cbechtold's Long Travel IFS Crawler Tacoma Build

Joined
Apr 17, 2019
Messages
258
Age
27
Location
Pleasanton, CA

We've got a runner! Chasing a high idle gremlin, but I think it is related to the idle air control valve or a vacuum leak. Either way, truck sounds great and is running super smooth!

Outside that, truck is basically at 95% back together. Almost everything has fluid, accessory belts are on, rear driveshaft is in. Just need to put the front of the truck back together, bleeding brakes, and drive her out of the garage. She's almost ready to hit the roads again and I cannot wait!
 
Joined
Apr 17, 2019
Messages
258
Age
27
Location
Pleasanton, CA

IMG_6806 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

10 months of work has finally come to an end! I am beyond stoke on the outcome of what I created! I had a vision in my head at the start of this, outside of the blown motor, and this is pretty much right on what I was thinking. While not done, this is a great way to start to what I'm considering "Phase II."

For the first drive, I'm impressed so far. Outside of not being able to drive down the road straight, everything is nice and smooth. Engine is running perfect! 5.29s are a night and day difference. Front suspension is very nice and the rear suspension ain't too bad either. With some good valving and maybe a spring rate change in the front it should be pretty damn good eventually.

Before I dump more photos, I've got to give my parents a huge shoutout on this whole project. Even when I was not in the mood to work on this truck, my dad was always there to help push and motivate me when needed. My dad even helped a lot on the rear suspension getting everything welded up while I was at work. Also thanks mom for putting up with me and the stupid shit I do and letting me steal you parking spot for last 10 months.

Okay here are the photos...


IMG_6801 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6804 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6802 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6803 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6807 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6811 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6816 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6824 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Also a video of the crawl ratio with the 5.29s. She's pretty damn slow now.


Now onward to getting the bugs and problems figured out while I get this truck broken in and ready for King of the Hammers in February.
 
Joined
Nov 8, 2020
Messages
37
Age
26
Location
Bozeman, MT
Well done man! Even cooler and more badass than I expected. Killer photography as normal too. Can't wait to see it in action!
 
Joined
Nov 18, 2019
Messages
588
Age
41
Location
Glendale AZ

IMG_6806 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

10 months of work has finally come to an end! I am beyond stoke on the outcome of what I created! I had a vision in my head at the start of this, outside of the blown motor, and this is pretty much right on what I was thinking. While not done, this is a great way to start to what I'm considering "Phase II."

For the first drive, I'm impressed so far. Outside of not being able to drive down the road straight, everything is nice and smooth. Engine is running perfect! 5.29s are a night and day difference. Front suspension is very nice and the rear suspension ain't too bad either. With some good valving and maybe a spring rate change in the front it should be pretty damn good eventually.

Before I dump more photos, I've got to give my parents a huge shoutout on this whole project. Even when I was not in the mood to work on this truck, my dad was always there to help push and motivate me when needed. My dad even helped a lot on the rear suspension getting everything welded up while I was at work. Also thanks mom for putting up with me and the stupid shit I do and letting me steal you parking spot for last 10 months.

Okay here are the photos...


IMG_6801 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6804 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6802 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6803 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6807 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6811 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6816 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6824 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Also a video of the crawl ratio with the 5.29s. She's pretty damn slow now.


Now onward to getting the bugs and problems figured out while I get this truck broken in and ready for King of the Hammers in February.
So now it will go faster in neutral than it does in first?
 
Joined
Apr 17, 2019
Messages
258
Age
27
Location
Pleasanton, CA
Happy Holidays to y'all! Here with a small update. Just been driving the truck as of late. I installed a new Nardi steering wheel that my parents got me for the Christmas! Pretty stoked on that.


PXL_20221229_003413078.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Also in preparation for updating the auxiliary wiring, I added some switches that I'll be wiring up to a new fuse/relay panel that I'll build.


PXL_20221229_003446556.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Also did my 500 mile oil change for both the motor and diffs. This oil catch can is working great, and I'm glad this stuff isn't going back into my new engine.


