Flyingwil's Taco is growing up!

[flyingwil]

Speaking of used aircraft parts. . .

Waaay back in the early 80's when i was in a fj40 club that ran out of Reno Nevada we had a guy with a very nice rig who had a brother that was an electrician for the big USAF planes such as the C17 Globemasters. One MidWeekNite run he shows up and asks if he can lead the pack up the trail toward donner summit. We were all looking at his rig like; "What the %#$& is THAT?" on his light bar. . . his brother had given him a landing light off of a C17 (they are replaced every so many hours of flight time), he hooked up two extra 12 volt batteries (it ran on 24 volts) and lit up the hillside for us. His new nickname for the fj was cyclops. This light was about 12" in diamiter if i'm remembering right.

Hummm, might just have to talk to my USAF-JetMechanic of a daughter. grin.

Cheers,
Thom

While in school I had land lights on my Jeep and used them as off-road lights too... LOL

 

[toyrunner95]

you dont need military grade, get the ones off a cesna, they are pleanty bright, i used them in my old chevelle for highbeams, the cops hated me!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

So will, what all did you end up needing for the tent on the Can-Back? Anything you would do differently? Is Can-Back in full swing producing the DC Cab Taco models? They don't even show them on their site?

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on the Can-Back, or build my own. Sully (my part-timer) built one on his Taco, all said he was only into it ~$450, though I like the fit/finish of the Can-Back more. Talk me into it

Sully's home brew version:

The pros are that it is made of 1.5" tube, super heavy duty and not too heavy. I could add a front bar similar to his setup for an additional roofrack or lights. I can do the tubework in house for the cost of steel, the canvas top he had made locally for ~$300. The cons... well... its nice to just buy something that is ready to bolt on

 

[flyingwil]

So will, what all did you end up needing for the tent on the Can-Back? Anything you would do differently? Is Can-Back in full swing producing the DC Cab Taco models? They don't even show them on their site?

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on the Can-Back, or build my own. Sully (my part-timer) built one on his Taco, all said he was only into it ~$450, though I like the fit/finish of the Can-Back more. Talk me into it

Sully's home brew version:

The pros are that it is made of 1.5" tube, super heavy duty and not too heavy. I could add a front bar similar to his setup for an additional roofrack or lights. I can do the tubework in house for the cost of steel, the canvas top he had made locally for ~$300. The cons... well... its nice to just buy something that is ready to bolt on

Curt-
I needed to add the rack features. The can-back I have is one of the earlier ones. It is an awesome product, but honestly if I were to the route again I would not do it. I am still awaiting an additional support from them and they have had my $ for over 6 months now. It is very frustrating, for them to have such a great product and poor support. I would honestly fab one up on my own, which was the goal with my original rack, but due to my location after shipping and all the Can-Back was actually cheaper. Now having gone through 2 racks on over the bed of the truck I would redesign off the Can-Back. The new Can-Back models should be nicer than the older ones (like mine) and will not require drilling or adding the snaps in the tailgate. I would give them a call and find out realistic times if you were to order one. I bet you could build a handful prior to getting yours since they do not seem to really know which way is up.

Bottom line, it's an awesome product... but you could mimic it easily and improve it with the right tools (Heavy press, tube bender, welder, and HD sewing machine). Make sure the selection of canvas or fabric will withhold trail rash and pin striping. PM me for more info.

Hope that helps some.

 

[Jacket]

I guess I missed the part where you clearanced your rear quarters when installing that bumper out in Farmington. Did you do anything special with the body panel to get a clean cut? And I assume you used touch up paint where it was cut?

 

[p1michaud]

Tacoma paint job.

Thread hijack on:"
Kurt,
Do you have any other pictures of Sully's paint job? I like the looks of that and may be doing somthing similar come spring."

Done with hijack!
Sorry,
P

Sully (my part-timer) built one on his Taco...

Sully's home brew version:

 

[Dave Bennett]

Did you do anything special with the body panel to get a clean cut? And I assume you used touch up paint where it was cut?

