Author Topic: 2018 Tundra Crewmax build (Read 21350 times)

Dustoff35 · « **on:** November 10, 2020, 04:53:37 PM »

Hey guys, its been a while. I hope all of you are doing well.

I purchased a new Tundra Crewmax back in June of 2018. The first modification was to have the local Line-X vendor spray-in a bedliner.

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2020, 06:27:05 PM »

No additional modifications until May of 2019, when I installed of Firestone Ride-Rite Air Springs (airbags). The airbags in combination with a Blue Ox load-leveling hitch really makes towing more enjoyable.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2020, 07:12:10 PM »

So the Bilsteins were on it from the factory?

Nice ride. What are you towing and what mileage you getting?

Glad you are doing well.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2020, 07:32:05 PM »

I'm so happy to see this materializing!

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2020, 07:35:40 PM »

Yes, the Bilsteins are OEM. This is the Limited model with the 4x4 off-road package. 15-17 mpg unless I am towing, then it drops to around 8.

The camper is a 24 foot ATC Toy-hauler.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2020, 07:49:34 PM »

^^^ That toy hauler is really nice. All aluminum, spartan interior. Very well built

stlaser · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2020, 08:06:15 PM »

Nice truck and trailer, glad you’re doing well.

Nate · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2020, 08:26:47 PM »

Nice truck and camper there duane. It looks like the young man is on vaca from hockey?

KensAuto · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2020, 08:50:41 PM »

Glad to hear from you Duane. Nice setup... really like those trucks in grey.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2020, 08:51:39 PM »

I’d like to see some inside photos of that trailer if ya don’t mind.

Good looking tow rig for sure

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2020, 08:57:40 PM »

Thanks guys, those pics are from a while back, just laying the groundwork...

The boy is a bit larger now, that photo is from almost 2-1/2 years ago. Hockey is in full swing, XC just ended (his team placed #2 at State and he placed 35th individually). Swim season just started.

As I sit at hockey practice, the truck has just over 61,000 miles on it. A large portion of those miles is his sporting events...

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2020, 12:40:48 PM »

As requested, here are a few additional photos of the ATC.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2020, 02:44:11 PM »

That tool box up front looks top notch!

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:09:36 AM »

A few more...

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:11:33 AM »

I’m only able to post one photo at a time...

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:15:28 AM »

One more...

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:19:06 AM »

Quote from: Dustoff35 on November 12, 2020, 08:11:33 AM

I’m only able to post one photo at a time...

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Looks like you have your craftsman socket set out on the counter. Cabinets and axles need snuggin' up? Don't forget to check the torque on those aluminum lug nuts.

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:39:35 AM »

Another...

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:40:47 AM »

Another...

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:41:46 AM »

Last one for now.

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Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2020, 08:42:27 AM »

That looks like a really well built rig. Good looking thank you for sharing

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 13, 2020, 07:18:42 PM »

Fast forward to about a month ago, several boxes from ICON Vehicle Dynamics arrived. I had been waiting several months for this shipment. It appears Covid has caused interruptions in the supply chain throughout the economy.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2020, 07:19:26 PM »

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 13, 2020, 07:31:52 PM »

I also ordered wheels and tires from 4 Wheel Parts and had them shipped to the nearest retail location. The tires arrived in a few days but the wheels took several weeks. As I did additional research, I discovered that I would need a differential drop kit to reduce the chances of damage to the front axle CV joints and a carrier bearing drop to eliminate possible vibration from the driveline.

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 13, 2020, 07:59:00 PM »

I cleared out space and prepared for a two-day project.

BobbyB · « **Reply #25 on:** November 16, 2020, 08:39:13 AM »

Looks good Duane. Glad to hear things are going well and to see you back.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 16, 2020, 09:54:48 AM »

Ok now where are the 1ton axles, Cummins swaps, ?

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 16, 2020, 10:04:08 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on November 16, 2020, 09:54:48 AM

Ok now where are the 1ton axles, Cummins swaps, ?

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He is actually set up for a cummins swap, but not on this thing

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 16, 2020, 10:22:55 AM »

I figured there had to be one somewhere. That Colorado hippie guy hasn’t done anything with his in what seems like years.

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BobbyB · « **Reply #29 on:** November 16, 2020, 12:40:09 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on November 16, 2020, 10:04:08 AM

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on November 16, 2020, 09:54:48 AM
Ok now where are the 1ton axles, Cummins swaps, ?

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He is actually set up for a cummins swap, but not on this thing

Duane still have that old truck he was going to swap a Cummins in? The old Forestry truck or something like that?

