Supercamper

[Super Doody]

I'm not sure where the guy is getting the rear end. Its not through the dealer as he claims that the dealer will only sell individual parts and it would have to be assembled afterwards. Does anyone know if this is correct? I should probably call the dealer myself to keep him honest.

Sounds kinda sketchy to me. Most of the time you have buy the entire unit. I think your 3rd member (not that member) diff gears, locker, ect is fine. The only thing that might be bent are the axle shafts and possibly axle housing. You can get those parts individually. Get the from trdparts4u barabara King wife of chris king both are member of ttora. Whole prices...seriously. With with shipping probably cheaper than dealers.

Here are some pics of dean's axle swap.

Just in case you did see this post. Here is a link to a factory service manual

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=53387&postcount=1

You look at every single part in detail.


I'm not trying to add fuel to the fire but I would push for a brand new rear end. How many miles did you have the on the orignal? No remanfuactured unit is going to be as new as your old one.

So what the claims from the mex can isurance people say? did you guys settle?

Good luck. You guys will be back in no time :safari-rig: :sombrero:

 

[SuperCamperos]

I finally went through the shoebox of receipts that we had kept to add up the total cost of building the camper.

The final tally: $13,300.

This includes everything, except major tools bought for the project. It does however include things like sand paper, duct tape, drill bits, rubber gloves, paint brushes, stuff we bought and decided not to use, stuff we bought and it didn't work so had to buy something else, etc.

Also included: refrigerator, air compressor, water pump, extra battery, off road lights, isolator, air bag suspension, solar panel, controller, inverter, cushions, bedding--pretty much every single thing that we have added to the stock truck.

Labor cost: way too much, especially if you count all the time I spent thinking about it while staring at the wall at work...

As far as the repairs are going: we talked to Toyota and they didn't recommend buying individual parts for the rear end--they said just get a used already assembled piece, so that's what we did. Our second appraisal was for $8700 and the auto shop says that that should be reasonable to cover it, so that has to go through some approval process in Mexico and then they send me a check 30 working days after approval. That should take about a year I'm guessing from what I know about Mexico.

You know what they say: Manana doesn't mean tomorrow--it just means "not Today".:costumed-smiley-007

I'll go so far as to recommend the ins company we used only when I see the $$$.

 

[Super Doody]

I finally went through the shoebox of receipts that we had kept to add up the total cost of building the camper.

The final tally: $13,300.

This includes everything, except major tools bought for the project. It does however include things like sand paper, duct tape, drill bits, rubber gloves, paint brushes, stuff we bought and decided not to use, stuff we bought and it didn't work so had to buy something else, etc.

Also included: refrigerator, air compressor, water pump, extra battery, off road lights, isolator, air bag suspension, solar panel, controller, inverter, cushions, bedding--pretty much every single thing that we have added to the stock truck.

Labor cost: way too much, especially if you count all the time I spent thinking about it while staring at the wall at work...

As far as the repairs are going: we talked to Toyota and they didn't recommend buying individual parts for the rear end--they said just get a used already assembled piece, so that's what we did. Our second appraisal was for $8700 and the auto shop says that that should be reasonable to cover it, so that has to go through some approval process in Mexico and then they send me a check 30 working days after approval. That should take about a year I'm guessing from what I know about Mexico.

You know what they say: Manana doesn't mean tomorrow--it just means "not Today".:costumed-smiley-007

I'll go so far as to recommend the ins company we used only when I see the $$$.

Thanks for the update Ryan. Is Holly on tour? Haven't seen an update yet on the blog. Yeah you totally want to get a complete factory assembled rear end. Couple guys from here and ttora are thinking of doing a 10 summer baja surf trip. You guys interested?:sombrero:

 

[SuperCamperos]

Hey guys, can anyone help me out with this?

We got the truck back from the shop. Drives straight, body work looks good, everything almost back to normal.

The only problem is the fuel tank which was replaced. When I went to fill it up (on empty with the light on) it only took 14 gallons (the gauge then reads full). The old tank would take almost 18 when the light came on, which makes sense--18.5 gallons for 2004 taco.

My question is: is it possible to fit the 2wd tank (15.8) gallons in a 4wd? This seems like the only explanation to me, but maybe someone could give me some other possibilities?

The tank goes downward where it goes under the cab, but the cab has a bump upward. Is this where the extra fuel is supposed to go? On the aft end, there is some chaffe padding that looks like it is supposed to bump against the frame cross member, but is 1" off. Is that correct?

