New to this forum

[Ritchie]

New to this forum and enjoy reading the knowledgeable topics that apply to my truck.

My complete build can be viewed here:  http://www.justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/Mike%27s%20truck
minus the Shrockworks front bumper and Warn MS8000 winch which I installed in early December of 2012.

I really enjoy off-roading with my buddies in the Eastern part of San Diego county and so far, the truck does awesome for the style of driving we do.

Glad to be here.

[BigMike]

to land!!

You've got one really clean Taco!! :

[ajordan1975]

hi

[Ritchie]

to land!!

You've got one really clean Taco!! :

Thanks Big Mike.

[toe]

 

[Nation]

 

[camhays556]

  clean truck

[Ritchie]

Thanks guys.
Looking for parts to begin SAS'ing this thing in the future.

While I gotcha, where can I find a transfer case for the auto trans in my rig, good stuff, no junkyard goodies.

Thanks again.

[BigMike]

If you are looking for an aftermarket solution, we offer both Dual Setups, aka "TacoBox" (see here), and Single Case Gear Drive replacement Setups, aka "Lefty" (see here). We have rebuilt a few stock Tacoma chain drive cases over the years but we do not list this on our website. Give us a call for more info if interested, M-Th 6a-5:30p PST, 888-942-7295.

As for junkyard goodies, Transfer Cases are actually a pretty sure bet, especially if you are able to evaluate the donor vehicle. Toyota transfer cases pretty much last forever with proper service intervals. If you use a site such as http://www.car-parts.com, you could work your way up from the cheapest offering asking each yard for related info of each listing, such as what type of accident was the vehicle in, how many miles are on the engine, and how good of condition is the engine in. These three things alone will identify straight away if the junkyard t/case is worth its weight - which I believe you'll find 9 out of 10 times to be true.

Regards,
BigMike

[Rocksurfer]

  II  check out Infernal's Taco build it will make you drool. During your build you may want to consider beefing up your frame where the boxing ends, it will save your rig down the road.

[Ritchie]

Thanks for the tips Big Mike. I am interested in this: http://www.marlincrawler.com/transfer-case/line-ups/single/gear-drive-left-hand-output-lefty
What do they go for as shown?
Thanks for the links.

Rocksurfer,
Thanks... I sure will be boxing in the rear frame rails. Would have been nice if Toyota manufactured them that way in the beginning.

Thanks for the replies.

[Snowtoy]

Nice clean Taco, you sure you want to SA and crawl it?

If the Taco is your first experience with Toyota's, all of their previous models were fully boxed frames, the Tacoma was their first with a partial C-channel frame.  Since N. Americans don't use the mini truck the same way the rest of the world does, there was no need for a fully boxed frame, so they opted for the c-channel frame to improve ride quality.  They did the same thing with the IFS with the 2nd and 3rd gens, the North American market got the IFS, while the rest of the world got the SA.

[Ritchie]

Thanks Snowtoy,
About going SA... I throw it around and ask myself the same question.
If I don't, eventually I will be 4wd/ IFS at the least.

Good insight.
Thanks for the reply.

[Snowtoy]

I see it is a pre-runner, seen the 6 lug wheels and assumed it was 4x4 already.  You wont want to swap in the IFS 4wd, it will be too much work(easier to swap the body onto a 4x4 frame), and if your rig is a factory pre-runner you will likely lose value.

I would decide what you are looking to do wheeling wise, and then consider the costs involved with modifying your current rig vs building/buying another rig, the costs can often be close to the same if you start with a rig in need of repairs.