2008 SR5 Work/Play Truck Project

That bumper looks great! Are you going to trim the bedsides to match?

I’ve heard that blocks ride rough, and in my opinion aren’t the correct way to lift the rear. I just have shackles and they ride good and provide a little height.

 

Thanks!

I will be clearance trimming the bedsides this weekend.

I’m curious why shackles would ride better as they would affect the direction of the axle travel as opposed to blocks which don’t; but maybe that’s the point? I’m not much of a suspension guy.

 

Blocks increase the lever arm from the spring to the axle, so axle wrap definitely increases. Not sure why it would ride rougher either, just what I’ve heard. Longer shackles make the shackle angle relative to the frame smaller. The shackle length doesn’t necessarily make a smoother ride, but that angle being different does change ride characteristics.
Excited to see how the bedside trimming goes - I built my own high clearance bumper too, and trimmed the bedsides, but a year later still have not done the finishing touches on the trimming. Either way, bumper looks great - makes me wish I used tube!

 

Sick kid kept me from trimming the bedsides this weekend. I was able to pull the inner fender well liners today in preparation. Hopefully I’ll be able to get to it tomorrow.




I also swapped out the tailgate handle for one with a backup camera. I have some stereo upgrades planned so I’ll be wiring it up soon.

 

I got the bedsides trimmed, bent, welded, and primed. I had a random can of Silver rustoleum so I hit it quick. I have a proper can of SilverSky Metallic on the way.

I cut down the factory mudflap support and tacked on a metal tab to support the remaining sheet metal and inner fender well.

 

Looks great!

 

Thank you! I’m stoked on it. Really solid and I like the look.

Heat gun and masking tape protected the paint while bending. The only paint I messed up was from welding.

 

Adjustable lift shackles in the works.

 

While working under my truck I noticed what look to be clapped-out leaf springs. They almost have a negative arch to them.

I bought the truck used and it had previously had a fifth wheel hitch mounted in the bed. I’m assuming they’re factory springs but I have no way of knowing for sure.

I’ve been unhappy with the ride quality since day one and I’m wondering if this has a lot to do with it along with probably worn out OEM shocks.

 

I ordered the struts and shocks. Last set on eBay. All the major distributors I found were out of stock.

 

Oooohh shiny!

 

This morning I swung by the tire shop and picked up a used full size spare to replace my dry-rotted factory one.

At 295/70-18 I needed to remove these brackets to get the spare into the factory location.

 

I found time to wire up the rear camera along with the microphone for hands-free talking. I’m not really sure why I didn’t hook that up the first time.

Kenwood ddx396 has a lot of controls for the camera.

 

I finally decided to pay a shop to install my 6112 Bilstein struts and Freedom Off-Road upper control arms. I haven’t made time to do it and my factory struts were dead. I also had them add a 1/4” spacer on top to get me to around 3” total lift up front.

What is the consensus on bump stop extensions with these lifted struts?

Yay or nay?

 

I'm digging the fab.

Any shots of the plasma table? Did you buy or build?

 

Thank you! The table is just a Crossfire Pro. I have a Hypertherm 45xp.

 

I did end up installing the bump stop extensions and diff drop kit today. The back stops snapped off so I had to break out the welder. I was able to weld a new bolt into each broken stud to extract. 2 for 2!

I welded the two broken stops to the extensions.

 

A little more progress today. I chopped and plated my front body mounts for additional clearance.

I tried to upload the video of cutting out the plates on my plasma table but the forum won’t allow it.

 

A few little projects from the last couple of days: I drew up and cut a wrench to fit my hi-lift as well as some mounting brackets.

The attached wrench is also used to remove the jack.

I also continued the wiring on my auxiliary lighting. I should hopefully be done tomorrow.

 

Life got busy again with family and school stuff, but I was able to get the wiring for my lights finalized today.

I bought Chinese LEDs for now. Time and use will dictate what I upgrade to.

Ill try to get some pictures of the lights on this evening.

 

A buddy and I snuck in a day trip to the Pryor Mountains this week. I was able to stretch out my new suspension. The truck rode surprisingly well and I had plenty of clearance everywhere. I’m really happy to have the high clearance bumpers and bedsides.

I wasn’t comfortable stopping to get pictures in the rough spots. I did end up hanging my passenger rear tire during a particularly steep off-camper descent.

 

@Hotwire I also swapped out the tailgate handle for one with a backup camera. I have some stereo upgrades planned so I’ll be wiring it up soon.

[/QUOTE]

How do you like that tailgate handle? Ive been wanting to add one to my '08 Tundra also but wasnt sure how good they are. Mind giving me your opinion on it and maybe a link to the one you got? Thanks in advance. Great looking truck BTW

 

How do you like that tailgate handle? Ive been wanting to add one to my '08 Tundra also but wasnt sure how good they are. Mind giving me your opinion on it and maybe a link to the one you got? Thanks in advance. Great looking truck BTW[/QUOTE]

This is my first time installing a back up camera but I am satisfied so far. Picture quality is decent and the latch seems of equal quality to OEM.

 

Do you remember where you got it or the brand name?

 

This is the one I bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3846324093...CtctEgSRlm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

Today I decided to chop my exhaust after the muffler.

I originally planned on making a side exit just before the rear tire but that is right near where my 6yo son sits and I didn’t want to have to worry about him touch a hot exhaust tip climbing in and out.

I had a crack developing in the muffler so I pulled the cat-back system down and repaired at the same time. Black paint to hide the shiny.

I also was able to extend my rear differential breather using things I had on hand already. I retapped the factory metric thread to 1/8”NPT then ran about 10ft of 1/4” air tubing back and up into the taillight area. I zip-tied a piece of foam over the tube to keep debris out.

 

I pulled my apart my 14yo stock shackles today expecting to see fused bushings and hardware. I’m excited to report everything came apart easy.

I bought the Supreme Suspensions 1.50” lift shackles and they look to require aftermarket bushings so I put it back together for now until I get new poly bushings.

I also took this opportunity to swap out my rear shock bushings. I didn’t have the new ones when I originally installed the Bilsteins.

 

Today I got a chance to install my new Supreme Suspensions 1.50” lift shackles along with the Coach Builder rear spring bushings.

Getting bushings out while still on the vehicle is always a good time. Torch, sawz-all, and pneumatic hammer took care of the old ones.

I did have to “adjust” the shackle an 1/8” to clear the steel center bushings but nothing horrible. Also had to flip the bolt at the rear of the spring to clear the spare tire.

 

I really need to take some better pictures of my truck soon. I’m really liking how it’s turning out!

[EDIT]

Little photo shoot today while exploring some BLM land.

 

Durobumps sure are proud of these little guys. Hope they’re worth it.

I will be removing my bump stop extensions to get more travel but need a little additional cushion when bottoming out.

My last few outings made it painfully clear that I need more articulation.