Tom is an amazing guy! I emailed him just to let him know there was an episode missing from the playlist for this series, and he actually responded to me and added the missing video! It really made my day just to know that he cares about his viewers!
Good you tubers are like that! I know that Tom has a WAYYYYY bigger channel than mine, but I think it's a nice touch when you try to respond to your viewers.
Tom's Turbo Garage I knew I liked you for some reason or another! Seriously though your vids make it feel like I’m watching the automotive shows on Sunday afternoons! Thank you for sharing.
Wow, can't believe that axle is virtually a direct swap. I love it when parts from other brands can be interchanged, it makes building your own unique project much easier. Great exhaust job BTW, keep up the great work. ;)
The Taco is a pretty accepting body. Quite a few different bits and bobs can find under and still look OEMish. My theory is that Toyota did some market play and knew that the average Joe would eventually do some twiddling with their truck and made it possible to swap in existing parts off other cars. Would not be a first, Honda certainly played nice with the locals.
@@aserta You might be right about Toyota, or is it possible they "copied" the Ford unit? Talking about OEM, I like the way Tom does his builds, they always look OEM and factory, gives the finish project a very clean look.
Ford 8.8 is certainly the best choice for this build. They have been used for decades on Jeeps and have broad aftermarket coverage. Bonus for an easy fit on Tacomas!
This is the first time I've watched an exhaust video and not heard it screaming right afterwards. This entire build has been fantastic, informative, and entertaining. I look forward to hearing this run after finishing this series!
Damn son, your work is second to none. Your attention to detail and your patience blows my mind. This truck's going to be jaw dropping, like the LS3 Miata is.
You videos are like a metaphor for keeping a positive perspective on life, no matter the challenges and set backs. Thank you, Turbo Tom, and can’t wait for the finale on this Turbo’ Tacoma. Beautiful work as always, and meticulous engineering. -Chris, fine artist and Orthodontic Appliance Fabricator
love the factory look. im in the middle of fitting a turbo to my LS1 commodore and you give me the motivation to take my time and do it properly the first time. cheers
Seeing how you had your axle shafts turned down to fit the hub centric Toyota wheels really shows your attention to detail on this build. There's tons of examples but that one really sticks with me.
I know it's a little late now, but SWAG Offroad makes a neat table adapter that you can bolt your portaband into. It makes doing those pie cuts real easy. I love mine. And, to make fabbing up easier, you can purchase some wide 2 bolt exhaust clamps, cut windows in them, and use them to hold your exhaust tubing while you get everything in the perfect location. Tack em up on the truck, remove clamp, and weld out. (The clamp idea is not mine. Seen it on RU-vid somewhere
Certainly a fan of Driveshaft shop product. I was updating the FD ratio in my Subaru BRZ and went for their Aluminium product myself. Its an NA build so have no worries over durability. Its still a lot lighter than the stock one also. Loving the build!
Dang out of all the other issues must be refreshing to do that rear install and exhaust work, I can’t wait to see what you come up with, I’m learning more terminator x tricks by the day
I have an '03 Tacoma and have been wanting to do this swap for years now. Mine also has been cursed with the dog of a 4 cylinder. Your videos are awesome, so in depth. After watching the series to date I feel like I've got a good grasp as to what I am getting myself into. Thanks for the great videos.
Tom, I've said it before, you're an inspiration to many, myself included, to do better. We may not all have your tools or work area at our disposal, but you, without a doubt, provide the example of how to do things in a quality manner. Thanks for that. I have one of those Driveshaft Shop carbon fiber shafts on my 87 Supra. I'd recommend making some sort of shield for it, to protect it from road debris. Nothing quite like an expensive street sweeper spinning under your truck... Also, putting stock wheels / tires back on, with a turbo LS under the hood? You must have a lot of faith in that differential! =)
Looks like you may want some longer wheel studs for that rear. The wheel bolts didnt look like they had too much thread engagement. Always run three thread out in safety for aviation so maybe I'm just being over cautious. Great video as always though, always jealous of your shop setup!
Maybe some ARP extended ones? Trustworthy and track tested. Some may say ugly as they can protrude through the nut........... but not as ugly as a motor on the side of the track missing a wheel!!
It is worth noting that this style of lug nut does not seat on a taper in the wheel, they are designed to pass clean through the hole. The washer is the contact point. While extended studs may be necessary if he wants to run different wheels/racing slicks, they fit very similarly to the stock arrangement as they are now.
