Box Rocket '03 DC Tacoma Build
- Thread starter Box Rocket
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Box Rocket
Well-known member
And you didn't say hello?
washington taco
Explorer
After talking to Steve at Sonoran Steel this is what I did.
http://www.sonoransteel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_8&products_id=94
Fabricated my own bump exteneder, got my bilstiens and bumps from polyperforence. I also installed a extended brake line, axle shim and heavy duty OME with the AAL from Wheelers. I love the ride and flex, 10"!!!!
http://www.sonoransteel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_8&products_id=94
Fabricated my own bump exteneder, got my bilstiens and bumps from polyperforence. I also installed a extended brake line, axle shim and heavy duty OME with the AAL from Wheelers. I love the ride and flex, 10"!!!!
Box Rocket
Well-known member
The OME shocks have 9" of travel so only 1" less than the bilstiens you got. The problem is still the factory shock mounting. Even with the 10" shock you won't get really great flex. What I found when I relocated my shocks was that the new location behind the axle (for both shocks) with the top mount just slightly more to the rear than the factory, was that I could use the full rangle of the leaf springs without maxing out the shocks. The pitch of the shocks does lose a minimal amount of dampening, but not anything you'd really notice. But with the Dakar springs the leaves flatten out about halfway through the compression cycle and then go into negative arch until the overload leaves stop any further compression. Once the spring goes into negative arch the spring gets effectively shorter and the rate at which the shock compresses slows down so even though the spring is still stuffing the shock won't bottom out. The new location has also netted approximately 3-4" of additional droop over the stock location of the shocks.
Here's a few photos from this past weekend in Moab. Comparing it to the photos of the Sonoran Steel "extreme flex" set up, I'm clearing getting more droop by relocating the shocks, even with a shorter stroke on the shocks. Relocating the shocks was well worth the effort for these results if you ask me.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
BTW, here are a few photos of the finished rear bumper on the customers truck. Turned out great I think.
soonenough
Explorer
Drool x2 :drool::drool:
DeskToGlory
Adventurer
Nice job! Looks great!!
austintaco
Explorer
The OME shocks have 9" of travel so only 1" less than the bilstiens you got. The problem is still the factory shock mounting. Even with the 10" shock you won't get really great flex. What I found when I relocated my shocks was that the new location behind the axle (for both shocks) with the top mount just slightly more to the rear than the factory, was that I could use the full rangle of the leaf springs without maxing out the shocks. The pitch of the shocks does lose a minimal amount of dampening, but not anything you'd really notice. But with the Dakar springs the leaves flatten out about halfway through the compression cycle and then go into negative arch until the overload leaves stop any further compression. Once the spring goes into negative arch the spring gets effectively shorter and the rate at which the shock compresses slows down so even though the spring is still stuffing the shock won't bottom out. The new location has also netted approximately 3-4" of additional droop over the stock location of the shocks.
Here's a few photos from this past weekend in Moab. Comparing it to the photos of the Sonoran Steel "extreme flex" set up, I'm clearing getting more droop by relocating the shocks, even with a shorter stroke on the shocks. Relocating the shocks was well worth the effort for these results if you ask me.
It looks like the Tacoma group was out there the week after I left. What trail is the first picture from? Golden Spike?
washington taco
Explorer
I will be heading out this weekend to try it out for the first time I will post up a few photos when I get it flexed out.
Last edited:
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Yes. I led Golden Spike and Moab Rim for the event.
austintaco
Explorer
We had the 84 4runner out there, and I came back thinking there is no way in heck I would take the Tacoma with the Flip Pac on golden Spike. It would crack the shell or at least the gel coat. Looks like your Tacoma crawled around like a champ.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
That was my third time running Golden Spike in the Tacoma. It's been great and surprised me each time with what it will do. Even did Double Whammy.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Put the topper back on the truck recently in prepping for a two week camping trip with the fam in a few weeks. Also my tires were rubbing on the frame at full lock so I picked up a set of 1.25" Spidertrax wheel spacers to keep the tires off the frame. Helped a lot and the wider stance gives a little tighter steering feel which I like as well as a noticeable "seat-of-the-pants" improvement in stability.
Snapped a couple pics with the new spacers installed.
the primary colors are.......
Needed to haul a bunch of stuff to my inlaws yesterday and it wouldn't all fit in the truck so out came the trailer. Was good to get the trailer out since it's been sitting since last summer. And the scenery at my inlaws is just plain aweful.
I'm making some changes to the trailer. I've built full steps in front and behind the fenders and moved my water cans from the tongue to the steps in front of the fenders. This allowed me to move the cooler on the tongue farther back. I needed a little more room between the truck and trailer because on steep climbs the spare tire on the truck would get very close to the cooler on the trailer, especially when turned.
Still need to cap the holes on the steps where the corner is mitered.
rear step
The steps also give me a platform for a new adjustable height tent rack that is in the works. I bought a new RTT with an annex and with the annex deployed I need a floor height of ~6' for the tent so the annex can be fully extended. I'm going to be using some lift struts to raise the rack. At transit height the rack will sit around 50" from the ground and with the tent set up it will be raised to around 74" from the ground. That way I can walk under the tent too. I'll post pics of the rack as it gets closer.
I'm also building a rear swing out tire carrier on the trailer since I have a matching tire/wheel (all of which can be interchanged with the truck).
Snapped a couple pics with the new spacers installed.
the primary colors are.......
Needed to haul a bunch of stuff to my inlaws yesterday and it wouldn't all fit in the truck so out came the trailer. Was good to get the trailer out since it's been sitting since last summer. And the scenery at my inlaws is just plain aweful.
I'm making some changes to the trailer. I've built full steps in front and behind the fenders and moved my water cans from the tongue to the steps in front of the fenders. This allowed me to move the cooler on the tongue farther back. I needed a little more room between the truck and trailer because on steep climbs the spare tire on the truck would get very close to the cooler on the trailer, especially when turned.
Still need to cap the holes on the steps where the corner is mitered.
rear step
The steps also give me a platform for a new adjustable height tent rack that is in the works. I bought a new RTT with an annex and with the annex deployed I need a floor height of ~6' for the tent so the annex can be fully extended. I'm going to be using some lift struts to raise the rack. At transit height the rack will sit around 50" from the ground and with the tent set up it will be raised to around 74" from the ground. That way I can walk under the tent too. I'll post pics of the rack as it gets closer.
I'm also building a rear swing out tire carrier on the trailer since I have a matching tire/wheel (all of which can be interchanged with the truck).
Whitecloud
One day at a time
Hahahahaha I love how you post here what you got and keep the TW guys wondering. 
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Not exactly a truck mod, but it will be mounted on the truck from time to time as well. Picked up a Tepui Autana w/ annex. Got it mountedon the trailer last night. This pic shows a little better the rear steps that are in the works.
This shows the front step a little better. I just welded to can bucket to the step. I don't really see a need to take them off so welding was fine. If they do need to come off I can cut them easy enough.
This shows the front step a little better. I just welded to can bucket to the step. I don't really see a need to take them off so welding was fine. If they do need to come off I can cut them easy enough.
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