Next Project/Purchase

[retrofive]

I get so amp'd about various mods and parts.... front bump, rear, sliders, body lift, etc. I tend to lose focus.

In your guys opinion where should I spend my saved $$ (under a grand). Got 1 shot until next year

Here is my un-official priorities (-minus fixing my CDL problem and couple more PM things)

1: Sliders (hannah, slee... or nice person in the valley to construct one for me )
2: Front Bump (I really want the slee short bus)
3: Skid Plate
4: Rear Bump

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Sliders or skid plate first I'd say... people seem to mess up their rockers more often than the front or rear.... and protecting your underside is always good!

[retrofive]

Thats what Im thinking too. Sliders for the rocker protection and cat. Skid... then front. Rear is great looking but before a lift I find it hard to think Im going places with out a lift to really goof my rear......

[retrofive]

Ok, I DID miss the fact I do want a 2-3" lift in there.... lol. Did I mention focus?

[knoll0351]

We can fab up skids for very little. Talk to Gabe and see how much he has in his for sure, I think it's only just over $100.00. Since we've done it once already I think we could have another done in a day once you have the material. Sliders are quite duable also, a little more time since they'll be the betta. I know that he wants to get his done too, so we could make up four instead of two.....

But yes definately Sliders, then Skids. Protect the expensive and important things first!!!

[retrofive]

Im all in for beta on a sliders for both of ours group project could be fun! Gabe??

EDIT: Beta on mine would be fine.... Gabe can decide if he wants to run beta LOL, although Windows 7 seems to work for him

[knoll0351]

He was the Beta for Skids, and will also be for the bumper My labor is free to club members so it's just a matter of cuordinating time... And I am trying to be better about that

[retrofive]

SWEET!.... Feb/Mar. Some time?? + I would love to learn to weld.

[knoll0351]

I can show you how to run a clean bead. I'm definately not an expert, but I can make metal stick together

I think it took me a matter of a few minutes to show Gabe how to burn a good bead, after that it's just a matter of practice.

[retrofive]

Cool. Just let me know the raw material needed and I'll purchase. Skid or Sliders

[Ebag333]

I went with 4 gauge flat stock for my skid plate. Serious overkill for it. 6 gauge (flat) or 8 gauge (with some support) would be fine. 10 gauge is a bit too thin, especially if you wheel like Travis.

(If you wheel like that guy in the Sammy yesterday, then I'm not sure that 4 gauge is thick enough! )


I chose to go with a skid first because that's the easiest to do, and awful cheap. It's also the only piece of armor you need to get home at the end of the day. Body damage sucks, but won't stop you from getting home. Can't say the same if your t-case was cracked open like a rotten pumpkin.....

Next will probably be sliders, only because my tow hitch protects my rear relatively well and sliders will be pretty simple.

I already know what I'm gonna do for my sliders, just a matter of getting the metal and doing it.

[knoll0351]

I think you miss typed...and was the word you were searching for

[retrofive]

Originally Posted by knoll0351

I think you miss typed...and was the word you were searching for

huh? Think I missed something in thread lol. was.... what. when..?

EDIT: Sorry, just noticed the edit on earlier post.... and totatlly missed the later update :P

All the same I think Im on the same page....

[knoll0351]

When you said Skids or Sliders I was infering you meant Skids and Sliders... Guess it's still not funny if one has to explain ones joke

[TOY350]

I say lift first and then do skids. Save another $700 and get sliders and then another $700 and get front bumper. In the meantime get your skids done here. That's my $.02

[knoll0351]

Yes I agrea with G Lift is much more usable, and upgrading skids and sliders from what we fab up is always an option. Lift is one thing not to scimp on, go quality since it holds your truck up I do think you should get the skids and sliders first because it will protect you from ending up broken or stuck long term.

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by knoll0351

I do think you should get the skids and sliders first because it will protect you from ending up broken or stuck long term.

Absolutely agree. Especially the skid plate.

The 80's t-case hangs waaaay down. And that's what's going to stop you from getting home at the end of the day.





That actually makes me wonder....assuming I was willing to switch to DC DS's, instead of CV, could I redo the t-case cross member and move the t-case higher up?

I think I remember Jesse mentioning he had to move his t-case up/down (forget which), but I'm not sure how all that works. If I could get it up just 2" I could do a flat sheet of steel from frame rail to frame rail, and bypass the drop mounts completely.

[knoll0351]

Anything is possible but plausable is the issue at hand. I'm thinking the main concern will be clearance to the "tunnel". I don't imagine the angles changing enough to make a diference. Length of drive lines may also come into play....but with only a couple of inches I doubt it. Just keep in mind that any time you make a serious change such as this there are always unforseen consiquences... that's what makes them fun

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

typically you can only raise the drive train the amount you did a body lift. Toyota wasn't about giving lots of extra room around the trans/t-case....

[Ebag333]

Dang, I guess I shoulda done the 2" body lift then.

Hmm, maybe I can upgrade....

Besides adjusting the t-case cross member, and possibly changing drive shafts, what else would be involved?

[knoll0351]

I think if you remove the cross member and support it differently you can still have your flat skid plate...

[Ebag333]

The t-case hangs 2" below the frame rail at the lowest point.

In order to have a flat skid plate, that sucker's gotta get moved up.

[retrofive]

Thanks guys for all the input.

[retrofive]

Soooo here is a start Picked up some used OME Shocks (N73, N74e), one step forward!

[Fly Rod]

Skids and sliders.

[retrofive]

Woohoo. Springs and Shocks showed up today! OME 2.5" Med. Std.


Although given my other issues, they are sorta on a back burner to be installed. All the same Im happy there are in front of me at least.

[TOY350]

That will be a nice 1 day install, hardest part is breaking loose the factory nuts and bolts. Just soak them good a day or so before you plan on starting. Print out the installation instructions from Slee's website and you are good to go.

[retrofive]

Yep! Just printed them lol . Any flavor of chems to soak them with? or pretty much whatever is on the shelf (store shelf) to do the job?

BTW lol I saw you cruising to meddy yesterday. My place is right across from the expo grounds in CP.

[TOY350]

Originally Posted by retrofive

Yep! Just printed them lol . Any flavor of chems to soak them with? or pretty much whatever is on the shelf (store shelf) to do the job?

BTW lol I saw you cruising to meddy yesterday. My place is right across from the expo grounds in CP.

People swear by something I can't remember now but I use an old can of Zep45 from like 15 years ago that works fine. (edit: just came to me, I think it's PB Blaster)

Yep, had the fam and used the excuse of needing a new cell battery at Verizon to burn fuel to Medford and back. At least they said mine was under warranty and just gave me a new one. I guess we need to get you a JSC flag to fly if you are that close to the freeway!

[retrofive]

Hmmmmm, you may be onto something there... with the Flag

I'll pick some Zep or PB when I get ready... Thanks

I did the same thing, used some Lucas and drove 1 tank thru

Gotta love warranties