I dunno where to put this, since its not Toyota. But I am using a a few Toyota parts!

Anyways, I backhalfed this truck a few years ago, and built control arms for it.


The rest of the truck was still in pretty sad shape, but I had other projects on the burner, and the budget was maxed out on this truck. I really should not have let it leave, but live and learn. Its back now to be done right.

He brought it back to me last month wanting a crazy header and exhaust built. Getting the truck on the lift for the first time really solidified how bad this truck was. So I started looking on Craigslist for a stock D50 or Mighty Max, and I luckily found a decent one for next to nothing close by. Upon seeing this I called the owner, and suggested we get a donor truck. I said I understand if you don't want to sink a bunch of money into this truck, but I cannot let it leave here in this shape and I think a new truck is the best choice. I was thinking he would just want to patch up the truck he had, but to my surprise he wanted to get a donor truck and start fresh, and pull out all the stops.

That said, I will document the build process here. I'm not sure entirely what is happening, because plans are changing and being added to all the time. But we will see where it ends up. Any questions about what has been done (or possibly being done) I will gladly answer.

Here is the donor truck.



Here is the header. All I was told was he wanted a one off header, and the crazier the better. So I went with that, and built an equal length header.







This is what we did with his truck. We saved only the engine, backhalf, and control arms.






Then we tore the other truck down to a bare frame, and called the scrap guy again to come pick up the stuff that wont be reused and is not going to be sold off.

I put the stock untouched frame on my frame table, leveled it out with the engine crossmember above ground level, centered it up and attached the front clip to the table. After taking a few measurements, I cut the rest off, and started my first true frame build. I'm having fun.





I pie cut and blended the top of the frame so that it would flow better, and then strapped the top. Built a crossmember behind the transmission.





A little before Christmas I sent the header out to be ceramic coated. I got it back last week, and it looks very nice.




Started placing the engine and transmission so I could figure out driveline height for a crossmember I will build later.




Here is that crossmember I mentioned. I never liked the old one I built for it, so now is a good time to replace it. The round driveline hoop just didnt flow to me, and it was too tall. It was miles from the driveline when laid out, and it drove me nuts.











And here are some drawings I have been working on for some laser cut parts. This is maybe 1/3 of the drawings I have done so far.

 

Looks great man I've always loved ur work

 

Looks AWSOME!! been following this build on your site too. hehehe not registered though. I always loved the d50 as much as toyota's!

mike

 

Looking good. So it going to rhd to. What size wheel he going to run on it.

 

sick header! you should make some for the 22re!

 

A couple companies already make nice headers for the 22RE. Mine would not be legal for use in CA, and probably more expensive honestly.

Ya he decided RHD would be cool. Its pretty simple on this truck as far as the steering goes, just swap sides. And I am already building a floor, may as well just do the firewall too and swap to RHD. Gonna be a long project. And its getting 18s now. Toyota hubs and axle for the 5 lug swap.

 

this trucks gonna be sweet! the frame looks great, and so does the header!

 

So as I am waiting on things, I decided to machine a spacer for the lower balljoints. Before I just used a piece of tubing faced on the lathe, and it worked fine, but it was an eyesore to me. So I decided to build a more visually appealing spacer, that will eventually be welded to the spindle. There should be nice little touches like this all over the truck.

 

look good

 

Man thats a sick build you got going on so far. So what type of body drop you going with?

 

We are kinda doing all of them I guess? New frame is shorter, but we will be building a new raised floor for a cleaner look and more drop. He wants about half the rocker gone.

 

all your work amazes me, you have great skills keeps it up

 

Thank you.


A few people asked why I needed a spacer, and this picture illustrates why. I used a press in balljoint instead of the stock one, for a clean looking arm, and the only one that fit the taper was a bit too long. So this is my solution. Both sides are done now. I will weld them when everything comes apart. Maybe smooth some of the casting lines on the spindle before it goes to powdercoat.





The owner approved all of my drawing ideas, and a few other ideas I had. So I will be ordering some more raw material on Monday so I can machine some cool little detail pieces. I'm getting excited about how clean I will be able to make this frame.

 

I will be machining some washers like this for a few spots on the truck.

 

i really like that you are going back and redoing some of your previous work like that spacer just goes to show how dedicated you are towards both your work and your customers. and i really like those washers too!

 

Ya, 2 years later I have a few more tools, abilities, and as several people have pointed out I get more anal (or detailed depending on who you ask) with each build. This is the reason why my own projects will probably never get done. I keep redoing stuff.

 

There is also a higher budget this time, as the owner is doing really well at his job, and also a higher demand for detail. He is pushing me to step it up a bit, and I welcome the challenge. It will make me be more creative. It has already pushed me into a few new ideas that I am excited to try out.

 

I've said it once an I'll say it again I love your work man. You have any projects for yourself tht your building?

 

Technically I do have projects, but I am "building" them so slowly, its really not worth a thread. I've gotten almost no where in the last year because I keep changing my mind. I am selling off parts I wont use now to start collecting parts again. I also keep modifying my S4. Currently saving for new billets so I can start my new frame, need wheels first though. Build the frame to fit the wheels I want, lol. Hopefully I can start on my frame by the time this one is being powder coated...

 

Wow, thats alot of coin going into that truck