Simmons3067 Build Thread

simmons3067

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Joined
Aug 22, 2021
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After destroying a perfectly good 85 long bed I was forced to start over. My goal was to have a capable off road truck that had doors and a windshield. My previous truck turned into all tube off a toyota frame and was great while I was living in California and wheeling the Hammers. I moved back to my hometown in New Mexico and wheeling Farmington, Moab and Colorado I wanted some more protection from the elements. This led me to wanting to keep a full body street legal truck with a fully functioning cab. This build is old as it started in 2013 and I haven't done much in the last few years except use the truck a couple times a year. I will slowly post pictures as I dig them up. Mainly just looking for a spot to compile all my pictures and maybe find motivation to get back to work on the POS.

Earliest Pic I can find sometime 2013 , Latest Pic Summer 2022

20150419_173313.jpg
Summer 2022.jpg
 
I started with an 84 longbed that had a froze up motor and no transmission or transfer case. I was running 39.5 Iroks on toyota axles in my previous truck that I would be salvaging parts from. I had drilled the hub studs and replaced them with larger bolts, V-6 diffs, spools, 30 spline longfields and cromo rear shafts. I rarely broke anything axle related but the narrow track made clearing tires in the 40" range difficult due to contacting the firewall and springs when turning. I decided to go 1-ton. I found a set of CUCV axles with 4.56 gears and a detroit rear. I kept the 22re that was converted to propane after the ECU failed and the stock 5 speed. And as with any toyota of the early 2000's I of course had duals with 23 spline 4.7's in the rear case.
 
Steering;

Drag link 1.5x.250 DOM and 7/8 joints. After welding the weld bungs I sleeved the insert with 1.75x.120
20160309_042539.jpg



Tie rod is 1.5x.250 DOM sleeved with 1.75x.120 DOM
20170103_184454.jpg
20170103_185415.jpg


Tie rod Ram mount
20170103_235610.jpg


Ram axle mount
20170104_095236.jpg



20170103_191055.jpg


Double sheer brackets on knuckle
20170217_181936.jpg
 
I recently pulled the back seat and moved my propane bottles in place of the seat. I never rode in the back but the kids never complained.
 
I found a good deal on Trail gears 3 link mounts so I bought them with the intention of putting them on the shelf for the future. The Toyota was in working condition and I have multiple other projects that I should have been focused on however…

I pulled the truck into the garage and pulled the leaf springs and shocks out and started mocking up the new brackets. Then to build links and finally the big hit was ordering coil overs.

As with all projects things snowball and all I have left is the little details. Mounting the remote reservoirs, re-routing brake lines, relocating limit straps and deciding what route to go with bump stops.
 
After one ride with the Kings up front the old coil spring rancho set up had to go.
 
Looks fun...
There's a build thread header available...
 
I still have a lot of loose ends but the truck can move out of the shop for the first time in a couple months. One ride around the yard and I don’t think I can ever go back to a leaf spring rig. I have held out for years on upgrading suspension with the thought that it wasn’t worth the cost and work. I don’t know if the truck will climb or crawl any better but the ride is so much better. Now if only I had a little more horsepower.
 
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