today we started what is going to be a long winter buildup of the x90. i have been brainstorming on what to do with this build for a while. a few weeks ago i decided it was time to do it. i decided it was time to the dumbest thing that everyone always does, chop up a perfectly good vehicle. the x has been a great trail capable rig with the small mods that are on it, but i want more. it will go almost anywhere on the trails, but it lacks a lot on the rocks and hill climbs. the small sidewall's and IFS really handicap the rig. SAS is the way to go!
i have a set plan in my head of what i want but i am sure the build will change every time i work on it. so far this is what i plan on doing.
-toyota mini truck axles with a front locker
-3 link control arms with track bars in the front and rear
-toyota power steering
-stretched wheelbase from 85" to 100"
-boatside rockers
-34" swampers
-4 to 1 transfer case
*street legal*
over the past few weeks i started by tearing the axles apart. i cut the old toyota mounts off and started the beefing. i added gussets on the front axle and shaved the pumpkins. the factory oil drain plug on the bottom of the pumpkin hits everything. now it's smooth and ready to slide over rocks.
today we tore off all the calmini crap and basically all the drive train. i am going to scrap most of the stock stuff and i will probably hold onto the calmini lift kit. we dropped the gas tank because it will get relocated after the rear axle is in. dana battled with the stock power steering until it finally came off. he always gets the easy jobs. stay tuned for more.