My Official OM617 Toyota Pickup Repower Thread - Page 50 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #**736** 04-06-2019, 11:14 PM

Looks like you are having some fun!

OM617YOTA · #**737** 07-05-2019, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

A utility trailer is in the plans.

Got 'er done! Well, 99% done anyway. Quick driveby post as this isn't diesel related.

Slightly over 4x8' cargo area, 1' tall sides. The rear top bar is removable, still need to weld "wings" on the nuts so they're easily turnable by hand. Wheels and tires are directly interchangeable with the truck, same size/bolt pattern/back space/load rating. 5200lb axle(wildly, ridiculously overkill but I got a fantastic deal and it was 98% of what I needed), hydraulic surge brakes, LED lights all the way around. Went with 2" ball instead of pintle hook and lunette ring as I'm not rock crawling with it or anything. The normal ball coupler will have plenty enough articulation for what I do. Fenders are a 1" angle iron frame with used conveyor belting bolted on with stainless hardware, then ran the conveyor belting down the back to be a mud flap. Going to try and get in under the 1800lb don't need to license/register thing but might not get away with that.

One pic while testing lights outside the shop at home, and two while on it's first test drive.

Dan Stokes · #**738** 07-06-2019, 11:22 AM

That should work for you!

Dan

OM617YOTA · #**739** 07-13-2019, 08:07 PM

Hauled a load of yard debris to the dump with it this morning, worked great. Nice to be able to leave the trailer parked and load it up over a couple days while I cut stuff down, without tying up the truck. Then throw straps on and go when it's time. Should have done this a long time ago.

Father Of Giants · #**740** 07-13-2019, 08:36 PM

That trailer is nice, and just as you said trailers are SO convenient it isn't even funny.

t walgamuth · #**741** 07-14-2019, 08:10 AM

You have a very nice looking rig there! Great work. I especially like the rubber fenders.

barry12345 · #**742** 07-14-2019, 10:35 AM

Rather than have an insured truck sitting around unused almost all the time. I decided a trailer was a better option. It led me to think.

Why do people buy trucks that they essentially never haul anything with it in their boxes? Or have any need of their towing capacity. Nor plow their own driveways in the winter in my area.

Some of the 4 wheel drive trucks are also probably fuel hogs . Your trailer looks like both a good build and a usable size. I did not notice a spare rim and tire mount. Possibly something to consider. I just realized the other day that I should really have one. Over the years I have gone past far too many trailers that obviously had no spare and were temporarily stranded. Your rubber fenders are both creative and functional. I will mention this to my broth in law as he builds a trailer or two a Year.

OM617YOTA · #**743** 07-14-2019, 10:53 AM

Thanks folks, appreciate the comments.

The only change I have planned so far is replacement springs. The current springs came with the 5200lb axle and for the weight carried with those stiff springs, the axle might as well be solid mounted. Some lighter springs are on the list.

Barry, the trailer uses exactly the same size and bolt pattern wheels and tires as the truck. Any of the wheels will interchange anywhere, including the full size spare carried on the truck.

OM617YOTA · #**744** 10-26-2019, 01:02 AM

Truck continuing to do what it was built to do. The small size REALLY makes it handy in among the trees.

The trailer is proving incredibly handy too. Very happy that I built my own to my exact specs, despite it not being cost effective vs. just buying one from Lowes or wherever. The trailer has the same ground clearance and width as the truck, so anything the truck can drive over or fit between, so can the trailer. Again, REALLY handy in among the trees and with stumps to drive over.

I do need to pull a leaf out of the springs or replace the springs with lighter ones. More tie down hooks are on the list as well.

Dan Stokes · #**745** 10-27-2019, 11:15 AM

Good to see the 'Yoda doing what it's meant to do. Rock On!

Dan

OM617YOTA · #**746** 10-28-2019, 04:12 PM

Thank you sir!

I don't haul often, but when I do, it tends to be a lot, and the Yota is frequently undersized for that role. As a result I've been looking at full size trucks, and at this point, blasphemy though it is on these pages, it'll almost certainly wind up being a gasser.

Even used, it just doesn't pencil out to pay the premium for the diesel. I'll never make the $$$ back on fuel savings.

Dan Stokes · #**747** 10-31-2019, 02:34 PM

Sure love my Dodge/Cummins (painted to match Mutt). Hauls 5K lbs of trailer and Mutt like it's not even there.

OM617YOTA · #**748** 10-31-2019, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Stokes

Sure love my Dodge/Cummins (painted to match Mutt). Hauls 5K lbs of trailer and Mutt like it's not even there.

That's a good looking truck.

My thoughts on leaning towards a gasser are based on:

1. The MPG figures from Fuelly comparing trucks in my price range with either their respective diesel engine, or the largest gas engine available
2. $3.15/gal for both regular unleaded and diesel, which is my current pricing
3. $7k price tag difference between the diesel engine and the big gas engine(v10 Ford or Dodge or big V8 for Chevy)
4. 5k miles/yr driven, which is what I do in the Yota now. Being able to make fewer trips, this will probably actually be less.

The Dodge gas vs diesel was the closest with 8.5 years to pay for the cost difference, Ford was the longest at over 20 years to pay for the cost difference - might as well be never - and Chevy was right in between those two.

Dan Stokes · #**749** 10-31-2019, 06:03 PM

You are, of course, right - he IS a handsome devil! That pic was right after I got the tresh paint job a couple of years ago Sidelight - that pic was taken at the short term apartment where I stayed as I got my proton therapy for cancer in Jacksonville, FL. The paint was finished JUST before I left to get treated.

On the gas/Diesel thing, it all depends on what you want to do with it. At 5K miles/year the durability issue probably isn't much of an issue. The Cummins will run 'till the Sun expands to eat the Earth but you probably don't need that.

Dan

t walgamuth · #**750** 11-01-2019, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

Got 'er done! Well, 99% done anyway. Quick driveby post as this isn't diesel related.

Slightly over 4x8' cargo area, 1' tall sides. The rear top bar is removable, still need to weld "wings" on the nuts so they're easily turnable by hand. Wheels and tires are directly interchangeable with the truck, same size/bolt pattern/back space/load rating. 5200lb axle(wildly, ridiculously overkill but I got a fantastic deal and it was 98% of what I needed), hydraulic surge brakes, LED lights all the way around. Went with 2" ball instead of pintle hook and lunette ring as I'm not rock crawling with it or anything. The normal ball coupler will have plenty enough articulation for what I do. Fenders are a 1" angle iron frame with used conveyor belting bolted on with stainless hardware, then ran the conveyor belting down the back to be a mud flap. Going to try and get in under the 1800lb don't need to license/register thing but might not get away with that.

One pic while testing lights outside the shop at home, and two while on it's first test drive.

Your truck and trailer look just right. Great work!