The auxiliary fuel tank arrived today....only it isn't an aux tank at all, which is what I ordered. What is is, is a bolt in replacement tank, made in an inverted "L" shape, with additional space over the drive shaft. My numbers say it should hold 24.65 gal. Not what I ordered, or ran lines wire and valves for, but it does add capacity, so I am going to install it. I am also in touch with Sunset Metal to find out where the process broke down.

 

Looks pretty good from here, I need to do something along those lines as the section around the oem boot has a chunk missing. I saw an old Corolla today that looks like it had the same console. Dont know if it was oem or someone put a truck console in it.

Short box? my 79 holds about 20gal with the oem tank.

 

My OEM tank is 13.3 gal IAW the owners and shop manual, and this confirms the volume measurements I did. With the aux which is coming, I should top out at 36. I am considering 1 ton rear leaf springs as well.

The Corolla, I couldn't say, I made mine up on the spot with what I had.

 

Continuing adventures

Not sexy, or even clean after several weeks in the carport for wrenching, but she is again out in the light and together. Recent accomplishments:

4.10 rear end removed, 3.42 installed
Rear leaf bushing replaced with poly
Rear shocks replaced with coil overs
E break adjusted
13.3 gal fuel tank removed
24.68 gal aftermarket fuel tank installed (need custom skid plate)
Front Shocks replaced
front sway bar rubber replaced with poly (all)
egr valve removed, blank plates installed


I am pretty sure the head gasket is crapped. At the moment I am considering having that done by others, as I am hitting a wall on motivation.

Next phase (s) are:
Over spare auxiliary tank, increasing total fuel capacity to 35 gal
Tires
Header and 2.5 exhaust (quiet)
Rhino liner for the bed
1 ton rear sway bar (have) and leaf springs (considering)

As an aside, I now have a spare 4.10 7.5 rear, if anyone wants it, IM me and we will talk

 

Took her for her first real road test today, 14 miles combined highway and city.

The good: 76 MPH by GPS (Speedo 10 mph low)
Steering is very light
Handling and Braking predictable
Smooth Shifting throughout
Remarkably rattle free

The Bad:
LOUD at speed, the sound deadening has done little so far, and an exhaust leak makes it sound like a SPAD going down over Flanders

Hesitation/Surge about halfway down the pedal, all gears

I was too conservative in my gearing change from 4:10 to 3:42. 3.07 would have been a better choice. I will see what taller tires can do

Fuel sender appears to be low resistance. Full shows 1/8 tank, wonder is there is a way to adjust this

All in all, I would give her a 70%. At the moment, good for local use, hauling and the like, not road trip ready yet.

 

I think you may have mistaken the sound deadening for a sound barrier. Deadening is for taming resonant vibrations of the metal its applied to, by adding mass. You need a sound barrier to block ambient noise like engines and passing vehicles, and you need it damn near everywhere.

You've got two viable options when it comes to barriers, and you can get them in premade options or roll your own.

Mass loaded vinyl over closed cell foam is the most popular choice, what with both items being easy to get ahold of. It does a great job and is used in many vehicles as standard from the factory. It's one of the tricks large-engined vehicles use to keep the massive engine noise out because it's simple and effective. The problem with it is its not very flexible, and almost never holds its shape, so you HAVE TO glue it down. It is, however, effective at taming ambient noise. If you can make your own, it's also cheap. Buying the premade with the foam already attached to the mass loaded vinyl isn't cheap, but it saves time versus gluing the foam to the vinyl.

The second option is lead sheet over closed cell foam. This is harder to roll your own, but it's significantly easier to work with. It flexes better, holds its shape better, and generally doesn't weigh quite as much as a finished mass loaded vinyl install for the same effectiveness (your mileage may vary). The one I've found is a sandwich between two layers of closed cell foam. I personally prefer this option for the workability.

With either of these options, you have to HAVE TO go all the way up the firewall or you'll get engine noise. Remove the dash and make sure it goes all the way up. Get both a deadener and a barrier inside your doors on the skin, and deadener on the interior door frame that the door panel attaches to.

Even so, these trucks are hard to get quiet (especially with an exhaust leak). The sound radiates off everything around and comes back in through the windows. Damp the roof and rear pillars if you have any.

 

So this guy stops by my house, I am out in the yard, and asks if I want a camper shell for $40.00. I didn't really want one, but what the heck $40.00. It is ugly as heck, and slight too long, but I attached it to see if it can be used on occasion. You really never know what is going to happen next.

New tires this week, on these wheels for now.

 

Very close on the RAV 4 16x6 wheels. Will be using 1 inch spacers and 205-65-16 tires. This should knock a couple of hundred RPM (170 or so) off of RPM v Speed, so the 3.07 rear end may be coming anyway.

 

RAV4 Wheels Part one

This series is "before" showing the 185/70/14s on Keystone Classic Wheels. I really couldn't stand the wheels, and wanted to move away from 14s to a bigger wheel reduce hwy RPM. These pictures show the problem with the wheels as installed.

 

RAV4 Wheels Part two

One inch spacer installed (perfect size, well pleased), wheels for comparison, and the first RAV 4 wheel installed (205/65/16).

 

RAV 4 Wheels Part three

All wheels installed. With the one inch spacer, the offset is perfect, and the wheel tire combination completely change the driving character of the truck for the better. Quieter, lower RPM at speed, and a firmer response to the road. This one was a success.

In a related story, while I was out on a test drive, I put the craptacular old wheels on the curb, intending to list them as a "curb alert" in craigslist. Someone stopped by and took them before I returned home from my test drive. May they enjoy them more than I.

This weekend, Trail Gear bullet proof motor mounts.

 

better photos without the shell. I am pleased with the wheels/tires

 

Trail Boss Bulletproof Motor Mounts

Installed these today, significantly reduced engine vibration. Total install time, one man, hand tools, 2 hours. This was a 2 Damnit install, lots of contortions and narrow access, but not insurmountable.

Note "Trail Gear" not "Trail Boss" ...tired.

 

Link arm and rear 1 ton sway bar

Replaced the steering link arm, complete abatement of steering shimmy. Assembled the rear sway bar (1 ton) and test fit. After the brackets are welded will be installing.

 

Installed the rear sway bar today...wow. Just...wow

 

At ground zero of the flooding that has been in the news. Awoke at 0130 to discover my roof had given up, and there is flooding in the living room. So....off to wal mart to get a tarp and some rope. The route was 1-2 feet of water, sometimes fast moving, 12 miles each way, with no real high and dry spots. Along the way, there were at least fifteen abandoned vehicles, some sunken in the median. The Toyota just kept chugging along in third, moving like a stately old boat in the harbor, a quick wash down and she is as good as new. I am pretty sure the mini would have floated away.