Usually I hate Mondays... planning the week out, getting parts ordered, calling customers and distributers back. But at least we got our new uniforms today. Something about your name on a shirt that makes a guy feel professional...

On Davin's Tacoma SAS Project, we're on track for mounting the ifs steering box tomorrow. I finished smoothing down the frame on the passenger side and welding in the frame stiffener. Ted's hacking away at the driver's side frame rail right now. After we pull the radiator and weld the crossmember and hangers, should be no time before we hang the springs and axle. The stuff from Ruff Stuff better show up soon. Ted got the D44 assembled hub to hub, minus the steering.

On Al's 3 Link CJ buggy, Chris got all the links and trackbar mocked up, as well as mounted the link bracketry. We flexed it out and have the coilover hoops bent up. Tomorrow we'll get those hung, fully weld and paint everything. Should have it all reassembled so we can start on remounting the rear coil overs and finishing up some tube work.

Davin's Tacoma D44 SAS

We started this project on Friday. Winch bumper and front suspension is torched. Should have the frame cleaned by the end of monday so the frame stiffeners and steering can be installed before hanging the front axle/suspension. we are using sky's hanger kit with leaf springs and high steer arms, ruff stuff bracketry and shackle mounts, and we'll build the shock hoops, steering, and shackles. It will also get a t-case mounted crossmember so the driveshaft will have proper clearance, custom brake and steering lines, steering shaft, Yota IFS box, 4.56 gears, a lock right, Yukon 4340 shafts and Warn premiums Here's some pics of Ted and Kenneth disassembling the IFS

Progress on Al's Buggy

We're getting a lot closer. On Friday, Chris built both ends of the track bar mounts. I finished the steering shaft and the upper link bracket. On monday we will build all the link arms, cycle the suspension, notch the driver's side frame and figure out where to mount the coilovers.

Kenneth is working well with the shop. Tomorrow, disassembly of the Tacoma is on. First will be removing the front bumper and welding the spring hangers. Then we can put the front end on jack stands and start torching brackets and grinding frame rails. Ted is building the front end and will be lead on this D44 solid axle swap.

Chris has finished the steering on Al's buggy. I got the shaft reworked and the truss mocked up. Chris got the link brackets mounted. Tomorrow we will build the arms, cycle the suspension, and fully weld the bracketry.Once that is done, it will be on to mounting the coilovers

Our new apprentice/shop hand started working for us today. Kenneth wrestled a rusty FJ40 frontend, replacing birfield seals and knuckle bearings.

I finally got the OX locker shimmed up properly in a D44.

Ted is continuing with wiring.

Chris knocked out the fab work on Al's full hydro. The motor is resting on its new mounts.

Tomorrow we finish the FJ40, I'll slap the shafts and brakes on the D44, we'll continue on the CJ buggy and start tear down on Davin's Tacoma D44 SAS

I forgot to mention, after tomorrow's work day, we're going over to see if we cooked our third race motor from the same builder.

Another day of working till 9PM. I'm feeling pretty good about getting work out this week.

Ted is getting a lot closer with the wiring harness.

Chris is mostly done with the hydro steer linkage and half of the motor mount project. Steering and motor mounts will be done tomorrow, and then we'll mock the axle in place to see if we can snake a 4th link in. 3 link will definately fit, but raising the front of the motor 2" provided much more at the frame rail.

I got the winningest trifecta of the day... tuning a shitty weber carb's choke, repairing the rear suspension of a Grand Prix, and replacing a starter on a filthy Chrysler Concord. At least I got to grind a little on Al's Jeep. And the shop is clean.