how different these frames come out from the same jig. For instance, if I max out both of my LCA cams for maximum caster, the actual caster measurement is way off from side to side. Have to dial one back to get them close.

 

Yeah, I’ve heard that can happen, for sure. It is crazy that there is that much variation in production, but it isn’t aerospace, I guess.

I’ll check the truck tomorrow and see if there is a difference between the two sides. Thanks again for the input and the idea, Dan.

 

Kind of like how the cabs aren't square on the frame? haha

 

Not exactly Taco related, but I just received the official offer for my new job! Much better hours and commute than what I was dealing with before, slightly better pay and benefits, and they are super accommodating with me going back to finish up school.

I’m really stoked!

 

Where you going?

 

Also, SFA news?

 

Curious why you sold your All-Pro UCAs? May have missed it

 

It’s a little engineering company in the PRB that designs and manufactures components for hydrogen fuel cell systems. I’ll be running their test lab doing a lot of motor controller tuning and test bench work while I finally bang out my BSEE and then go after an MSE in Engineering Management.

I’m really looking forward to getting back to a smaller company after being in a mid-cap company for almost a decade. They have a different problem set, for sure, but I definitely won’t miss the big company politics and bureaucratic fuckery.

MT or die, brah!

I’m telling you, though. I really would love to swap a little late 1st Gen regular cab and slap some 37s on it. Keep the little 2.7 and bulletproof the drivetrain and just mob the thing.

Some day...

Nothing at all wrong with the AP arms.

I just wanted the adjustment at the UBJ as well as a sealed and greaseable ball joint because CDOT loves them some mag chloride.

Just shipped the AP arms to @StAndrew today, in fact.

 

@StAndrew still has a truck? Shit.

 

Maybe he just likes collecting UCAs?

 

#GarageOrnament

I use them to decorate my truck.

 

I figured that's what it is. I've been looking into those. I've got TC UCAs but I'm rubbing hard on just the driver side at full stuff, passenger side is fine. So I'm wondering if selling those and getting some SPCs would solve the issue. I've hammer the shit out of the firewall and don't want to cut into it at all

 

I may have some SPC's for sale

Trying to hammer out the old bushings now to install the new "spec ride" polyurethane bushings... Ball joints almost brand new... PM if interested.

 

Have any of you guys used this frame box kit from TG? If so, any opinions?

I don’t care too much about the tubing, I’m in it more for the pre-cut frame box plates.

https://www.trail-gear.com/index.ph...6457/s/120165-1-kittacoma-rear-frame-box-kit/

 

I use it and recomend it.

When you weld it on, you don't have to weld the entire length, I recomend you leave interval spots un-welded along the bottom edge to help water drainage (or drill some new holes in your frame).

I could be wrong but where the kit terminates on the frame looks to be a weak spot and I'm concerned the frame can pinch there if under heavy stress, specifically if the rest of the frame is re-enforced with this kit. There are plates you can weld on the outer frame that overlap this area and would be recomended if you plan to really push your truck to the limits.

TBH, I just go it for the rear shock relocation.