SMKYTXN's Build

Hmm... I don't thing we took forced droop into account during the install... Good thing I run limit straps! haha

18" might be a tight fit, but I'm sure it's doable. My 18's are mounted below the axle and the top mounting point is about even with my bedsides. Though my shocks are straight up and down rather than angled, and I have more less droop and more uptravel. I'm not sure how your flatbed compares to the top of the old bed is why I mentioned that.

 

awesome truck man! Don't know how I wasn't following this build.

 

Well, the price is on the website so I guess it doesn't hurt to say what they cost. The 18" travel with the piggy back reservoirs ran $411 each.

I'm kicking the shocks back 5" at the top so I have a bit more room to play with. The top of the flat bed is pretty close to the top of the stock bed rail.

Welcome to the party!

 

So you are going to run the shocks off the back of the axle?

 

Correct. That way the shocks will be vertical during compression. That will maximize the dampening from the shocks.

 

Trimmed a tiny bit off of my fenders tonight. I also took the same amount out of the ARB. This is the second time I've trimmed the ARB. I'm pretty sure I've taken five inches off of the wings.

 

This truck jut gets better and better really like this build !!!

 

do you just leave all that stuff under the fender exposed? does it flap in the wind at hwy speeds?

 

All of what stuff? There's nothing there really..

 

the stuff that is behind that plastic shielding.... the sheet metal i guess

 

There isn't anything loose behind the fender. The inner fender is solid, nothing flaps in the breeze.

 

Dis^

The plastic liner, which I threw away a long time ago, would flap around if it were still there.

 

So with no liner, do you have any trouble with dirt on parts that should be avoided?
Also, what did you use to trim your fenders and bumper?

 

Well, the only thing that's under the liner that you have to worry about is the intake. I have a snorkel, so that's not a problem anymore. The trim on the fenders is just autozone panel trim.

 

I think he might have been asking what tool you used to cut the fenders.

Common choices are jigsaw, angle grinder, and dremel. I saw some guy on here that used some heavy duty tin snip things and had great results, but I have no details for you.

 

I see said the blind man. Originally I planned on using a jigsaw, but mine crapped out on me about four inches into the first fender. I ended up using a grinder with a cutoff wheel. Worked pretty well, but you have to be careful with it.

 

Yep that is what I meant. I've got a dremel I try to use, but it seems to struggle... Idk if it's due to being a battery powered or if I need a better cut off wheel.

 

So, I know you have a flat bed, so maybe you're not the right one to ask... but if I wanted to remove the plastic liner on the back wheel wells, would there be any downside to that? And other than the intake, any other downside on the front?

 

The guys in this thread are talking about that right now. Looks like they need to do something to support the bedsides if they trim them, but sounds like an easy fix. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285871

 

You'd be at it a long time with a dremel. I'd say skip that and go with either a jigsaw or a grinder/cutoff wheel.

You're not going to hurt anything buy taking the rear liners out.

The front fenders have a good amount of strength left when cut, but the rears need support. The link above has some good options.