I've attached some pics, so if anyone can see anything obviously wrong...

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6295&stc=1&d=1173451268
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6296&stc=1&d=1173451343

Thanks, any help would be appreciated...ryan

 

[Super Doody]

Hey guys, can anyone help me out with this?

We got the truck back from the shop. Drives straight, body work looks good, everything almost back to normal.

The only problem is the fuel tank which was replaced. When I went to fill it up (on empty with the light on) it only took 14 gallons (the gauge then reads full). The old tank would take almost 18 when the light came on, which makes sense--18.5 gallons for 2004 taco.

My question is: is it possible to fit the 2wd tank (15.8) gallons in a 4wd? This seems like the only explanation to me, but maybe someone could give me some other possibilities?

The tank goes downward where it goes under the cab, but the cab has a bump upward. Is this where the extra fuel is supposed to go? On the aft end, there is some chaffe padding that looks like it is supposed to bump against the frame cross member, but is 1" off. Is that correct?

I've attached some pics, so if anyone can see anything obviously wrong...

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6295&stc=1&d=1173451268
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6296&stc=1&d=1173451343

Thanks, any help would be appreciated...ryan

kinda hard to tell from the pictures.

Does it look like this:

http://www.deserted1.com/FSM/Repair_Manual/03tacoma/sf2rzfe3/ftal/comp.pdf

i doubt a toyota 2x4 (5 lug, mini) gas tank would bolt up to a tacoma esp with all the hoses for emissions stuff. The low fuel light/pump assembly is like a toilet bober thingy so if you are not on a level surface it will also go on.

Glad you got your truck back.

 

[BogusBlake]

Pull the sending unit out of that tank and make sure it's not bent.

The gauge on my '85 started reading empty at 1/4 tank and would never reach full even when I topped off the tank. I took the sender out and the float arm (wire like a coathanger) was bent up so that the potentiometer would never be pushed all the way up. It started doing that right after I hit a few big bumps right after filling up. You guys took a pretty big hit on that side, so I would suspect your sender arm is bent too.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Toyota had different size tanks depending on the options. Example. SR5 4Runner like mine has a 17. gallon tank. base model got a 14.8. The same would be true for your truck.

Some where on that tank is a part number. Find it and the dealer should be able to tell you what it is.

 

[Super Doody]

Toyota had different size tanks depending on the options. Example. SR5 4Runner like mine has a 17. gallon tank. base model got a 14.8. The same would be true for your truck.

Some where on that tank is a part number. Find it and the dealer should be able to tell you what it is.

Thats false. All tacomas 1995.5 to 2004 have the same size gas tank.

 

[peekay]

Hey guys, can anyone help me out with this?

We got the truck back from the shop. Drives straight, body work looks good, everything almost back to normal.

The only problem is the fuel tank which was replaced. When I went to fill it up (on empty with the light on) it only took 14 gallons (the gauge then reads full). The old tank would take almost 18 when the light came on, which makes sense--18.5 gallons for 2004 taco.

My question is: is it possible to fit the 2wd tank (15.8) gallons in a 4wd? This seems like the only explanation to me, but maybe someone could give me some other possibilities?

The tank goes downward where it goes under the cab, but the cab has a bump upward. Is this where the extra fuel is supposed to go? On the aft end, there is some chaffe padding that looks like it is supposed to bump against the frame cross member, but is 1" off. Is that correct?

I've attached some pics, so if anyone can see anything obviously wrong...

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6295&stc=1&d=1173451268
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6296&stc=1&d=1173451343

Thanks, any help would be appreciated...ryan

try taking a pic from the bottom. I think most of us don't have a lot of familiarity with the top view of the fuel tank but can recognize the bottom. Also, although 14 gallons is a bit low, I've never ever heard of anyone regularly filling 18 gallons into their Tacoma. Most fill about 16 gallons once the gas light comes on for a while.

btw-awesome build on the camper. It is all the more impressive because you did it without a full blown shop but rather with ordinary tools.

I have Alcan springs (9 leaves) and they handle loads wonderfully. I regularly tow 4-5000lbs with a 400lb tongue weight, and also occasionally haul a 650lb quad with my doublecab (which is about 400 lbs more than the excab, which would make it close to your weight). The springs work very well and hardly sag or sway.

One thing you might want to consider is upgrading your tires. The stock BFG Rugged Trails are fairly soft and probably induce quite a bit of sway. Also, more offset rims may help (although they in theory would add stress to your wheel bearings) with stability. I know that when I went from stock wheels to 3.75" backspacing rims, the stability increased tremendously.

