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.

Today we got a lot accomplished. Chris and I had been going back and forth on what to do with Al's buggy. Do to the space constraints, we left on Friday thinking radius arms were going to be the best solution. After more research about the suspension bind possible with a radius arm setup, we have decided to not take the easy way out. Instead, we are cutting the motor mounts off, and raising the motor 2 inches so we can clear a 3 link. There is absolutely no way to get a 4 link done with the girth of the tranny and V8. But we can squeeze an upper arm on the passenger side if the motor is moved up. There were no options on rerouting the exhaust, so tubular motor mounts with poly bushings will be what's in store. As we speak at 9:45PM, Chris is finishing a very clean hydro ram mount on the axle. Tomorrow he dives in on the motor mounts and shortly after, suspension links.

Ted has finalized the blueprint for Cory's 3.4 swap laid out. After realizing that the tech articles he had been going off of were for a diferent year model wiring harness, he has settled on building a hybrid one. It wil utilize some of the factory 90 3.0 4runner harness, part of a 97 harness and part of a T100 wiring. Goal is to have it running by wednesday night.

All I got done was tuning a weber and replacing some FJ40 shocks. Tomorrow the guys will continue with their projects. I'll finish the carb choke tuning and dive in to some leaking birfields. Then it's on to Eli's D44 OX Locker and fixing the suspension on a not so sweet Gran Prix. Hooray for me!