Topic: Project Old Yeller

[ImmortalYota80]

Hey everyone I figured it was time for me to start a build so i can get some motivation and to document my build. I picked up a super clean 1980 yota 4x4 for $2500 about a month ago. I've had some issues with getting it smogged (CO levels too high) I've rebuilt the carb and its still no good so i ordered a weber 32/36 yesterday. Hopefully that takes care of my problems. Anyways heres the story behind the truck. Im the second owner i bought it from a older man who bought it new in 79 and has garaged it since new. Its super clean the whole under-body, frame, and axles are all black still. Its got 126800 miles on it and a brand new set of tires. Heres the plan, i not goin to do anything crazy just some 3 inch trailgear leafs or some OME leafs convert to power steering maybe put a locker in the rear axle and eventually put some 31's on it after my current tires wear down. Further down the road i'll throw some wheel spacers on it and maybe some dual cases. This is going to be a slow build so bear with me im a broke student. Onto the pics!

[tgmaul88]

DUDE CLEAN OLD MAN TRUCK!!!!!! the under body is perfect!  your gunna pop that yodas cherry!

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

Did a few things to yeller this weekend

Saw a ad on CL for a weber carb went to check it out and ended coming home with all of this instead.


Friday night I threw the front shackles on

Didnt do much saturday but today I put the rear shackles on and repainted the new bumper and threw it on





So now im on the lookout for a set of 3 inch leafs and parts to convert over to power steering

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

I'm also thinking of mounting some offroad lights in my push bar. You guys have any suggestions as far as what lights to run?

[Nimyad]

Beautiful truck, don't go destroying it. 31s and a 3 in lift will look kinda odd, you can easily fit 33s with no lift. Also you should keep an eye on the for sale section here and on pirate 4x4 for a locker. I got a grizzly locker for a little more than a new lunchbox locker.

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

Well I got about 2 inches outta the shackles and I've jacked it up 3 inches and it doesnt look that bad with the 30's that are on it right now I actually think it looks good. I just want a little more suspension articulation. My stock leafs are goin into negative arch so I'd really like to get some 3 inch fronts. What id really like is a pair of OME leafs but im having a hard time finding somewhere to order them.

[Nimyad]

I don't blame you for wanting different leaves, the stock leaves are awful. But as far as articulation I'd look into high steer and ruf. Also if you have questions almost all can be answered here http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=775780

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

I know the Pirate toyota bible like the back side of my hand lol As far as high steer goes Its not in the budget right now and ruf's are a option i guess im just hesitant cause I dont wanna move my axle to far forward cause i dont want to cut my fenders and im not gonna do highsteer for a while.

[Nimyad]

Good! Lol. I learned a lot of what I know from trail and error, I wish I would have found it sooner.

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

Ya im the kinda guy that learns things the hard way so im trying to do everything right on this truck the first time

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

I got a nice little package in the mail today

[tgmaul88]

very cool, now that thing will ZIP around town,  I love my weber, I have a jet kit Ive never used yet, found on at a local yard on a mani for 60  im gunna snag it for a spare,   you got a good one, like some may have stated, dont kill that thing,

looks really good

[H8PVMNT]

I did RUFs and redrilled the center pins to run the axle in the stock location and use the stock steering and it works and rides great. Took a bit of tuning and mixing and matching leaves to get the near stock ride height from the RUFs.  I did end up building some shock hoops to use some 12" stroke monroes and even though it's really low the articilation is great and it uses every bit of the shock stroke. The stock steering is holding up just fine.

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

You have a build thread for that truck??? I'm interested in doing that to my truck

[H8PVMNT]

You have a build thread for that truck??? I'm interested in doing that to my truck

I don't really have a build thread per say. It's kind of an un-build with boring mods you can't see. The whole pont of the truck has been daily driver/wheeler and to prove you can do just about everything with 31s a healthy and low suspension setup and lockers and overall it has been a success.  It's nearly as capable as my really built 4Runner with 35s.  Sleepers are really fun on the trail and nothing ever breaks because of the small tires.

I can post up some pics of the front suspension for you if you want and try to recreate the setup but there's not much to see.  You just redrill the spring pin holes in the top three leaves to match the location of the stock fronts, then add a bit of the stock front bottom leaves, maybe 2 and a shorty overload, maybe a trim packer about 8-10" long on the drivers side to compensate for the lower spring perch.  I also made some moderately longer shackles out of these conduit hanger plates I got from Home Depot.  You can drill out the holes on one side and press or hammer the stock shackle pins in.  In the front I bent the plates over an anvil to get the bent plates like stock. Your lift shackles should be just perfect. Then just do whatever you have to to get some really long shocks in there that don't top or bottom out hard. I'm still using stock bump stops too.

I'll try to get you a pick of the finished product when I rotate my tires...

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

I don't really have a build thread per say. It's kind of an un-build with boring mods you can't see. The whole pont of the truck has been daily driver/wheeler and to prove you can do just about everything with 31s a healthy and low suspension setup and lockers and overall it has been a success.  It's nearly as capable as my really built 4Runner with 35s.  Sleepers are really fun on the trail and nothing ever breaks because of the small tires.

I can post up some pics of the front suspension for you if you want and try to recreate the setup but there's not much to see.  You just redrill the spring pin holes in the top three leaves to match the location of the stock fronts, then add a bit of the stock front bottom leaves, maybe 2 and a shorty overload, maybe a trim packer about 8-10" long on the drivers side to compensate for the lower spring perch.  I also made some moderately longer shackles out of these conduit hanger plates I got from Home Depot.  You can drill out the holes on one side and press or hammer the stock shackle pins in.  In the front I bent the plates over an anvil to get the bent plates like stock. Your lift shackles should be just perfect. Then just do whatever you have to to get some really long shocks in there that don't top or bottom out hard. I'm still using stock bump stops too.

I'll try to get you a pick of the finished product when I rotate my tires...

Pictures would be great!

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

Alright no real update but the truck been running great other than the choke not really working. Super reliable gets 18mpg in town and 23ish on the freeway.














Also found a old pic of it the day i brought it home next to my old truck.

[ImmortalYota80 [OP]]

Had a little fun today.


Some Hardcore poser flex