Toyota Project: TacoCart

[Herzog]

Lower control arms! These are initially from the buggy crawler, but ended up having I Lean make me some fabricated arms back then to help clear the tires during full steer. So, glad I kept them around because I was able to make them into taco-arms.

Test mount. Looking good! I left 0.75" adjustment available backwards just in case, since I've essentially pushed the front axle wb forward ~1.25"

Next is the upper arm... but I need a piece of tube for the bushing. I may just make the upper out of 2" x 0.25"wall since it's a 3 link and the strength is nice even though it's overkill on the upper. Plus I have more than enough of that tube laying around.

 

[Coco]

I <3 this build.

 

[Herzog]

I <3 this build.

Thanks!

 

[I Lean]

Nicely done! I still have those bushings for you if you want them.

 

[Herzog]

Nicely done! I still have those bushings for you if you want them.

pming you!

 

[YROC FAB.]

Im glad i got the old lady a solid axled 4 runner i need to work on otherwise this and Ileans rig makes me want to sas my dd toyota pickup, I mean i already have extra yota axle on the shelf. . . No! I must finish the 4 runner.

Its looking pretty good herzog.

 

[Bart]

Love it when you can use surplus parts you've had hanging around. Looking good.

 

[Herzog]

Im glad i got the old lady a solid axled 4 runner i need to work on otherwise this and Ileans rig makes me want to sas my dd toyota pickup, I mean i already have extra yota axle on the shelf. . . No! I must finish the 4 runner.

Its looking pretty good herzog.

I'm WAY too selfish. The buggy and the taco are mine. I figured the buggy sits enough that this will keep me occupied and remind of how fun it is to constantly work on something

Love it when you can use surplus parts you've had hanging around. Looking good.

I feel like I've become a master of recycling parts over the years.

 

[Herzog]

I had to make some custom tabs for on top of the D44 pig. I needed a lot more coverage/material on the tabs because I'm always weary about the process of sticking these to the cast steel.

Got my first-hand experience with how super handy the swag offroad table bandsaw is. Makes making custom tabs painless!


Seems to fit all right. I'll put some more gussets and plating on there just to be sure, but the last couple times I've done this it's held up very well.

 

[Herzog]

Finally got around to making the upper control arm. I decided to use the same 2" x 0.25" wall DOM as the lowers because: Why not; single upper arm, might as well be overkill.

I left 1" of back adjustment just in case of wheelbase change and/or castor changes.

Test fit before I fully weld and press the busing in. The geometry turned out much better than I thought I'd get it with the limited space. I'm pretty happy!

 

[Herzog]

Clearance, Clarence?

Upper was really close to the oil pan on driver side stuff... but when I added the strap to keep it closer to center it ended up looking OK.

 

[Herzog]

Errrrrr day.

I ended up breaking off the upper mount and moving it over 3/4" just in case. I feel good enough about it that I decided to burn it in.

I used the pre-heat / post-heat normal MIG method. This is the 3rd housing I've done this on and haven't had any issues yet (knock on wood). As long as you don't hear pings and creaking after welding (while post heating) you *should* bet good. Still, always a good idea to inspect for cracks over the lifetime of the mount. I think my line speed was off a little, spattery mess.

Also burned in the lower mounts.

 

[Bart]

I always worry about welding to cast, but have used that method the few times we've done it and it's worked just fine. Looks great.

 

[Coco]

It will be just fine. My old 4runner had a custom steering arm welded to the stock cast. Never had an issue.

 

[Herzog]

I always worry about welding to cast, but have used that method the few times we've done it and it's worked just fine. Looks great.

Same here. Thank you!

 

[Gravy]

Throw a gusset between the two sides and you can put some more weld down on the casting front and rear. Couldn't hurt.

BTW my pitman arm is a waggy one I welded into double shear and I've had no problems. I welded gussets on to my stock cast Ford KP knuckles too. I preheated all of them in the BBQ. Burned them hot. Peened and post heated slowly down to room temp. in the BBQ over a few hours and I've had zero problems. Plus I got that smooth propane taste.

 

[Herzog]

Operation Saggy Rad:

This radiator sits way too low. I'm no cooling genius, but they do seem to be oversized for a that 3.4. So I searched and to my suprise there's a bolt on mod that many people have done with success. Turns out, a 2.4L rad will bolt right in (need a new lower hose) and people are claiming no difference in cooling. I think that's.... pretty cool.

Size comparison

Chopped down the shroud

Fin.

Here's the exact radiator: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sgt-cu1778

 

[I Lean]

That's pretty nifty.

 

[Spork]

Yea I killed a radiator in Moab and ended up with a larger one to get home, they all just bolt up but the 2.7 is 6-8" shorter.

 

[SLC97SR5]

Looking good!
You are a dedicated dude...working in the shop and having a plumbing project. Keep it up!