Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
I forgot I'm upgrading to Tacoma rotors too, so an additional 100 for the FROR Taco kit.
This just keeps getting more expensive...
This just keeps getting more expensive...
The ever-ongoing Red Chili build
- Thread starter Squishy!
- Start date
If you can do Taco rotors, couldn't you also do Tundra rotors? I mean, why take the bus halfway home?
Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
If I go Tundra rotors I'll have to go up to 16" wheels and the associated tires. That'd be another $3k-4k if I match my current Beadlock setup. The Taco rotors Travis donated to the Chili after his Tundra upgrade *might* squeeze in with my current offset, but it's a big maybe and I'm not out any significant money up front.
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
Ah! Forgot about the rear axle. Good call!!
This is sounding like my JEEP project.... lmao
FJCDan
Rising Sun Member
Nice! Good to hear I'm on the right track. I'll be honest I have yet to actually put a tape and measure out WMS. I want to be able to DD this truck if it's called for, or out to Moab, or up hunting. I need to stick to what is overland/street capable too. 65" is out of the question. I'm thinking Taco width cause I can get a factory rear housing that'll accept all my current parts otherwise I'm looking at an additional $700-900. I can't afford that. The $2100 is already requiring the sale of my blue truck and possibly my extra supercharger (haha I KNOW, right?)
Extra supercharger mmmm!!!
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
How many miles on the supercharger/has it ever been serviced? What generation is it? I may be interested in a second gen to replace my first gen and can then sell my first gen. Not sure but figured I'd ask.
Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
2nd generation, Nose cone is 5years old, oil changed 2 years ago. It works perfect. I'm not selling yet, but when I do Rogers has claimed first dibs. If he passes I'll let you know. I'm hoping I don't have to sell it. We'll be looking for a family vehicle in the next year, so if we get a 3rd gen I'll keep it.
HoneyBadger
Rising Sun Member
You know I'll give it a safe, loving, nurturing home where it will be cherished and cared for. 
Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
Here are some of the specific parts I will be buying this winter:
Rear axle truss with Diff guard and spring perches on the 3rd gen housing from Ruff Stuff.
Heim joints for the Double Cab sway bar in front also from Ruff Stuff
Marlin Shock hoops and TG lower mounts for outboard rear shocks. With wider axles I will have more shock mounting options.
Front Range Taco brake conversion to go on the Diamond housing. Brian will be providing all my new axle shafts and steering components as well as all the necessary parts for the front axle housing.
And I thought I'd compile a list of vendors I regularly visit as I look at doing my wide axle conversion. These guys are all top notch (except Trail Gear, just meh).
www.frontrangeoffroadfab.com
-Brian Ellinger is local and second to none with axle stuff. Period. Long wait for intense fabrications, but he stands 100% behind his products un-questioned. Great kits and upgrade options.
www.ruffstuffspecialties.com
-These guys make awesome axle stuff too. They specialize in more than Toyota, so they are more limited in Toyota selection, but they have a great rep. Great source for heim joints and other builder parts.
www.marlincrawler.com
-The undisputed Toyota innovator. When it comes to drivetrain mods look nowhere else. Seriously. His customer service, warranty and support is as good as Front Range Fab and they are quick about it. They have narrowed their focus in a relatively saturated Mini-truck market and are excelling at what they do. Best quality drivetrain components and upgrades.
www.trail-gear.com
Sigh... I really don;
www.allprooffroad.com
-These guys were heavily Mini focused for decades, but have recently been scaling down mini's to focus on Tacoma and Runner Chassis. Still an excellent option for the parts they carry and fabricate.
www.addictedoffroad.com
-Scotty is local and has awesome armor, but has recently become a Trail-Gear dealer. I'm not a huge fan of Trail-Gear, but if you must buy TG, support the local guy too. The armor Scotty makes is unique and well built. It feels a bit homemade rather than mass produced and I like that. Great choice for Armor.
www.sky-manufacturing.com
-Sky is a cheap source for builder parts. I like their Chevy leaf spring swap stuff and u-bolt flip kits. They like to knock stuff off here and there, but they are up and coming in the Mini world.
www.trail-gear.com
-Sigh... I really don't like TG. Chinese steel, stealing designs and a less-than-truthful warranty. They have a rep for poor build quality and low customer support. All my interactions have left me less than impressed. Ok, rant over. They have cheap parts. Sometimes that's just what you need. They have lots of weld-on accessories, Longfield birfs and other necessary parts. I usually look at them last if I can't find it elsewhere or someone else's price is out of my budget. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
www.Lowrangeoffroad.com
-Can't find what you need? Low Range probably can. Fast service and support with a WIDE array of stuff. They are a drop-shipper and don't have any of their own stuff that I'm aware of, but I like them none-the-less. They support Cruise Moab with donations, so use 'em when you can.
Rear axle truss with Diff guard and spring perches on the 3rd gen housing from Ruff Stuff.
Heim joints for the Double Cab sway bar in front also from Ruff Stuff
Marlin Shock hoops and TG lower mounts for outboard rear shocks. With wider axles I will have more shock mounting options.
Front Range Taco brake conversion to go on the Diamond housing. Brian will be providing all my new axle shafts and steering components as well as all the necessary parts for the front axle housing.
