Doc's 05 Tacoma Build Thread

UncleChris

Adventurer
scrmntaco said:
Yeah that makes sense, so the custom leafs would have to just have more arch, I'm sure there are limiting factors to that as well, maybe if you cut the reverse shackles and welded on some non-reverse ones spaced farther apart.

at first thought that makes sense, but you would have to do a lot of fab'ing as the mounts are currently supported from the bottom. I am not sure what geometry issues you would run into(for a straight axle, probably minimal), but for a guy with a welder it could be done.

:lurk: - Think I'll watch!
 

Dave Bennett

Adventurist
Yes!!!

Woohoo!!!!
Finally scraped the money together and today I placed my order with Demello for the stage 2 kit :hehe:
Donahoe CO's in the front, and I special ordered 12 leaf Deavers for the rear (so I can carry supplies and friends). I just have to wait a little longer than usual for the Deavers, the spring steel is on backorder. The kit also comes with Bilstein 5100's for the rear :jump: :jump:

I'm going with some BFG MT's in 255/85R16 as well so this should be a well rounded setup.

Demello only charges $200 for install so when the parts come in its time to "Pimp my Ride" :cool:
 

Dave Bennett

Adventurist
More 05 Info...

I just spoke with Jason at Demello again. He says that IHO the only front suspension for the 05's that will stand up to the added weight of an ARB and a winch and still perform as advertised are the Donahoes. He says that they (DR) also have the best customer service as well.

FYI for those who are considering a setup like this.

Cheers,
...Doc
 

asteffes

Explorer
Seems to me it's just a matter of adjusting the spring rates and damper valving. Is this too hard for others to do? :p
 

Dave Bennett

Adventurist
asteffes said:
Seems to me it's just a matter of adjusting the spring rates and damper valving. Is this too hard for others to do? :p

No, but he was saying that he has installed and dealt with ALL the major suppliers and IHO the DR's lasted longer, and handled better with that load than brand "X".
He also stated that when and if you do have a problem that DR will actually honor the warranty and follow up with the customer(old school customer service, no playing games), as opposed to the "door slam guarantee" (we have your money so go away) attitude that he's seen with other makers... :eek:
 

UncleChris

Adventurer
05TACODOC said:
He also stated that when and if you do have a problem that DR will actually honor the warranty and follow up with the customer(old school customer service, no playing games), as opposed to the "door slam guarantee" (we have your money so go away) attitude that he's seen with other makers... :eek:


That's kind of funny.

I got a set of the 05 DC sliders from Jason when he first brought them out.

First they kept getting delayed(a few weeks, but kept getting told they will be there in a few days).

Then they came without the proper mounting hardware. I called him and of course I got the "How can that be?I personally inspect everything that leaves the shop". He gave me a choice of waiting for him to ship the mounting plates or pic some up at Home Depot. Since I wanted to get these on my truck I opted for the Home Depot choice. He said he would send me a TShirt.

So I got the sliders on and realized that the Powdercoat job was horrible. So I called him up and of course I got the "How can that be?I personally inspect everything that leaves the shop" and got the Home Depot bit again. Gave him a chance, got the touch up paint and guess what, it still looked terrible.

At that point he stopped responding to my PMs from TTORA and never returned my calls. I checked into a local pcoater to see what it would cost to get them redone. They explained exactly what is going on with the bad PCoat job. Cheap and very substandard. I really didn't want to go through the hassle of sending them back, so I dropped it.

To top it all off, they are about 2 inches off, and I cannot remount them in the correct location due to frame interference.

My rant, My experience, My choice to drop it. I know a lot of people think very highly of Demello and his products, but my experience is completely different.

That's why I think the "door slam guarantee" is funny.
 
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UncleChris

Adventurer
BTW,

The Hoes are awesome! You will really like them.

When I put mine on I yanked the swaybar as well and got much better flex.

Good score!
 

scrmntaco

New member
UncleChris said:
That's kind of funny.

I got a set of the 05 DC sliders from Jason when he first brought them out.

First they kept getting delayed(a few weeks, but kept getting told they will be there in a few days).

Then they came without the proper mounting hardware. I called him and of course I got the "How can that be?I personally inspect everything that leaves the shop". He gave me a choice of waiting for him to ship the mounting plates or pic some up at Home Depot. Since I wanted to get these on my truck I opted for the Home Depot choice. He said he would send me a TShirt.

So I got the sliders on and realized that the Powdercoat job was horrible. So I called him up and of course I got the "How can that be?I personally inspect everything that leaves the shop" and got the Home Depot bit again. Gave him a chance, got the touch up paint and guess what, it still looked terrible.

At that point he stopped responding to my PMs from TTORA and never returned my calls. I checked into a local pcoater to see what it would cost to get them redone. They explained exactly what is going on with the bad PCoat job. Cheap and very substandard. I really didn't want to go through the hassle of sending them back, so I dropped it.

To top it all off, they are about 2 inches off, and I cannot remount them in the correct location due to frame interference.

My rant, My experience, My choice to drop it. I know a lot of people think very highly of Demello and his products, but my experience is completely different.

That's why I think the "door slam guarantee" is funny.

I'm going to go with the stubbs welding sliders, much cheaper and I've heard good stuff about them. I think first I'll go with the all pro rear wrap around bumper which comes with fiberglass unlike the demello's. I don't have anything against jason at demello as I've never bought anything from them and I've heard more good than bad. I got suspension from wheelers 3 different times and had unsurpassable customer service each time. They seem to ship everything out immediately and it always arrives within a couple of days. My shocks had the wrong bushings from donahoe and jason at wheelers had donahoe ship the correct ones directly to me.
 

UncleChris

Adventurer
scrmntaco said:
I'm going to go with the stubbs welding sliders, much cheaper and I've heard good stuff about them. I think first I'll go with the all pro rear wrap around bumper which comes with fiberglass unlike the demello's. I don't have anything against jason at demello as I've never bought anything from them and I've heard more good than bad. I got suspension from wheelers 3 different times and had unsurpassable customer service each time. They seem to ship everything out immediately and it always arrives within a couple of days. My shocks had the wrong bushings from donahoe and jason at wheelers had donahoe ship the correct ones directly to me.

I have been very happy working with Wheeler's as well. I got my Hoes from them along with my AALs, ARB bumper and UCAs. I would highly recommend them.

They are my first choice.
 

Dave Bennett

Adventurist
Wow. First negative I've ever heard about Demello...

On a side note, I placed my order with Allpro today for the ARB as well :D

My wife says I'm done :ar15:

We'll see... :hehe:
 
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scrmntaco

New member
05TACODOC said:
Wow. First negative I've ever heard about Demello...

On a side note, I placed my order with Allpro today for the ARB as well :D

My wife says I'm done :ar15:

We'll see... :hehe:

Wife jealous of the truck? heh heh:elkgrin:
 

ChuckB

Expedition Leader
DOC,

Been following your progress when I get time. Who are you with out there in Camp P?? I'm not a DOC (Naval Gunfire) but I'm out here right now with 7th Mar normally in 29.
 

Dave Bennett

Adventurist
ChuckB said:
DOC,

Been following your progress when I get time. Who are you with out there in Camp P?? I'm not a DOC (Naval Gunfire) but I'm out here right now with 7th Mar normally in 29.

Aahhh... ANGLICO :ar15:
Right now I'm an instructor at Field Medical Service School. I have orders back to 1st Marine Division in December.
 
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