Scuba's 99 Single Cab SAS.. 5 Years in the Making

Looks like I fixed the issue with the drivers side steering arm.
The pin was simply way too oversized to fit in the bearing. I finally got the bright idea to try and dry fit a bearing onto the pin and found the issue. I took some 60 grit sand paper to it for about a 1/2 hour and got the bearing to fit.
Only took 2 tries to set the preload, it's at ~13.
I still need to get the passenger side preload set, but it's close.



Took a selfie with this thing.


Tie rod on.

 

Nothing like a little redneck engineering

 

Finally got the passenger side knuckle preload set.
Both knuckles are set right about 12-13 pounds.
Might start on the wheel bearings, might not.

 

Got the passenger side wheel bearings started.
I think I left it way too loose. Will probably work on it tomorrow or Thursday depending on my work schedule.

 

Both wheel bearings are set up. The axle is as assembled as I can get it until after it's hung under the truck.

Called today to check on my parts mike pitman arm. For some reason it was drilled but never reamed. Waiting on a call back for ETA.
Bought the rest of my power steering lines and fittings from PSC today. Should have those early next week. Next Friday, at the latest, is when I'll be ordering the rear suspension setup. That's basically the final piece of the puzzle.

I've requested 3 days off of work for May 9-12. That should give me enough time to get the truck drivable.
T-minus 2 weeks!

 

Rear suspension is on the way! Unfortunately All-Pro ran out of 5" springs and they won't have any more until late next week. I settled for a set of 6" springs and will remove leafs to get it slightly lower.

Finally got my Parts Mike pitman arm. It fits great!
The 7/8 nut was picked up at Fastenal, glad I found that!



1 week from today the truck will be ridded of the IFS!

 

Tomorrow is the day.
Cutting begins at roughly 8am. Stay tuned for pictures, questions, ETC.

 

Good luck! Hope it goes well

 

Good luck man, going to be an epic weekend!!!

 

Well today was fun! Got a late start but had a very productive day and got to my goal of getting the axle hung.

$6k in parts.


Last shot of the truck on IFS.


Cutting.


Mockup


The centerline will probably be a little farther back than this.




First thing in the morning I need to swap the oil pan, then get the shackle hangers mounted and test clearances. After that I'll get the steering box swapped in and go from there.

 

Awesome! Keep it coming man, very productive day indeed!

 

First time on it's own weight. Thoughts on shackle angle?
It's about 5* negative.

 

Did you want it that tall? Why not mount the shackle through the frame? That might help your angle too

 

Everything is bigger in Texas

 

Frenching the hangers on the Tacoma's is a pain in the dick.
I expected to be 6" over stock from the get go. It should settle down nicely. I had a 25-1/4" frame height when I posted that last picture. Since then I moved the shackle hanger forward and got the shackle angle a little better.

 

In for more pics, I just started chopping Friday!

 

Sub'd

 

the book of faces says there's been a few bumps in the road so

 

wait did you want the shackle angle to be negative at ride height?

 

No. Ideally you want about a 45* angle at ride height. I figure after some settling I'll be at around 60ish. Worst comes to worst, down the road I might have to get new shackle hangers and re-hang them. That's only an afternoon in the garage.

Update:
Most bracketery on the front has been fully welded/ gusseted.
Steering box is partially mounted. Steering shaft is basically done.

Tomorrow I need to check a couple angles, finish welding the steering box mounts, finish welding the axle bracketery, assemble/ paint axle and front end, plumb steering box and finally, fill the oil pan.
Then I can move on to the rear end.