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08 Tacoma SAS/LS swap

apimpdad

I hate everything
Joined
May 21, 2020
Member Number
1033
Messages
77
Loc
Lakeland, FL
Picked up a 2008 reg cab 5-lug with a disassembled 2.7 (bad head gasket) for $2k with 277k miles. Decided to part out most of it, keeping the body, frame, and interior for a base build. I'm going to actually keep track of costs on this one in an attempt to keep the price relatively low.

plans, as of now, are:
5.3 LS, auto trans, manual t-case
99-04 Super Duty axles
Leaf springs all around
37s
As low a frame height as possible
 

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Haven't been putting the time into it that I have wanted, but progress is slowly being made. Here is about where it sits now...
 

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interesting build.. Rock crawler or Flo-rida mud truck? Used to work for a mechanical company out of Lakeland when I lived in Melbourne.
 
interesting build.. Rock crawler or Flo-rida mud truck? Used to work for a mechanical company out of Lakeland when I lived in Melbourne.
More-so a rock crawler but mostly just a durable trail-rig that is simple and low maintenence.

What company was it? Don't see many Florida people here, especially mentioning Lakeland
 
cool build for sure like the drive train ideas,

just saw a vid on the you tube big tire garage ian johnson was explaining why he likes the 99-04 SD axles. very good vid i thought.
 
Took the time to rid the engine bay of all unnecessary wiring and pulled out everything that had to do with the ABS and the air injection pump... first pic is all that came out. Next two pics are before and afters of the engine bay wire cleanup

Finally got the motor and trans set in place and motor mounts completely done. Very simple mounts with ruffstuff bushings and 3/16" plate. Everything so far fits perfect and is up high and tight. I am leaving the factory trans crossmember in for now until I get a new input shaft for the NP241 so I can bolt that up. Not sure how much I will have to hack off of it or if I just end up making a whole new crossmember



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Haven't gotten too much done lately. Waiting on money mostly.

  • Sound deadening laid in the cab
  • front shock towers done
  • steering shaft and support bearing done
  • sliders done

Next up is to rebuild and drill/tap the steering box and then move on down the steering... drag link, tie rod, then track bar, etc...

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More-so a rock crawler but mostly just a durable trail-rig that is simple and low maintenence.

What company was it? Don't see many Florida people here, especially mentioning Lakeland
I believe it was called Central Mechanical. I lived in Melbourne back in the early 90s.

Nice fab work, clean and simple. This thing is gonna be fun!
 
Looks sweet, what paint did you use over your fishplates there?
a mix of Ace Hardware flat black and Rustoleum flat black, Both spray very well

I believe it was called Central Mechanical. I lived in Melbourne back in the early 90s.

Nice fab work, clean and simple. This thing is gonna be fun!
Hmm, I know of a Central Maintenance, but names could have changed since then. But thank ya, its been a a nice change of pace not having to deal with links and coilovers like that last couple of builds

Is the steering shaft bushing something these Tacomas have stock?
No, the factory shaft goes straight down out of the firewall into another u-joint that is connected to the steering rack. Since I had to add that third u-joint (the other one is in the cab coming off the column) it needed a support bearing. Most guys just use heim joints but I wanted to avoid the squeek of those things when they get dirt in them so spent a whole $12 on a proper bearing

Where'd you get the double-D shaft with the groove in it?
Its a Borgeson brand shaft that I got off Summit Racing. Can't remember a part number at the moment
 
Thanks! The Borgeson shaft I have doesn't have the groove in it, I assume it's for grease, I guess...
 
Steering is completely done. Next up is to knock out the rest of the panhard bar. Super glad I was able to use Chevy TRE's this time around, I'll never use heims again for steering. Wheels are also ordered (again) so looking forward to getting these 37's on the truck to see how it is going to sit. I am at 20.5" frame height on 31.5's.

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and the obligatory jack stand flex pic :flipoff2:

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Got the 08 Tundra brake booster and GM 1-5/16" master cylinder mounted up. I also finally picked up the right transfer case for $150 so I can start fabbing up the trans crossmember and skids. It will also give me a good chance to figure out what I am going to do about shifter linkages for both the trans and case.

I decided to box the rear frame while I am down there and since I am doing the GM tank swap. dimple die'd cause why not?



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Been slowly hammering away at this thing, but nothing completely done. The front suspension is done, minus shocks. Steering gets hydro assist down the road...

threw in the tool box from the old build to get it off the garage floor, and got back on the trans crossmember. I still need to notch for the front driveshaft but might just wait to do that when I actually have the shaft.


Anyhow, loving the ride height of this thing. It's going to be a fun ride when it gets going with an actual motor in it :grinpimp:

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Been buying stuff for the motor lately. Truck intake, new timing cover, water pump, and alt bracket installed along with a set of $280 Summit Racing shorty headers. Not bad for the price and being stainless.

RuffStuff battery box mounted where the ABS module once was. Stainless gas filler neck completed and C5 fuel filter/regulator installed in place, then I started pulling all old unused wires out of the chassis harness. I will run the 2 new wires for the fuel sending unit and some wire for future back up lights, then it is getting all new loom.


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Are you able to get rid of the leak detection charcoal canister since you are running the GM ecu?
 
Are you able to get rid of the leak detection charcoal canister since you are running the GM ecu?
correct. I am under the impression that I will just need to run a vent to the 4th/remaining port off the sending unit. There may be some gas fume associated with it now but I don't see it being an issue
 
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