And I thought I'd compile a list of vendors I regularly visit as I look at doing my wide axle conversion. These guys are all top notch (except Trail Gear, just meh).
www.frontrangeoffroadfab.com
-Brian Ellinger is local and second to none with axle stuff. Period. Long wait for intense fabrications, but he stands 100% behind his products un-questioned. Great kits and upgrade options.
www.ruffstuffspecialties.com
-These guys make awesome axle stuff too. They specialize in more than Toyota, so they are more limited in Toyota selection, but they have a great rep. Great source for heim joints and other builder parts.
www.marlincrawler.com
-The undisputed Toyota innovator. When it comes to drivetrain mods look nowhere else. Seriously. His customer service, warranty and support is as good as Front Range Fab and they are quick about it. They have narrowed their focus in a relatively saturated Mini-truck market and are excelling at what they do. Best quality drivetrain components and upgrades.
www.trail-gear.com
Sigh... I really don;
www.allprooffroad.com
-These guys were heavily Mini focused for decades, but have recently been scaling down mini's to focus on Tacoma and Runner Chassis. Still an excellent option for the parts they carry and fabricate.
www.addictedoffroad.com
-Scotty is local and has awesome armor, but has recently become a Trail-Gear dealer. I'm not a huge fan of Trail-Gear, but if you must buy TG, support the local guy too. The armor Scotty makes is unique and well built. It feels a bit homemade rather than mass produced and I like that. Great choice for Armor.
www.sky-manufacturing.com
-Sky is a cheap source for builder parts. I like their Chevy leaf spring swap stuff and u-bolt flip kits. They like to knock stuff off here and there, but they are up and coming in the Mini world.
www.trail-gear.com
-Sigh... I really don't like TG. Chinese steel, stealing designs and a less-than-truthful warranty. They have a rep for poor build quality and low customer support. All my interactions have left me less than impressed. Ok, rant over. They have cheap parts. Sometimes that's just what you need. They have lots of weld-on accessories, Longfield birfs and other necessary parts. I usually look at them last if I can't find it elsewhere or someone else's price is out of my budget. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
www.Lowrangeoffroad.com
-Can't find what you need? Low Range probably can. Fast service and support with a WIDE array of stuff. They are a drop-shipper and don't have any of their own stuff that I'm aware of, but I like them none-the-less. They support Cruise Moab with donations, so use 'em when you can.
I may have over looked, but are you going w/ Front Range Keyed Steering arms??
I wish he'd had them out when I bought my 6 shooters....
I wish he'd had them out when I bought my 6 shooters....
Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
I'm undecided. I have enough of an expense already and my ARP knuckle studs hold torque just fine. :shrug:
I kept breaking the ARP's. That's why I went 6 shooter. Then maybe a month after I got the 6 shooters he came out w/ the keyed arms. They are awesome! you can wheel those arms w/ one stud in them.....
Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
Well I (we 
) decided that while the wide axle mods are the way to, it looks like the budget is holding us back. Isn't it always? Late winter or spring we'll look at getting all that put together.
Anyway, spent $90 at Jim's and picked up a replacement housing. Got the rear assembly pulled tonight and here is the carnage:
) decided that while the wide axle mods are the way to, it looks like the budget is holding us back. Isn't it always? Late winter or spring we'll look at getting all that put together.Anyway, spent $90 at Jim's and picked up a replacement housing. Got the rear assembly pulled tonight and here is the carnage:
Attachments
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
I know the budget story well....lol. We all do.
On the new housing, have you considered welding tube sections around the spring perches? Essentially halving a tube and making a "cover" for the axle housing that will prevent those types of splits happening on the bottom portion, and then two smaller "half tubes on either side of the perch to prevent the top cracking?
On the new housing, have you considered welding tube sections around the spring perches? Essentially halving a tube and making a "cover" for the axle housing that will prevent those types of splits happening on the bottom portion, and then two smaller "half tubes on either side of the perch to prevent the top cracking?
Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
That's very similar to what my wide housing will have. For now I'm just going to swap it out like for like.
Squishy!
Rising Sun Member
An update!
I found a killer deal on a 4th gen rear housing. At 65" WMS to WMS its pretty damn wide. It also means I'm losing my FF kit, but I'm ok with that. The best part is 4th gen runners still use the 8" rear diff which means I don't have to buy more lockers or gears. Hooray!!!
Time to start
I found a killer deal on a 4th gen rear housing. At 65" WMS to WMS its pretty damn wide. It also means I'm losing my FF kit, but I'm ok with that. The best part is 4th gen runners still use the 8" rear diff which means I don't have to buy more lockers or gears. Hooray!!!
Time to start
HoneyBadger
Rising Sun Member
An update! I found a killer deal on a 4th gen rear housing. At 65" WMS to WMS its pretty damn wide. It also means I'm losing my FF kit, but I'm ok with that. The best part is 4th gen runners still use the 8" rear diff which means I don't have to buy more lockers or gears. Hooray!!! Time to start
Very nice. What is your schedule for this mod?
Rezarf
Hard Core 4+
Man, that's carnage!
wow! that's an impressive oops