Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

That popcorn is going to be fairly stale by the time I finish this up.

But I like my frame and bed the way they are.

2.5x?? resis. ADS if the lead time fits my needs, otherwise King. Got the leafs off yesterday, might be able to cycle tonight.

 

I'm rethinking how I'm going to eventually mount my rear shocks. Like a dumbass, I bought shocks first in a rush, instead of breaking down the Expos and cycling just the main leaf to get actual numbers.

I really want to get the most out of my MT rear, so I'm thinking seriously about going thru the bed if I have to, and/or outside the frame. If push comes to shove, I'll buy new shocks that make the most of the leaf pack I have.

 

Brett, are you still running the Rack Dr. or did you replace it with OEM? Mine has developed a clunk, indicating it wants to get thrown in the trash. Have any input on CVJ, or just bite the bullet and call up Toyota?

 

Curious to see what the Expo's cycle. Don't think I've read of anyone else doing that.

Given some preliminary measuring, I'm afraid the springs will give less travel than I had hoped. Will find out for sure tonight. Don't see how any SOA pack on stock mounts would require going through the bed. Outboard is fine if you have room, I don't.

Yes, and there's play in the ITREs and it leaks. Haven't read anything about CVJ reman racks, but I have been very happy with my CVs.

If you shop around you can get a new OEM rack for around $500, I think that's what I'm going to do.

 

I'm looking around right now - waiting for a little more input on CVJ if I can get it, otherwise I'll likely be going the OEM route.

 

no way you'll have room with 35s to do shocks outboard the frame. not without a wider axle.

the more i get into these trucks and the more mine age...the more i like OEM parts. Most things i think should be replaced OEM if you can afford it. Somethings don't but most i feel can and should be. The OEM parts have lasted this long..

 

Judging from the cost of CVJ, the difference is ~$150 as compared to OEM - not a factor in this case. I'm waiting for an update on CVJ before I make my decision, but I'll definitely take your advice and run with it.

 

How do you like the AP bumper?

 

Snorkel work well?

 

Not the best looking bumper, but it's held up really well. Lots of winching and smashing into rocks.

No complaints. Price was right.

 

Just finished working on this pile. First off, think I needed new shackle to frame bushings?

IMAG0181 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Second off, Ray is the man!

IMAG0183 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

And down to the brass tacks:

IMAG0185 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

IMAG0186 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Absolute full droop. Shackles are about to invert, way more travel than could be obtained in use.

IMAG0187 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

On the bump stop, these were setup to work with my last half-ass shock setup, not the springs. Springs are way the hell negative, and bumps would compress an inch or so more in use. Couldn't compress them without lifting the truck.

IMAG0188 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

IMAG0189 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

And just for fun:

IMAG0190 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr



So, looking at less than 10" of usable travel. Might be time for plan B. Not sure I want to put the time and effort into this leaf pack.

 

Nice bushings haha wow.

And what's plan b?

 

So ideally a 9" travel shock would be perfect more or less? Cycling makes much more sense after the explanation from Monte a while back and these pictures. Thanks Brett. Looking forward to what you are going to do!

 

Haven't got there yet. Disappointed with those travel numbers though. Wish there was more info on what some other SOA packs cycled.

Given my main spring, 9" is probably pretty close to absolute max usable travel. Therefore, a 10" shock, if setup perfectly, would give just a bit of wiggle room on either side. Key is matching the shock placement to the travel of the spring.

 

Yea, i've never cycled mine. Was hoping to this summer for fun. But my leafs are shorter...so...can't be any better even with the longer shackle.

SUA doesn't seem bad now..but..also..not ideal.

why im leaning towards links i think.

 

Gotcha. Yeah shock placement is where im a bit weary with my truck, escpecially with my dakars. Ill have to tear it apart this spring and start measuring

 

Hey there Mr squeaky, I noticed in your last pic at full droop, your locker actuator harness is banjo tight. I only noticed this because I just cycled my new dakar pack. I removed the bracket on the gas tank and used a wire loom clamp instead. It lowered it enough to gain some slack in the wire.

 

Question about the usable travel. If you got a slightly longer shackle you could potentially net more travel right? But then shackle angle is compromised at ride height correct?

 

Wish there was a SUA lite like the TC kit for 2nd gens. Don't need that much travel with shocks through the bed, but would like more than these are giving me.

Thank's for heads up! I'll dig up a wire loom clamp and change that out.

What did the Dakars cycle?

Don't think so. At full droop the axle would be lower by the additional length of the shackle, but it the springs would also go negative sooner. It doesn't appear that the stock shackles are hindering the leafs.

 

yea be nice for sure.

Could always try doing a setup like that with some custom leafs and shocks. You'd want custom leafs anyways to take the weight.