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Hello yota tech crowd. I ditched my 84 4runner and started a tacoma. I found this truck on Craigslist and was able to make it mine for the low price of $2450. Why so cheap you ask? Well it started life as a 1996 regular cab 4wd Tacoma with a 3rz. One previous owner apparently installed a camper and cut out the back of the cab/bed to make a walk through setup.
Well the PO that I purchased it from didn't like the regular cab so he picked up a 98 limited cab and installed it in place. Yes the frame was lengthened and by my measurements was done very well. One notable problem is the back half of the frame is from the 98 but the leaf springs are still 96. That means the springs are short and the axle is moved foreword about an inch or so. But first order of business was to remove old bedliner and repaint before winter.
The paint seemed to even out as it dried and the end result is better than expected. I will surely scratch this truck up on our local trails next spring so it doesn't need to be pretty.
I also installed the front lower bumper and new turn signals that came with the truck.
My chinese 33's showed up and I was able to get them mounted locally for $60.
I mounted them on a set of American Racing Ar 23s 15x7 unknown back spacing. The tires are ling long crosswind mt in a 33 12.50 15. I had to run a set of mr gasket 1/4 in wheel spacers up front to clear the calipers. I also used extended thread lug nuts up front for peace of mind.
Used a log to check for rubbing. Found that I had to bend over the pinch weld and trim the fiberglass front fenders. The real interference was from the front of the rear wheel well but I know that will be solved when I put the correct leaf springs on it. Overall the 33's fit well.
I took the truck on its first 4wd trail behind our house yesterday and it did great. The new springs ride way better than what was back there before. Not a huge surprise because the right rear spring was cracked and having short springs from a 96 threw the geometry out of wack. I had almost no rubbing the whole trip, only once when I was backing up and cranked full left. Next on the list will be replacing the worn out sway away front coil overs and old rancho rear shocks.
Went for a nice late fall drive up to pagosa peak with the wife today Dec. 3 and found a tiny bit of snow.
Found another issue with the truck as well. It seems to pop out of 4lo/hi occasionally and make an awful racheting noise. I've read about stiffer springs from marlin crawler being a possible fix. I never had this problem with my 99 and was thinking maybe I'll just live with it till I can find a doner truck with a 3.4/r151 to swap in being as this truck is just a conglomeration of many different tacos.
11-17-2017, 03:45 PM
