Marlin Crawler Tacobox for 3rd gens

[Tacomadad18]

June?! Really?

That’s what they said. They got the shifter assemblies in last week so they are resuming building.

 

[SDCementTacoTruck]

It doesn’t seem to bad, dropping transfer case. Booting up taco box, adjusting wire lengths, cutting hole for shifter.. I to be honest do not trust a shop to do it! I had a local shop install my locker and they messed it up and caused a headache for me.

I will post here as well as YouTube.

wonder if you can route the shifter into boot of automatic transmission? that would be cleanest but looks to be real tight... where do you plan to route tacobox shifter?

 

[Tacomadad18]

wonder if you can route the shifter into boot of automatic transmission? that would be cleanest but looks to be real tight... where do you plan to route tacobox shifter?

Right now plan is to route it out at an “L” to run parallel with the ebrake

I’ll have to find out once I remove console if that’s doable or not

 

[SDCementTacoTruck]

Right now plan is to route it out at an “L” to run parallel with the ebrake

I’ll have to find out once I remove console if that’s doable or not

Thats a good idea... I'm thinking about making a double e-brake to single out the left and right. Helps with tighter turns and pretty much uses up all the space... Big Mike did this on his truck.

 

[Tacomadad18]

Thats a good idea... I'm thinking about making a double e-brake to single out the left and right. Helps with tighter turns and pretty much uses up all the space... Big Mike did this on his truck.

I seen that on his. I didn’t think about how it would help, but makes sense.

Seeing all of the work he’s done to the 3rd gen, I’m seriously considering shortening the bed for more clearance lol. If I can get this house we have been working on, ill have a shop to work in.

 

[SDCementTacoTruck]

I seen that on his. I didn’t think about how it would help, but makes sense.

I’m seriously considering shortening the bed for more clearance lol. If I can get this house we have been working on, ill have a shop to work in. Seeing Mikes is tempting

You will have a Super Short Bed! Big Mike started with a long beg extra cab so when he shortened, he ended up with the same bed size we currently have and still useable.
Good luck on the house.
I have a Bruteforce highclearance bumper coming. Once I receive it, I plan to color match and figure that will help alot! See back right corner! OPPS! Maybe I need a Super Short Bed too!

 

[Tacomadad18]

You will have a Super Short Bed! Big Mike started with a long beg extra cab so when he shortened, he ended up with the same bed size we currently have and still useable.
Good luck on the house.
I have a Bruteforce highclearance bumper coming. Once I receive it, I plan to color match and figure that will help alot! See back right corner! OPPS! Maybe I need a Super Short Bed too!

I’ve got a stout bumper but so much to clear before it! Would be nice to have a better angle back there for steep sections. I’m curious but don’t know if I could handle it on my own. Not a body guy at all. I would want it to be almost perfect and not be able to tell.

 

[WarFabArmor]

I cant think of a time a "cutting brake" would have helped on the trails these trucks fit on. Cool, but not sure how practical the use is. Its amazing the clearance gained just ditching the hitch and running a true high clearance rear.

 

[SDCementTacoTruck]

I cant think of a time a "cutting brake" would have helped on the trails these trucks fit on. Cool, but not sure how practical the use is. Its amazing the clearance gained just ditching the hitch and running a true high clearance rear.

I've had a few times where I felt my Tacoma didn't turn sharp enough where I had to back up or take a less desired line. Feel the more aggressive trail rides have made this a bigger factor. I also think it can be done for about $150 in parts and some fabrication. Ultimately a pretty cheap cost.
I cant wait for my high clearance bumper, seems like I drag my trailer hitch and more every time I go out now!

 

[WarFabArmor]

I've had a few times where I felt my Tacoma didn't turn sharp enough where I had to back up or take a less desired line. Feel the more aggressive trail rides have made this a bigger factor. I also think it can be done for about $150 in parts and some fabrication. Ultimately a pretty cheap cost.
I cant wait for my high clearance bumper, seems like I drag my trailer hitch and more every time I go out now!

I think its cheap enough it wouldn't suck to do. For what we wheel it just would be more a talking point than a usable mod. For a factory locker, id be curious if there were any issues getting the rear to lock/unlock in place to make it feasible to start the climb, unlock, apply brake to one side, swing the front, undo brake, and reactivate locker to finish climb. See a fair number of TRDOR guys having to roll alittle bit to get locker to lock/unlock.

 

[SDCementTacoTruck]

I think its cheap enough it wouldn't suck to do. For what we wheel it just would be more a talking point than a usable mod. For a factory locker, id be curious if there were any issues getting the rear to lock/unlock in place to make it feasible to start the climb, unlock, apply brake to one side, swing the front, undo brake, and reactivate locker to finish climb. See a fair number of TRDOR guys having to roll alittle bit to get locker to lock/unlock.

Agreed... I have a TRD Sport with ARB locker, so activating locker is instantaneous for me.

 

[Tacomadad18]

Agreed... I have a TRD Sport with ARB locker, so activating locker is instantaneous for me.

Love the ease of the arb locker ? it’s so nice to go through technical trails, turning it on a off so I can make sharp turns and not drag the opposite wheel I’m turning against lol

 

[Ericz34]

I like this thread! I’ve been interested in the tacobox too.

So I was thinking, I’ve seen a few guys ruin their driveshaft because they’re so dang long. A taco box would shorten it, so theoretically we would gain some clearance in terms of the rear driveshaft right?

 

[Tacomadad18]

I like this thread! I’ve been interested in the tacobox too.

So I was thinking, I’ve seen a few guys ruin their driveshaft because they’re so dang long. A taco box would shorten it, so theoretically we would gain some clearance in terms of the rear driveshaft right?