Don't get me wrong for a daily driver they are more than enough especially when you consider the design having probably twice as many threads compared to a stock nut. My thought was for track use and potential wheel changes or use of spacers you suddenly eat up any benefit the better design gives, with the increased stress of the track or strip And for the sake of £34/$42 a side when you have spent thousands in parts and your own time, seems worth it in my opinion for the peace of mind when you rip down the strip for the first time. Probably me being over cautious and coming from a trade where it's laid down that the threads of the bolt must protrude 1.5-3 threads from the top of the locking device. But I figured I'd mention it. At the end of the day it's up to Tom to check and decide for himself we are here just to watch and suggest ideas and things he might have missed by accident. Best part of a public build on a forum or on RU-vid, the community has always got your back Tom has the benefit of having 181,000 people QA'ing everything he does........it must be a benefit and a curse!
Hearing protection for quick paint work ? I kid, i kid.. really enjoy the content ! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Those stock/Toyota wheels are great. Glad you kept with them.. Cheers !
The intro suspense.... I knew that it was carbon fiber something but didnt guess it was a driveline/driveshaft. Project fire bolt is coming along quite splendidly I must say here mate great job!!!!
Awesome! I love making custom exhausts. It isn’t worth it when you calculate time and parts cost but it sure is awesome seeing the finished product. For things like this you just don’t have another option. Well done!
You know as I watch this, I realize I could do this work. But you are so much more meticulous than I ever would be. Great attention to detail man. Nice work
Man I love how you put so much attention and details in all the things you do on your builds. Looking forward to the next episode, thank you Tom, very entertaining!
Tom I have to say what an amazing job thus far I'm alway looking forward to your next update. Thank you for inspiring me to work out of my comfort zone and to try new things. Stay well and have a wonderful day.
Boggles my mind how you find time to advance this project, research parts & fitment, trial and error/mockups, "performance looking", keep your shop looking like a dentist's office, setup/teardown for filming segments, video editing, and keep in contact with your viewers. Amazing! Hope you bring this creation out to this year's last C&C (if it's completed by then).
Tom you have a great channel with interesting and educational content. I’d never build a mini/mid size Japanese truck with a turbo LS1 but I LOVE watching you do it. Lol.
I was thinking a coat of ceramic high heat paint would be great compared to a blanket. I'm not certain but that being in the undercarriage it may just collect debris and water.
@@TomsTurboGarage I put a Vibrant resonator on the back of my GMC (solution to a way too loud cat back system). in a similar location your muffler is in. If you plan on using your truck in all weather conditions, the high shine will dull out over time. On other note, Awesome build!
It may be worth it to look into reinforcing the frame with some steel plate where the cab meets the bed. If the frame fails because too much power, that's the point it will fail. Every Tacoma that had rust that i have seen, the frame where the cab meets the bed is always the first to go. Also it'd be awesome if you found a way to install an exhaust cutout switch that dumps exhaust right out of the turbo. Flip a switch and go from quiet to crazy open exhaust. Great for the track. Great progress so far! Everything is looking pristine! Cant wait to see this thing come to life! Keep up the great work!
I wish I had your patience projects at home. I get close and then need to speed to the end to go for a spin and test it out. Keep up the great videos. Looking forward to the final videos in this series.
Just recently found this channel and it is great. Watched all of the firebolt videos that are out so far and all of the thunderbolt too. Going to keep watching all of your other videos as i get time. Great channel with great content. Definitely earmed my subscription and notifications. Cheers.
Thank you for the kind words Josh! Welcome to my out of control car hobby, glad you are enjoying the videos, I’ll be posting a new Firebolt video on Tuesday. See ya then! 😀👍🏻
Just binge watched parts 1-9... Went from hmm this guy is good, to absolutely amazed!!! I was thinking about a swap, not really thinking about it any more... I dont have 25k to drop on my truck lol
I have had several people ask how well mild steel weld wire works to join stainless bases- shouldn't you use stainless wire? The answer is no, it welds beautifully. In addition, if your welds are of minimal size they draw in enough nickel from the base metal to become stainless as well. Lovely build, Tom!
Loving the series so far Tom! I would definitely route that wastegate back into the exhaust, keep the sorda sleeper theme going. When that gate opens up under the bed of the truck I am not sure it will sound very good. But to each there own! Cant wait for the next upload!
Dang Tom, I wish I had even half the know-how and dedication to craftsmanship that you do! All of your projects look like they could have shipped that way from the factory. I feel like I have A.D.D. when I'm working on a project, after a few hours I just want to get it on the road. Don't think I have the patience enough to do a project like this. Kudos!
Been watching since the yellow Miata Tom. Glad to see you're always holding yourself up to high standards in your workmanship. The video production must take forever now, they look so professional.
Hey Tom, for the brakes, ditch the ceramic pads in favor of metallic. Ceramic pads have no place in a performance car (truck). If you want to stay with PowerStop, get the Z26... it is Carbon Fiber - ceramic blend, I wouldn't use it myself (Camaro SS and a soon to be turbo charged 18 Silverado), but there is some decent feedback on the forums, with most guys still favoring the OEM Camaro pads over them.
