Financial Ruin Build, It only gets worse (SAS from hell)

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Apr 23, 2019
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I picked this up last night. It is from Colorado. Got a lot of problems probably just a total pos but the suspension seems solid. Only upside of the truck if I am being honest. But here it is.
A838D1AD-016E-415E-9F15-1E8375947919.jpeg58DA9B44-4E63-4277-8A44-994CF8A66F98.jpeg348677CB-352A-40EA-BA6E-793148C87473.jpeg

proof that it is shit box status, there appears to be a knocking:


I might document my adventures with trying to chase down the issues on this thing. Might just sell it we will see
I forgot to post the specs:
2008 Tacoma extended cab
2.7 inline 4
5 speed manual
Adapter from 2.7-toyota gear cases
Double transfer case @2.28 ratio each
Triple sticks- able to disengage front axle.
Dana 44 front axle -warn locking hubs
4.88 gears front and rear
Sas with toyoda steering box
Trail gear steering shaft kit and pitman arm
New shocks all around
37” tires with black steel rims
Custom front bumper
Custom rear flatbed
 
Last edited:
Joined
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Messages
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Shit box or not with some love it will be a nice build!

Im wondering how much oil is in it.....
After further inspection it’s honestly not too horrible for an offroad truck. The check engine light is only for evap and air injection pump (3 codes total). There is oil on the stick. If I can I am gonna drain it tonight and look for any metals in there. Fingers crossed it doesn’t come out looking like diff fluid.

edit: the rear tires look like they have been overinflated by the center wear. Or the welded rear diff isn’t making them happy. Probably a little of both I imagine.
 
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Little update, I found a hose disconnected from the SAIS so I plugged it back in. More codes popped up today lol. Also I will attach a picture of the air intake with the airbox removed. Lots of dirt in there. The ticking noise sounds like it is coming from the head around cylinders 1 and 2. I am thinking this motor is gonna need a rebuild. I was hoping it was something stupid like a bad harmonic balancer but now I am leaning towards a bad valve or two. With all the dirt that got into the intake who knows how the bottom end is doing.
A1964030-E00F-4CFC-915D-C6E18360A14C.jpeg
The hard part is finding a shop I trust to rebuild the motor. It seems the price is around $2500 for a full rebuild.
 
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I called one yard and they wanted 3k for a motor with 177k I was like wtf. I will need to call more to see
 
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That's some horseshit
I got an 08 4.0 with 66k for $2300 when I replaced the 4th gen motor. This one shouldn't have any head gasket issues and has 140k less miles than the runner.
 
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Well she started knocky knocking worse today. Pulled the valve cover and not seeing much other than one lobe has some weird discoloration on it. I am not an expert when it comes to engines so forgive my ignorance. I saw a lot of copper on the tops of the bolt heads. Again not sure that’s normal but is what it is.
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As far as the website you sent @Dukestaco in my area cheapest one without too many miles is $2,000. Lowest miles i saw was like 87k. All the others seem much higher or no mileage stated. I am going to talk with a rebuild shop and see if I can get a feel for if I trust them or not. I’m not sure if its better to rebuild for 2.5k and have all new parts or put an unknown in for around 2k. Seems I have some thinking to do.
 

Dukestaco

Stirring the pot 24/7
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Well she started knocky knocking worse today. Pulled the valve cover and not seeing much other than one lobe has some weird discoloration on it. I am not an expert when it comes to engines so forgive my ignorance. I saw a lot of copper on the tops of the bolt heads. Again not sure that’s normal but is what it is.
View attachment 33621View attachment 33622View attachment 33623View attachment 33624View attachment 33625

As far as the website you sent @Dukestaco in my area cheapest one without too many miles is $2,000. Lowest miles i saw was like 87k. All the others seem much higher or no mileage stated. I am going to talk with a rebuild shop and see if I can get a feel for if I trust them or not. I’m not sure if its better to rebuild for 2.5k and have all new parts or put an unknown in for around 2k. Seems I have some thinking to do.
Well since you are already there pull the head off. Those cam lobes look done. Was it a tick or a knock. Ticks are usually head related knocks are crank and piston rod related (rod bearings). I got a new head for the 4 banger for around $700.
 
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Well since you are already there pull the head off. Those cam lobes look done. Was it a tick or a knock. Ticks are usually head related knocks are crank and piston rod related (rod bearings). I got a new head for the 4 banger for around $700.
I am gonna just pull the whole engine before I do that. Easier to work on out of the truck. That will probably happen next week. it seemed like a knock but sometimes it did seem more like a tick so you may be onto something.

compression test results:
Cyl 1 - 150
Cyl 2 - 135
Cyl 3 - 145
Cyl 4 - 130

Um that copper is actaully brass and is bearing material
Interesting! Thank you for correcting, I did not know it was brass, always thought they used copper for some reason!
 
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I am gonna just pull the whole engine before I do that. Easier to work on out of the truck. That will probably happen next week. it seemed like a knock but sometimes it did seem more like a tick so you may be onto something.

compression test results:
Cyl 1 - 150
Cyl 2 - 135
Cyl 3 - 145
Cyl 4 - 130

Interesting! Thank you for correcting, I did not know it was brass, always thought they used copper for some reason!
Cam lobe that appears to be the worst also has the lowest compression.
 
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Cam lobe that appears to be the worst also has the lowest compression.
Yeah. I started taking as much off the motor as I could today. Got all the wiring undone and some other bits. Hour or two more and I’ll pull it out on the hoist. I think I am going to have it rebuilt if it can be. If not I’ll exchange it for a reman motor.
...did you have to put the rest of it on lay away?
? It’s fully paid for if thats what you are asking lol
 

DeltaBravo

Every construction site will inevitably generate w
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Aug 15, 2019
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The dumpster at the corner of 32nd street and...
Yeah. I started taking as much off the motor as I could today. Got all the wiring undone and some other bits. Hour or two more and I’ll pull it out on the hoist. I think I am going to have it rebuilt if it can be. If not I’ll exchange it for a reman motor.
? It’s fully paid for if thats what you are asking lol
I’m saying where’s the rest of the fucking truck? Lol. I’m just fuckin with yoh
 
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I’m saying where’s the rest of the fucking truck? Lol. I’m just fuckin with yoh
I knew you were fucking with me but my brain wasn’t functioning very great haha. I tripped on the radiator I set down and ate shit when I was putting crap on the flatbed o_O I’ll post more pics soon lol. The engine is the first hurdle.

I think I am gonna do all stock rebuild and delete the balance shafts. I am tempted to put some upgraded parts in because I may turbo this thing for the lols. It’s too slow compared to my other taco. But that is gonna be for later if hptuners ever adds 2tr support. Don’t wanna dump 2k into an aftermarket ecu for a truck thats gonna get beat to shit on rocks, I’d rather put that $$ towards a cage.
 
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If all else fails. Blow it up
Yeah I thought about it but I don’t trust it to not window the block. I kinda need that so it can be rebuilt haha. She will be back better and stronger than before. My friend is already trying to get me to one ton swap it :smash:
Not saying it will never happen but I wanna enjoy it a little first
 
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