Idaho Taco Build

[Idaho-Taco]

Wow……this is exciting , very nice of you to share this build and progress, it takes some set of skill and balls to do what you are doing , impressed, Im excited to see you finish your truck what a list of goodies to add,
David

Well I don't know that I have a lot of skill at least as a mechanic. I watch a lot of YouTube videos and read instructions well. Most of these installs also probably take me twice as long as someone who actually knows what they are doing. When I did my Jeep build my wife was convinced I would never figure out how to get it put back together. That was a more severe build however as I had axles out, parts of the engine torn apart, several body panels off and did a fair amount of body cutting. In the end it worked out great and the build proved to be worth it. It still drives great, is very reliable and is an impressive off road machine.

I know most here are partial to Toyota and not big fans of Jeeps but I'll post this anyway. I have a looong build thread over on a jeep forum. Here are a couple shots if my heep.

During the build - probably the half way point.

Sponsored

 

[Idaho-Taco]

Awesome build. Could you please let us know what company makes the flexible hydraulic hose with metal fittings for the free spool handle? I'm probably going to need one myself.

Sure here you go.... pretty spendy for what it is but they are milling these ends I assume so thats not cheap. Looks like the company mainly works with Rams. Ive seen other guys make this concept work with ratchet extensions and socket pieces but this flexible hydraulic hose works wonderfully.

https://www.vicedesign.ca/collections/clutch-relocation-kits

 

[Idaho-Taco]

As mentioned I waited two months for the Tacoma after ordering it. During that time I accumulated most of the parts for the build and spent time ceramic coating everything I could. The wheels, shocks, springs, links etc.. It will be nice to have it on the wheels for sure but figured why not put it on everything else...

 

[Bravada]

Sure here you go....

Thank you.

 

[Idaho-Taco]

Time for the suspension work. Ive worked on solid front axles before - first time doing anything on an independent front suspension. As mentioned before, I went with the King 2.5 set up. Seems to be one of the more common choices and King has a great reputation. I have Fox set ups on both of my other builds and have been anxious to try King. If they work as good as they look - I'll be happy. For the Upper Control Arms I went with Total Chaos - quite a few options and I looked at Icon closely. In the end I went with Total Chaos mainly because a tech at King suggested it would be a good fit for my set up.

I ordered the fronts with the standard 500# springs and then after a little more research realized that the 600# would be better. The hybrid weighs more, I added a winch and bumper, Ill be adding rock sliders etc...

That UCA bolt on the driver side was a major PITA. I was able to get it out but it was every bit as difficult as I heard it can be. Id be a lot faster a second time - I spent to much time trying other methods rather than just getting a jack under the body in the first place. Once I did I was able to lift it slightly so the bolt can be removed.

Sway bar, tie rod, OEM shocks and the rest was fairly simple to dissemble.

Putting everything back together with the King system was straight forward and fairly easy. I stayed with the amount of preload that King set. Hopefully with the 600# springs I won't need to add much more if any. Cant see it in this photo but Im also using the King sway bar links.

 

[Idaho-Taco]

On the rear, besides the King 2.5 system I am also installing Total Chaos rear links and the Panhard bar. Spendy but a big upgrade over the stock set up. Ive hit my rear links on rocks many times with my Jeep and was glad I had very stout links. Likewise I really want something more solid there than the OEM links on this build.

Before getting very far I realized that taking out the stock spare tire (which I won't be using) and the exhaust pipe (which I also won't be using) would make life easier for this install. I'll be running a full size spare mounted in the bed so I lowered the stock spare with the jack handle and then just wrapped the chain around the frame and tightened it back up. For the exhaust, Im fairly confident that on my first trip out on any ledges or rocks that tail pipe would be mangled. I ended up going with the Sxth Element axle dump tail pipe. Price was right and looks well built.

The rear links and Panhard bar were easy to get out but getting the new ones in (as Ive experienced in the past) were a bit of a challenge. It would be a lot easier with a lift but doing it on the ground with a couple jacks and jack stands takes some doing. As I mentioned they come out easy but getting the holes to line up on the install will evoke some four letter words. Ratchet straps, a BFH, and up and down with the jacks eventually get it done.

I also went with the Eibach rear springs. These were the 1" lift springs but in the end I think I should have went with the 2". The 1" are barely taller than stock - I didn't account for the fact that the hybrid is heavier and the stock springs I believe are different than a non hybrid spring. That Eibach lift height is based on the non hybrid I assume. I went ahead and put them on and figure after all bumpers etc. are on Ill see how it sits and decide if I need to upgrade my rear springs from these.

As mentioned previously I bought the King sway bar links for the front and rear... Unfortunately the rear ones had a missing spacer I never noticed until I was about to install. Thankfully King said they would send out the spacer right away... so Ill keep the stock ones on for now.

The rear King shocks were very easy to install.

 

[grizzlyoutlaw]

I’m not sure why but I thought the sway bar links were for the rear only. Thanks for posting up so I looked and they now show install in both front and rear. I will have to add that on for the front for my build.

did you already get the DV8 center cab molle panels? That’s one thing I got that sounded good but looking at them I’m not sure how much room for stuff I will actually have. It’s a tight fit and they have been in a bin for awhile now.

 

[Idaho-Taco]

I’m not sure why but I thought the sway bar links were for the rear only. Thanks for posting up so I looked and they now show install in both front and rear. I will have to add that on for the front for my build.

did you already get the DV8 center cab molle panels? That’s one thing I got that sounded good but looking at them I’m not sure how much room for stuff I will actually have. It’s a tight fit and they have been in a bin for awhile now.

Yes I have the molle panels but haven’t installed yet. Probably in another week or two. I just want a place for my pistol, knife and a flashlight. Maybe a first aid kit too. They look great when I unboxed them but will see after installing.

Sponsored