Sorry for all the comments, but I really enjoyed browsing your blog site.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Thats false. All tacomas 1995.5 to 2004 have the same size gas tank.

You might want to check your facts. There are two tanks depending on the optioning of the truck.


Standard bed base model tacoma has a 15.8 gallon tank.
The higher option extended cabs and 4 doors had 18.5 gallon tank
Toyota tanks traditionally were the same length so they can be bolted in different models and frame length. The mounting points are the same on both frames and the senders and fittings would be the same location as well. The extra capacity is in the height of tank and shape. The 15.8 gallon tank would more then likely bolt into a extended cab without a problem. Also the base 2wd extended cab did come with the 15.8.
www.edmunds.com you can pull the specs by model and they list the tank sizes.

 

[toyrunner95]

realistically, any thing will fit in anything with the right persuasion, like scott and his BFH, however. it may mean sacrificing space somewhere else. honestly i would try and re arrange the tank to another spot or get a different tank, like a plastic one. or a custom aluminium one. these might even solve part of the weight problem.

gimmi a torch, a hammer, and a welder. ill make er fit.

 

[Super Doody]

You might want to check your facts. There are two tanks depending on the optioning of the truck.


Standard bed base model tacoma has a 15.8 gallon tank.
The higher option extended cabs and 4 doors had 18.5 gallon tank
Toyota tanks traditionally were the same length so they can be bolted in different models and frame length. The mounting points are the same on both frames and the senders and fittings would be the same location as well. The extra capacity is in the height of tank and shape. The 15.8 gallon tank would more then likely bolt into a extended cab without a problem. Also the base 2wd extended cab did come with the 15.8.
www.edmunds.com you can pull the specs by model and they list the tank sizes.

Those are called "minis". If look at the second picture here you will see that there are only 5 lungs nuts for the wheels.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/toyota/tacoma/4538/photos.html#.

I mention this in my OP about this subject. However, I was wrong about the name.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Those are called "minis". If look at the second picture here you will see that there are only 5 lungs nuts for the wheels.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/toyota/tacoma/4538/photos.html#.

I mention this in my OP about this subject. However, I was wrong about the name.

"minis"?????.....
:smilies27

I don't even know what to say to that.............

The 5 lug "minis" is on the left. http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/index.html?s_van=GM_TN_TACOMA_INDEX

 

[SuperCamperos]

Ok. Got a new fuel tank. The gauge was about 1/16th inch above empty and I filled it up--took 15 gallons. Does this seem about right for the 18.5 tank? I know its gonna be more than the 15.8 gallon tank and I think there are only two sizes so I think I'm set.

Secondly, I've added two cross straps to the frame as shown in the pics. I've come to realize that by taking the bed off I've lost the one big shear panel of the entire frame. THe cab's on rubber mounts and the non-gusseted frame cross members do very little for frame racking, so I've added some straps. I don't think the frame would have tweaked quite as much in the accident if i had the bed on and hopefully these straps will compensate a bit.

Next I'm getting ready to weld on a doubler (fish?) plate onto the frame's outboard side and then box on the inside side where the plate ends until the spare tire cross member. Its essentially the same distance used by the Demello reinforcement, but switches over to a box halfway through. I did this because I want a box section in the aft section so I can put a tube thru the box to attach my anti-sway bar with a rod end. The truck felt so much better on the highway with the sway bar that I intend to put it back on even though I plan to do some suspension upgrades which will definitely help sway as well.

So after the welding, the camper is going back on (they've been apart too long) and then to Deaver for some add-a-leaf suspension tuning. Probably get some bilstein 5100s as well.

Tires: Probably getting BFG AT KOs (265/70R16), since one of my rugged trails is destroyed and might as well change 'em up now. Is that 65 psi D load rating gonna ride rough on the highway? We're mainly doing the highway/beach sand thing and the rugged trail T/As are almost passable for this. Got compressor for air down BTW.

Hoping to get this thing ready for mainland mex in may...I'm glad I don't have as much to do as Allochris--you're kicking ass man! keep up the momentum...

ryan

 

[Wanderlusty]

Thought about stepping up to 265/75's?

Should be minimal price difference, same width, and one inch taller, or about 1/2 inch from hub to ground.

From what I have heard, these can be mounted with no rubbing at all. Just a hair taller. Every little bit helps.

I doubt that the extra 1/2 inch would cause you any problems as far as COG. Just a thought.