duggy's build thread: 1998 Land Cruiser #SAS100

[duggy]

Here is a visual representation of the cuts that had to be made in the weld. Not shown is how the brackets wrap around the frame to the other side. I just cut these flush with a sawzall which made quick and clean work. The square in the middle is actually a hole that is welded on the inside. Toyota definitely did not plan for these brackets to be cut off.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr]

This is definitely awesome. Can't wait to see it finished in person sometime!

 

[duggy]

Hey Garrett,

Thanks man, we should get together this year and do some wheeling for sure. Toyota Jamboree?

 

[duggy]

The past few days have been slow going. I've been making measurements of the shock towers and discussing with 40habits about how much to cut along with cleaning the frame rails, and for my sanity, cleaning the garage. All of the abrasive dust drives me nuts when I have to lay on the ground to get a better peek at something.

The heim joints for the panhard and track bar came in, so I'll be mocking those up with PVC pipe.
I need to buy a reamer to drill out the holes with the correct taper in the steering arms/pitman arm to accept the GM 1 Ton TREs.
4.88 gears arrived so I need to learn how to properly set gears. I've been reading various forums and articles and feel like I have a decent idea of how to set them up, but who knows. I'll probably build a jig for them just as Zuk has done. The money I save in setting up the gears myself can afford me some nice shiny tools such as a shop press and some bearing pullers.

I SHOULD have the rear axle under the Cruiser by this weekend. We'll see

 

[TXLX100]

I like the way you are tackling this. I think I saw your truck last year at the jamboree, was it silver then? Definitely would like to check it out if you get it done in time!

 

[duggy]

Yeah, it was silver at the last Jambo. Hopefully it will be tan and SAS'ed come May. A lot has changed in a year

 

[txlonghorn]

We exchanged emails a little while back about some 80 series axle parts I had listed on Houston Craigslist. Just stumbled upon your build thread. Looking awesome! I'd love to come check in out in person. I'm in the process of building up my '85 4runner, so I can relate to what you're going through. Can't believe YOU were the one that scored those tires... I called the guy but hesitated on the buy. Ended up with a new set of 37" Cooper STT Pros, but the Goodyears were a good deal.

 

[duggy]

So you were the other guy that was interested in them

Yeah, I had been talking to him for a while and finally came upon a deal we both could agree on. You're more than welcome to come by and check out everything this weekend if you're free. I'll be in the garage working all weekend.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr]

Hey Garrett,

Thanks man, we should get together this year and do some wheeling for sure. Toyota Jamboree?

That would be fun! I haven't been to the Jambo in like 3 or 4 years. I believe it starts during the end of my finals week so I'll need to look into it a bit more.

 

[duggy]

Yesterday was productive! I have always had the need for a sturdy metal welding table for clamping stuff on. While was I was the metal shop looking for .250 wall tubing, I ran into a great deal on a 9.5ft 1/2" plate steel that was in great condition. I bought some 3" sq tube to make the legs and the table came together with a help of a buddy in a half day. This sucker was a bear to move since it was almost 500 pounds but we got it wrapped up quick. I cleared the other 2 tables out and quickly filled this one back up

I'm in the process of final paint on the rear end and decided to go with POR15 as it's rated for 500*, will fill in any voids caused by sand blasting, and will protect the heck out of the axle. It was laid on thick so I don't suspect this axle will be rusting anytime again soon!

 

[duggy]

I started to tear into the rear diff yesterday and made sure to try and be meticulous as ZUK is when he tears into everything. I marked both bearing caps, measured the stock shims and wrote everything down. It looks like I'll have to be purchasing the OTC bearing seperators and pullers since the ones I got will not work without tearing up the bearings. No worries and lesson learned

Pretty hard to see but I marked the bearing caps 1 and 2 on the diff and cap side for their respective ends.

Measuring the main cap shims

Main caps removed and carrier removed exposing only the pinion

Zip off the pinion nut in the rear, remove the flange and give the pinion some love with a brass hammer and out it comes.

Comparision of the crush and solid sleeves. From left to right: Stock Crush Sleeve, Solid Spacer, replacement Crush Sleeve (will not be used)

 

[duggy]

Stepping back just a bit, I went ahead and measured up the centerline of the front axle. I used a home made plumb bob to transfer the distance to the ground. The 2 tape marks you see is 1 for centerline and the other is how much I plan to move the axle forward for placement. This should give me plenty of room to articulate the axle and not run into any issues with the pinch weld, oil pan, and the frame.

The front axle is placed and pretty much ready to be positioned one final time, but I am waiting on parts from Ballistic Fab. I have been back and forth with getting them to ship out my parts but it's been over 2 weeks. Needless to say, my patience is getting used up fast. I must say that all of the other vendors I have worked with have been great. Once the link parts from Ballistic Fab and the ORIs from Filthy Motorsports arrive, I can start tacking in the front axle and get a better picture for final welding.

 

[Sambosuda]

Sick.

 

[MoGas]

I need to get over there and check this out. And, bring some good beer. Miller Lite????

 

[farmerjoe]

I need to get over there and check this out. And, bring some good beer. Miller Lite????

I've learned that overtly criticizing a man's taste in beer is not conducive to home invitations, but more importantly that having friends with 'different' tastes means they won't snag yours from the cooler!

 

[SS100]

@farmerjoe LOL! Duggy loves that stuff. I'd gladly drop by his house anyway with a case for him .... I'm pretty sure he doesn't actually drink it but uses it for cleaning parts on his truck instead

 

[farmerjoe]

@farmerjoe I'm pretty sure he doesn't actually drink it but uses it for cleaning parts on his truck instead

hmmm. I always thought water was a poor solvent...

 

[duggy]

If I drink too much of your fancy beer I might start welding in squiggly lines instead. Miller Water keeps me hydrated and alert

 

[duggy]

The past few days have been slow going. I've been futzing around the garage figuring my way through getting the gears setup. Between getting all of the correct tools and learning everything I think I finally have a grasp on how everything works. The patterns here still need a bit of carrier preload set so I may reduce the pinion depth but .002 but they are pretty close for now.

In other news, the ORIs arrived! To say that these things are beef is an understatement. I need to get a nitrogen fill kit to get these charged up. The last piece of the SAS puzzle has arrived!

I had a pretty tough time sourcing DOM tubing in .250 wall since not a lot of companies use it but I did finally find some in town which I'll be picking up today. I am going 2" OD .250wall 1.5" ID DOM for the front LCAs and 1.75" OD .250 wall for the panhard, track bar, rear UCAs.

I also had some minor issues getting the e-brake hardware mounted up since the auto parts store sent me the wrong parts. It looks like they sent me the e-brake shoes for a semi-float or drum only which are larger in diameter. I am giving the auto parts store one more chance before I go OEM on these. The parts come in today so I hope to have the rear wheels and tires on the ground this weekend. HOPE.

 

[txlonghorn]

Duder, the ORI's do look beef. Keep drinkin' your Miller and making good progress.