Crew Cab GTS build “Tamale Trolly”

[BigRonDog]

got some more major progress rolling on the “Tamale Trolly” my workers nick named the truck since it was a bit mexicano when we purchased it lol.

Dash fitted in, b pillar finalized, got the MZ front kit installed along with MZ hubs, the MZspec backhalf 85% finished up. I will be assembling the links and welding those up this coming week. Had to switch paths on the rear housing since it wont be ready near in time… so im hoping to pick up a Wicked creations rear housing and hubs next week so i can get this thing as a roller.. we got really close to the goals with only putting in minimal hours. Really nice to build a truck that will be incredibly capable for a quarter of the price they normally cost.

I have to give it up to Chris Mazzulla for design the rear backhalf to be so seamless even without a fixture like he normally sells them. I cant get over how well it went together.


The list for this thing is still huge. I need a wiring guy to come sort through the mess on this truck if any one is interested. Also someone to come plumb it since i do not have the extra time to dick around. New hardlines for brakes from master cylinder to front brakes and from master to rear brakes.


Also on the search for 2.0x2.0 bumpstops (no cans needed)

A 60 gallon enduro fuel cell from fuel safe

2.5x14” king coilovers perferable with a 90* fitting off of body

TH400 2wd transmission

DId you move the front forward to clear for 4D's or are you chopping the firewall?

 

[Gtscustoms]

DId you move the front forward to clear for 4D's or are you chopping the firewall?

I chopped up the cab. Thought about moving it back but keeping a stock hood, stock style fenders. So i didnt want it to look proportionally off, especially with how much the back half shortens the trucks wheels base as is.

 

[Gtscustoms]

Photo DUMP!! Rear end housing from wicked creations as well as there rear hubs due to other vendors lagging. Rear links welded together, rear shock mounts, bump mounts, fuel cell cradle floor, battery trays, c pillar down tubes to the bavk half finished. We have the engine cage 80% done. Need to add a couple more tubes in to finish it up as well as a core support (support rods), should have the truck on its own weight by wednesday or thursday.


Finalizing link mounts tomorrow as well as bump stop plates for top of housing.

Enjoy photos. If yall have any questions ask. Really pumped on how quickly this has been going together with not working 12 hours a day on it.

 

[dwphoto]

Damn dude doing work!

 

[BigRonDog]

Yo. I know you have been busy..... Picture dump? Update? Can't wait to see this thing.

 

[SaltyMethods]

The most important question: Where are you planning on carrying the tamales???

 

[Gtscustoms]

Major photo dump for yall. I will post an update after testing this weekend with a full write up!

 

[Gtscustoms]

Major photo dump for yall. I will post an update after testing this weekend with a full write up!

More photos!

 

[Gtscustoms]

The rear is on its own weight. Tomorrow is wrapping up assembly, and final wiring! Saturday testing! Then back to the shop to mount front fenders, install front Baja Designs and a front skid plate. Then on to the next MZSpec truck for a customer.

 

[dwphoto]

dude holy shit like a 6 week long build! Where you guys headed to test? You should bring it out Nov 11th of the Barstow Clean up

 

[FENDERFAB]

i have to say probably the fastest build ive ever seen! work looks good too! nice job getting it done so quick

 

[Gtscustoms]

dude holy shit like a 6 week long build! Where you guys headed to test? You should bring it out Nov 11th of the Barstow Clean up

Haha! Yes about 8 weeks start to “semi finished”
Finishing touches tomorrow and then leaving to hit Ridgecrest for testing this weekend.
We are a part of the Borderline memorial so we will be doing that for the 11th.

 

[FasterNU]

uhhh how is that possible. 2 months!?

 

[Gtscustoms]

Day 1 of testing went phenomenal. Did a hardware check once to the dirt. Ran the truck about 55 miles today and the valving in the shocks are incredible. Going to turn a few tubes on the rear tomorrow. Wanting to put about 100 miles on it this weekend. Realized today i need to have headsets as well.

Heres a couple pictures

 

[dwphoto]

can confirm this thing is RAD!
Good Job dude, stoked for you!

 

[mrbrown]

Really like your rear shock mounts

 

[Gtscustoms]

Been a while so heres some stuff!

So season ended of great. Easter was the final trip for us during season.

We put a little over 1200 dirt miles on the truck during last season. I cannot believe how f*cking awesome this truck is to just get in and drive offroad. It goes over anything and everything and the whole family loves it. We are now getting ready for this season and theres a shit ton of new things coming as well as its full prep.

Got glass on it early this year, havent had much time to get alot done on it since Easter weekend as that was our season closer.

Just started working on it slowly in the last few weeks. Added a electric actuated trunk to house the spare tire and a Yeti Loadout box, waiting on some laser parts for the yeti Loadout box cradle i designed.

Also started the panel work. It will get a perimeter bead roll and a 1/4” edge roll on them then will get powder-coated black.

Im terrible at finishing one project before starting another, the reason being is if i finish one all the way through i will take a break working on the truck so i like to keep it exciting and start 3 projects and then slowly knock them all out. So since thise 2 things are fully finished(trunk and panel work) i decided to get the paint ordered up and start body working the bedsides/ fenders, then next will be the cab. Full respray on the entire truck before season starts.


side note. Im looking fir a 30” or 40” Baja Designs curved lightbar for my grill. Anyone have one on sale lol

 

[Pictafiedesign]

That's an insane amount of work in a short period of time! Looks awesome so far!

 

[dwphoto]

Been a while so heres some stuff!

So season ended of great. Easter was the final trip for us during season.

We put a little over 1200 dirt miles on the truck during last season. I cannot believe how f*cking awesome this truck is to just get in and drive offroad. It goes over anything and everything and the whole family loves it. We are now getting ready for this season and theres a shit ton of new things coming as well as its full prep.

Got glass on it early this year, havent had much time to get alot done on it since Easter weekend as that was our season closer.

Just started working on it slowly in the last few weeks. Added a electric actuated trunk to house the spare tire and a Yeti Loadout box, waiting on some laser parts for the yeti Loadout box cradle i designed.

Also started the panel work. It will get a perimeter bead roll and a 1/4” edge roll on them then will get powder-coated black.

Im terrible at finishing one project before starting another, the reason being is if i finish one all the way through i will take a break working on the truck so i like to keep it exciting and start 3 projects and then slowly knock them all out. So since thise 2 things are fully finished(trunk and panel work) i decided to get the paint ordered up and start body working the bedsides/ fenders, then next will be the cab. Full respray on the entire truck before season starts.


side note. Im looking fir a 30” or 40” Baja Designs curved lightbar for my grill. Anyone have one on sale lol

you guys should cruise out to the cleanup Nov 2nd

 

[Gtscustoms]

How many shops that build trucks do every ounce of the work in house? From fab to interior to full paint job.

If yall arent following me on Instagram. I post a tiny bit more stuff there “GTS Customs”