Builds Father, Son, and the Unholy UTE

[2fpower]

 

[2fpower]

Lots of progress this weekend. Thanks go out to @StucknKS and @Robkc for help in the shop.

Winches finally wired,

center protection headed

Using the relay diagram, was able to get the rear window working as well as I have a antenna up down switch operating it on the dash

 

[2fpower]

Got the bed installed brakes bled, and a brand-new brake line at the hydraulic crimper blew out. Luckily I had an extra one.

Since the AC was not working, replaced dryer, compressor and expansion valve and cleaned out all the lines.

We got the doors hung on Sunday, don't have a picture of that.

 

[2fpower]

Then came the interesting thing, the gas filler neck. Ended up being able to use the Tacoma replacement neck, after some cuts and twists and merging into parts of the old Land Cruiser neck . Mig welded, then tig welded it and covered the welds with gas tank Epoxy.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Wishing you would have just SAS'd a Tacoma yet?

It looks sweet. Still planning to skin the bed with the 80 sheet metal?

 

[2fpower]

Wishing you would have just SAS'd a Tacoma yet?

It looks sweet. Still planning to skin the bed with the 80 sheet metal?

I recall @cruiserdan saying that it took 500 man hours for Slee to do their Vlakvard. I laughed, thinking it was way overstated and knowing they went full nice paintjob and bodywork; so I anticipated I would have less time in the project.

Fast forward about 500 hours, and I am not laughing as much anymore. Having said that, it really is more than a truck project. Full axle rebuilds front and back, armor up center and sliders, lift installed, all new brake lines, some made from scratch, etc. We are 6 months and one day since we cut this in half, so I really don't feel too bad.

Anyway, I just look forward to watching him run this up some trails in SD in a couple weeks. I also like that I have 3 rigs now that have same drivetrain, so easy to work on.

Yes, plan is to run it like this for some months, then add the skin. He needs to put some hours in the shop working on my projects before we do the skin.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

"he needs to put some hours in the shop working on my projects" LOVE IT.. Quality father son time.
Truck is looking cool.. Congrats Josh..

 

[2fpower]

First test drive. Brakes are soft. take two or three pumps, going to go try to pick up some air bleeder screws, ran out this weekend.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

It looks reaaaallllly awesome.

At first I was skeptical, but stretching the wheelbase was totally worth it.

More pics!!

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

I have a set of bleeders I just got in for the highlander at the house. M7-1.0 x 34mm
More Information for CARLSON H9411
I needed One.. if they are the same I can get them in the shuttle.. and I know i have a 93 master NIB if you want to borrow that for safety sake, just in case bleeding goes south. I seem to remember you are on a time crunch of sorts. pretty sure you already have the brake flare tools?

 

[2fpower]

Thanks Erik. If I recall, I took your last MC and bought you that one as a replacement! Small world.

Plan to drive this to boy scout camp tomorrow, so going to parts store soon to get new bleeders and get the brakes sorted out.

May drive over to Lawrence this afternoon to get the winch line.

 

[2fpower]

I

I have a set of bleeders I just got in for the highlander at the house. M7-1.0 x 34mm
More Information for CARLSON H9411
I needed One.. if they are the same I can get them in the shuttle.. and I know i have a 93 master NIB if you want to borrow that for safety sake, just in case bleeding goes south. I seem to remember you are on a time crunch of sorts. pretty sure you already have the brake flare tools?

Just to be clear on 80 series the bleeders are m10 x 1.0​

 

[2fpower]

Drove about 40 miles on it today, only problem was brakes were soft. Ended up driving across the field and slam on the brakes to get the ABS to cycle. Did this 6 times then bled the brakes. They were better, but ended up cycling the ABS and bleeding two more times before it started feeling better. I have to admit, I almost gave up and swapped master cylinders.

Here's some pics from outside Overland lock and key, they are going to make a key to fit the Tacoma gas door


You can also see how Joshua altered the switch for the rear windows on the dash

 

[2fpower]

I think I may have found an Achilles' heel. Much like our doors I have a feeling that sequoia rear hatch would allow any water that got passed the seal to travel down to the bottom of the inside of the door and then out a weep hole. With the way I fabricated this, any weep hole would be inside the cab, and with the type of paint I used I have a feeling those holes are sealed shut.

So the question I am asking you to brainstorm tonight, is how do I deal with this. The only thing I can think of is to go through and silicone the entire bottom making sure everything is sealed and drilling a hole out the rear of the bottom of the door toward the truck bed.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

So the question I am asking you to brainstorm tonight, is how do I deal with this. The only thing I can think of is to go through and silicone the entire bottom making sure everything is sealed and drilling a hole out the rear of the bottom of the door toward the truck bed.

I'd use seam sealer or a cavity sealer instead of silicone, but that's pretty much all you can do!

 

[jeffro109]

put front windshield silicone around the seal??? Your idea sounds good too just in case.

 

[2fpower]

put front windshield silicone around the seal??? Your idea sounds good too just in case.

With the amount of work we put in to have a moving rear window, I'm not ready to silicone it shut. The rear window needs to stay mobile, going up and down. Much like our side windows a small amount of rain can enter through the corners or through Fault in the seal.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Cowl drain. THey make some that are a "flap" just like the bottom of the air cleaner on an 80. A one way check valve of sorts. Keep dust out but water will go past and out.

 

[Box Rocket]

I may have missed it, but any plans to add width to the Tacoma bed to line up better with the cab? Any plans to try to match any of the body lines on the bed to the cab?

 

[2fpower]

I may have missed it, but any plans to add width to the Tacoma bed to line up better with the cab? Any plans to try to match any of the body lines on the bed to the cab?

Yes. harvesting skin from the rear door and quarter to make it look like one continuous body. my son has to put some hours in the shop before we do it though.