The Lumpskie Build - '96 5-speed

I was thinking about road tripping your way in the winter. I'd imagine you guys can still wheel in winter out there... what's it like in winter?

 

Well, It's cold. Rarely cold enough for snow (It's snowed 3 times in the last 15 years). Very humid year around, so the cold is sticky, which make it feel colder then it is. Our last winter wheeling trip, the mud stuck to our trucks and froze there.

You're used to the cold though, so you'll be fine as long as you come dressed for the occasion. Also depends what part of winter. Much of the winter is only real cold at night, and early in the morning. Easily T-shirt and jeans weather in the afternoon.


Spring and fall are the best times or year around here.

 

Hmmm... maybe spring then. Out here you can't do much spring wheeling because of the snow pack, so that would work out. If it's spring, it might have to be 2015 instead of 2014, just because of my schedule. We can work out the details when the time comes.

 

I went camping last night, but didn't get much in the way of pictures... Here's the camp spot as I get situated.

 

Hey man I can't remember ifi posted this in my build. But here ya go anyways

 

With the trusty bfh in the background

 

Hmmm... that's pretty similar to mine right now. I'm working with Alcan to get my new spring built and I was thinking about going 1.5" longer on the main leaf. That would put my shackle angle at 48* (on the back side obviously). Do you think I should stick with that plan, or go 1" longer with a 53* angle? BTW, I'm currently at a 62.5* angle so either would be an improvement.

 

Ya that's unloaded for me too. It goes down a bit with some stuff back there.

Just make sure they keep the front the same length. Like front mount to center hole. Only extend the rear. Otherwise your axle will move back .5-.75" and you'll get serious rubbing issues.

I'd if it's worth the trouble for "perfect" shackle angles.

 

By far one of my favorite 95-97 Tacos! I LOVE that front bumper man. It flows so well with the 95-97 style front end. Great work

 

Yeah, if that's unloaded, you'll probably be at around the 48* angle with it loaded. Also, you are right, I told Bill (at Alcan) I wanted all of the additional length to be added aft of the center pin, simply to get my shackle angle right. He said that he could build the new main/support leafs to my original spec and just add the 1.5" to the end. He'd just make the springs to the same arch as my original pack, when it was new. I figured, if they flattened out a bit, it's not big deal.

Thanks for the compliment! I've been enjoying your build (on TTORA and here) a bunch. I can't wait to see how your new front suspension setup performs... it looks awesome!

 

Well... I took the plunge today. My new Alcan Orbit Eyes are on order. They should be built in 2 or 3 weeks.

 

What length did you go with? I was going to suggest 1.5" longer. I've had Alcan's on previous trucks and they're awesome but tend to be slightly short.

 

Whew! I'm glad you said 1.5" longer. That's what I went with.

 

Whoa. My build thread has more views than Blackdawg has replies... I'm moving up in the world.

 

Looking forward to see how the orbit eyes work for you. I may end up having to get a set myself.

 

I'll be sure to take before and after measurements for you. I'm hoping to get 4" of additional travel... we'll see!

 

Hey Lumpskie, Awesome build, very jealous! I have a quick question about your Tundra 5100's if you have a minute. I am running a plate bumper (~90 lbs) and will hopefully being carrying a winch soon, do you find the tundra 5100's are valved better for this weight? I am looking for ~2" lift and better valving. My truck has sagged an inch or so with the added weight and bottoms out too much. Thanks for any help.

 

^Hey TBeers,

Sorry for the late reply... work is killing me! I think the tundra shocks would work well. For me, it came down to volume inside the shock. I believe they are a 255/70 valving, like a tacoma shock. BUT, they are larger. So, they don't heat up as quickly and seem to take repeated cycling better than the smaller tacoma ones. Also, they are longer, giving me better wheel travel numbers.

As for weight, my bumper is probably only 60 lbs or so. But, I've got a good 300 lbs of skids, 200 lbs of sliders, 100 lbs of front winch and 20 lbs of other accessories on the front of my truck. So, with all that weight, the shocks are doing really well.

I hope that helps,

 

Got a lot of basic maintenance done for the upcoming road trip.

Brake fluid flushed
Power steering fluid flushed
Oil changed
Air filter changed
Alignment re-done (actually turned out in spec this time!)

The truck is feeling pretty good!

 

That helps quite a bit, Thanks Lumpskie. Looks like it's time to start saving my pennies ha ha ha! I was thinking of running these with my stock coils until I can afford eibachs or the similar. With 5 adjustment settings seems like I can get it to sit right. Am I mistaken to think you can use tundra shocks with tacoma springs? Same length?

Thanks again,

-Tom