PXL_20221228_224841176.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

In other exciting news, I've also developed a new grinding/whirling noise from my transfer case that sounds just wonderful. New j shift transfer case is on the way, and I have all new bearings for the crawl box thanks to the guys at Marlin Crawler. Just going to rebuild everything to hopefully solve all future problems so I can start saving up for an Atlas 4 speed if this happens again.

Still planning on doing one last oil change on the motor and diffs before this 1000 miles round trip to Hammertown and back. Also going to have the alignment redone since it pulls and wanders a little on the road. Looks like she needs more caster and a slight toe out from what I'm gather from people I've talked too.
 
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Messages
52
Age
40
Location
Hickory, NC
Did you drain the fluid out of the cases before buying new parts? I have had weird stuff happen like a shifter detent spring go out and my shifter was resting against the shift collar and make weird noises. Also bad u joints can manifest itself as weird crawl box noises.
 
Joined
Apr 17, 2019
Messages
258
Age
27
Location
Pleasanton, CA
Did you drain the fluid out of the cases before buying new parts? I have had weird stuff happen like a shifter detent spring go out and my shifter was resting against the shift collar and make weird noises. Also bad u joints can manifest itself as weird crawl box noises.

I did put all new fluids and the driveshafts we're just rebuilt as well. It sounds like it's related to 4WD. I took the front drive shaft out and I had minimal noise except when I put it into 4WD.
 
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Messages
52
Age
40
Location
Hickory, NC
I did put all new fluids and the driveshafts we're just rebuilt as well. It sounds like it's related to 4WD. I took the front drive shaft out and I had minimal noise except when I put it into 4WD.
Makes sense, my lefty makes weird whireling noises when I drive at speed with the hubs locked, I unlock the hubs and no more noise.

If you didn't get chunks of crap coming out the fluid I wouldn't even waste your time tearing down the crawl box. They get hot, leak fluid, and make noise and I have learned that as long as the fluid isn't red (a sign of input shaft rusting and fretting, very bad) and there isn't chunks in the fluid, just turn the radio up. I also use a 140w fluid as that seems to be quieter and runs cooler.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Apr 17, 2019
Messages
258
Age
27
Location
Pleasanton, CA
Makes sense, my lefty makes weird whireling noises when I drive at speed with the hubs locked, I unlock the hubs and no more noise.

If you didn't get chunks of crap coming out the fluid I wouldn't even waste your time tearing down the crawl box. They get hot, leak fluid, and make noise and I have learned that as long as the fluid isn't red (a sign of input shaft rusting and fretting, very bad) and there isn't chunks in the fluid, just turn the radio up. I also use a 140w fluid as that seems to be quieter and runs cooler.

Yep. I was hoping to just get a chunk of crap of whatever out of either of them and noise if fixed, but not this time. Either way, I'll have a new t-case and bearings so I'm just going to rebuild everything while I have it out. No point in doing it twice. Going to be throwing 75w90 in for now since that's what Marlin and Inchworm recommend.
 
Joined
Apr 17, 2019
Messages
258
Age
27
Location
Pleasanton, CA
Pulled the crawlbox out since it's been making a bunch of noise as of recent. Turns out it's worse that what I was expecting. Needle bearing welded itself to the coupler. Most likely due to low oil. This is definitely on me since the t-case was the one fluid I didn't touch when I put new fluids in the motor and diffs. Parts are on order from Marlin and hopefully putting everything back together next weekend.


PXL_20230109_013002340 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20230108_230152643.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr
 
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Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Messages
52
Age
40
Location
Hickory, NC
Wait did you fuck up your crawl box or the transfer case? You said tcase but show a picture of the crawl box coupler.
 
Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
162
Location
KY
Dawg that’s a bummer. Have you gotten to wheel it since it’s back under its own power yet?
 
Joined
Feb 13, 2022
Messages
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808
Wondering how you like the 18" 500lb springs? Are you preloading them to get ride height or is that as low as they go?

Hammers is coming right up... :beerscheers:
 
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