Please tell me what you think about this web site. If you have an idea you want to share or any questions or suggestions for future topics let me know!  Constructive criticism always welcome!! 

Tedd@Teddnet.com

Look below for the comments and questions folks have left for me!!

Hey Kirk- Thanks for the kudos! You have several options for larger lifts. For just a little more (2 1/2 - 3") you can go with a coilover lift like Sway-Away, King, Donahoe, or Fabtech. These run from ~$600-900. Fairly EZ to install. For more lift, Tuff Country makes a 4.5" kit that has recently included custom spindles. Also, RCD is about to come out with a 6" lift in the next month or so. Both of these lifts require some wrenching skillz if you are a DIY kinda guy. Then there is the custom route like I went. Way more $$, but you get the satisfaction of having a one off! I did a solid axle swap which gave me about 10" over stock.

Good luck and let us know how it turned out!
Tedd

9/20/2004
"Hey Ted your site is looking better since last time I checked, alot more details... which you should get props for that. I have just currently acquired a 79 dana 44 from a ford 150 hoping to follow the steps you have completed. thanks to your site and dedication."
Kirk

Hey Kirk- Glad you enjoy my efforts! I don't have as much time to fiddle with it as much as I'd like to, but do what I can.  Check that axle and see if the spring perches are cast in or welded in.  If they are cast in, find a different axle because you cannot remove them without seriously weakening the axle tubes.

Good luck on your project and keep us updated!
Tedd

9/24/2004
"I really enjoyed my journey through your site. You have a good sense of humor and a lot a guts doing things like the solid axle swap. I especially like your Death Valley trip stories and images. One of my best trips was through Death Valley in 2000. When I get a website put together with some worthy tales and pictures, I'll send you the link. And the question: Do you know of a how-to site that could help me put manual hubs on my 2002 Tundra? I would love to have a manual transfer case shift again, too (I kinda miss my '94, base-model, all-manual Toyota Utility 4x4).  What year landcruiser pitman arm did u use?

Cheers and thanks for the good site, 

regards, Bo"

Hey Bo- Thanx!  Glad you liked the DV trip report.  That is a unique place!

As for the manual hub conversion, I don't know if there is a complete write up on it there, but check out TundraSoutions.com-  lotz of Tundra info there and I know at least 3 folks there who have the done the manual hub conversion.  You'll see me there under the handle TMS2U.  I hear you on the manual transfer case shifter, sometimes push button just doesn't cut it.  The Landcruiser pitman arm is universal as far as I know.  Check out PartsMikeParts.com for more info
Tedd

11/10/2004
"Kirk made a true statement when he said your site is great but I say your Tundra is incredible!  I am not that great as a handyman but after a buddy and I put an ARB bumper on my 2000 Tundra I realized that I had a 4.5 inch gap from a previously installed 2.5 inch body lift and 2.5 Fabtech coil-overs setup.  I noticed you had fabbed something or purchased, to cover your gap between the grill and the ARB which is what I discovered on the Bentup website.  Could you please advise what you used because I have not been able to decide what I wanted to do to fix this issue?

Thanks, Greg

Hey Greg, Yeah I hate that gap as well!  Thanks for reminding me to post up this mod!!  My gap was 3" from the body lift. What I did up front was to get some mesh pattern sheet metal.  I simply cut two 4" strips about 3 feet long and bent one of the long side edges 1" in so that it was an 'L' shape.  I then lined it up with the front part of the wheel well with the short length of the 'L' facing up and towards the engine bay and figured out where it needed to bend to fit the front body.  To actually bend it I cut out a 45o notch in the 1" wide bent over part so that the 3" wide part could be bent to the desired angle so that it contoured appropriately.  To get a semi smooth bend I had to do several notches.  To secure it I used some small sheet metal screws after drilling pilot holes in the metal flaring.  The bends near the wheel well provided enough horizontal rigidity, but I did have to use a 90o bracket on the section under the grill to keep it in place.  To keep it from chewing up the rubber strip that comes with the bumper, I covered the edge with some strips of generic door edge protectors from the local auto parts place. A quick dousing with a black rattle can and it was ready to go.  Check back soon for a new and improved front bumper that AJ and I are gonna cook up!!!
Tedd

1/2/05

"Just noticed you added several great trucks to your site, great job! If this thing works out, I'll do a write up for you also. Might help someone comtemplating a link."

Don

Hey Don-

Cant wait to add you to the Tundra SAS section!!!!

Tedd

1/22/05

"That sure was one helluva parking job. I did the same thing at Hollister Hills on New Years Day with my brand new 4Runner! I hate wet clay also! I was coming down a normally easy ""Blue Square"" trail at like 15mph, I hit some really slippery wet clay/mud and slid in to some trees going along the side of a drop. It's a good thing my buddy was in front of me. We hooked the tow strap to his hitch and my tow hook and he pulled me on out. I think I'm gonna be a ""Fair Weather"" offroader for a while now." 

Will

Hey Will-

Yeah that was a high pucker factor session!!  A very good example of why you should not go wheelin alone and why you should have plenty of recovery gear!!

Tedd

2/2/05

"Hi there, I just bought the same bumper as you have. I was thinking I was going to install a M8000 on the bumper until I opened up the package and found out I need to use the M10000 or M12000. So as I was searching on line I found your website.. Thanks for doing this web site. It really will make my project go a lot easier. I have a couple of questions for you. How long did this take you to complete? (without your fabrication work) and also after reading the other comments on your feedback page, am I going to need a lift kit for my truck with this new bumper? Also on page 5 the pictures on the bottom of the page, are unable to open up. I get a error message ""This page cannot be found. 

Rob

Hey Rob-

Thanks for the heads up on the broken links- I'll fix that ASAP.  As for the ARB, the install only took an afternoon, but as you see, you will need an extra set of hands to get it on cuz that sucker is heavy.  Bolting up the fairlead is really a pain, but don't get frustrated and take your time and it'll go on there.  You wont need a lift, but I wouldn't recommend that you put a winch up there with the stock suspension.  Even with a set of 2.0 Sway-A-Way Racerunners, it will fatigue your coils. If you wheel it hard they will wear out even faster.  Good luck with your project & let me know how it turns out!!

Tedd

2/12/05

Hey Ted,
I have a question. Are you looking into roll bars for the baby car seat? Let me know what you are up to in this area.

Mark

Hey Mark-

Gotta luv a smart ass!!!  Yes, a full cage is in the works!!  When are you coming out to visit?

Tedd

Check back for updates!!!!