It has officially begun...UPDATED 5/6/11...

that's big. what is it?

XterraXtian wrote:

that's big. what is it?

That is the driver's side upper link bracket...

Here it is on the frame:


And the lower being mocked up...


More to come soon...

Greg
TOYMN8R

Okay, I can't take it anymore...here is from TODAY...





YIKES!!



Let me know your thoughts!!!

Greg
TOYMN8R

OMIGOODNESS, YOU'RE GOING TO PAINT THE CHEVY IN "80'S SUAVE"?!?!?!?!?


well, that's what I would do.



You are KILLING me. I just yelled, "WHAT THE HECK IS HE DOING?!?!?!!?"

YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME BEFORE IT'S DONE!

XterraXtian wrote:

OMIGOODNESS, YOU'RE GOING TO PAINT THE CHEVY IN "80'S SUAVE"?!?!?!?!?

well, that's what I would do.

You are KILLING me. I just yelled, "WHAT THE HECK IS HE DOING?!?!?!!?"

YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME BEFORE IT'S DONE!

LOVE it. ...80's suave. That was great.

You can't figure it out by THOSE pics?? UGH woman.

Here's another one...



Greg
TOYMN8R

I KNOW what you're doing....I just am being the "girl".


I was coveting another DOVETAILED Toyota I saw for sale on the RC forum. Nice work so far!!!

XterraXtian wrote:

I KNOW what you're doing....I just am being the "girl".


I was coveting another DOVETAILED Toyota I saw for sale on the RC forum. Nice work so far!!!

Hahahaha, you "girl".

Well it's not dovetailed, more like chopped about 20-24". Should have a close to 90 degree departure angle...no more dragging my rear bumper on stuff. Here's a photoshop version of what we're going for. And will be using the painted tailgate skin for the new fabbed tailgate. Enjoy...



Along with the chop comes a new rear cage section tied directly into the frame with a single center mounted seat with a 5-point belt for Jayelee. The leafs should be gone on monday now that the frame is all prepped and all of the brackets made. Next week should see a lot of progress.

Here's the link layout, 3-link front and rear with 14" travel coilovers in the front, and 16" coilovers in the rear. Both front and rear axles will be pushed out 2" in both directions for about a 108" wheelbase. And the ride height will be lowered by 2-3".



And the hydro-assist steering is being tossed for a PSC full-hydro set up. Lastly, I will finally have a winch mounted on the front end...so no more detachable. The new winch came in on Thursday...Warn 9.0Rc. Can't wait!!!

Greg
TOYMN8R

Wow, Stubs. That's awesomer than I thought!!!

I thought you were going dove.....although I am not edumacated on the process, I thought that's where you were headed.

So...it's gonna be shorter so you're not bumping your butt. That is going to look SICK!!! WOW!!!

Looks stuuuuuppppiiiiiidddddd.

That was my jealousy talking... I hate you!!!

JeeperX wrote:

Looks stuuuuuppppiiiiiidddddd.

That was my jealousy talking... I hate you!!!

Well, it is MY truck...so it's gotta look stupid!

Don't be hating big boy. You can help me work out the bugs on it's shakedown run soon...hopefully soon. It seems like forever even though it's only been 3 weeks since I dropped it off. I brought my new winch to the shop on Friday. I really can't wait to try THAT out! It's going to be so nice having it there whenever I need it, instead of lugging it from the back seat, pugging it into the receiver, plugging in the power, finding a winch weight, blah blah blah.

Greg
TOYMN8R

PS. I hope Pattey told you that we would have been to your party on Friday had it not been for Jayelee's school play she was in?!?!

Just some more bracket pics...enjoy!







Mmmmm, beefy.

Greg
TOYMN8R

soooooo meaty. (from The Soup)

Those are monster-like.

Nice.

XterraXtian wrote:

soooooo meaty. (from The Soup)

Those are monster-like.

Nice.

I LOVE that from The Soup!!

Yes, better to be overbuilt than underbuilt...

These are from TODAY:






Greg
TOYMN8R

Some more from Monday...

Mocking up the full-hydro steering. The steering arms might have to be machined down a little, not sure yet until the leaf springs are out of the way.



And some more of the lower link brackets with the frame "outriggers" welded in...



Greg
TOYMN8R

PS...hope you guys are enjoying the build so far??

YES!!!!!



Although I AM picturing you saying that last line (your PS) with Hannibal Lecter's voice!

would ya be willing to sell the hydro assist. if so send me a pm.

rockready wrote:

would ya be willing to sell the hydro assist. if so send me a pm.

PM sent!

From yesterday...gotta love those Ballistic Fab joints!



Greg
TOYMN8R

WOW

Beefy...

From today...the back end is starting to take shape.

New tailgate frame fabbed and re-used the factory tailgate stops.







Hehehe, stubby...you can see from this pic how much weight is gone just by doing the chop (losing the weight of the tailgate, glass, spare tire, etc. Look at the rear shackle angle, or should I say, lack of?! Both front and rear shackles were almost at the same angle before... The truck should be sitting 2-3" lower when it's all done.



The leafs should be gone as of Friday...stay tuned!!!!

Greg
TOYMN8R

From TODAY...

Getting ready to...


...CHOP off the back half of the frame!


Hopefully more pics this weekend...

Greg
TOYMN8R

From Saturday...

Full hydro steering mocked up. I forgot to order a power steering pulley, so I ordered it Saturday morning from PSC and had it sent UPS 3-Day to hopefully get it before next weekend. Double-ended ram is offset to keep it low as possible and for clearance of the front pumpkin. Just have to weld in steering stops as the ram is 8" stroke and is about 1/2" too long per side...don't want u-joint binding to occur.





I just hope there are no rubbing issues with the front lower links...we'll see.

Greg
TOYMN8R

4thehardway wrote:

I forgot to order a power steering pulley

Hoe could you forget THAT?!?!?! I never would have forgotten it. Geeeez.






PS. Looking good. You are a superstar!

Some more from yesterday...ugh, getting there, but seems like it's been forever!







Greg
TOYMN8R

Hope I'm not boring everyone with my "daily updates"??







I just REALLY hope it's done in time for the April 17th run!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Greg
TOYMN8R

holy cow that's going to be awesome!!! I'm crossing fingers, toes, and my eyes!!!