how to build a toyota, solid axle, rock crawler thread.

[Combat Chuck]

well going to have a girl this time... we ran all the tests we did with jacob due to our age and her cancer history. Every thing is just fine... (thank God). didn't think it would happen this soon so I guess unless she wants three one of us needs to get fixed...

so we will continue to have blue and pink trucks...

That is too cool!
Congratulations, I'm really happy to hear things are working out for you!

 

[missouriman]

thanks,
wish that I had started with the kids part years ago. but didn't have a good women at the time.
sold the jeep.. only lost 400.00 on that deal. After working on that thing I have no idea why jeeps are so popular.
right now things are so dry out in the black hills that we have not been out wheeling due to the fire dangers. Not sure what this summer is going to bring, as I think I only scooped snow off the walk one time this winter. The pine Beatles have killed about 30 percent of the trees and maybe 50 percent are sick or dieing... going to be a huge fire year.

 

[missouriman]

baby boy now...
03-25-2012 Moms home pictures by missouriman3535 - Photobucket

the latest.

04-17-2012 jacob pictures by missouriman3535 - Photobucket

he is aw some, loves riding in the truck.. wife is still free of cancer. new baby checks out ok. you guys rock with your support. still have not had time to freshen up the trucks.. will report on what I find when I have time for the trucks.
we still take them out.

would it be ok to post up trip reports here?

 

[Devilmans Hand]

I don't see why not. Call it Truck Tech Testing
Great thread.

 

[dubsb]

Edit:double post, app timed out

 

[dubsb]

so I came up with this. they are air compressor drain valves, I mount them on the other side of the rim from the valve stem. they are 1/4 inch NPT threads.
you can get them at Lowe's for about a buck each. 30 psi to 5 in about 30 seconds with 36's. so you have your gauge on the valve stem and open this valve and there you go.. I have a cheap pressure gage 30 to 0 psi, mounted to a filler fitting, to measure the pressure as it go's down

I don't know how many times at the trail head I have had folks come up and ask how I aired down so fast. then copy me.
I came up with this many years ago, posted it up and some guy copied my and posted it on pirate. so now it was his idea. he didn't grab the glory.. just how things went.
.

Love the idea, I just drilled my rims and threaded the draincocks in, great improvement ! Thanks for the tip !

 

[missouriman]

don't forget to pick up some bolt end covers to keep the mud and junk out of them. Mine took the plastic end for a 1/2 inch bolt.
They are the protector things you put on the end of a bolt for like a swing set.

I also found these at lowes.

 

[missouriman]

I don't see why not. Call it Truck Tech Testing
Great thread.

In a way I guess it is. you guys have seen what I have done on the trucks. you have dates on when I did the mods. you are getting to see that they are still working. Maybe leaking a bit here and there. but holding up very well..... I hope that I don't jinx myself by saying that.

after all this time I would like to replace all the tie rod ends. I need to do inner and outer (wiper seals) on mine.

also the rear drive shaft on mine is bent, even with the thick metric tube i used..

her drive shafts are holding up just fine.


odd but both trucks have a death wobble, turning left at around 35 mph.

Just wish that they were 4 doors with the growing family!!

guess that I will have one car seat and she will have the other.

I wish that I knew more about the ifs on the newer 4 runners.. I mean the 2003 had a v8 in it.. I wonder if you sent the cv's in for cryo treatment if they would hold up to 36's or 38s??

thinking a newer 4 runner,
atlas transfer case.
selectable lockers.

just thinking..

 

[missouriman]

I have to post this up date... my boy busting out the moves.
turn up the sound!!!

06-07-2012 jacob dancing :: M4H02056.mp4 video by missouriman3535 - Photobucket

 

[missouriman]

teaching baby boy how to work on things.. toyota in the works. he was really trying to help. Handing me the leatherman with each screw. then wanting it back so he could beat on things. He would grab ahold of every part that I mounted and shake it as if to see if it was tight enough.

so baby boy learning to work on stuff, sad garden. baby bump of baby girl due in oct... remember the cancer history.. both these babies were supposed to be impossible. thanks for being there for us.. the wife still wants to know what you guys are saying on the internet...

06-17-2012 great fathers day pictures by missouriman3535 - Photobucket

 

[migstickstack95]

just started a build on a 95 toyota. converted it to stright axel. with the high steer kit. wondering if there has to br anu modifacations to axel or third member to run 5.29's?

