First expedition rig.
- Thread starter Panos
- Start date
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- Tags
- build thread
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
getting closer, I hung the rear springs and axle. One neat little trick I just learned, when mounting leafs to a 80 series rear axle. If you leave the two end brake line tabs and position your outer U bolts right next to them, it will align your axle. Why is this a cool trick? because the rear 80 series axle is offset to the pass side and can be timely to get perfectly center. This just cut about 30 minutes off 
also got some seats from am 03 4runner sport
now for the front.
also got some seats from am 03 4runner sport
now for the front.
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
I forgot to mention that these leaf springs are for a 96-03 tacoma there for being a bit longer than what would normally go on this year of truck. As for the mounts, all I did was butt up the shackle hanger right behind the stock one, and keep the stock front hanger. We will just have to see if this gives me what I am looking for.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
Longer springs are key, how long are they? Assuming they are the longer 98-04' leafs? Planning an inaugural trip for this build?
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
I got the front radius arm brackets tacked in place and am pretty happy with it. I had to move the axle forward almost 6" though. I am going to use the stock FJ80 steering box with the reverse throw. I borrowed a friends 2.0x12 air shock just to see What length shock i will be able to run and as of now I am undecided, I could run a 12 or 14. I could run longer if I do some sort of lower shock mount that hangs a bit below the axle or I could run them on top kind of in the position they are in now.
For the radius arm brackets I used some axle side lower link mounts and flipped them around. They will get some gusseting when I am satisfied with the placement.
I mocked up the steering arm on the axle side so I could align it with the pitman arm on the box and everything looks good so far.
For the radius arm brackets I used some axle side lower link mounts and flipped them around. They will get some gusseting when I am satisfied with the placement.
I mocked up the steering arm on the axle side so I could align it with the pitman arm on the box and everything looks good so far.
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Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
yes 98-04 I can never remember the years. As for a trip, I dont have a particular one set in stone. Although, it would be very ambitious of me to try and drive it home from St.George when I move to SLC in a month
Parts left are only shocks, clutch, flywheel and throw out bearing. I am going to use a hydraulic type.
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
Kurt, do you know what caster degree this axle needs to be ?
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
Assuming you didn't rotate the knuckles at all correct? Stock caster on an 80 Series is 3* +-1* so 2*-4*, with bigger tires I would aim for 3-4* if you can make it work with your pinion.
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
axle is all stock no rotation,thank you that helps a lot. Honestly I never put a degree finder on my buggy when I did it, and I must have just lucked out because It was perfect. I will measure today before I make anything permanent. I will be running either a 35/12.5/17 km2 or a 285/75/17 km2 if they made that size in the All terrain I would be all over it. I don't really need a mud terrain.
today I will mount the shock towers up front.
today I will mount the shock towers up front.
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- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Looking real good Nick, I love seeing that 80 Series axle under a mini truck!!
zukijames
Well-Known Member
- Location
- not moab anymore
wish i could find some 80 series axles im getting tempted to put my dana 60s under my zuk!
ps this truck is going to be one of the coolest expo rigs ever
ps this truck is going to be one of the coolest expo rigs ever
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
A couple questions for ya:
1) Have you thought about cutting and turning the knuckles?
2) Will you be runnin 4.10s in the diffs?
3) which t-case will you be running?
4) does the offset rear diff matter much with a centered t-case?
5) how are you going to keep the wheels inside the fenders with such wide axles?
1) Have you thought about cutting and turning the knuckles?
2) Will you be runnin 4.10s in the diffs?
3) which t-case will you be running?
4) does the offset rear diff matter much with a centered t-case?
5) how are you going to keep the wheels inside the fenders with such wide axles?
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
1)..there will be no need to cut and turn the axle. If caster needs to be addressed it will be dealt with caster bushings.
2) Yes, 4.10's
3) I will be running the stock t-case. I don't know the model. It is the one that comes stock behind the R150 transmission. If I see a need for the gear driven case then maybe one day ill buy the adapter. But as of now and what I plan on doing with the truck, i wont need duals and the chain driven case will be just fine.
4) the offset diff does not affect anything at all. It is actually only about 3" offset.