Technically, yes. The only thing I can picture is the driveshaft will be at a slightly steeper angle. There’s not enough feed back from the ones with a taco box to know for sure though.

 

[WarFabArmor]

Technically, yes. The only thing I can picture is the driveshaft will be at a slightly steeper angle. There’s not enough feed back from the ones with a taco box to know for sure though.

Still run a two piece shaft to same carrier bearing nothing changes aside from shorter shaft between case and bearing.
Have to move that bearing and joint in the shaft to change driveline angle.

 

[Tacomadad18]

Still run a two piece shaft to same carrier bearing nothing changes aside from shorter shaft between case and bearing.
Have to move that bearing and joint in the shaft to change driveline angle.

That’s right, I was thinking we had a 1 pc shaft lol. Shows how much I’ve been under my truck ??.

 

[Tacomadad18]

Still run a two piece shaft to same carrier bearing nothing changes aside from shorter shaft between case and bearing.
Have to move that bearing and joint in the shaft to change driveline angle.

That’s right, I was thinking we had a 1 pc shaft lol. Shows how much I’ve been under my truck ??.

 

[Ericz34]

Still run a two piece shaft to same carrier bearing nothing changes aside from shorter shaft between case and bearing.
Have to move that bearing and joint in the shaft to change driveline angle.

That’s right, I was thinking we had a 1 pc shaft lol. Shows how much I’ve been under my truck ??.

Yeah I forgot we had a 2pc shaft lol. I’ll just carry an extra driveshaft.

 

[TrainerTed61]

I finally got some response from the guys at Marlin Crawler.

First email today 8/6
"Finally have an update for you. Mike believes he has found a way control the oil level better in the case for the 6 speed so that it does not pump out of the top. He also has finished the design for a proper 19 spline coupler. He has sent both of these designs off to be machined. The coupler will take about 8 weeks to make, and the plate about 12 weeks. But then we should have something to test, and hopefully be the solution to our problems. So we are finally making our way closer to having a crawl box for your application."

Second email today 8/6
"Unfortunately, we do not have an ETA on when that one will be available. The coupler and adapter plate have been sent off to be machined, then once those get back to us we are going to test fitment and make sure everything functions properly, then after that we will have it released for production. If you check back in about 12 weeks we should have a better ETA for you. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask."

 

[Tacomadad18]

I finally got some response from the guys at Marlin Crawler.

First email today 8/6
"Finally have an update for you. Mike believes he has found a way control the oil level better in the case for the 6 speed so that it does not pump out of the top. He also has finished the design for a proper 19 spline coupler. He has sent both of these designs off to be machined. The coupler will take about 8 weeks to make, and the plate about 12 weeks. But then we should have something to test, and hopefully be the solution to our problems. So we are finally making our way closer to having a crawl box for your application."

Second email today 8/6
"Unfortunately, we do not have an ETA on when that one will be available. The coupler and adapter plate have been sent off to be machined, then once those get back to us we are going to test fitment and make sure everything functions properly, then after that we will have it released for production. If you check back in about 12 weeks we should have a better ETA for you. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask."

Ouch 12 weeks ?.

I got mine last week. On a good note they take very special care when packaging.

 

[SDCementTacoTruck]

Ouch 12 weeks ?.

I got mine last week. On a good note they take very special care when packaging.

Can't wait to see your build pics and hear how you like it... Maybe some videos too?

 

[Tacomadad18]

Can't wait to see your build pics and hear how you like it... Maybe some videos too?

I definitely plan on it! Should be getting started on it soon.

 

[MrPrincess]

I have not done a single thing to my truck yet, and after watching some of the videos I absolutely need it. Look forward to you'r install!

 

[Pinion]

Baited breath.
Very very very watching this
Any clues as to who will do drive shafts, Tom woods perhaps
And would love to see the modifications to wire harness
I can do that.

 

[Tacomadad18]

Baited breath.
Very very very watching this
Any clues as to who will do drive shafts, Tom woods perhaps
And would love to see the modifications to wire harness
I can do that.

There’s a local driveshaft company that will be adjusting the lengths of the shafts.

Yeah, basically adding about 6-9” to the harness is going to be about it!

I will video the install.

I’m working on where I want the shifter inside the truck ?

 

[Tacomadad18]

I have not done a single thing to my truck yet, and after watching some of the videos I absolutely need it. Look forward to you'r install!

COMING SOON!

Once I get a weekend off I’ll be doing it, very soon though!

 

[Ericz34]

COMING SOON!

Once I get a weekend off I’ll be doing it, very soon though!

That’s awesome man! In excited to see it come together! Make sure to post a ton of pics.

 

[Tacomadad18]

That’s awesome man! In excited to see it come together! Make sure to post a ton of pics.

It’s been in my garage for over 2 weeks and I am disappointed in myself. I am waiting on the driveshaft shop to catch up so I don’t have to wait another 3 weeks for those to be done. I will definitely take photos and video of install

 

[Ericz34]

It’s been in my garage for over 2 weeks and I am disappointed in myself. I am waiting on the driveshaft shop to catch up so I don’t have to wait another 3 weeks for those to be done. I will definitely take photos and video of install

I don’t think I’ve seen anyone post a tacobox build on a 3rd gen other than bigmike, so it’ll be fun to watch your build progress!

 

[WarFabArmor]

I don’t think I’ve seen anyone post a tacobox build on a 3rd gen other than bigmike, so it’ll be fun to watch your build progress!

Right! Im waiting for my buddy John to finish his too. I need the extras parts list.