Thread: 4 Liter... Dezert Beater

Got a little more done last night...



Also started cleaning up the Currie housing I bought from RangerDude





Hoping to get a little more done this weekend.

Mike

On my way home right now...I saw an identical truck to yours when you first bought it... It even had the camper let alone those wierd graphics.

Any way, I wanna see some updates

Its looking very clean!

Steerings done...



Also made a new plate for the firewall



Mike

c'mon man. I wanna see mo progress. Dont let me get my truck up and rolling before you... And dude, will your core support cutback effect you negatively in any way?

Originally Posted by EvanNumberSeven

c'mon man. I wanna see mo progress. Dont let me get my truck up and rolling before you... And dude, will your core support cutback effect you negatively in any way?

I don't know this is my first build and I really don't have much to reference off of. I'm not even sure I'm going to keep the stock sheet metal, might just do a tube core support and run a 1 piece.

Mike

Originally Posted by only1mikey

My girl cleaning up the frame:



That is it for now!!!!

Just me, but I'd have her put her hair back/up. Hate to see a chunk taken out by accident

Also, I don't know if it's been mentioned. Why's the thread name Tacoma Beater if it's a Ranger project?

Originally Posted by Armistice

Just me, but I'd have her put her hair back/up. Hate to see a chunk taken out by accident

Also, I don't know if it's been mentioned. Why's the thread name Tacoma Beater if it's a Ranger project?

Inside joke with my buddy Matt. He's building his Tacoma (Blitzkreig front end and links, back halfed, etc.) and is always talking about how Toyotas are better platforms, faster, more reliable, yada yada yada

The thread name should of been 4 liter Tacoma eater, but whatever and the girlie don't help me much anymore...

Mike

looking sweet Mike, looks like it will be a really fun truck!

Originally Posted by skullver

looking sweet Mike, looks like it will be a really fun truck!

Thanks!!!!

Mike

Picked up some new parts yesterday...

Bought these from VegasRanger who purchased them though Geoff at the Off Road Swapmeet, this one was almost complete, and I finished it up last night.



This one is tacked up and missing a Dana44 beam end which I already have.



A shot of the pre-cut plates



Some wheels I picked up in San Juan Capistrano



Also got some new tires though UPS... 6 35x12.50R15 BFG Baja's for $280!!!!





More pictures to come as I finish up the C Notch in the rear frame.

Mike

Hey man, just wanted to say you've got a great build going; glad someone finally bought those beams off of Vegas too lol

Originally Posted by 3xploder

Hey man, just wanted to say you've got a great build going; glad someone finally bought those beams off of Vegas too lol

THANKS!!!!

For $300 I couldn't pass it up

Mike

dude how did u get all those tires for 280?

Originally Posted by fleshwound

dude how did u get all those tires for 280?

Ebay!!!

Originally Posted by only1mikey

THANKS!!!!

For $300 I couldn't pass it up

Mike

Haha seriously,

and $280 for a nice set of Bajas;

Damn you and your deals!!!

damn i need to look that up those things look new

Originally Posted by fleshwound

damn i need to look that up those things look new

The guy ran one race with them on is 7S ranger when switched to 33's

Mike

i picked up 4 chunked up ones and two of them dont hold air for 200 bucks so u got a BITCHIN! deal

nice build and sweet score on the tires!

Originally Posted by fleshwound

i picked up 4 chunked up ones and two of them dont hold air for 200 bucks so u got a BITCHIN! deal

There Baja's they chuck, mine are chucked up too

Mike

mikey if you need any help with that other beam let me know.

Originally Posted by ATC Racing596

mikey if you need any help with that other beam let me know.

I was going to use the complete beam as a fixture for the length and kpi. Am I on the right track?

Mike

Originally Posted by only1mikey

There Baja's they chuck, mine are chucked up too

Mike

oh i know they chunk but there was two with sidewall gashes and those are the ones i figured wouldnt hold air and they dont. i wasnt worried about the chunks cuz they were gonna get chunked up anyway

Sickness... Are you running the new dana beams or your current ones? and whats the story on the current ones... did you make those?

Those are some thickass plates on the beams! Are they 1/4" or bigger? Build looks real nice. Could you go into more detail on the steering shaft setup? I need to do this on mine and don't know where to start and/or what parts i will need, etc.

You gonna just reduct the heating system to the dash with new vents? I have just the heater box left and need to do this on mine.

Originally Posted by EvanNumberSeven

Sickness... Are you running the new dana beams or your current ones? and whats the story on the current ones... did you make those?

The beams were purchased from VegasRanger in the classifieds, and one was almost complete minus about 10 minutes of welding and missing the heim bung. The other one is tacked together minus a D44 beam end, which I already have . I was going to build my own beams, but $300 for all the pre-bent tubes and laser cut plate, I couldn't pass it up.

And no I'm obviously not going to be running the new style GIANT beams, as I just purchased these (old style)

Originally Posted by 4x4x

Those are some thickass plates on the beams! Are they 1/4" or bigger? Build looks real nice. Could you go into more detail on the steering shaft setup? I need to do this on mine and don't know where to start and/or what parts i will need, etc.

You gonna just reduct the heating system to the dash with new vents? I have just the heater box left and need to do this on mine.

The plates really aren't that thick I'm guessing 3/16".

The steering shaft setup:
1x Blitzkrieg steering column (Dezert Nation)
1x 4' long 3/4" 4130 Rod stock (Aircraft Spruce)
1x Sweet U-Joint [one side splined to fit the steering column, other side smooth 3/4"] (Dezert Nation)
1x Sweet U-Joint [one side splined to fit the stock steering box, other side smooth 3/4"] (Dezert Nation)

So simple and easy to install, very high quality, highly recommended!

Not sure on the air conditioning yet, we shall see if the tires can clear it at full bump.

Mike

Must have just been the pic then Thanks for the steering info! I'll defintely hit up DN when the time comes. I ditched the AC stuff on my explorer, then got a Non AC blower box off a ranger from the Junkyard so I could still have my heating system. Clears up a lot of room in the engine bay

In case I missed it, are you still going to keep a/c?

Originally Posted by 04yfzkid

In case I missed it, are you still going to keep a/c?

Look two posts above yours LOL

Mike

Originally Posted by only1mikey

Look two posts above yours LOL

Mike

Duh I thought I read it somewhere lol. I didn't want to reread the whole thread again. I browse through it almost once a week.

I like this truck alot.. Got any more pics of the rear cage-work??

Originally Posted by oorracing

I like this truck alot.. Got any more pics of the rear cage-work??

No, but I will take more when I get home for ya.

Rory really did a good job with the cage layout.

Mike

Sweet deal thanks man..

Originally Posted by only1mikey

Picked up some new parts yesterday...

Bought these from VegasRanger who purchased them though Geoff at the Off Road Swapmeet, this one was almost complete, and I finished it up last night.

So I guess you wont need that single swinger setup any more.

Originally Posted by BRYANDENNY71

So I guess you wont need that single swinger setup any more.

Sorry Bryan that setup will have to be sold!!! It looked really nice too and I bought all the heims for it and everything.

Mike

Originally Posted by only1mikey

Sorry Bryan that setup will have to be sold!!! It looked really nice too and I bought all the heims for it and everything.

Mike

did someone say single swing steering that needs to be sold!?? Wonder if it will mate up to my Threat beams. PM me if you like....

Nice Build! Keep Up The Good Work

Trucks coming along nice!!!!!!

Yeah but you gotta hurry the shit up. Im supposed to be the slowest in these parts.