Save Ironman 2022 aka Panhandlemonium

Well this is the big weekend. The pile of parts and lack of planning have all been leading up to this. I didn't get as much done ahead of time as I wanted, but I think the parts, tools, and resources are on hand or on the way to make this work. We may not get everything done that I want done, but I think everything I need done we can do.

I wanna give a big thanks to @5N0W808, @MrDirtjumper, and @Sirfive. They'll be on the way up tomorrow loaded for bear and ready to throw down. I also have to shout out @txagg who lent a hand as well in the preparations, but couldn't attend. We greatly appreciate it!


Well, let's get started with the pics. Cause, well, we like pics. Like, a lot.


First things first. Gotta get the proper human lubrication in order. This should get us through tomorrow, may have to make a beer run on Saturday:



And some for before noon beverages:



And we can't forget the list in its latest, unedited form:



I really need to get in there and get a tally of what it was, since I actually have a few more parts in there from before that aren't in there, such as:

The door cards I bought from @lsaami ages ago:



Those are to fix this:




And the steering rack and tie rod ends I bought from Detroit axle at least a year and a half ago:



That's to fix a leak I've had for a VERY long time as this screen shots of one of my very first posts three and a half years shows:



I've got the shed cleaned out and prepped. I didn't buy a 20 ton press for the rear axles, my buddy with a shop said we could use theirs instead. So that'll be field trip time, with pics.












Nobody post yet, I have more to post. And more pics.

 

We also can't forget the pile. Oh the pile. It's been sitting next to my coffee table growing and growing.

Day 1:




And then it just grew:















Until it's final form:






Don't post yet, almost done....

 

And that leads me to today. I had to work so I didn't really get to start deconstruction as planned, so I grabbed a few pics and measurements:

Rear ground to hub:



Rear ground to fender:



Front ground to hub:



Front ground to fender:




And a gratuitous shot of the truck and Aprilia:





That's all I got for now. Questions, concerns, or stories about the time you got drunk with your buddy but he tried to rip your eyeball out while video tapping it so you ran away and ended up sleeping in a K-mart dressing room are encouraged.

 

Sweet! Bonus SHO wheel with stolen bike!

 

Yeah, we're gonna fix that tomorrow.

 

This is awesome that they are driving over to help. I'm pumped for you guys.

 

Do you guys have a tent of pain set up? Or the “driveway of doom” will have to do?

 

Driveway of despair. We also have the shed of shame, and if we set one up, it'll be the canopy of catastrophe.

 

If worst comes to worst, you’ve got the sidewalk of sadness

 

How many parts will we see in the dishwasher? Over or under 10?

 

I’ll take the under on general suspension parts.

 

Love it!

Since I'm lazy and hate math the hub to fender measurements are rear hub to fender 21.5, front hub to fender 21

 

Live look in at the progress being made:

 

Shit, I forgot to take that measurement. Thank you sir!

 

Somehow I was unprepared for the gravity of this weekend. Must have seen a squirrel. But this is awesome.

 

Small pile of parts, big stack of beers, good combo.

 

“Get the sand out of your ears” was my uncles go too

 

Man I’m so close to Amarillo. Would of been fun if I could join and meet y’all, maybe work on my truck too. Maybe next time. Anyways y’all have fun out there.

 

I salute the lofty goals and commitment to hydration of this great adventure. Please document this thoroughly for posterity.

 

We'll be here all weekend. Stop by if you want.

 

Don't forget to tip your waitresses!

 

Well, between me breaking the backing plate studs, the storm that rolled through, and the rear springs fighting us, we didn't get much done yesterday. We're all a bit...... slow this morning.

Me and five started on the rear suspension first thing yesterday. As I was expecting, the brakes were full of nasty:





The rear shocks were surprisingly easy to get out. Five gave the drivers side one a stern look and it basically fell out. My side I actually had to get some channys on and it came out. They were pretty easy to get out.








We pulled the axles and took them to my buddy's shop around the corner to press them out. Mangling ensued:





So basically I didn't make sure the red plate was aligned right, so when we went to press it out it caught the backing plate studs. Toyota ordered me two that should be here today.

Here's what the axles should look like vs what they were:








Me and Five have come to the conclusion that Toyota engineers would crawl over a mountain of vigins just to fuck a mechanic. These axles just plain suck. But, i know how to do them now. If anyone needs to do their axles just holler at me or I belive @KNABORES has done them as well. It's actually not bad once you have the tool and Timmy's video.

 

The rear springs fought us as well. If you have a receiver high you'll have to take it off. The bolt for the shackles slides in from the frame side and there's no way to pull it out with a receiver on. I didn't get pics of that yet.

The new spring pack is actually pretty nice, and is taller, probably due to being new:



The AALs may or may not get put in. We're still deciding.

So we left it there at the end of the night. We cleaned up, Josh arrived, and we all got drunk. I busted out the reaper sausage and reaper cheese. Damn that shits good. All in all we had a good time so far. Let's see where today takes us...

 

Are you unsure about the add-a-leaf because of time/work it will take or something else?

 

I just want level, and with the new springs being taller I think the additional lift might might give a factory rake again.

 

Stake hole pockets for beer cans / bottles would be a fun innovation.

I guess the optics on that might be a little bad though.

 

Link for Timmy's video?

Also, is this what you used to help press out the bearing?

$84 NIXFACE Rear Axle Bearing Puller Tool& ABS Tone Ring Tool Fit for 1995-2020 Toyota 4Runner Hilux Tacoma T100 Tundra Pick-up

https://www.amazon.com/NIXFACE-Bear...1fcc384aa58&pd_rd_wg=2K1oY&pd_rd_i=B088TQNFHF

 

I haven’t had the misfortune / pleasure of having to change my rear axle seals out yet, hopefully never, but have heard the tales and seen the write-ups. Usually curse laden tales of disaster. Hopefully you get yours back together with no leaks. I’m putting off changing the front ones out as they are only slight less harrowing. Looks like you guys are doing a great job so far, I love a good weekend of wrenching. Need those magnetic beer holders, Even though I would knock it off the side of the truck everytime I stood up.

 

Nobody gonna say anything about this!!!!?

 

No, everyone is jealous, no need to comment. I have a feeling @Sirfive was behind this