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #30 on:** November 16, 2020, 04:46:23 PM »

Quote from: BobbyB on November 16, 2020, 08:39:13 AM

Looks good Duane. Glad to hear things are going well and to see you back.

Thanks. Good to be back. Had a couple of rough years, but things are getting back on track

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 16, 2020, 04:53:23 PM »

Quote from: BobbyB on November 16, 2020, 12:40:09 PM

Quote from: Flyin6 on November 16, 2020, 10:04:08 AM
Quote from: Bigdave_185 on November 16, 2020, 09:54:48 AM
Ok now where are the 1ton axles, Cummins swaps, ?

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He is actually set up for a cummins swap, but not on this thing

Duane still have that old truck he was going to swap a Cummins in? The old Forestry truck or something like that?

Yes, I still own that, I've been trying but can't seem to get Don to buy the thing...

Its a 1975, civilian model, 3/4 ton, 4x4, crew cab, short bed Powerwagon.

Dustoff35 · « **Reply #32 on:** November 16, 2020, 04:57:29 PM »

All original. No rust.

JR · « **Reply #33 on:** November 16, 2020, 05:15:40 PM »

Nice truck and TH there Duane.

Don, didn't you wish SD was a 4dr from the start?

wyorunner · « **Reply #34 on:** November 16, 2020, 05:36:04 PM »

That is a really clean truck! Wish ours was that way when we started.

cruizng · « **Reply #35 on:** November 17, 2020, 08:20:32 AM »

Nice equipment all around. Glad you are past the rough years and back on track! Also nice to see you back on here. Take care.

Farmer Jon · « **Reply #36 on:** November 18, 2020, 07:32:14 AM »

Quote from: Dustoff35 on November 13, 2020, 07:18:42 PM

Fast forward to about a month ago, several boxes from ICON Vehicle Dynamics arrived. I had been waiting several months for this shipment. It appears Covid has caused interruptions in the supply chain throughout the economy.

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On one of the sunday morning news shows they interviewed a guy. I didn't catch what company he works for but he in one of the big shipping companies. Anyway he said you just as well forget about black Friday. If there is something you want get it now. There's not even bad weather yet and we are way behind.
So yea shipping is a problem that we will have for a while.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #37 on:** November 24, 2020, 05:44:29 PM »

I had a few friends to help install the new spring pack, U-bolts and piggy-back shocks in the rear.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #38 on:** November 24, 2020, 05:46:16 PM »

It’s always entertaining with these two around.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #39 on:** November 24, 2020, 05:49:24 PM »

They did a pretty good job.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #40 on:** November 24, 2020, 05:55:47 PM »

We then moved on to the front. Pretty straight forward, separate the spindle from the upper control arm, unbolt the shock & spring assembly and remove. It was easier than I expected it to be.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #41 on:** November 24, 2020, 06:19:05 PM »

While everything was accessible, I cleaned, wire-brushed, primed and painted a few areas where surface rust had started. It seemed to be most predominant on the welds.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #42 on:** November 24, 2020, 06:22:49 PM »

Here is a comparison between the factory Bilstein and the ICON coil-over that replaces it.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #43 on:** November 24, 2020, 06:25:36 PM »

This was a good opportunity to teach my son how to use a torque wrench.

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Dustoff35 · « **Reply #44 on:** November 24, 2020, 06:29:28 PM »

Here is the driver’s side complete. We will clean up the brakes sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas when we replace pads and perhaps rotors.

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JR · « **Reply #45 on:** November 24, 2020, 07:09:18 PM »

Looking good. Is the pricepoint on the ICONs better than Bilsten or parts of the lift?

Funny, my buddy in Tehachapi looks just like you friend in the chair and he loves his Tundra!

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #46 on:** November 24, 2020, 07:11:48 PM »

Right on! Good looking project. But I would go back and double check the work those two knuckleheads did on the rear....

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stlaser · « **Reply #47 on:** November 24, 2020, 07:19:55 PM »

Quick question, with knuckleheads present did you sacrifice any tools in the process of this build? If you did not then I’m pretty certain those were poser shots!

JR · « **Reply #48 on:** November 24, 2020, 07:29:48 PM »

wyorunner · « **Reply #49 on:** November 24, 2020, 07:33:49 PM »

Quote from: stlaser on November 24, 2020, 07:19:55 PM

Quick question, with knuckleheads present did you sacrifice any tools in the process of this build? If you did not then I’m pretty certain those were poser shots!

He wasn’t driving anything green which inevitably destroys all manner of tools. So maybe there’s hope no tools were lost in the making of this lifted tundra.