I wanna build a tacoma please help

[spaceman]

I have an 83 built for crawling and it still kicks butt on the hardcore trails, but I wanna build a rig that is comfortable to highway and can do moderate+ trails.  Does anyone out there have suggestions as to a good start, i.e. 2.7 vs 3.4 and what years are desireable?  I want a regular cab short bed and will swap in a solid axle and add crawler gears.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[kyle_22r]

they're all pretty good, but you can only 95 and 96 had the regular cab with a v6 optional, it's pretty rare to find them but they're around(i'm gonna look for one for a DD eventually)

don't see why you'd need a straight axle for moderate trails, just get a locker.  the taco has coil spring suspension in the front, and if you find one from 2000 or earlier you can get locking hubs unlike that stupid ADD crap they all have now

[WHITE_TRASH]

Id fine a 78-79 Bronco front axle (high pinion) and cut it down to use waggy axles.  Id keep the coile from the bronco as well and extent the radius arms at least 12" for a better ride and good flex.  Then get a Mco9(?) to use a crawler box and have fun!

[spaceman]

Thanks for the input.

I wanna do a solid axle because I have an extra one and I have a suspension design I wanna try.  The bronco axle idea is good, but i just don't feel right using a Dana axle.  I also like the ground clearance if the Toy axles.

Ryan

[WHITE_TRASH]

The only reason that I suggested a dana axle is because the diff is on the driver side on taco's, not the passenger side like a earlier truck.  But if you get the adapter to run a low range box behind the current trans then you can use a gear driven case and the yota axle.

[84runner]

The only reason that I suggested a dana axle is because the diff is on the driver side on taco's, not the passenger side like a earlier tuck.

96 and newer right ?

[spaceman]

I forgot to mention that the axle I have is modified.  I cut the ends off and I can flip it over if I need to and put waggy 44 outers on it.  I know it's wrong, but I have the parts just lying around and I like to experiment. 

Late model waggys have the correct drop for the project, a little less modifacation required than the bronco axle.

[kyle_22r]

EBs have a driver drop too...the main problem with those is that like everything for an EB, they're expensive

if i was gonna do something with a driver drop, i'd look for a '78-79 F150 or F250 HP44

[spaceman]

What's EB?

I think high pinion is over rated, please enlighten me.

[kyle_22r]

EB = early bronco.  high pinion gives you a better driveshaft angle, and all '78-79 fords had high pinion fronts.  not a bad idea considering most axles you'd put under a tacoma needs some work done, why not go all the way and just go high pinion?

a high pinion gearset is also stronger going forward since it doesn't run on the coast side of the gears except in reverse(just like your rear axle), but that's probably a wash

[79coyotefrg]

just got my 4wheeler mag today and guess what  :hammer:it shows Marlin and gang putting a crawler in a taco

[81Toy4x]

Hey glen, what month issue is that?  I'd like to check it out!

[79coyotefrg]

august 04

4wheeloffroad.com

[79coyotefrg]

http://4wheeloffroad.com/4wheeloffroad/techarticles/131_9706_toy

http://www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/2437

cant find the direct link but its in the august 2004 issue page 100