'97 tacoma build: Abner

[TJDukit]

oh no...

I like it.


not another chit chat thread

I like Steve's build threads, the high volume of chit chat almost makes it seem like I'm there. You have to stay on top of it though or you will surely miss some tech or something important.

 

[Wicked Monkey]

Hole in the rock! Ive always wanted to go there!!! Take lots of pics!

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks to Lee, Cody, and Scott for their help tonight.

I never take enough "before" pictures, so here are a few.

Ride height before the lift:
front

back

These were the rear springs at ride height with no load in the bed. I think it's time for new springs.

 

[sixstringsteve]

My buddy Lee texted me just in time to sell me some of his used parts, including his rear TRD axle with the e-locker. I lucked out, his timing was perfect. He hooked me up with some great parts at a great price. Thanks Lee!


Went to town on the rear leaf springs.

The front spring bolt was rusted/siezed to the metal sleeve inside the bushing, so I just cut it right out.

Since this is a '97, the leaf springs are actually shorter than the '98+ years. So I'll be moving the rear shackle hanger back a few inches tomorrow after work so I can run the standard length springs rather than the shorty springs.

Here's where we finished for the night. Not very exciting, but I'll have a new axle under there with an e-locker tomorrow night. Still trying to decide on a ubolt flip kit or not. I hope to get the front suspension installed tomorrow night as well, but that may end up being a bit too ambitious.

 

[thefirstzukman]

Looking good Steve.... I'm happy to see you hard at work again... I sure wish I could come up and lend a hand, maybe when you pocket the front wheel wells Ill have some time.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

 

[sixstringsteve]

You're welcome anytime Scott. I'm having fun on this build. It should be done in a few weeks, which will be nice. I lose motivation when there's too much down time between building and wheeling.

The ONLY thing I'm dreading is tubbing the firewall. I've done 3 of 'em now, and i get better with each one, but it's so tedious and time consuming.

 

[thefirstzukman]

Always a lot of fun... If you need a break this weekend I'm going to the gun range Saturday afternoon to sight in my ar15 and my aug.. Your welcome to come play.

 

[sixstringsteve]

hm... tempting. I have a bmx race in the evening. I'll see how much work i get done on the truck on Friday.

 

[TJDukit]

Looking good Steve.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'll be finishing the rear springs tonight, and hopefully the front suspension as well.

Lee hooked me up with the following parts last night:
- budbuilt full belly skid
- specialty products UCAs
- TRD rear axle


And I ordered a slew of parts today:

- 4.88's
- rear axle seals
- rear diff install kit
- frame braces (front and rear)
- extended rear brake line
- u-bolt flip kit
- lower shock mounts

All I need to order now is a rear bumper, and lower ball joints.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I got a lot done this weekend, but not as much as I had hoped. It'll be done slowly but surely.

I prepped the frame for the rear plates.

Then I painted the inner part of the plates.

I welded on the TG rear frame plates. For some reason, it was really fun welding these on; very fun.

Rear springs are mounted (no pics) as well as one of the front struts and one of the UCAs.

Still left to do on the lift:
- extend driveline (I am assuming that the TRD diff is shorter than the 8.4" diff, because my driveline has about 2" more exposed than it did before the axle swap. EIther that, or the rear shackle relocation moved the axle back a few inches.
- create rear lower shock mounts
- connect e-brake
- extend proportioning valve
- install front pass side strut
- get an alignment

All this still needs to be done before HITR:
- tub front fenders (not looking forward to this)
- wire elocker
- get the 4.88s installed
- get a rear bumper

Still looking for a camper shell...

 

[193kyle]

Looks like its coming right along Steve! I've got a Trail Gear rear bumper on my Tacoma I am looking at getting rid of(truck is going up for sale, so trying to put it as back to stock as possible) if you are interested in a trade for your stock bumper plus cash. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Spork]

Steve's rear bumper may be stock but I would hesitate to call it pristine...

 

[sixstringsteve]

Looks like its coming right along Steve! I've got a Trail Gear rear bumper on my Tacoma I am looking at getting rid of(truck is going up for sale, so trying to put it as back to stock as possible) if you are interested in a trade for your stock bumper plus cash. PM me if you're interested.

I'm really looking for an allpro rear bumper, but for the right price I'll consider a TG bumper.

 

[Max Power]

The frame plates look nice.

 

[zukijames]

looking good steve i wish i made progress as fast as you do!

 

[sixstringsteve]

I always plan a wheeling trip about a month out, and that forces me to get a lot done.

I try to do at least one mod on my vehicle every night. It gets the rig done quick, but I'm quickly burnt out for modifications, so the littlest thing like a brake job, feels like a ton of work since I'm so burnt out.

 

[zukijames]

yeah i know what you mean my burnt out.. im past that point

 

[Spork]

I always plan a wheeling trip about a month out, and that forces me to get a lot done.

I try to do at least one mod on my vehicle every night. It gets the rig done quick, but I'm quickly burnt out for modifications, so the littlest thing like a brake job, feels like a ton of work since I'm so burnt out.

Well I did new rotors and pads on the front last year so I hope you're just looking at the rears...