GrillmasterP's Tacoma Build Up

[grillmasterp]

The Tacoma was purchased with the notion that it would remain pretty much stock with 31" AT's for its life. :rofl:

Vehicle:
1999 Toyota Tacoma XtraCab Sr5
5vz-fe 3.4L V6
R150f 5-speed manual Transmission

Front:
ARB RD90 air locker
4.30 gears
Aisin Manual Locking Hubs
King 2.5" coilover suspension w/ Eibach Springs
Total Chaos Upper Control Arms w/ Uniballs

Rear:
ARB RD89 air locker
4.30 gears
Custom Hybrid Leaf spring pack
1.5" greasable lift shackle
Bilstein 5100 shocks


ARB Bullbar w/ Warn M800 Recovery Winch
Bent Up square tube sliders
Bentup HD rear Bumper
Optima Redtop 34r
Cobra 75 WX ST
Hella 500 Fog Lights
ARB Air Compressor
Magnaflow Exhaust
Betterbuilt Low profile OTR toolbox (LineX'd Interior/Exterior)
Fabtech Bed Mounted Spare Tire Carrier
Daily Tires: 32x11.50x15 BFG AT K/O
Offroad Tires: 32x11.50x15 BFG MT

 

[grillmasterp]

History Lesson:

Had the opportunity to To replace my old 1998 2.7L Prerunner Xtracab

with a 1999 V6 4wd V6 XtraCab

which has evolved into this:

 

[grillmasterp]

Mods that didn't last

Cheapo Foglights Mounted into OEM bumper (too much vibration)
Side Step Bars (replaced with Sliders)
Daystar 1.5" Spacers w. Rancho 5000's (Replaced with King Coilovers)[/QUOTE]

 

[grillmasterp]

First "Real" Mod which really got the ball rolling

Figure I'd replace the factory nerf bars with Bentup Sliders

Well, Was so impressed with AJ's work that I couldn't pass up a good deal on AJ's Bentup rear bumper with flip up license plate bracket that hides a receiver mount.

LineX Truck Bed and BetterBuilt Low Profile OTR Toolbox
Had the guy Spray the outside & inside of the box as well

Drilled a piece of 1/4" aluminum flat stock for an antenna bracket

Attached to the antenna cable is my Cobra 75 WX ST

Replaced these el cheapo Foglights:

with a pair of Hella 500 Driving Lights

 

[grillmasterp]

Found a new Mounting place for the Hella 500's - (Wife bought me an ARB Bullbar as a wedding present )

Since the ARB bullbar had the provisions- I decided to fill in the empty space in the bumper with a Warn M8000.

and because of the the winch , I upgraded the battery to an Optima Redtop 34R

Well....although the Amsteel blue synth winch rope offeres a tremendous weight savings over the steel braided line, the additional weight of the Bullbar & M8000 "forced me to upgrade my suspension

King 2.5" Coilovers

Total Chaos Upper Control Arms

To compliment the front suspension,
I am running AOR 1.5" greasable lift shackles
Bilstein 5100 shocks
Modified NWOR leaf spring pack

 

[grillmasterp]

Now for the fun stuff

I started out with 4.10 open diffs

Then decided to lock the rear.
Here is a pic of my ARB compressor switch and rear locker switch.

Will update with pic of compressor location
[Here]

 

[grillmasterp]

Now Fast forward >>>>>>>
I decided to relocate my Air compressor switch here:
(Its in a more secure spot with less chance of unintentional activation, yet its easier for me to access)

Now the reason for the relocation of the switch........

I managed to acquire a set of front & rear Tacoma 4.30's.
These are pretty much the Holy Grail for V6 Tacomas & V8 Tundras
So after "RE- regearing" my 4.10 geared ARB locker to 4.30's, I bit the bullet and decided to lock the front at the same time as the 4.30 swap.

 

[p1michaud]

Nice Tacoma!

Very cool build up story. I see that you also ventured into the unknow land of DIY ARB RD-90 locker install. By the way, thanks for giving me a hand back when I had problems with mine! Welcome to ExPo! :roost:
Cheers,
P

 

[grillmasterp]

Very cool build up story. I see that you also ventured into the unknow land of DIY ARB RD-90 locker install. By the way, thanks for giving me a hand back when I had problems with mine! Welcome to ExPo! :roost:
Cheers,
P

Thanks!

There is a local shop that has been doing a lot of Tacoma gear/diff jobs for the Houston & area TTORA guys. I could have easily dropped my front diff, arb & $~200 to have it installed- (He has done a few tacoma ARB installs)

Honestly,
It probably cost me more time & money in parts to do it myself.

However:
1) There are very few people that I will allow to turn a wrench on my truck.
2) I wanted the challenge/experience

I've also got a good friend that knows his stuff and willing to help me acquire more gear/diff knowledge.
Heck the first time I have ever dropped a diff was during my Rear ARB install.

 

[p1michaud]

Setting up gears.

1) There are very few people that I will allow to turn a wrench on my truck.

2) I wanted the challenge/experience

I've also got a good friend that knows his stuff and willing to help me acquire more gear/diff knowledge.
Heck the first time I have ever dropped a diff was during my Rear ARB install.

Sound very familiar. I like doing most of my work. The first re-gear I did was on my e-locker. :elkgrin: I've done both front and rear now. I've even "freshened" up a friend's '93 4Runner rear diff as well. Not too bad once you get the tools built. :Mechanic:

 

[grillmasterp]

My Wet Okoles are definitely showing their age
I will likely send them back to Wet Okole for panel repair/replacement
or will end up ordering a set of CoverKings through Costco.