Here it is a year ago...

Here it is today, after a Toytec/OME lift featuring OME 882 springs and KYB monomax shocks up front and Alcan AAL with OME rear shocks in back. The truck also has a 2" 4Crawler body lift and 265-75-16 BFG A/Ts.

I've got a skidplate being fabricated to cover the radiator, left vulnerable by the bumper and body lift. It'll be 1/8" steel with flared holes, thanks to All Phase offroad in Longmont. That should be done next week.

The truck still sits slightly higher in the front, but I think it'll settle after some wheeling.
I'm real happy with the truck's current state. With some 33x12.5 MTRs installed and maybe some nice wheels, I'll be happy and finished.

 

Nice!

 

Looks good.

Do you have any plans to protect the lower part of your radiator that is exposed now? Seems kinda like you could do some damage to it pretty easy.

Any problems with the cv's with that much angle on them?

 

You Colorado guys are killing me with those Armorology bumpers. I love those things but just can't seem to convice the boss we need to go after the market in CO. LOL I would love to have a bumper like that. By the way nice Taco

 

A diff drop would be cheap insurance in your case. Super easy to do.

 

Thanks guys!
A diff drop is installed, one inch.
The plans to protect the radiator include a skidplate covering the gap between the bumper and the factory skidplate. All Phase offroad in Longmont, CO is building me one this week- 1/8" steel plate with flared holes in it. Yeah, I've had nightmares about a big stick just jamming right through the radiator on the trail!
I haven't wheeled it yet, but I'm not worried about the CV angle. There are plenty of these OME kits out there and the diff drop seems to have addressed the issue. I'm sure in the long run it certainly won't increase the life of my CVs, but hey, if you wheel seriously they're gonna need replacing one day anyway. I expect some settling of the front suspension anyway as the bumper exerts its force and the springs break in.
I'll keep y'all posted

 

Wait, so do you have Toytec spacers up with the 882s??!

Your a-arms and CV angles look realllly steep. Of course you'll get some settling, but, with the 882s, it might be a while.

You'll probably boost a boot, but, most people have. Once you change them out you shouldn't have much problems.

I was running 2.5" cornfeds and OME 881s for a while w/o any major problems. The main problem was just front end vibe.

 

Looks nice!! Way to go!!

 

Post some pics of that radiator skidplate when you get it installed.
I'm curious to see what ya come up with!

 

No sliders in the plan? Rear bumper? You'll never be "finished"... LOL

 

Looks awesome!

How's the body roll after the body lift? Does it feel unstable?

 

Yeah, I'm concerned about the steep CV angle, but I'm also expecting the springs to settle about 1/2" in the next 1k miles of combined driving. If a thousand miles goes by and I'm still concerned, I'll swap out to the 881 springs and that'll take me down half an inch, plus another half inch or so after those settle.
The truck handles better than ever before...it's solid! It's also comfortable on the road and handles the weight of the bumper very well. There is less acceleration squat and diving on braking. When I first installed the body lift a few months back, I noticed slight increase in body roll, but not severe.

 

Here is the skidplate fashioned by All Phase Off Road in Longmont, CO. It's functional, simple, but it was not cheap! It's crafted from 1/8" steel with flared holes for strength (and looks). The turn signals are LEDs. My bumper finally looks complete!

Oh, and I just realized All Phase still has my front license plate! Crap!

 

Nice.

 

Looks good! - can you take a few closer up pics?

Also is there any reason you had AllPhase do it as opposed to jed?

 

AllPhase is closer Crux. it was still tough to work out a ride to drop the truck off and another one to pick it up (I'm in Loveland about 20 miles away, but trying to get any of my buddys to drive down there is like pulling teeth) I talked with Dave from All Phase during the CoTTORA Swap Meet in July as we looked at the bumper and he had a simple, effective vision for the skidplate. I would've preferred Jed's handywork, but this was just a small, quick job. Friggin expensive too! I'll try to get some more photos posted, but you may as well just come up to Ft. Collins for Kelly Flats sunday to get a close-up look Crux! I'll buy beers afterwards...college is back in session so FC is hoppin!

 

I'm trying to convince the wife that I need to get out wheelin this weekend and shirk my baby responsibilities.

We'll see if she goes for it!

 

cute kid btw!