Keiko the Tacoma - An Evolution of Needs

[upndown]

Great write up and pics. Being somewhat mechanically handicapped, I learn so much more from seeing than reading. Thanks for sharing! One question tho, can I be your neighbor? :sombrero:

 

[Toiyabe]

Welding

So here are the latest two projects.


First, I made some mounts up for my HiLift jack out of 1" square tubing and some clevis pins. Works Great, solid, no rattles, easy and fast to get to.
Relearning how to weld was fun. I also broke down and bought a Rage Evolution 3 compound miter saw for metal, which should be here today!









Next was installing the Trail Gear frame reinforcement plates. Because I had them.
The driver's side needed modification to clear stuff, but otherwise everything was easy.











I am contemplating either front UCAs, as my stock balljoints (at 220k) need replacing. I bought a set of used spindles and gussets, and I'm going to make up a set. Debating between Icon, SPC, or Camburg.
Also, I am very intrigued by the SPC rear JounceShock system, given the towing and loads I have. In fact, I like their whole system, but it's $$$...

 

[ETAV8R]

Great build thread.

Sad to see the Republic Sea Bee in such a poor state. I'd love to have one of those as my "off-roads" transport.

 

[Toiyabe]

Great build thread.

Sad to see the Republic Sea Bee in such a poor state. I'd love to have one of those as my "off-roads" transport.

That is a personal project of the owner of Viking. Supposedly he has purchased the Type Certificate, and will eventually do for those what he's done for Beavers, Otters, and Twotters.

 

[mtnkid85]

I like your suspension choices. How much tuning have you done on the coilovers? Or did you have them correct right off? What length are they?
I too am looking at a low lift setup built to specifically handle washboard dirt roads.

 

[mtnbike28]

Great build and pictures of the trip! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Toiyabe]

I like your suspension choices. How much tuning have you done on the coilovers? Or did you have them correct right off? What length are they?
I too am looking at a low lift setup built to specifically handle washboard dirt roads.

The fronts are really close out of the box with the Fox tuning. When I do a rebuild I'll yank one of the spacers out since I'll have UCAs by then. The rears I specified with a specific valving, as they are 8" shocks, not the factory fit ones. I'll get the numbers for you when I head out to the shop. I might drop the compression damping a bit on rebuild; it's perfect for trailering, but hard for moderate loads.

 

[Toiyabe]

So, I bought a Rage Evolution 3 compound metal miter saw.

Then, i got a bug up my *** to build stuff.

So, first, i built a table.














Then, I decided to build some sliders that would double as steps and nerf bars. I shamelessly copied (mostly) the Demello Rock Crusher design. I changed some dimensions around, but I'm pleased so far. I will build the other one and the mounts next, then paint them and install. 2"x2"x.120" steel.

 

[Toiyabe]

Built some mounts tonight.











Ready for final mock-up tomorrow, then duplicate for other side.

 

[Toiyabe]

Finished the sliders.


Mock up.





Mounted my vice to my fab table.





Building the driver's side slider.








Deciding on paint. Went with hammered. Wife likes it.








Installed.









Replacing the burned out cruise control light. Now, to dry out the keyless piezo buzzer.

 

[climber-420]

Wow. Your sliders are awesome. Definitely would like the plans for those.

 

[Toiyabe]

Wow. Your sliders are awesome. Definitely would like the plans for those.

80" main length.
60" outer length.
2" distance between inner and outer.
7" frame mounting leg length.
4"x4" mounting plate, 45 degree cut 2" on one side. That piece is used as the top gusset.
Outer rail is aligned 8" from the back of the inner rail, so the rear angle is 8" long, and the front is 12".
Connecting links between inner and outer ore at the end of the outer tube, and then 20" further.
Frame legs are aligned with links.

 

[Toiyabe]

Tested the sliders by lifting on the edge. They deflected upwards about 1/16". No contact with the pinch weld.






Got some cheap tire deflators off of Ebay. Not bad, work well. This is me setting them up with a Miata spare.





Bought a drill press.





Pulled the spare tire, brackets, and crank off the bottom of the frame.






And made a new spare tire mount for the bed that doesn't interfere with load space if removed. I like this for security and access. It also reminds me of my old FSJs.









And then I started on a rear bumper.















Rear license plate light. Cheap, bright, and Deutsch connected.






Primed and ready. I have coated it with bedliner, and am waiting on it to dry, and for the rear dust lights to show up.






Dust light harness made up.

 

[ebg18t]

Awesome!

 

[Toiyabe]

Bedlined.







Installed. I've swapped the license plate light to the bottom, and the dust lights should be here tomorrow.