'97 tacoma build: Abner

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Thanks to Lee, Cody, and Scott for their help tonight.

I never take enough "before" pictures, so here are a few.

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Ride height before the lift:
front
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back
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These were the rear springs at ride height with no load in the bed. I think it's time for new springs.
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sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
My buddy Lee texted me just in time to sell me some of his used parts, including his rear TRD axle with the e-locker. I lucked out, his timing was perfect. He hooked me up with some great parts at a great price. Thanks Lee!


Went to town on the rear leaf springs.
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The front spring bolt was rusted/siezed to the metal sleeve inside the bushing, so I just cut it right out.
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Since this is a '97, the leaf springs are actually shorter than the '98+ years. So I'll be moving the rear shackle hanger back a few inches tomorrow after work so I can run the standard length springs rather than the shorty springs.

Here's where we finished for the night. Not very exciting, but I'll have a new axle under there with an e-locker tomorrow night. Still trying to decide on a ubolt flip kit or not. I hope to get the front suspension installed tomorrow night as well, but that may end up being a bit too ambitious.

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thefirstzukman

Finding Utah
Supporting Member
Looking good Steve.... I'm happy to see you hard at work again... I sure wish I could come up and lend a hand, maybe when you pocket the front wheel wells Ill have some time.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
You're welcome anytime Scott. I'm having fun on this build. It should be done in a few weeks, which will be nice. I lose motivation when there's too much down time between building and wheeling.

The ONLY thing I'm dreading is tubbing the firewall. I've done 3 of 'em now, and i get better with each one, but it's so tedious and time consuming.
 
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sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'll be finishing the rear springs tonight, and hopefully the front suspension as well.

Lee hooked me up with the following parts last night:
- budbuilt full belly skid
- specialty products UCAs
- TRD rear axle


And I ordered a slew of parts today:

- 4.88's
- rear axle seals
- rear diff install kit
- frame braces (front and rear)
- extended rear brake line
- u-bolt flip kit
- lower shock mounts

All I need to order now is a rear bumper, and lower ball joints.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I got a lot done this weekend, but not as much as I had hoped. It'll be done slowly but surely.

I prepped the frame for the rear plates.
IMG_2290.JPG


Then I painted the inner part of the plates.
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I welded on the TG rear frame plates. For some reason, it was really fun welding these on; very fun.
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Rear springs are mounted (no pics) as well as one of the front struts and one of the UCAs.

Still left to do on the lift:
- extend driveline (I am assuming that the TRD diff is shorter than the 8.4" diff, because my driveline has about 2" more exposed than it did before the axle swap. EIther that, or the rear shackle relocation moved the axle back a few inches.
- create rear lower shock mounts
- connect e-brake
- extend proportioning valve
- install front pass side strut
- get an alignment

All this still needs to be done before HITR:
- tub front fenders (not looking forward to this)
- wire elocker
- get the 4.88s installed
- get a rear bumper

Still looking for a camper shell...
 
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193kyle

Well-Known Member
Location
Chattanooga, TN
Looks like its coming right along Steve! I've got a Trail Gear rear bumper on my Tacoma I am looking at getting rid of(truck is going up for sale, so trying to put it as back to stock as possible) if you are interested in a trade for your stock bumper plus cash. PM me if you're interested.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Looks like its coming right along Steve! I've got a Trail Gear rear bumper on my Tacoma I am looking at getting rid of(truck is going up for sale, so trying to put it as back to stock as possible) if you are interested in a trade for your stock bumper plus cash. PM me if you're interested.

I'm really looking for an allpro rear bumper, but for the right price I'll consider a TG bumper.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I always plan a wheeling trip about a month out, and that forces me to get a lot done. :D

I try to do at least one mod on my vehicle every night. It gets the rig done quick, but I'm quickly burnt out for modifications, so the littlest thing like a brake job, feels like a ton of work since I'm so burnt out.
 

Spork

Tin Foil Hat Equipped
I always plan a wheeling trip about a month out, and that forces me to get a lot done. :D

I try to do at least one mod on my vehicle every night. It gets the rig done quick, but I'm quickly burnt out for modifications, so the littlest thing like a brake job, feels like a ton of work since I'm so burnt out.
Well I did new rotors and pads on the front last year so I hope you're just looking at the rears... ;)
 
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