Steve's '94 Toyota x-cab mild build

[sixstringsteve]

I got the pass side knuckle on this time. When I guessed on the shims this time, it took about 8 different times putting the knuckle on and pulling it off to get the shims right. I sure like the self-extracting bolt on the 6-shooters. That alone is worth the price. I hate getting those stupid cone washers off without it.

I also got the tie rod in, and the drag link halfway in. I've gotta check clearances to make sure I don't have to notch the frame. If I do have to notch it, it won't be a huge deal.

 

[pELYgroso]

Wow Steve, looking good!

 

[iamsparticus]

when is hitr? I think you can make it steve your almost done!

 

[sixstringsteve]

No, I can't make it. Hitr is this weekend. I might be able to finish the sas by Saturday, but I still need to do the tcase gears, sliders, etc before I wheel it.

 

[iamsparticus]

i see well if you pull a overhauling style build and dont really sleep you'll be fine
Are you making sliders steve? I can make sliders in a couple of hours if you want help i might be able to make you up some and send them down with someone, then is all you really have is t case gears, pm if you want help

 

[Cascadia]

I think when I was out there working with him I saw a box with sliders in his garage. I think he's just got to install them.

 

[sixstringsteve]

i see well if you pull a overhauling style build and dont really sleep you'll be fine

nah, that's what I've been doing for the past two weeks. Even if I didn't sleep, I still wouldn't make it in time. If I had a few people to help wrench the entire time, then yes it's possible, but on my own, no way. A lot of people don't realize how time consuming the little parts are. Things like stuck bolts, seized bushings, brake bleeding, alignment, shock mounts, bump stops, etc, all the little things that just add up and take a ton of time. I appreciate the encouragement, but it's just not going to happen.

 

[meach4x4]

That's actually the real photo, no effect. I'm too stupid with photoshop to know how to make effects.

Yeah, I didn't think you altered it. I suppose I should have said "nice flame, reminds me of a lava lamp... Grooooovy!

I still can't quite picture what you recommend.

OK... step by step:

1) Spray the bejeezus out of the bushing with lithium grease. (Drilling some small holes in the bushing next to the spring wrap and then spraying the grease in would be a good choice.
2) Set the spring up on something that is the size of the spring wrap. (I used a big vice, or a 1 1/4" socket.)
3) If the bushing has a steel inner sleeve, drive it out with a punch.
4) Put a smaller deep socket or a bar smaller than the diameter of the bushing at its narrowest point on top of the spring.
5) Pound away on the socket/bar until your arms fall off, or the bushing comes out.

 

[iamsparticus]

when i had some stuck bushing i just wedged a flat blade screwdriver in one side to pry it enough to get some vise grips clamped on, then used a torch to heat not the bushing directly but heated the leaf around it just enough to melt the outer layer of the bushing and pulled it out.

I know I know you shouldnt heat springs but a propane torch isnt going to do anything to the spring

 

[lewis]

Where you at with this thing? How close is it to being driveable? I wheeled the crap out of the 94 I had and it didn't have anything but stock tcase gears. Not sure whats holding you up besides those gears. Looks like it just needs some tires and its ready for a ride.

 

[sixstringsteve]

front brakes, getting the hub OD turned to fit the tundra brakes, front driveshaft (I won't get this built 'till I do the duals), front axle rebuilt, steering box, possible frame notch. Little things like that. If I weren't such a busy guy, then I'd have time to put most of it together, but i only have about 5 hours to work on it this weekend.

 

[Marsh99]

I know you might be looking for AC
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=15056818&cat=&lpid=&search=toyota

 

[sixstringsteve]

thanks brandon. I think I'll wait to tackle A/C after I get this thing on the road. But that's exactly what I need.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Placed another order with Low Range Offroad today. Those guys at Low Range have helped me so much through this build (and through my other builds too). I highly recommend them for yota and zuk parts.

I've been on the lookout for a used HP Elocker for a month or two, and they're extremely tough to find, and they're also expensive and/or beat to crap. Most used ones go for $800 or so. Here's my estimate for a used HP elocker setup:

used HP elocker - $800
bearing rebuild kit - $200
gears - $200
Install - $150
Total: $1350

A new toyota factor HP elocker with 5.29s installed was only $1550 from low range offroad. Yes, that's a lotta clams, but I figured it was worth $200 to get an elocker motor that had never been used or abused. So that'll be going in in a few weeks.

I was initially going to go with 4.88s, since it will be my daily driver that will see weekend use on the freeway. But with the 30" tires, it didn't have much oomph. I don't know if the 3rd gens are heavier, or if the x-cab added a lot of weight, or if I have a weak motor, or what, but it wasn't exactly powerful, so I decided to go with 5.29s. The only way that's going to bite me is if I decide to do a 3rz or 5vz swap in the future, but I'll cross that road if i ever come to it. I really like the 22re.

 

[benjijo14]

If anything swap the 1uz, then it will really have some oomph! Lol. Since your stayin 22re try a crawler cam, there only like $150 and it helped in my 89.

 

[sixstringsteve]

hm... I hadn't thought of that, thanks for the suggestion. I don't know much about that motor. How much does it weigh? I really don't want to go too heavy in the front end. I'm not a power-hungry guy. My 22re is solid, and although it's no powerhouse, it gets the job done. If it ever does die on me, I'll probably consider a 3rz just to keep it light and to keep MPG up.

 

[iamsparticus]

i think you should do a TDI 1.8L diesel steve, MPGS will go way up and so will low end torq

 

[sixstringsteve]

I don't need a new motor, my current motor runs like a top. I'm just saying that if I ever did swap to something bigger, the 5.29s might be an issue. That's all.

 

[iamsparticus]

Right i was not saying to swap the motor but if it every gave up the ghost on you then maybe think of a TDI is all, carry on steve

 

[benjijo14]

Not sure about the weight on 1uz, there is a lot of info on yotatech about it though. My friend put one in his 90 runner and it is lighter then the 3.0 he took out, we know cuz it sits about 1.5in taller in front now. That thing really moves too! Left my old tacoma in his tire smoke.