Builds 93 80 Beater. (1 Viewer)

[darwink1]

I took some measurements of the carrier for whoever is interested. Theyre rough but should be enough to get goin.

From pivot to pivot it measures 26.5" (outside edges)
The tube w 2 bends that joins the uprights is 22.5"
The uprights, including bends are 32" long
The uprights, from pivot to bend are 12"
Uprights bent at approx. 84*

All tabs and gussets are 1/4" thick.

Main pivots are "builders kits" from DIY4x4.

License plate light is from canadian tire and is hooked up to the trailer harness.

If there are any more questions feel free...

D

 

[julstirn]

how the tires man im thinking getting them in the upcoming weeks

 

[darwink1]

No complaints about the tires, I like them.


Messed around today and bolted a homemade hood ornament on the van. Its cheesy I know but I was bored as hell....

D

 

[julstirn]

ha sweet

 

[greentruck]

It's the snowtank.

 

[BROMO95]

darwink1 mind i ask how did you attach the towing hitch? is it bolt on or you weld it to the rear frame? i like your swing down spare tire carrier, i might do the same thing for my rig n thanx for sharing

 

[darwink1]

The factory tow hitch was moved so it sat on top of the frame rails instead of under them. Not a perfect fit but you can make it work pretty easily.

I cut off the rear x member and test fit the hitch then cut the frame back roughly 2 or 3 inches. The tow hooks were welded to the inside of the frame rails about 6" down the frame then the hitch was welded in. I did it this way so it replaces the x member I removed.

The bumper wings are bolt on.

D

 

[BROMO95]

thanx for the info darwink1 i really appreciate it now i know what i have to do with my towing hitch

 

[darwink1]

Holy crap, the tacoma has been sitting under a blanket of snow in the driveway for over a month. Havent started it the whole time and I left the battery connected........ Temps around here have been in the -20's for a while now.

I brushed the snow off today, fought with the frozen doors, then started it first try! Pretty frickin cool.

Im gonna disconnect the battery tomorrow just in case it ends up sittin outside longer than planned.... (damn cruiser lol).

D

 

[96Cruiser13]

dude im so jealous of your fab work.. you have that thing looking amazing.. where are the rest of the skulls mounted??

 

[96Cruiser13]

oh and ill give you a couple months and youll wanna sell the taco... do you not LOVE the cruiser.. well as you call it the "van"

 

[darwink1]

lol, the rest of the skulls are in the garage on a shelf..

While I do love the cruiser, I dont see myself getting rid of the taco anytime soon. Its the first "new" truck I ever bought and its also what got me into wheeling/fabbing. I love that little truck and in a perfect world Id be buried in it.........about 40 yrs from now.






Got the call today and my bushings and window runs are in finally! Now I get to mess whith all that crap.

D

 

[96r50]

Window runs are pretty easy IIRC. Put the window down, slide the old runs out, new ones in, put the window up (faster now!). Throw some silicone spray in there for good measure.

The bushings... not so much

 

[darwink1]

You think the spray on new runs is a good idea? Im hoping they go up/down good enough with the new runs, regulators, and switch contact cleaning. Guess I have to dig in and actually do the job to see.

Im not looking forward to the bushings at all. All Ive been able to find to use as a press is my buddys 4 ton and by the sounds of it its not gonna be enough.

D

 

[Ebag333]

I would try cleaning the old runs first with a wet rag.

Replaced the window runs on the truck, and then decided to clean the runs on my truck before replacing. Saw basically the same improvement. The rag came out filthy, and I was amazed at how much dirt and grime was in there.

 

[darwink1]

Yeah, Id think spraying the new ones would attract grime quicker than leaving them dry.

I already have the new runs but I will inspect the old ones before throwing them out.

D

 

[96r50]

I went all out when I was doing my front doors since I had the doors apart for other stuff. I pulled the glass out and fully cleaned and windexed them. Then I put the new runs in the doors, lubed them lightly and reinstalled the glass. Still not fantasticly fast by new car standards, but they don't get stuck in the winter! Silicone spray dries slick but not gummy so I don't see it attracting dirt and grime. I use it on all the rubber weatherstripping a couple times per year and they don't get any dirtier.

As for the press, don't bother with the 4 ton for most/all of those bushings. Pressing the old axle end bushings out of my front control arms and installing caster correction bushings gave the 20 ton shop press a decent work out when I did it.

 

[greentruck]

I've always had good luck with the silicone spray. I've always done to my new trucks and did it to our 80, now that new trucks no longer look in the financial picture.

It doesn't seem to attract crud. Acts slick so stuff doesn't stick. Main thing is not to get it anywhere else or that will be slidy, too.

Net result is that I've never had window problems. Admittedly, for the last year I had my Rodeo, the back PS side door wouldn't open, but the window always worked

It's so funny to see my wife avoiding that door still. I have to remind her. "Honey, that door works now!"

 

[Land Speeder]

Is that a Coiler or a Stinky?
I just dumped my Coiler DeeLux a few months back... wish i still had it but the riding in these parts don't need it.

 

[darwink1]

Pretty sure its a stinky deluxe from way back in the day lol. Its my buddies bike that I fixed up for him this past spring.... Its still in my garage.

The front fork on that thing is hilarious man. Its a bombshell bad betty and although it may look pretty trick it doesnt ride so good. I was going to rebuild it for him but havent bothered since he doesnt ride it.

D