I am wondering the same thing since I will be cutting soon...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Curt-
I needed to add the rack features. The can-back I have is one of the earlier ones. It is an awesome product, but honestly if I were to the route again I would not do it. I am still awaiting an additional support from them and they have had my $ for over 6 months now. It is very frustrating, for them to have such a great product and poor support. I would honestly fab one up on my own, which was the goal with my original rack, but due to my location after shipping and all the Can-Back was actually cheaper. Now having gone through 2 racks on over the bed of the truck I would redesign off the Can-Back. The new Can-Back models should be nicer than the older ones (like mine) and will not require drilling or adding the snaps in the tailgate. I would give them a call and find out realistic times if you were to order one. I bet you could build a handful prior to getting yours since they do not seem to really know which way is up.

Bottom line, it's an awesome product... but you could mimic it easily and improve it with the right tools (Heavy press, tube bender, welder, and HD sewing machine). Make sure the selection of canvas or fabric will withhold trail rash and pin striping. PM me for more info.

Hope that helps some.

Wil, I appreciate the feedback...

Guess its time to pick up some tube. I've got everything I need with the exception of a sewing machine... I'll leave that to the canvas shop Thanks again!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thread hijack on:"
Kurt,
Do you have any other pictures of Sully's paint job? I like the looks of that and may be doing somthing similar come spring."

Done with hijack!
Sorry,
P

There are some others here:
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/PG_KanabCruiseMoab_May07.html

He's usually in his LC when we go out on trips... the Tacoma acutally belongs to another local these days, Sully sold it just last week. It was killer rig... he was only into it ~$4000 :chowtime: Paid $750 for the truck with a blown 3.4l, $2k for a 40k longblock/auto trans combo. Worked off the OME kit, all the motor swap parts (ie hoses, belts, water pump, etc). $750 in tires, he did all the paint work himself

 

[RHINO]

i'll have to find time to swing by and see if a local can back esque shop is still here. actually they were doing these waaay before i ever heard of can back. they're tops are modular with cast corner pieces so they can be made to order for any bed, or they sold a DIY kit and it was up to you to provide accurate measurements for them to sew the top. i dont think they are substantial enought to hold a RTT by themselves,,,,, i remember the price being about $350 back in the mid '90's, if they are still around i'll get info and post it up in a few days.

 

[p1michaud]

Pictures

the Tacoma acutally belongs to another local these days, Sully sold it just last week. It was killer rig... he was only into it ~$4000 :chowtime: Paid $750 for the truck with a blown 3.4l, $2k for a 40k longblock/auto trans combo. Worked off the OME kit, all the motor swap parts (ie hoses, belts, water pump, etc). $750 in tires, he did all the paint work himself

Wow, very nice rig for a very reasonable price! Thanks for the pics.
Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[flyingwil]

I guess I missed the part where you clearanced your rear quarters when installing that bumper out in Farmington. Did you do anything special with the body panel to get a clean cut? And I assume you used touch up paint where it was cut?

Nope... it is still bare metal at this point. We used a generator and cutting wheel to cut the bed. Masking tape to prevent paint damage. Scrap parts ended up in the dumpster.

I have some self sticking door molding that will cover the cut. I need to get to it soon! You can see the molding in my pile-o-parts to install below...

Well, the picture is not accurate, as the Extremeaire is installed.:wings:

What is left for the truck?

1. Molding
2. Front bumper
3. winch
4. lights

Then just go out and enjoy it!

 

[p1michaud]

Well, the picture is not accurate, as the Extremeaire is installed.:wings:

Whoo hoo! :wings:

So where did you get your door molding? I may need some if I get the sudden urge to cut some metal in the rear quarter panel area of my tacoma...:shakin:
Have not decided yet, but I may get carried away once the sparks start flying and the welding fumes get to me... :ar15:

 

[flyingwil]

Whoo hoo! :wings:

So where did you get your door molding? I may need some if I get the sudden urge to cut some metal in the rear quarter panel area of my tacoma...:shakin:
Have not decided yet, but I may get carried away once the sparks start flying and the welding fumes get to me... :ar15:

From Checker Auto parts.... it is just the cheapy self sealing kind... had to wait a bit for them to order some non-chrome kind...

 

[p1michaud]

Self Sticking door molding

From Checker Auto parts.... it is just the cheapy self sealing kind... had to wait a bit for them to order some non-chrome kind...

Cool, thanks for the info. If I ask for self sticking door moulding they should be able to help me out (I hope...).

Cheers,
P