Stumptaco Expedition Vehicle Build-Up

[StumpXJ]

Thanks for the compliments guys, I appreciate them.

The tires are Cooper STT's and are 31 X 10.50 15's With my stock tall gearing (like 3.50 something), 4 cylinder, and the newly added weight, I will be regearing shortly after the suspension upgrades, as currently it.....well, it sucks.

I just (today) got back from a 410 mile round trip to Stuttgart, Germany for a boat race, and managed to not visit a gas station at all. It sure is nice to be able to carry extra fuel with the Jerry Cans.

However, also on this trip I confirmed my worries about the suspension, the ride now is total crap as expected. The stock leafs are not arched anymore and I even felt the bump stops a few times on the Autobahn after hitting larger dips. Will begin my shopping for the deavers next week.

Does anyone know how much a Deaver 10 pack weighs? Per spring or together. I need to be able to have these shipped via US postal service, but there wieght limit is 70 pounds... I may be pushing it with the springs.

~James

 

[BajaTaco]

James, so sorry I missed this one earlier. The truck is looking uber COOL!! Wow, that bumper and rack really came out nice, and out of pocket costs are quite admirable! Good job :bowdown:

Good luck with the springs, I don't recall what they weigh. You'll definitely be happy when you get the suspension dialed in.

 

[StumpXJ]

Thanks Chris, yeah the suspension really sucks right now.... Im looking forward to getting it hooked up properly.

I tried to do a little offroading yesterday, and came up on a rather large log crossing, it was brutal with the state of my suspension to say the least.

 

[ArchaeoTaco]

I'm late to this, too, but great job on your modifications! You've got serious skills! A rear bumper like that for under $200? Amazing...

 

[DaveInDenver]

Does anyone know how much a Deaver 10 pack weighs? Per spring or together. I need to be able to have these shipped via US postal service, but there wieght limit is 70 pounds... I may be pushing it with the springs.

My guess is that individually a spring pack might come in under the 70 lbs limit, but a pair of springs is going to break the scale. So is it cheaper to figure out a way to ship one really heavy thing or two slightly less heavy things? But IIRC you would be using APO/FPO, so maybe it doesn't matter as long it's under the weight limit. In that case, shipped individually as two spring packs, it might work.

Truck is looking good.

 

[Willman]

This is the old diagram I did, I was going to do this, but thinking I may leave it as is for now. The rack has been up there for a couple months now with a few wheeling trips and no signs of cracking gelcoat or spidering.

Keep us posted on this!..I know of a few guys including myself that need to do the support cage to our shells as well!

Great rig buildup and would love to see some pictures of the cage shell support when done.

:chowtime:

 

[Martinjmpr]

That's exactly what my Taco would look like if I had an endless supply of (a) money and (b) patience.

I also envy you your green paint! The closest I can get is my forest green shell.

BTW, I'm surprised you don't have US forces license plates? I thought the DoD civilians and contractors got those, too?

 

[StumpXJ]

Been a while since ive posted in here, just thought I would post some pictures of our wheeling trip yesterday. A friend of mine and our wives went out to an offroad park around the Nuerburgring in Germany. It was a good day, and nothing broke. We had a chance to stop by the ring to check out some of the cars that were making hotlaps.

I finished up my front bumper, for the most part. Got my winch mounted, suspension lifted finally and a few other things. I am currently in the process of making my sliders, and then I will post up some pics of the latest progress.

My buddy Logan's truck with a gnarly section of the Nuerburgring behind it.

Lunch Time!

High centered???

Couple videos, the first is of my buddy Logans truck, 05 taco. His wife is driving for the first half of the vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t0JuVhU-wg


This is of my truck, doing a fairly tough section of deep holes, as usual this does not do it proper justice. I honestly went into this with the intentions of testing out my new winch. I fully did not expect to make it out at the end. There is a 4 foot vertical wall to get out of the hole...

This with an open front a rear diff.... no lockers here! Tacoms are awesome!

http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q282/nw413/?action=view&current=Default-1.flv


This was also my wifes first trip doing any real offroading and she had a freakin blast. I let here drive quite a bit, and she did very well. She cant wait to go back...., how sweet is that??

~James

 

[Jacket]

What? No jumping pictures of Logan???:shakin: (unless its in the video; I couldn't get it to load).

Still love that rear bumper of yours. Very nice design!

 

[StumpXJ]

Yep, Logan jumped a few times in the video. He has it posted on TTORA also. The German guy that runs the place decided to take a ride with him in the truck when he jumped it.... funny stuff. That guy didnt know what he was getting into.

Logan's truck is pretty darn tough, I have seen him do stuff to it that should have had broken peices as the end result, but it just keeps going and going. His suspension is burly.

Thanks for the bumper compliment, it has proven to be a very good design ove the past year or so.

~James

 

[Overland Hadley]

Hi! Nice looking truck. Funny thing is that last week I randomly came across your videos on youtube. Watched them a couple times and had a good laugh at the jumping. Opened your thread and thought man those trucks look familiar.

Good to see the pictures of the sleeping platform. I am currently working on mine, have a pile of wood in the shop, but the four drawers are finished.

Great photo of the truck next to the Nuerburgring.

 

[StumpXJ]

Sleeping platform has been a great mod. We have used it a few times and its very comfy and easy to set-up camp. No more tents for me... unless its a rooftop...

Nuerburgring is awesome, I have to drive around it atleast once before we leave Germany. It was weird being at the track that i raced for years and years on Gran Turismo / PS2

~James

 

[Arivalsend]

Hey Stump looks like a great work in progress. I am currently working on a platform for a 99 Tacoma TRD ex cab. It has a standard topper and I am setting it up for overland travel down in South America. So far I can suspension in the works and a few small engine mods. Hoping a local fab guy will build me some bumpers to replace my toyota tupperware ones. But anyways I was curious about a couple things. What did you use to frame out your sleeping platform? Looks like some type of aluminum trim? Makes for very clean and well laid out bed access points. Also where did you source the pistons you used on your cubby doors? Thanks in advance my platform is still in the planning stages. I have checked out Baja Taco's and it really looks like a good setup. But those guys are the pros!:suning:

 

[StumpXJ]

Hi Arivalsend! I used thin aluminum angle peices that I found at the local "Baumarkt" (like a home improvement center). I just took my time and cut them to fit the outer edges of the cargo areas. It also helps to hold down the carpet. Its worked great so far, the platform has been in the truck for over a year now I guess...

I got the Struts (or pistons as you call them) from the same baumarkt. They are used to hold open cabinet doors in houses, and it work great for my needs too. They are not actually charged with gas like most struts, they are spring loaded, and they get tight at the end of their travel to hold up the door. They are also adjustable on how much "tightness" they have, depending on how heavy the door is. Really cool little peices, and they are only like 10-12 euros.

Thanks, James

 

[Arivalsend]

Thanks for the information James. I am really enjoying watching your build and will be sure to check into finding that aluminum trim/struts.

cheers

Lucas