 

[jynx]

Not that I am aware of. I think the only thing will be making sure the gears clear the axle housing, other than that you should be fine.

 

[migstickstack95]

sweet! thank you I will let you know it goes.

 

[blueSAS94]

I ran my rear carrier out of my v6 axle in a high pinion housing up front with the Spartan locker kit and put a Yukon grizzly locker in the rear with 5.29s, she's a champ on and offroad

 

[migstickstack95]

what would be the best leafs springs to buy for maximum articulation?

 

[jynx]

The answer to that question is not simple. First off a set of off the shelf springs from a big company will not give you the best articulation. If you want the BEST, you need to look to Deaver or Alcan and have a custom set of springs built for your rig. The big outfits generally have 3-4 leafs and are stiff, a custom pack will have 7-8 leafs and will give much better handling. They will probably run you more than double the others.

The other option is a RUF and then build the packs with leaves from different packs to "tune" the springs to your taste.

It really only depends on your needs/ wants and how deep your pockets are.

 

[missouriman]

what would be the best leafs springs to buy for maximum articulation?

the all pro's seem to be working out very well for my wife.

remember, these are toyota's. a very small, rated at a full 1/2 ton, 4 cylinder truck. we have dual cases with the 4.7 in the rear. twin sticked... so in low low it is very easy to break stuff. the more you flex the more stress on stuff. if you want to do off the shelf I would go all pro. they are going to go from a 4 inch lift to a 2 inch at best lift. 12 to 14 inch travel shocks and bump stops in the front.

this is about the best you are going to do for the fun to money ratio.

I feel that our little trucks are at the max for being toyota and being reliable. big part on the reliable.

as stated above I spent 4 times the amount on cheap spings before I got the alcans.... mine still have not sagged after 12 years now. but with the 12 inch cheapo shocks and bump stops I have not over pushed them.

 

[missouriman]

read back through this post. these trucks have held up very well. most of all I will use the expensive winch that I bought for that 3 to 5 feet rather then break something expensive and hard to replace. And go wheeling next week end.. vs fixing my toy.

I don't know how many of these hard core folks that I have had to tow off the trail because they didn't want to be on the rope. For like 3 feet... could have saved us all a lot of time and work if they had just,,,,,,, said I can't make it today, pull the winch out.

 

[zags]

the all pro's seem to be working out very well for my wife.

remember, these are toyota's. a very small, rated at a full 1/2 ton, 4 cylinder truck. we have dual cases with the 4.7 in the rear. twin sticked... so in low low it is very easy to break stuff. the more you flex the more stress on stuff. if you want to do off the shelf I would go all pro. they are going to go from a 4 inch lift to a 2 inch at best lift. 12 to 14 inch travel shocks and bump stops in the front.

this is about the best you are going to do for the fun to money ratio.

I feel that our little trucks are at the max for being toyota and being reliable. big part on the reliable.

as stated above I spent 4 times the amount on cheap spings before I got the alcans.... mine still have not sagged after 12 years now. but with the 12 inch cheapo shocks and bump stops I have not over pushed them.

All Pro's worked well for me and held up well. Leaf springs will always be a compromise though.

 

[missouriman]

All Pro's worked well for me and held up well. Leaf springs will always be a compromise though.

while your statment is valid. leaf springs are the most reliable. they don't suprise you. I have seen links rip off, coils pop out, I have seen to much flex with the coils and link systems. links bend, joints wear out. lot of moving parts compaired to good old leaf springs. average wheeler, out to just have fun. Not comp. I like my reliable old leaf springs. Due to house, kids, the fire danger in the forest over the last few years we have not been out much. Wifes truck did not start, battery, yellow top is shot. won't even hold a charge. Mine, battery (yellow top) was dead, held a charge for about 3 months. dead... loss of power so it went to a 9 volt vs 12... they are about 5 years or so old. Due to kids and remodel of the house we have not done any where near the wheeling we did 3 years ago. Her's had a stuck valve that cleared up after about 2 min... but sure sounded like heck inbetween. Mine ran smooth, but the battery is also shot.
the leaf springs are rusty so it takes a few wheeling trips before they loosen up...

wow looking back over this thread I hope that it has helped people out!.....
trucks are still out there getting it.