Ugly Betty

As she sits today.



So I started out with a 2011



Then I got a wild hair and downgraded to this...



But now im back and learning from what i built wrong on my 2011. Ugly Betty started out as a 2001 silver DCSB.

When I got her.


Fixed some dents in the roof,
And while the headliner was down.


Now to start the upgrades.

OME.


OME with tundra brake setup.




Way more to come....

 

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A little more about Ugly Betty.

I purchased it with 190k single owner accident truck. Not totaled but from what I can tell it took a hit to the passenger side. And a bit of damage up front.

OME kit:

I purchased it from Wheelers off road. Great company to deal with. Shipping was fast and every thing was well packed.

I went with 883 coils and Dakar leafs.

I had Wheelers assemble the coils. Well worth the extra spent. New top plates and rubber pads.

My old suspension was worked. The old leafs bent the wrong way, and my coils were done for.

I went with 883 because the truck will have some extra plate and a winch. Unloaded the ride is quite rough.

So when I installed the kit. I was 34 inches from the ground up tire size 260/70r16 on all 4 corners.


This truck came from Colorado... everything was rusted. I had to cut out the old leafs springs...


I'm now at 38 inches on all 4 corners. This is only a 2.5 inch lift... my old suspension was thrashed. Your results will very. I am very happy with the ride.

I have yet to decide on UCAs. I think I can get away with out them.

I did do a diff drop. CV angles in my mind a great as it is, and as the suspension settles it will get better.


More to come....

 

Still miss my 1st Gen!

 

I had a 98, bought it new. I've missed that truck since I sold it. I was nothing special. Just a 2wd extended cab, but man I had a lot of fun in that truck. So this is my chance to redo it all, buying my youth again with some adult upgrades.

 

Added a snorkel over the weekend. Not that I ever plan to use it but what the hell .



Install was super easy, however I did burn up a hole saw. The Milwaukee bi metal ones are crap.

Also if you chose to do this have a handful for the fender flare clips on hand, you will break them.

 

Looks sweet af!

 

I'm still not sure what tires to run. I want to run pizza cutters how ever I'd like to be around 31 1/2 to 32 inches in over all dimension. I'm afraid 255 85 r16 will be to large. I don't want to regear and I like what power the truck has. I'd also like to stay with a 16 inch rim.

If any one had some suggestions I'd appreciate some input.. or some first had experience from any one who has run the 255 85 r16 and not regeared.

 

Did a little bit of grill work today and new wheels and rubber.

Ended up going with 235/85 r 16 no rub, no cutting and it fills up the wheel well just fine.
All on second gen steelies.

 

... after I installed my suspension I took it to get aligned... bad news. The lower control arms bushings are blown and it won't hold an alignment...

Good news all new parts.
Icon Uca's, new lowers, all new ball joints, and steering rack bushings. All that will be going in this Saturday.

So last weekend I took it to the lake to break all the old stuff loose

 

Long time no see.... adam mentioned you had swapped to the dodge and were looking to be back in a taco. looks like you found one


Also, I recognize that cove in the pic above

 

Yeah budy, you will have to join us for some catfishing

 

I'm itching to get out there and drop some lines

 

I did a little work to ugly Betty today.



New uppers, lowers ball joints

The first problem was a seized camber bolt. I had to cut out the a arm to cut out the bolt.


The next problem was a lower ball joint.. the new one I bout was off brand mevotech... there stuff is crap do not buy. The lower ball joint was said to be greaseable.. I was how ever the greas fittings are under the spindle.. you can't get to them.

Next the cast was so bad theyou did not lined up on the spindles... I have no doubt these will be shot in a few month. Total crap. It took about 15 hours to do the front end.

Thanks for the help Seabass and Staticsquelch.

 

New timing belt, water pump, thermostat and belts today.

 

Preped it for paint today.



And a bed rack from BAMF.


I'll get more photos of this, I still need to add some tabs and such.

 

Here is a little taste of the progress.

This is not the bed.

 

So it's taken 2 weeks to finish...

Ugly Betty is now not so ugly.

 

So it is all bed liner with out the grit in in.

The color is gunmetal pearl. And gray pearl.
I had the color custom done to look a bit different. Unfortunately I'm shit with a camera and it's tough to not make it look black. But in person the color is a trip.

Here are some more uppy closies.

 

Sweet rig