Back in Business: Ferg's Taco Build

[theferg]

Got that sucker torn down into some manageable size pieces tonight--2 spindle sections, the diff, and then the rest. Only problem is I was in such a hurry to bust it down and get it out of the back of my truck, I didn't want to wait the proper soak time of a week or so for the PB blaster to do its magic, so I ended up breaking 3 of the 5 bolts off that were holding the lower ball joints to the spindles (lucky for me some were already gone or I prob would have more broken ones to deal with...) So thats gonna be fun trying to get those damn things outta the spindles now.

Stoked at how easy to break it all down it really was though--even by myself. Helps that I've been in these front ends a few times before though. Should easily be able to get it all in the truck in one night/saturday with some help.

 

[sixstringsteve]

That sucks about the bolts. Let us know when you need help installing it.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Ferg, just dawned on me. What are you doing with your old trans? Wanna trade for a front end

 

[theferg]

Ferg, just dawned on me. What are you doing with your old trans? Wanna trade for a front end

I would def be down with this. I was planning on stopping by tonight to pickup those running boards. Perhaps we can chat it over real quick then?

I remember though that you're Tacoma is "drive-by-wire" and mine is not. I'm not sure what it takes to swap between the two....I just recall whilst I was internet reading, that non drive-by-wire model years should avoid getting the tranny's from drive-by-wire model years. You'll be all up in that thing swapping the output shafts if you wanna use mine anyway... But perhaps you're just wanting some of the internals on mine... but ya... I'm def open to it.

-Ferg

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I would def be down with this. I was planning on stopping by tonight to pickup those running boards. Perhaps we can chat it over real quick then?

I remember though that you're Tacoma is "drive-by-wire" and mine is not. I'm not sure what it takes to swap between the two....I just recall whilst I was internet reading, that non drive-by-wire model years should avoid getting the tranny's from drive-by-wire model years. You'll be all up in that thing swapping the output shafts if you wanna use mine anyway... But perhaps you're just wanting some of the internals on mine... but ya... I'm def open to it.

-Ferg

10-4, I'm likely after the valve body if I can confirm it will fit.

Edit: looks like they are the same for a 02 2WD and an 04 4WD

 

[theferg]

Finally got started on the 4x4 swap.

Got everything torn apart the other day and working on the spindles/hubs. Was going to just swap on the 4x4 spindles but they're pretty rusted up and I broke a couple LBJ bolts off in them and they aren't wanting to be rescued. So working to just swap the hubs across from the 4x4 spindles to the prerunner spindles. Broke the darn hub nut wrench/socket in the process but got it all fixed up today with some solid pins and gonna give it another go. Only have one last bolt to break free and then can start pressing hubs out.

Got the old upper arms removed today and the new light racing uppers installed. Should go pretty quick once the press work gets finished.

 

[sixstringsteve]

glad to see this coming together.

 

[theferg]

Hubs all swapped around.

Diff installed.

CVs installed.

Spindle installed. Hub lockouts on.

Front end is almost all together. Should be able to drop it off for alignment Monday morning. Looking to start the tranny swap next weekend.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Looking really good. That's cool that you'll have manual hubs on a double cab.

 

[theferg]

She lives! Just took her on a spin around the block. Locked the hubs up to get it rotating and listened for funny noises. No noises to speak of.

Alignment on Monday and she'll be fully driveable. Tranny and tcase in a week or so.

:stoked:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Nice!

 

[theferg]

Dang. She sprung a leak over night. Looks to be the seal at the end of the side-tube. Its a new seal but when I installed it, I actually seated it way too far in at first and then had to pull it back out a bit. It slid back out pretty easily but I'm thinking I guess I musta caused it to misshape a bit.

 

[theferg]

Stopped by your friendly neighborhood Cruiser Outfitters this morning and got a nice new ARB snorkel installed. Thanks Kurt!

Also picked up a hardly used ARB Simpson III off some local guy... Thanks @sixstringsteve !!! Just need to give the cover a good cleaning somehow.

Still waiting to get the tranny and tcase in.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks again!

 

[sawtooth4x4]

looking good.

 

[sixstringsteve]

snorkel looks great!

 

[theferg]

Started the tranny/tcase swap this morning. Made some great progress, 4WD tranny and tcase are in and all bolted up at the front end. Still a bunch to do though. Ended up with the wrong tranny mount so gotta track down the correct one. :-\

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Sweet!

 

[bryson]

That looks like a lot of work...

 

[theferg]

Inside back together. Anybody have a gray j-shift handle they want to trade for my black one?--i don't like the black...

All that's left:
-rubber shift boot
-tranny xmember mount
-resize/replace rear intermediate shaft
-front driveshaft nuts and bolts
-find correct speed sensor
- wire 4x4 light in dash
-fill with fluid

So so close. Could be driving it if I would have gotten the correct tranny mount... Oh well. Couple more days.