2003 Tacoma Crawler

[rapier46]

Here’s the ongoing story of my 2003 Tacoma.  I’ll spare you all my crawling and off-roading history but I’ve been an offroader in different forms all my life.


Here’s my current truck. 

When I got it.   I bought it with the intention of turning it into an offroad rig. Didn’t take long for me to start changing it.


Wrapping up the SAS-August 5/29

[rapier46]

[rapier46]

[rapier46]

Made all my own skids too

[rapier46]

Put in duals cases, Marlin wasn't available so I got TG.  Mistake.  Still having problems to this day.  Will replace with Marlin taco box when they're available again. 




Made simple sliders


Caved in the crossmember I made.  So I made one from .250 wall and heavier angle iron. With more gussets.


Put in a front ARB(rear had a factory locker).  Been wheeling it hard and enjoying it. 

[rapier46]

Some of the body damage I’ve gotten over the last couple months.



Both sides are wrinkly now.  But I’ve earned every dent and scratch.



Thats’s caught up.   More fun to come. 

[300k]

Sorry to hear about your trouble with Trailer Gear. They are scum

[joeyf]

Sucks to here you still having the t-case problem, I remember you asking about it on pirate. Have you tired pulling the denten ball and spring out when it's in low and seeing if the rail is lining up with the hole.

[rapier46]

Yeah hoping replace it with Marlin when theirs become available again

[:)bestgen4runner]

Tag
I like!
I like it lot! 

[rapier46]

Thanks guys. Here's a couple videos from the last few months

https://youtu.be/7x9m4ObwREA

https://youtu.be/88kl97MSqwI

https://youtu.be/hyfcxfPX72g

https://youtu.be/slDOFs9CZog

https://youtu.be/5qmD2gOg464

https://youtu.be/p8glyFm0gi0

[camhays556]

you gonna sas that bad boy? I like it even better than the 4runner you had!

[rapier46]

you gonna sas that bad boy? I like it even better than the 4runner you had!

I hope to one day. 

I can fit 37s as is hahaha

[camhays556]

Your not gonna post that on all the third gen 4runner and tacoma pages and make everyone jealous?? 37s no lift and people just about have a heart attack haha

[rapier46]

Your not gonna post that on all the third gen 4runner and tacoma pages and make everyone jealous?? 37s no lift and people just about have a heart attack haha

I should lol

[Dingman.]

In on page one!   Looks like a good start. Can't wait to see the future progress!

[Rockcrawlintoy]

In on page one!   Looks like a good start. Can't wait to see the future progress!

Me too

[rapier46]

Thanks gentlemen. 


Things are happening tonight

[Rockcrawlintoy]

What are you planing to gain? Links?

[joeyf]

Nice. That looks like you got a couple inches from that. Take those over load leafs out of those new springs and that will give you another inch or so. If you do french your front hanger and it's not enough try doing the same to the rear shackle hanger

[HogCanyonHopper]

[rapier46]

More progress

Welded in rear leaf hangers
Boxed in bed mount for cage mount
Plated top of bed/cage mount
Bent some tube- Did a somewhat complex bend for the hoop(for me)

[redneckcustoms13]

I like this and the direction it is going. I assume you cut off the little bumper like thing that was up front before building the tube bumper? I'm about to start on mine shortly and have been looking for ideas. Your is about the most simplistic and best looking I have seen. All of the bolt ons are ridiculously expensive when you figure what you can build it yourself for.

[Gnarly4X]

More progress

I curious about your thoughts on these parts on your spring packs?  https://imgur.com/a/VSSdTR1

On my 85 standard cab, I experimented a bit with my leaf springs, I removed the bolt and opened the clip to allow the top leaf to drop, which greatly improved articulation.   I also removed the helper spring.  One issue I had was that after allowing more spring movement, bending, and articulation, I had one leaf break.  After that I kept one of these in my off-road tool kit:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-system-coil-springs-and-lift-lowering/leaf-spring-clamp-kit

It's looking good! 

Gnarls. 

[rapier46]

I like this and the direction it is going. I assume you cut off the little bumper like thing that was up front before building the tube bumper? I'm about to start on mine shortly and have been looking for ideas. Your is about the most simplistic and best looking I have seen. All of the bolt ons are ridiculously expensive when you figure what you can build it yourself for.

Thanks man, I built it like this








Hope that helps

[rapier46]

I curious about your thoughts on these parts on your spring packs?  https://imgur.com/a/VSSdTR1

On my 85 standard cab, I experimented a bit with my leaf springs, I removed the bolt and opened the clip to allow the top leaf to drop, which greatly improved articulation.   I also removed the helper spring.  One issue I had was that after allowing more spring movement, bending, and articulation, I had one leaf break.  After that I kept one of these in my off-road tool kit:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-system-coil-springs-and-lift-lowering/leaf-spring-clamp-kit

It's looking good! 

Gnarls. 

If I remember I'll get a photo of them all drooped.  That leaf in front of the clamp really stretches out, so well see if it ends up being a problem. But they are very soft and flexy. I can easily bounce the truck without the shocks on. A few hundred pounds of stuff on the back and it'll be really soft

[redneckcustoms13]

Yes that helps alot. Thank you.

[300k]

Saw your pics on the shoutbox. I feel like the main hoop could have been bigger? Should be fine if you don't plan on rolling it. Looking great! 

[Gnarly4X]

The radiator looks, from the photo, very vulnerable to potential damage?

Gnarls.

[rapier46]

The radiator looks, from the photo, very vulnerable to potential damage?

Gnarls.

It definilty is.  I bought a 4" shorter rad that sits flush with the frame

Ran out of welding gas today and I've only gotten to here