Scott B.'s 2015 AC Build - Expo Style

[Scott B.]

Front Gears

I swapped out the front gears. I ended up ordering a clamshell from ECGS, and swapping, then sending mine to them - not what I wanted to do, but with my work schedule, it was the prudent thing to do.

4.56 gears with an ARB. Neither Truetrac nor Torsen make a limited slip for the Tacoma, so it was really ARB or nothing. I was going to leave it open, but at the last minute I decided to get an ARB. Expensive, but I think it was the right thing to do.

Working by myself, I didn't get to many pictures of the swap process.





I really like the 4.56 gears with 33" tires. Pulling the trailer on and off road, the engine and trans weren't straining at all. And off road, this setup worked great!

 

[Scott B.]

On Board Air

I mounted a Viair 400P compressor in a corner under the sleeping platform.

Since compressors are loud and vibrate, I mounted it using isolator bushings (and fender washers on the bottom of the bed.)





Leaving the rear portion of the sleeping platform removable makes it so much easier to get to things!

 

[livetoride21]

wow! what a great build so far, can't wait to see where it goes. I hope this truck lives up to the reputation your rangers have set for you

 

[Scott B.]

wow! what a great build so far, can't wait to see where it goes. I hope this truck lives up to the reputation your rangers have set for you

Me too!

So far so good.

 

[SSF556]

scott are you running wheels spacers to get the 33" to fit?

 

[Scott B.]

scott are you running wheels spacers to get the 33" to fit?

No, no spacers.

A front tire has "bumped" the flare/mudflap a couple of times, but other than that, I have had no rubbing issues.

I have read that the FJ wheels I am running have less backspacing than the Tacoma wheels. Assuming that is true, that could be why I have no rubbing.

Also, I am running stock caster. Some people recommend 3* with aftermarket UCAs, but my alignment guys didn't think that was a good idea. My truck steers "normally" so I can't dispute their opinion.

 

[just eric]

On Board Air

I mounted a Viair 400P compressor in a corner under the sleeping platform.

Since compressors are loud and vibrate, I mounted it using isolator bushings (and fender washers on the bottom of the bed.)

View attachment 305228

Are those radiator mount bushings? Source?

 

[Scott B.]

Are those radiator mount bushings? Source?

Search for "isolation mount" on McMaster-Carr's site.

The one's I used have 1/4 - 20 thread and are 1" tall - but they have plenty of other sizes as well.

 

[Scott B.]

Like most people, I did not like the way the 7-pin connector hung down below the bumper. It would be only a matter of time before it got ripped off (I already backed into a stone wall with it. )

I thought the easiest and safest option would be to put it in one of the license plate light holes. Not my idea, and thanks to whomever came up with the idea - aren't forums great?!

A simple mod - I'll let the pictures do the talking.

 

[brianjwilson]

The front diff is a bear by yourself huh? Maybe it was just me with a bad neck/back, and not lifting the truck high enough before starting. I'm loving the 4.56 gears too all around, though high speed mileage suffers of course.

The FJ wheels do have a little less backspacing than factory wheels, and slightly wider, just right. my 255s occasionally run on the mud flap every now and then but I don't even see rub marks, no big deal. I have 3* of caster and zero issues from it, this front end doesn't seem that sensitive to (smaller) caster changes.

Truck is coming together nicely!

 

[Scott B.]

The front diff is a bear by yourself huh? Maybe it was just me with a bad neck/back, and not lifting the truck high enough before starting. I'm loving the 4.56 gears too all around, though high speed mileage suffers of course.

The FJ wheels do have a little less backspacing than factory wheels, and slightly wider, just right. my 255s occasionally run on the mud flap every now and then but I don't even see rub marks, no big deal. I have 3* of caster and zero issues from it, this front end doesn't seem that sensitive to (smaller) caster changes.

Truck is coming together nicely!

Yes - getting the diff back in was a pain! I borrowed an extra set off hands, made it a little easier. Maybe my truck was lifted to high?

I do like the 4.56 gears. I had no problem passing 80 with the trailer in tow. Except, of course, for the gas usage... Not normal driving, of course, just passing (Texas has high speed limits!)

 

[Martinjmpr]

Re: On board air: The ARB locker has it's own dedicated compressor, right?

As for the fridge - you didn't want to put it in the cab where you could access it while driving?

I agree with you on the A740 transmission, it's a nice one. Does the Taco have the DAC (Downhill Assist Control?) My 4runner does and it comes in handy going down a steep hill.

 

[Scott B.]

Re: On board air: The ARB locker has it's own dedicated compressor, right?

As for the fridge - you didn't want to put it in the cab where you could access it while driving?

I agree with you on the A740 transmission, it's a nice one. Does the Taco have the DAC (Downhill Assist Control?) My 4runner does and it comes in handy going down a steep hill.

OBA: ARB makes a compressor to use with their lockers. However, I am going to use my Viair - I need to adapt/mount the ARB solenoid onto my compressor.

Fridge: I didn't want to take up seat reclining room. Besides, it seems like a big distraction to rummage around in the fridge while driving. My doors have pockets which hold 1 Pt. water bottles - plenty of water while driving, and refilled during fuel stops.

DAC: No, not on the SR5 model. When it comes to electronics like that, I am really old school. Of course, I have never driven with it. I might change my mind once I tried it. However, the way this truck drives, I really don't think I need it.

 

[Scott B.]

Skid Plates

I really like the aluminum gas tank skid plate I got from Pelfrybilt, so I ordered a full set of aluminum skid plates for the rest of the truck. It didn't hurt that they were on sale!



Here is the front of the truck without the factory skid pan - so nice and clean. (Probably the last picture of the truck this clean!)



With the front and mid plates installed:





I have to reroute the exhaust for the rearmost plate to fit.

 

[Scott B.]

I "adjusted" my CV boots.

As some folks have pointed out, on lifted trucks, the vanes of the accordion boots rub each other at higher angles. Looking at mine, I could see there were rubbing.



The fix was to cut the crimp rings off, slide the shaft end of the boots toward each other (along the axle shaft) and clamp them in place. Doing so stretches the accordion, giving the veins room to not rub on each other.