Topic: Project Toylet buildup.

[andyr354]

Have been working on this project for the past year now.
Got some questions and hope I might get some input here.

Stats so far:
85 toyota Excab
87 chevy 4.3L TBI
TH350 trans
Dual Toy cases with stock gearing at this point
D60 front
14b rear
Rear springs up front
44" TSLs

What is left:
get the axles mounted up the rest of the way
Driveshafts
Steering
Move cab back for clearance in front
Tcase support and skid plate

[andyr354 [OP]]

What I started with:

Bought it out of the salvage yard.  Engine was hosed.  Sold the W56 for some cash and the injection setup as well.

Flowing pics and posts are from the past month.

[andyr354 [OP]]

Got it setting on the springs supporting its own weight.
Wondering if I can compare some measurements to somebody and find out about what lift I have on it.  Measures 11.5" from the botom of the leafpack to the bottom of the frame where the engine mounts are.




shackle angle at ride height


Pinion is up about 5 degrees at ride hieght

[andyr354 [OP]]

Mounted up a tire on the 10" wide rim with 4" BS.  The look of it made my day  :guitar2:
The dual rear pack gave a hair more lift than I thought it would.  The hangar is down 2.25" and the shackle is 1" longer and I think it is getting around 4" lift.  It measures 29" to the bottom of the frame from the floor.

Also, what does everybody think of the skackle angle?  The front crossmember is still just tacked so now would be the time to change it.



Like that little tire on the passengers side


enough clearance for steering?


awesome approach angle  8)


Floorboard/firewall clearances

[Chad_Romine]

4.3+60/14+44= One badass buildup

What leafs are you adding to your front leaf pack?

[andyr354 [OP]]

That about brings us up to speed.

Need to either make the shackle angle final where it is or move it before I finish welding the front hangar.
Any comments on the angle?

Got to get some rear springs found.  Thinking maybe F150 57" ones at this point.  I just think chevies are to long and drag all the time.

Get the front clip hacked off and move the cab back at least 4" I think for tire clearances.  Along with some tubing of the firewall/floorboards.

[Chad_Romine]

What about mazda rear leafs, Arent they like 52" or somthing?

[andyr354 [OP]]

Right now the front pack consists of one 82 pack and an 85 pack put together.

I wrote down how I set them up somewhere, will have to find it.
It is a 6 leaf pack right now.  Thinking of adding one more leaf as well as an anti-wrap leaf to the top of the pack.

[andyr354 [OP]]

With the nice fall weather we are having right now I have been at work in the shop again... FINALLY.

Milestone!  First time it has set on all 4 wheels in 1.5 years!





Frenched in rear hangars sit level to the bottom of the frame.  Going to finish plating the rails back there then run a strap down the bottom of the rails that will tie right into the front edge of the hangar.  Leaf springs are made up of an XJ main leaf with 2nd and 3rd leafs from a ford F150 pack then the 3rd and 4th leaf of the XJ pack.


When I lift the cab off the rest of the frame will get cleaned up and unnecessary brackets removed.




Gotta get to work on moving the cab back now that I can roll it around.  Roll it out the door and pick it up with the loader tractor.  Right now I am thinking cab back 6", engine/drive train back 5".  This will give me a better balance of drive shaft lengths and weight balance.  Also plenty of room for a winch up front without eating up approach angle.

Sold my yota cases and going with an atlas 4 speed.  Scaling plans back some and stayed with leafs on the rear and going to a scout steering box with hydro assist.  Also going to run a detroit in the front instead of an ARB.  Those things can always be changed without a huge amount of re-work later.  Save some cash there and to the transfer case right from the go so no cross member or drive shaft redos needed later down the road.

And it is REALLY time for a good ole shop cleanup!  Probably noticed in the pics

[andyr354 [OP]]

Sold my toyota cases and ordered an atlas 4 speed.  Not much yota left on this thing 
Just the cab and the frame.

Going to work on moving the cab back on the frame this weekend I hope, if I can round up some help.  Cab is going back 6" I think I decided.

Andy

[MR_DIY]

nice buildup man, I love it already.  although there isn't much yota LOL. GREAT JOB 

[Yota87Truck]

Sweet job so far, keep up the good work and keep up the pics!!!