Help me plan a Truggy Crawler - What should I know? What Parts will I need?

[jtice]

I have been researching some things on building a truggy the last few months, and I think I have narrowed things down a bit as to what I want to do.
But I wanted to start this thread to find out if I am missing something, or going about this wrong.

First off, I will explain what my goal is.
This build will probably be a few stages over the years, but the first stage, I want to do a SAS, running about a 37" tire. I also want to keep it Street Legal. The truck will be used for offroading, camping, etc.
Because of that, I think I would like to use a 96+ Tacoma V6 5 Speed as my base.
I know that the 4 banger is plenty of power for offroad with the proper gearing, but since I want to be able to use the truck on the street and highway also, I dont want it to be under powered.

One of the main things I am trying to figure out, is what parts I will want for all of this. I have been looking at Trail-Gear alot, they seem to have nice SAS kits, and many other parts and kits I will need.
I noticed that there seems to be more parts involved with the newer model trucks, especially the V6.
Things like needing adapter plates for t-cases, etc.
And it seems the newer trucks have a chain driven t-case?
I know the gear driven ones are supposed to be stronger, so does this mean I should plan on having to swap out the t-case for an older gear driven one? Especially since I would eventually like to run dual cases?

I am not dead set on using a 96+ Tacoma, so if there are alot of reasons I should use an older truck please let me know. I used to have a 93 4 banger extended cab, it was a great truck, but horribly under powered, even stock.

I am also having a hard time deciding between regular or extended cab.
I really like the extra internal space of the extended cab, and the fact that if I really needed to, I could have more than one passenger.
But the wheelbase is a big issue. I plan on building a flat/tube bed for the truck, and have already looked into moving the rear axle forward as much as I can. Seems like I can move it a good 8" but I am still not sure that would give me a great wheelbase.
Bad thing is, regular cabs seem VERY hard to find in V6.

Sorry for the long post guys, just really wanting to do this right the first time, and would like to plan ahead as much as possible, and make sure I know what I need, and what I will have to do to accomplish what I want.
Picking what truck to use as my base is my first hurdle, so I wanted to pick your brains, to see what the best all around base would be.
I want the truck to be usable, but not at the expense of being very capable offroad.
I would rather give up internal space, newness, etc. for offroad capability.
I want to eventually have the flat bed and a complete exo-cage and take the truggy to some very hardcore trails.
This is my gallery of inspiration, to give you an idea what I am after.
Toyota Truggys - jtice's Photos

Ideally, I am thinking something like this, with a full exo-cage...
http://jtice.smugmug.com/Offroad/Of...ed-Toyotas/i-zjN4FSv/1/L/newcruiser045a-L.jpg
But with the rear axle moved forward like this, and running about this size of tire. (though maybe sitting a bit lower)
http://jtice.smugmug.com/Offroad/Of...tbed-Toyotas/i-Qn5krB7/1/M/trayback0368-M.jpg
Thanks again guys.
~John

 

[chicago]

Are you sure the axle had been moved FORWARD?
most times the wb is good, but folks just bob the bed, eliminating the rear overhang that hits EVERYTHING.
IMO, the newer the motor the better.
My daughter has a 96 w/ the 3.0 and that thing is a NIGHTMARE to work on and is HORRIBLY under powered. Not to mention the suck MPG it gets.
Later year motors are much better performers all around.
If it were me building a rig over again... I'd build a 97+ year for the motor, sas, marlin crawl box, lockers and armor and be done.
If it were me, I'd build a 4 runner though. Keeps the gear dry, gives a place to sleep and it's still relatively light and nimble. Ass end is still a bit much, but that's what bumpers are for!

 

[chicago]

Heres a pic of my buddies rig...
Kinda what you're looking at only his is an 86 w/ 22re.

Crap... Don't have any better pics on my phone.

 

[jtice]

I have heard the same thing about the old 3.0 V6s, I was thinking the new 3.4 came out in 96, seems it was actually in 97?
Good to know, cuz I am definitely wanting the 3.4 for the reasons you mentioned.

I like the 4Runners alot, they are one of my favorite vehicles.
But I am just not sure I would want to use one as the base to my project.
I certainly like the large internal space for camping gear, sleeping, etc. But building a flatbed rig seems like it would have more utility, and be better suited for some of the more cumbersome dirty gear.
I also worry about protecting the back of a 4Runner, there is alot more body and aloooot more glass back there to worry about. That would take alot of exo-cage, and that weight would be up high.

Here is a thread I started on moving the rear axle forward. Certainly seems it can be done. The main issue is the gas tank, which if I am doing a flatbed setup, I can easily move that alittle.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyo...kup-how-far-forward-can-i-move-rear-axle.html

 

[chicago]

I have heard the same thing about the old 3.0 V6s, I was thinking the new 3.4 came out in 96, seems it was actually in 97?
Good to know, cuz I am definitely wanting the 3.4 for the reasons you mentioned.

I like the 4Runners alot, they are one of my favorite vehicles.
But I am just not sure I would want to use one as the base to my project.
I certainly like the large internal space for camping gear, sleeping, etc. But building a flatbed rig seems like it would have more utility, and be better suited for some of the more cumbersome dirty gear.
I also worry about protecting the back of a 4Runner, there is alot more body and aloooot more glass back there to worry about. That would take alot of exo-cage, and that weight would be up high.

Here is a thread I started on moving the rear axle forward. Certainly seems it can be done. The main issue is the gas tank, which if I am doing a flatbed setup, I can easily move that alittle.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/517838-extendacab-pickup-how-far-forward-can-i-move-rear-axle.html

Aaaaah, okay. Yeah 122 in is pretty long for sure.
As I mentioned... My base is cruisers more than anything and a little dabbling in the mini trucks.
A flat bed is an awesome and easily customizable way to go.
I was gonna back half my first fj62 and flat bed, cage it, but my wife put her foot down on that. That's how I ended up building my 40.
If the gas tank is the issue, you could always run a fuel cell. They make em all shapes and sizes.

 

[haddix]

Cant help much on the building of it but I do know the 3.4 came out in 95.5 for tacomas and 96 for 4runners.

 

[jtice]

Thanks again for the help guys!
I figure I will end up keeping the chain driven case, and adding a second gear driven case with 4.7 gears later on.

I still need to decide on the axle gearing though, I would assume even with the dual t-cases that I would need to regear the axles for 37+ tires since I plan to drive it on the street also.

Probably going with the typical 84, 85 year toyota front axle.
I plan to upgrade it with the better Dirty 30 birfields.

Again, I like the 4Runners ALOT, but I just dont think I want to worry about all the extra body and glass in the back.
Plus I really like the utility of making a custom flat bed. Just something I have always wanted to do.

I am still back and forth on an extended cab or a regular cab though, and its driving me nuts.
I know that the stock 122" wheelbase of the extended cab is way too long, but I just dont know if shortening it by 8" or so will really be enough to make it a great performing rig.
But, I dont want to give up that nice bit of internal space in the back seat of the extended cab by going to the regular cab.
I also dont think you can find a regular cab in V6!

Using a fuel cell to gain more room is certainly an option, I need to look at that alot, and see exactly what the limiting factors are for moving the axle forward alot.
I would imagine at one point even the frame is going to be an issue.

Thanks for the info on the 3.4 engine years haddix, added to my notes

 

[jtice]

Oh, and I realized I linked to the wrong thread above.
This is a thread I started on Pirate about moving the rear axle forward.
Anyone ever Shorten the Wheelbase of an Ext. Cab Tacoma? - Pirate4x4.Com