Install help

nullifier · 06-03-06, 11:43 AM

Ok so on tuesdays and thursday for the month of June I am finally going to be able to get going on the installs for a mound of parts. After I expand my electrical system I will be installing new 4.88 gears and arb lockers in the tacoma. The guys I'm working with are all jeep nuts and we have done several dana set ups but none of us have done a yota assembly. Now in some ways it will be easier since we can work on the bench. Does anyone have any "tricks of the trade" to offer for the project to make things go easier and quicker? I heard about a wallered out bearing to make the shim adjustment go quicker.

Just for info here is the list of projects. dual batts with isolator, inverter, relocate winch controls, viair 460 compressor system, new fuse block, rock lights, driving lights, added 12V plugs, some misc lights in bed and under hood, relocate cb antenna, Engel fridge, Bed tie down tracks, 4.88 gears, arb lockers, 33x10.50 bfg muds, ome lift, lap top navigation set up. Once all that is done we will be starting on an aluminum Crago rack for the bed which will integrate a "soft toppper" and fiamma awning.

I leave for a 1 month Idaho adventure August 2nd so I have my work cut out. If any one wants to come and lend a hand we got cold beer every tuesday and wednesday at the shop in Bradenton. Post up I'll give ya directions or call me @ 813 785 8489

Brian

lowtideride · 06-03-06, 02:44 PM

if ya need help setting up the gears let me know i set a set up last summer....

nullifier · 06-06-06, 04:05 PM

Ok so today we got the truck to the shop. did a complete inventory and got our list of odds and eds like grommets, lube, connectors etc. We then assembled the OME coilovers . AFter that we decided to fab up the 4ga wires for the dual battery set up and design our dual optima battery holder on paper.

Tomorrow we are going to mount the OME coilovers, fab up the new hanger for the longer OME leaf springs. After that we are going to convert the diamond plate tool box to the electrical box and install our batteries, inverter, isolator and fuse block.

the project finally begins

ChuckD · 06-07-06, 05:41 AM

Sounds like a cool project. Wish I was closer to Bradenton. Got any neato pics?

nullifier · 06-08-06, 03:58 PM

I will have pics next week. My camera was dead this week but I will have it charged and ready tuesday.

nullifier · 07-12-06, 09:42 PM

Ok so I finally was able to get started on the rear suspension. This part of the suspension took as long as I thought it would, so it was done over 2 days.
First we removed the rear bumper, suspension, brake line, drive shaft, BPV assembly and gas tank. Then put it up in the air.

Since my rig is a '96 it has the shorter leaf springs. Since the OME stuff is several inches longer we had to make some extensive mods to the mounts. First we took some measurements and decided that 1" forward was perfect. After some debating we decided to try and use the existing hanger for the main bolt. We drilled a new hole in the bracket and filled in the old ones. After grinding it down you can only tell where it is filled on the inside of the bracket which you can't see with the spring in. the tough part was the inside of the hanger. It was shaped to be recessed for the main bolt. so it had to be reshaped. We took a piece of square tube, placed it in the hanger heated it up and flatened it with a BFH so it would ready for the new leaf spring. We also decided to take the time and mount a "skid plate on the leading edge up to the frame to help it slide over rocks and stiffen it some. Here it is before a coat of paint. This thing is now really stout witht he skid you can't see in frome this angle.

Next up was removing the rear hangers this only took about 1.5 hours LOL!

Then we disigned and started making new ones this is my lovely assistant Damon (the brains of the operation)

Hey it's starting to look like a hanger!

nullifier · 07-12-06, 09:43 PM

Next up was some test fitting.

After 3 attempts of tacking them into place, mounting and settling springs to check for proper shackle angles, they were welded into place.

Then some stiffening supports were added since in order to align them properly they had to stick out 1/4 inch outboard the frame.

Finally a smiling face at the sight of success!!!

nullifier · 07-12-06, 09:43 PM

Here is a side shot ofter being put back together and lowered to the ground for the first time in 2 days.

Then the big guns came out for a little flexing of the new muscle.

Then we measured to make sure the OME N85 shocks were long enough and sure enough they were not. For those of you running them I would say your missing out on about 3" if travel easy! I did not mount them and will be getting longer shocks next week.

Lastly was weather we got the tire centered. We were shooting for 2 1/4" between my 31" tire and the shet metal at full stuff. We sit at 2 3/16" so pretty good. Should be just enough so I do not have to trim when the 33 10.50's go on.

Friday and Saturday we will tackle the electrical stuff. Dual batteries, isolator, 1000w invertor, viar 460 comp with 2.5 tank, lowrance navigation, fuse block, hella lights, and few other goodies I'm sure I forgot LOL!

The following Friday/Sat is Gears and Lockers. If anyone wants to come Down Let me know. This is where an experianced Toyota Gear and locker hand might really help. We have set up a few Dana's but I know there have got to be some Third member tricks to ease the process.

nullifier · 07-16-06, 10:00 PM

Well the electrical work is going slow. Probably cause I hate this kind of work. I only worked Friday so not to much done. i got my wiring diagrams made up in the AM then went to fill the shopping list of circuit breakers terminals etc. Most of which had to be ordered. here are a few pics. Basicaly I got the hard components mounted in the box, fabbed up a divider so the tools won't get intot he electrical stuff and fabbed a mount for the air tank. Wednesday night I will get to actually start wiring and hopefully finish up Friday night if all goes well.

ChuckD · 07-19-06, 06:20 AM

Nullifier, looking pretty good!

Dihnekis · 08-03-06, 11:36 PM

Cool pictures, looks like a fun project.

nullifier · 08-04-06, 11:08 AM

Ok rig is done. I'm pulling out tomorrow morn for ATL my first stop. I just got the gear break in done yesterday. Sso far everything is running tops no issues at all. I guess if I make it to ATL I should be good.

I was going to drive back but am trying to make plans to fly back from AZ. I got invited to go to the Baja 1000 with the guys from campa trailers and Donahoe racing in november. so once I find a place to store the rig I'll be set.