PsychoTaco's Tacoma

[PsychoTaco]

Here is my Tacoma the way it was when I bought it... The poor thing didn't know what was coming its way.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/MVC-226F-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/MVC-159F.jpg


At work:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/july92004_0063.jpg


The day I got it, I proceeded to thrash it around in the mud and in the mountains of GA/AL:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/MVC-008S.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I quickly added a toolbox and some lights.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/Mvc-005es.jpg

After a year of playing with the truck in stock form, I was contemplating how to get a lift, larger tires, and beef up the truck... Luckily (ironically), my old boss happened to run into the back side of my truck with a Bobcat Skidsteer Loader. He picked it up seven feet in the air and threw the back side of the truck off the road in front of my very eyes. Surprisingly the damage was minimal but enough to finance the lift kit and tires.

[PsychoTaco]

With the insurance check in hand, I purchased a OME 882 with firm shocks, Deaver 3 leaf AAL, Daystar Shackles, Bilstien 5100's, Wheeler black rims, and 32" Buckshot Maxxis Mudders.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/TruckLift_0007.jpg

Here it is with the OME 882 installed and nothing on the back yet:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/TruckLift_0005.jpg

I added the rear shackles but no Deaver's yet since they have not arrived yet:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/TruckLift_0008.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I decided to go ahead and get the new rims and tires on while I wait for the Deaver's AAL to come in...


At Goodyear's, waiting for the new rubbers: 32x11.5 R15 Maxxis Buckshot Mudders
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/TruckLift_0015.jpg


At work with the new tires:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/TruckLift_0017.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

Finally the Deaver's 'arrived'. The dang apartment lobby had it the whole time and neglected to inform me that I had a package waiting for me. Anyways, on it went.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0006.jpg

Before:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0005.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0002.jpg


After:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0007-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0008.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0010.jpg


It sits a bit higher in the rear but it'll settle down even after a couple weeks.

[PsychoTaco]

I played around with this set up for a little while at work:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0014.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0019.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/June2005_0023-1.jpg



I was ready for some new armor for the truck. There was an All-Pro event coming up in Tellico that year in June/July. Not wanting to destroy any more body panels that the Bobcat already inflicted, I ordered sliders and a rear bumper.


Armor in use at Tellico:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/tellico060.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/tellico061.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/tellico028.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

Some clearer pictures with the bumper but the sliders have not been welded on at that point. I rented a welder that evening and went to town.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/hp015.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/hp013-1.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I decided to try my hand at fabricating a front bumper for my truck. I modeled it after Mike's and Davis3000's bumper. While I'm not overly excited how it turned out, it'll stay until I get around to fabricating a better bumper. Being that this was my first real welding project, the flux core welds are not good looking at all. I will be redoing it with a winch plate to start off with and make the 'angry hoops' angrier. :D

I also sprayed the lower half of the truck body with bed liner. I'm really pleased with it. I purchased the spray on liner from Advanced Auto Parts. As of today they are still holding up. I rushed through the application process so the edges of the spray on liner is flaked off in some areas. Some sandpaper and spray on some touch up, it'll have a straight edge again.


No bumper:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_0654.jpg

The new bumper:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_141901.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_141701.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I've always liked Tacozilla's custom snorkel setup since it is unique and it works. Its also dirt cheap to do. I don't have the photos of the actual assembly process. I only have the cap photos to demonstrate how it breathes. I have the deckplate mod so when I cap off the plate, it breathes through the airbox elbow that is connected to a series of PVC piping behind the fender and out the hood. I used a roofing flange to make a clean look and to cover the hole in the hood. I also painted the snorkel with spray on bed liner. It has held up ever since and still looks great.

The truck now has 33' 12.5 R15 Mastercraft Courser MTs. It took a bit of pinchweld pounding and it rubs on the frame.

The parts:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/Photo_87.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/Photo_86.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_4367.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_4368.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_4382.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_4381.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_4389.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_4386.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

With my projects winding down, I decided to add rear bumper wraparounds. I've already cut off the lower part of the bedsides to remove the damage incurred from the Bobcat. I put on a fresh coat of, you guessed it, spray on bed liner on the bumper. I just love the stuff!!! :D


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_5141-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_5139.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_5138.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_5135-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_5134-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_5133-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_5132.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

Here is how she sits today... I welded on some light tabs to the front bumper. I also added rocklights and a camera system that is mounted on the bottom of the truck where I can see where the tires are going on my passenger side.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8058.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8056.jpg


The dirty interior:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_7960.jpg


Throughout the slow, tedious, neverending buildup of the Tacoma, I've installed a Scion radio head unit (best thing on the truck with the MP3 capabilites), ScanGaugeII (This thing is flatout amazing, I can't believe I didn't buy it earlier), CB unit with a PA system, and a 12 inch sub to enhance the bass (I'm hearing impaired so I feel the music instead. :D )




My next project is to put on a swing away tire carrier but I'm still waiting for the parts from RockLogic 4X4. I will also be attempting to make my own canvas camper topper like Can-Back with a rack on the top.

