Project Samurai, Part 4 Continued

We took the transmission and transfer cases to Karway to be inspected while we had them out. While we were there, we added a set of Trail Gear's 4.70 gears to the Toyota transfer case, which was an easy task. Basic tools and a grinder are all that's needed to get the job done. We took a rotary file to the case and then ground down one of the shift dogs to make room for the larger gear. We reassembled the transfer cases using Advanced Adapters’ dual case setup and then installed it in the vehicle.

With the cage in, we visited our local junkyard to look for a tilt wheel without airbags that would fit in such a small vehicle. After an exhaustive search, we found one from a 1995 Chevy Lumina. We had to cut the column in half and lengthen it to make it work. Don't be intimidated to do this. You do not have to pull the column completely apart. Take your time and use common sense.

We got all of our steering products from Howe Performance: power steering pumps, steering box, hydraulic rams, power steering coolers and the u-joints to connect the steering to the steering box. After mounting the steering box to the frame and determining the stroke of the pitman arm from lock to lock, we could now decide where the ram would mount for our hydraulic assist. This ram may assist and make your steering slightly easier, although that's not its primary use. It's used to protect the sector shaft and the steering box.  

Next, we needed to get the motor hoses and hydraulics plumbed. Throughout my many years of being in the automotive industry and in and out of hydraulic shops looking for fittings and hoses, it’s safe to say that most shops carry fittings for heavy equipment and industrial use. Period. 

It's difficult to find a place that carries fittings adaptable to automotive. On this extreme build, Parker Hoses had everything we needed, except for two fittings that were unavailable. Matt cut two fittings in half and was able to weld them together and made the fitting needed in 20 minutes. The end result looked and worked like an OEM piece. Keep in mind, this vehicle did not have any plumbing installed prior to going to the Parker Store. There is an incredible amount of hydraulic lines, fuel lines and brake lines.

This was no small task! Everything needed was in house. These guys are fantastic. They are highly knowledgeable and personable and have an extensive inventory. They support everything from drag racing and off-road to tuners. If the part is not available, they can probably make it, and normally they’d be willing to try. You've heard me mention the importance of tech support from companies you deal with. The Parker Store has it all.

Other Project Samurai Stories
Part 3 – Cage and Suspension Work

Part 2 – Fabrication Work Begins

Part 1 – Turbo-Diesel Jeep Killer?

SOURCES
Randy's Ring and Pinion
866-631-0196
10411 Airport Road
Everett, Wa.98204
Neal Hollingsworth ext. 5587
Kevin ext 5581
http://www.ringpinion.com/
nealhollingsworth@ringpinion.com

Trail Tough Products
877-789-8547
1031 Narregan St.
Medford, Or. 97501
http://www.trailtough.com/
supplier Brent Bradshaw
blbradshaw@msn.com

Ron Davis Radiators
623-877-5000
7334 N 108th Ave.
Glendale, Az. 85307
http://www.rondavisradiators.com/
Dennis
dennis@rondavisradiators.com

King Shocks
714-530-8701
12842 Joy St.
Garden Grove, Ca. 92840
Mike or Brett
http://www.kingshocks.com/
info@kingshocks.com
mike@kingshocks.com

Currie Enterprises
714-367-2676
714-528-6957
1480 N Tustin Ave.
Anaheim, Ca. 92807
http://www.currieenterprises.com/
brian@currieenterprises.com

RCV Performance
815-877-7473
611 Beacon St
Loves Park, Il. 61111
765-362-1909 765-307-7441
Owners Craig and John 815-877-7473
rcvcraig@gmail.com
http://www.rcv.com/

Rally Tops
800-664-8677
Los Angeles, Ca
http://www.rallytops.com/
Jerry Mancini - rallytops@gmail.com

Howe Performance
619-561-7764
12476 Julian Ave
Lakeside, Ca.92046
http://www.howeperformance.com/

Shake and Shoot Bedliner
Dominion Sure Seal
800-265-0790
6175 Danville Road
Mmississauga, Ontario,
Canada  L5T2H7

Acme Adapters
971-212-2263
P O Box 2258
Clackamas, Or. 97015
Jeff Kerr
sales@acmeadapters.com
http://www.acmeadapters.com/

King One Winch
714-593-3400
18424 Mount Langley St
Fountain Valley, Ca. 92708

Rocky Road Outfitters
888-801-7271
1920 WendellLane
Heber, Utah 84032
http://www.rockyroadoutfitters.com/
gwbuild@rocky-road.com

Lithionics Battery
855-726-4204
727-726-4204
2449 McMullen Booth Rd
Clearwater, Fla. 33759
http://www.lithionicsbattery.com/
Steve Tartaglia
info@lithionicsbattery.com

Kerma TDI
877-537-6283
3000 Eaglebend Dr
Box 2142
Avon, Co.  81620
http://www.kermatdi.com/
Paul
info@kermatdi.com

Rigid Industries
480-655-0100
4641 E Ivy St
Mesa, Az. 85205
http://www.rigidindustries.com/
Paul and Damon

Advance Adapter
800-350-2223
4320 Aerotech Center Way
Paso Robles, Ca.  93446
http://www.advanceadapters.com/

Reid Racing
925-935-3025
1917 Oak Park Blvd
Pleasant Hill, Ca. 94523
http://www.reidracing.com/

Spidertrax
800-286-0898
7510 Hygiene road
Longmont, co. 80503
http://www.spidertrax.com/

FK Rod Ends
800-662-4003
860-628-8722
865 W Queen St.
Southington, Ct. 06489
http://www.fkrodends.com/
sales@fkrpdends.com

Yukon Gear and Axle
888-905-5044
10411 Airport Road
Everett, Wa.98204
http://www.yukongear.com/

AAPAK
602-467-3752
1845 Grand Ave
Phoenix, Az. 85007
Tawn Berman
http://www.aapak.com/

Mittler Bros. MAchine and Tool
800-467-2464
10 Cooperative Way
Wright City, Missouri 63390
Mike or Pam
http://www.mittlerbros.com/

FASS Fuel Systems
866-769-3747