Her Name is Frank

[46&2]

Twisted, you've got some MAD skills!

X1000.

I find it ironic that one of my favorite posts on this site isn't even a 4x4 build.

[Twisted Minis]

Lol, well thanks man.



A few people asked why I needed a spacer, and this picture illustrates why. I used a press in balljoint instead of the stock one, for a clean looking arm, and the only one that fit the taper was a bit too long. So this is my solution. Both sides are done now. I will weld them when everything comes apart. Maybe smooth some of the casting lines on the spindle before it goes to powdercoat.





The owner approved all of my drawing ideas, and a few other ideas I had. So I will be ordering some more raw material on Monday so I can machine some cool little detail pieces. I'm getting excited about how clean I will be able to make this frame.

[Twisted Minis]

I will be machining some washers like this for a few spots on the truck.

[Twisted Minis]

So I have an axle that I believe is from an 89-95 2WD truck, based on the width (56.5"). But it has a sensor on the diff that I do not recognize, and the differential and housing itself looks a little bit different than I am used to seeing. I just started draining the oil to pull it apart and see if I can figure out what the sensor is, it spins but doesn't come out so I believe it is geared on the other side. Its got 2 wires coming out, but they where cut. Any info appreciated, here is a picture.

[Twisted Minis]

I looked at that differential guide, and it looks like a V6 differential, but still not sure what the sensor is?

[GJToyotabug]

That's your rear abs sensor. Never seen one on a 2wd considering that's a 7.5 in ring gear instead of a 8

[Twisted Minis]

Ya I took it out and called the parts store, said driveline ABS sensor.



I'm just going to weld the hole up since its going into another vehicle.

That site made it sound like V6 axles had an 8" ring gear, but maybe that is only 4WD? I stuck a tape measure next to it and it looks like less than 7.5" eyeballing it. It also has that one really long stud that I have never seen before. It seems unnecessary, the 4WD one above doesn't have it. Oh well, time to start cleaning it up.

Too bad this thing isn't getting a higher HP motor, I bet this axle would handle a bit.

[THK Matt]

that'd be a 2WD V6 rear.

[twistedtoy92]

that is strange..... I've never seen one with the bottom right side bolt that far out...

[BUDDERS]

I think the 2wd v6 rear end is a 8" rear line the one tons or 4 spds even though it has 5 lugs.  I had a 2wd v6 3rd that came out of a friend's truck with a bad pinion and my friend at the Toyota parts counter said it's an 8" Ring gear (it had a hole for a sensor like yours).

[crawling209]

sweet looking truck dude!

[Twisted Minis]

Ya this just looks funky to me. Lol. But the inside looks a little beefier than most of the axles I have pulled apart so far.


Doing some axle clean up. I never liked the stock Toyota breathers much, and the welds are, well, factory. So I cut it out and machined a tapered plug that indexes in the hole I cut. Will get tapped to 1/8" NPT and run a standard axle breather, or possibly a filter. Also going is the axle fill plug, in favor of a flush one.

[THK Matt]

Very nice

[Twisted Minis]

Okay this is totally off subject, but I was approached with an idea, that spawned a few of my own. This is close to something I have wanted to do for a while, done with budget parts. Customer asked me to illustrate my ideas so he could see what was going on in my head. So I did a little research and this is what I came up with. Rear engine LWB pickup, with IRS, gas tank up front, etc. No idea if this will even go anywhere, but I am essentially "pitching" the project tomorrow.



It looks a little like an indy car from above to me.

[THK Matt]

THAT IS EFFING SICK!

[kneedownnate]

Funny, I got the idea over 10 years ago to do this with a 4.3 chevy. 

[Twisted Minis]

I've been collecting parts for a few months to do something similar in a true SWB truck, with a V8 and a proper transaxle. This one is based on the idea of using almost all stock parts, and keeping everything in the Toyota family. Its another LeMons idea.

[BUDDERS]

Shoot, if you got that kind of room, go with a Toyota or Lexus V8!

[Twisted Minis]

The idea is to do it with stock parts, since it is for LeMons, budget is the key.

If you mean for mine, I already have a motor.

[Twisted Minis]

So I figured out how to illustrate my shifter idea. Very purpose built, not trying to be pretty.

[93REDCRAWLER]

I like it. but its just way to much bling for me.
keep up the good work

[Twisted Minis]

On what? Lol. I've built a lotta stuff.

[bslh8tr]

I put a small freeze plug where my ABS sensor was! I'm sure you will do something a lot more custom and Bad A$$ looking!

[Twisted Minis]

Someone else suggested a freeze plug too. I want to weld it shut so it looks more like the ones in the picture, so it appears the holes where never there.

[twistedtoy92]

Someone else suggested a freeze plug too. I want to weld it shut so it looks more like the ones in the picture, so it appears the holes where never there.

I agree with you there! clean is the way to go! hows the progress coming?

[Twisted Minis]

Nothing picture worthy. I have been finishing the rest of the laser drawings, finally got paid so I sent them out today. Need to finish off 2 more before he finishes the CAD work and starts cutting. Then I wait for those parts before I can do too much more. Just some finish work out back. But tomorrow I am doing a T5 swap in some old Volvo I think. At least starting it, I do not think it will get done. The guy seems to think its a 1-2 day job max, and he wants to stick around the first day to make sure I am doing it right? That always slows me down. I think it will stay over the weekend, haha. I am also contemplating picking up another 79-83 Toyota thats a basket case project... Lol!

[twistedtoy92]

well at least you keep busy! Between the shop and my side jobs I rarely find time for my own projects... gets a little frustrating at times but the income is good. I cant stand it when customers stand around in the shop and watch me work on their junk and ask me a million questions while they are breathing down my back! I've had to tell them to go wait in the lounge numerous times.... I work much faster and efficiently when I am by my self  

Whats the issue with the basket case?

[Twisted Minis]

Ya most of the time I end up getting frustrated when customers want to watch, because most of the time they are right where I want to walk. And my shop is not huge, so there are only a few pathways from the front to the back if a car is not up on the lift.

The basket case needs to be put back together, and has big holes cut in the firewall, and needs some suspension work it sounds like. Can't get pictures out of him, but sounds like its worth the price. I think its an 81. I may look at it when I go up that direction to look at another project if it gets approved (crosses fingers). Its in Oroville. Lol.

[Twisted Minis]

And ya I never have time for my own projects, which is totally why I don't need another one. Lol. But I figure a simple one would be okay, since my other ones all involve full chassis builds. Lol.

[GloNDark]

Man this is my new favorite thread on marlin. Fab skills are immaculate man. Very impressive!

How about so tips on sheet metal welding for us rookies. I can't ever get my sheet metal work out even 1% as good as yours hahaha