87 Toyota shortbox buildup

[BobJ]

I bought an 87 toyota project truck. It had front crossmember, and rear shackles through frame already done. I've just bolted hysteer up. I'm currently trying to decide where to mount steering box, whether to use flat or drop pitman arm, angle of box etc., and whether to keep or get rid of 3" body lift, as drivetrain lift could be in the works. Trying to figure that out before box mounted permanently/rad support hacked up.

It has 87 4runner springs in front, I think that moves axle forward 2"? I was thinking of moving it another inch forward with spring plate. Steering box is anywhere from 3.5"-4" forward of stock, depending what angle I mount it at.


Not sure how much front end will drop when drivetrain is installed, but very soft already. Springs are pretty flat.  Tires in pic are 36X12.50.

Any suggestions and/or advice appreciated. Going to check out other projects on forum for ideas now.


Thanks,  Bob.



Will be removing as much body lift as possible and still have room for rocksliders



No bodylift

[Ramrod]

You definitly need to add more leaves to the front. I have 5 stock toyota rear leafs up front of my 86 I finished a sas on yeserday and I can already tell it is probably too soft.

[BobJ]

Thanks, it is pretty soft. I've been moving truck around by pushing on front tire and getting axle wrap. Will start building spring pack later, just wanted to get it to roller stage. Sounds like thicker spring pack will hit allpro arms? Will pull bodylift next week to see what it looks like.

Checked out your truck, sure seemed to get it done fast. Curious what you did with your steering box/pitman arm, do you have a pic?

[Ramrod]

Yeah I got some pics but my mount is really ugly because it was really hot and I didn't feel like grinding on it after I torched it but it still works good.  Yeah I had to do it fast becuase it is my dd and I have to drive quite a ways to work and I have no other way to get there so I had to finish it before the next time I had to work.  I'll post a pic of the new  mount in a while but here is the one on my old truck  with axle 2" forward

[CTENG in KS]

Don't worry, some black paint will make that look all pretty and clean!   

[BobJ]

Thanks for pics. Do you have any problem with pitman interference? How close is castle nut on pitman to frame? Looks like I wouldn't have to chop as much body mount if I did away with body lift. i'll be happy if my vert weld turns out even close to yours.

[Ramrod]

I have no problems with a castle nut becuase I use the skys pitmin arm adapter with stock pitman are and that wasn't even close.  I was pretty proud of that weld becuase at the time that was only like my third or fourth day of welding with a mig welder.

[BobJ]

More pics:

Ultra long travel rears.    With one broken leaf



Pass front spring when ds rear up in air




I guess steering box placement and flat pitman look like a non issue now.

[crawlerdan]

looks great, please let me know how the front springs turn out, ima doin the exact same thing right now

[BobJ]

Thanks, I'm guessing you will be finished before me though. I'm going to pull bodylift, put efi paraphenalia in, rehack rad support etc. I will keep an eye on your buildup though