Not much left Tacoma left... 4500 koh build

[Hambone]

Another day of working on this housing…

Started welding out the subframe as well and made the slug for the upper link. Originally it was just a sleeve and then a nut on the end but the bolt was so long, the trans had to come out to pull the upper link. So I made another sleeve and tapped it for a 5/8-18 fine thread bolt. I’ll make a bolt on capture nut plate for the bolt head as well and some red loctite and it shouldn’t go anywhere.

 

[turbomonty]

that is a mountain of good work

 

[Hambone]

that is a mountain of good work

Thanks. Slowly but surely getting there

 

[Hambone]

This was a lot of welding. Same thing. Not the greatest welder when it comes to tube. But getting better already I feel. Front half of the subframe is welded out and to the frame and bump stop cans are in. I think I’m at the point to put the front axle back in and turn it around.

 

[Wes-Wheelin-Wheeler]

Keep it up! Read through all the updates and am very stoked to see this thing drive on some rocksss at KOH 26

 

[Hambone]

Well got the front axle back in and wheel studs finally showed up. Having all sorts of issues with the brake kit and calipers not fitting so just carried on and went to turn it around it. Got the front tires on and went to put the back saw horse on some carts as they looked the perfect width. When jacking up the saw horse, it broke the tacs and clamps and car crashed to the ground. Only a more broken windshield cab bounced a little bending down sheet metal.

So a few hours of undoing all the front axle again and getting the rear on the cart I got it turned around and put the front at full bump and leveled the frame to start figuring out the back. Got the wheelbase right around 117-118 which I think is where it’ll stay. I got a few tubes in after these pictures but forgot to snap one.

 

[Hambone]

Spent an entire day last week working on the rear and made something I didn’t like. Finally got something I do like though. Onto getting the link mounts in.

old. Rear frame was to narrow for a 40” spare and the design was just dumb not coming off the top tube coming out of the cab.

 

[Hambone]

New

 

[BFAB]

Super Rad build!

 

[Hambone]

Jacked the car up to ride height to plug the numbers into the calculator. Got the rear frame side upper link mounts done. Was a ton of welding.

 

[Hambone]

Notched the crossmember for the fuel cell. This gave me another inch of uptravel in the rear which should be 8.5. Not my best notch but considering it was done on my back and I can weld the gaps and cut/grind it clean, I’ll be happy.

Started on the shock mounts. Version 1 looked weak and small so madeanother that’s a little bigger. Tirealmost kisses the shocks so I’ll bendthe brackets in a 1/2 or so.

 

[Hambone]

Forgot I also pulled the rear axle and notched the truss to fit the lower shock mounts. It ties the link mount, shocks and truss all together. Real happy with that.

 

[Hambone]

Spent yesterday messing with the rear shocks. I didn’t like how much they were angled in so moved the lower mounts in 2.5” which made a big difference. Spent the rest of the day getting the upper mounts to fit.

Before

After

 

[Hambone]

Spent today putting the truck at ride height so I can cycle the rear. Threw a tire on the front and extremely happy with the overall look etc. 116.5 ish wheelbase. 22.5 to the bottom of the subframe. 27” to the bottom of the body seam under the doors. 7.5” of uptravel in the front and 8.5” in the rear. Overall I think it has a great look and stance.

 

[Hambone]

Then cycled the rear and got the bumpstops mounted. Now for the long process of grinding and welding and adding more tubes/gussets

 

[Hambone]

So much welding

 

[Hambone]

Wasn’t feeling great the last 2 weeks but finally got a few days in the garage. Got most the rear frame welded and a lot of the cage that I could easily get to. Then started on the sheet metal. Trying to get the cab enclosed so I can pull the cab and finish welding the cage

 

[Hambone]

Few more. A lot of the gaps will close up once I get tabs welded to the tubes and everything bolted up.

 

[Hambone]

More sheet metal. Pretty happy overall with it.

 

[Hambone]

So its not like me to do this but to help make my goal of King of the Hammers 2026 (really need to make it to Norcal Joker race in September or the finale in Laughlin in October to qualify), Ive put together a few shirts, hats and sweatshirts people can purchase. Hoping to do a final shirt later on with all the companies and people who helped out and send out some stickers if you buy something. I bought a few samples and they all turned out nice so the link to the page is listed below. I appreciate any and all support to complete this build and meet my crazy goal.

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