When the finances come through, I will be regearing my poor Tacoma. She has been lugging those 33's tires for far too long and she need help. :D I'll also be replacing the springs since they are far gone at this point. I'll be looking at Swayaways or Donahoe/Icons and a full leaf pack for the rear.

[PsychoTaco]

I finally recieved the tire carrier hinge assembly from RockLogic. It's just a trailer spindle with the bearing package and a outter sleave. It's pretty solid nonetheless and I feel it'll definatly hold up to whatever I throw at it.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8095.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8096.jpg


I drilled out a 1" hole with a bi-metal hole saw into my bumper that night and welded it up the next morning.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8094.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8097.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I go camping pretty often in the NC mountains and I really liked the CanBack toppers. However, Canback's prices are outrageous and it's hard to find them being sold by private sellers since I do not want to deal with CanBack's waiting list. I decided to fabricate my own version of the Canback at the same time I fabbed up the tire carrier. I searched TTORA for all the pictures and got the general idea of the whole setup. With this in mind, I went ahead and bent up the bows and cut out a rail out of 1x2 tubing. This entire system is bolted on for ease of installation and removal. The bows have flat plate steel welded at the ends which is bolted onto the 1x2 rail.


Got the rails on:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8101.jpg


Front bow installed:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8111.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8112.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8114.jpg


Rear bow installed:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8116.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8117.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8118.jpg


All three bows installed:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8129.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8130.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8131.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8146.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I was really happy how the bows turned out on the custom soft top project I was doing. I ran out of 1x2 tubing which I need to connect the three bows together at the top and to give a place to fasten the Sunbrella fabric to. I'll pick some up when I order the fabric in the next week or so.

Having reached my stopping point with the canback topper, I needed to finish up on my tire carrier for the weekend.


I welded on the main beam which is a 2x2 tubing:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8102.jpg

I used a latch I ordered from Carr Lane

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8103.jpg


I wasn't happy how the latch was holding and wanted to get a couple spring pins. After having my question answered in the TTORA Fabrication board, I ordered two weld on locking spring detent pins from McMasters. They came in the next day.

Pins welded in on both ends. One is to keep it shut and the other locks it in the open position:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8134.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8135.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8136.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8137.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8142.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8143.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8144.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8145.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

Here she sits now. All I need is 1x2 metal and the fabric to complete the soft top. I also ran out of metal for the tire carrier. I'll pick up some more 2x2 tube to make the tire carrier portion and some pieces of metal for the jerry can holder. I expect to have this done over the next two weeks or so.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8139.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I have completed the top on my canvas topper project. I just have to do the sides for it later on. I also finished the tire carrier. I'll be adding a jerry can carrier for water and fuel later on in the future.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8551.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8538.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8539.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8542.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8544.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8548.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

The next step, after I finish my canvas topper, will be new springs since they are all worn out now. Also, I am looking to regear this truck to 4.56 or 4.88. Also, I'll be keeping an eye out for a good winch to slap on the old girl. Eventually I may do a solid axle swap but it depends on if there are enough places to wheel later on. My truck is getting very close to where I want it to be. Frankly, I'm glad since I need to put some time and work in my Camaro and my house. :)

[PsychoTaco]

I recently purchased an onboard air compressor off from HillbillyYoung and mounted it in my toolbox. I couldn't find a place to put the switch since I've ran out of space for it and felt it was time to for an overhead console. After searching for any interchangeable overhead consoles from 4Runners and the like, I decided to make my own. I'm not skilled enough to make it out of metal or fiberglass which I'd eventually replace it with so this one is made out of poplar and laminate wood that is coated in bondo for a smoother finish. I removed the A-pillar trim and ran the main wire for the fuse box which is in the overhead console and five more sets of wire for switches that will inevitably be added later on. The wires are run from the console down the A-pillar, under the door still, and into the cubbyhole that is in the back where I'll be putting another fuse box and relays for those additional switches. After I assembled all the parts and test fitted it, I put body filler all over the thing to cover the screws and small gaps to give it a solid appearance. I primed it and sprayed DupliColor paint on it. The blue color was the closest I could match the interior. It looks alright and the camera makes it look a lot different than it is in person. Overall, I'm very happy to have additional space for switches and will eventually put in a couple storage compartments and maplights into it. I may hold off the latter until I learn how to make fiberglass molds and make a replacement.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8788.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8790.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8792.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8794.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8795.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8799.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_8806.jpg

[PsychoTaco]

I just put on some 35's 12.50 R15 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor AT tires and I'm very pleased with their ride. It's a night and day difference coming from MT tires. I drove MT tires for so long that I've forgotten what it was like to drive my truck with smoother riding tires.

I also put on 4Crawler / RB 1" body lift to help with the rubbing prior to the tire purchase.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/P2010077.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/P2010078.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/P2010080.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/P2010081.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/P2010082.jpg




I also replaced my homemade overhead console for one that came out of an early 2000 Chevy Suburban. It's width is just right where it does not interfer with the sunvisors and the length is correct as well. I need to wire it up and put my switches in place where the old HVAC controls used to be.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/100_9270.jpg



I'm also working on getting this under my truck soon. :)

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a202/PsychoDragon/P2010063.jpg