5) Good question, haha I am running the FJ steel wheels which have a 5.5 BS and are 17x7.5 so that will help a lot. combined with skinny tires like the 285/75/17 should work out to be a nice stance and hopefully tuck up nicely
most of this stuff will just have to be trial and error
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
Thank you, I have seen a tacoma with 80 axles under it and it looked good, I say do it.
I am almost finished with all my work down here in order to move up to SLC. So that means I have to get this thing going, super fast.!! Because I want to drive it up to SLC by nov 1st. haha we will see, if anything it will be rolling and I can tow it.
I ran into a problem last night. the front axle is way too far forward! ok, ill just move it back... nope, then it hits my oil pan with only 3" up travel. I am contemplating either raise the motor 3" up, or do a sh*t ton of fire wall modification and move the motor back about 3" "deep breath...sigh" I want to keep the motor as low and as far behind the front axle as possible. So I think I might try and massage the firewall. I don't really like the idea of raising the motor.. although it would not be a big deal.
I am almost finished with all my work down here in order to move up to SLC. So that means I have to get this thing going, super fast.!! Because I want to drive it up to SLC by nov 1st. haha we will see, if anything it will be rolling and I can tow it.
I ran into a problem last night. the front axle is way too far forward! ok, ill just move it back... nope, then it hits my oil pan with only 3" up travel. I am contemplating either raise the motor 3" up, or do a sh*t ton of fire wall modification and move the motor back about 3" "deep breath...sigh" I want to keep the motor as low and as far behind the front axle as possible. So I think I might try and massage the firewall. I don't really like the idea of raising the motor.. although it would not be a big deal.
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
I have decided that when I am done with this build I will build a trailer to go along with it. I have had my eye on this one http://moby1trailers.com/moby1-xtreme-terrain/
only it is wayyyyyy to expensive for my wallet. So what do poor people do when they have skills but no money? they just build it I want to build one just like this after the truck is done.
I like the idea of getting to a camp spot and being able to set up camp i.e tent or roof top, and get things organized and ready. Then be able to unhook my trailer and go explore or mess around and come back to camp with everything all set up and ready. As opposed to having a rooftop tent on your rig and getting to your camp site, but want to go mess around and have your truck all loaded down and worried about stuff flying around inside and a big huge tent or rack on top of your rig;adding weight and hight. I don't really know because I am 100% new at expedition travel and this type of stuff. But not new at camping and think that this type of set up makes most sense to me
only it is wayyyyyy to expensive for my wallet. So what do poor people do when they have skills but no money? they just build it
I want to build one just like this after the truck is done. I like the idea of getting to a camp spot and being able to set up camp i.e tent or roof top, and get things organized and ready. Then be able to unhook my trailer and go explore or mess around and come back to camp with everything all set up and ready. As opposed to having a rooftop tent on your rig and getting to your camp site, but want to go mess around and have your truck all loaded down and worried about stuff flying around inside and a big huge tent or rack on top of your rig;adding weight and hight. I don't really know because I am 100% new at expedition travel and this type of stuff. But not new at camping and think that this type of set up makes most sense to me
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
you're telling me you don't have $15,500 for a camp trailer? Man, you are cheap!
I'm a fan of moving the motor back instead of up. Although since it's just an expo rig, the extra 3" up won't make a huge difference in my opinion since you won't be in near-tipping situations where the 3" of weight would make much difference on the trail. It would affect overall handling though, and there's nothing sexier than a low COG.
Why do you say the front axle is too far forward? Will the tires hit the grill? Why can't you keep it forward?
I'm a fan of moving the motor back instead of up. Although since it's just an expo rig, the extra 3" up won't make a huge difference in my opinion since you won't be in near-tipping situations where the 3" of weight would make much difference on the trail. It would affect overall handling though, and there's nothing sexier than a low COG.
Why do you say the front axle is too far forward? Will the tires hit the grill? Why can't you keep it forward?
Panos
12Volt Specialist
- Location
- Salt lake City
Yeah i know, I am a cheap A** hah, but not really. 15,000 is just soooo much I am sure it is a really nice trailer and has everything you need, ready to go. But its just a ton of money.I could build a one hell of a trailer for 15 grand! actually I could build a cool truck and trailer for 15 grand haha.
yeah the front tires wouldnt even tuck up in the forward position they where in...dang it! I really liked how I had it.
yeah the front tires wouldnt even tuck up in the forward position they where in...dang it! I really liked how I had it.
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