Snow White- 85xtracab Build

[CTENG in KS]

Alright, got the new thread setup!  Kool!

[Hyena]

You should be fine with an open front ans 36's.   wouldn't put the detriot in the front though.  If you put it in the front and break an axle shaft or a birf then the shock will kill the detriot too.  I found that out the hard way.  Save up for an ARB or electric locker.

[UNBREAKABLE]

I like it....I just wish mine was done now

[Matty]

thanks for all the feedback everyone...so far so good....

since this is my first build up thingamajig i figured id toss some more pics up this is after a cleaned and painted the new rear housing...it was a little pitted but i think she came out purdy. at least enough to wheel  orderin all the disc brake conversion stuff hopefully soon
the last pic is of a center console that i just made today out a some sheet metal and PVC for the cup holders....sick and tired of having my stuff spill everywhere... it isnt done yet i think we are gonna add a tray to it too...

[Matty]

oh and i think i might be starting a build on my 85 4runner soon.  We are gonna try to go junkyard springs and keep cost low, that and COG just buildin up parts for it now, but heres a pic of it when i bought it way back when...please dont ask about the  logo someone painted on it...i just havent had time to take it off

[Matty]

ohh man  EFI!

[Matty]

ok ok i know it isnt part of my build thread but i like this pic....all of our 4runners ....My 2nd Gen '92, My 1st Gen '85, Dads 4th Gen '03

[crawlerdan]

i like your driveway full of runners

[Matty]

haven't gotten a lot done lately because my funds are almost completely gone right now.  School starts in two weeks, and so does work for me.  So its time to save up some cash, and get into some big projects this winter.

but anyways i know you all need your picture fix....here a pic from after a minor tree hit me i had to fix the fender so my lights would work, ohh and my Nylint RC truck which out flexes my truck like crazzzzy and its wicked fun...i know its a heep but its stilll funn

[Matty]

oh yea and a friend of mine has been looking on this board for a while, he doesnt drive a toyota, but he is into all of this stuff, and he joined the other day as 4.3s10, but anyways enough about that this is a pic of his '79 K-20 and my '85

the last two pics are of his D/D a 1990 s10, 4.3 bored out .030, dynomax cat back, tbi spacer, Holley 670, 2 add-a-leafs

[RHG]

 

[shad]

Truck's looking great.
I might have to change out my cab soon it's starting to get cracks all over the front of it and the fenders and hood barely line up anymore.
It's probably from wheeling hard so I may put a 85 cab onto my frame. I know a guy who has a 85 reg cab that's pretty rust free for me for about $150.

[Matty]

thanks....and shad that cab swap would be pretty sweet....

some more pics from me playing on the rockiest place around....

[gotrocks]

keep up the good work man!

Oh not to be bias but BUILD THE RUNNER.  I love the 85 ex cabs as well but I wouldn't trade the room I have in my Runner for another 85 ex cab (not to bash on them though.)

[Matty]

keep up the good work man!

Oh not to be bias but BUILD THE RUNNER. I love the 85 ex cabs as well but I wouldn't trade the room I have in my Runner for another 85 ex cab (not to bash on them though.)

yea, the runner thing has been killing me because i got really far into fixing the xtra cab, and then i found the runner, and at the time i just took the tires and wheels off it because i wanted them for my xtra cab.  I kept it though, because i thought that i might build it.  I love my xtra cab to death, but on some of those nights when i go wheelin i want to take everyone out.  or just have the room in the back seat    

the other big thing is that if i built the runner i would do it right.  I mean the xtra cab is ok, but i would have rather regeared first then done lockers, and then lift (and not some shitty skycrapper lift) and tires.  But at the time i can honestly say that i didnt know anything about gears and lockers. 

if i built it, it would probably be during this winter...when i have more funds

[Crucial]

or just run a birf elimanator kit like i have.

how streetable is that kit? considering it for my truck but iys my DD ...

[gotrocks]

I know what you mean.  When I built my first toy (85 ex cab) I did a crappy lift and 35's.  Stock gears and lockers (came with the truck).  Now that I have my 4runner a few years later I understand everything a lot more.  I hope you can get the chance to build you 4runner.  Looks pretty nice with a little work.  Keep up updated on everthing.  Oh and do you have any more pictures of the runner?

[Matty]

I know what you mean. When I built my first toy (85 ex cab) I did a crappy lift and 35's. Stock gears and lockers (came with the truck). Now that I have my 4runner a few years later I understand everything a lot more. I hope you can get the chance to build you 4runner. Looks pretty nice with a little work. Keep up updated on everthing. Oh and do you have any more pictures of the runner?

I dont have anymore pics of it at the moment, its on little tires in my yard right now.  I will go take some on a nice day.  Its raining right now.  It doesnt need that much work.  One of the fenders is new and i would need to replace the other one, but that is really cheap.  The back fenders have really minor rust and that lip, but if i build it i think i would just trim that off anyways.  Especially now that i am and experience fender cutter person.  It does need a new tranny though.  Reverse doesnt work.  I would probably get a marlin replacement one.  But besides minor body work and the tranny shes all good.  Solid frame which is hard to find around here.  Gotrocks you got me thinking too much about this.

[gotrocks]

lol well I know how it can become addicting.  I just love the runners so much I had to buy myself a second one.  My 88, that I got for $1900.  Its a little rough body wise, since it needs a paint job and a little body work but the inside is nice and everything works on it.  http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=14219.0  Not to try and thread hack here but check out my runner and what I'm working on.  You might find it interesting and inspire you to work on the 4runner some more.  Just keep up the good work, you really seem to be doing it the right way on your build.  But I need to see those pictures of that 4runner.  If you don't mind my asking how much did you pick it up for?

[Matty]

No worries on the thread.  This is all good stuff.  Yea if i do it i want to do it the right way.  Once the money is in i want either one im working on to be done right.  I might build both, but im not sure.  I can totally tool on the xtra cab and not care about it.  Being that it has a small body and flatbed.  I'm not sure i would probably keep the 4runner for similar things just take it easier on it and drive it on the road more.  But im not entirely sure yet.  I will make sure to get the pics tomorrow.  I bought the beauty for $500 and i got the tires and two sets of rims out of it, and a whoooolle 85 efi runner so it was fine by me.

[gotrocks]

I hate you.  That is a steal.  That person did not know what they were selling.  I say build the ex cab for serious rock crawling, and build the runner for light trail crawling and street use.  There's nothing like a open top runner with tube doors driving down the road.

[Matty]

Yea they definitely didnt know what they were selling. They werent very smart period i mean come on they painted a chevy logo on it and there isnt one single chevy part in it.  A little weird if you ask me.  It would be the sickest Summer Cruiser/ Crawler ever.  The thing is how much do i put into it.  Ya know like where do i stop with the craziness.  And like what tire size and lift would be good on street and wheelable.  Marlin 4in. Springs seem high for it. I was thinking taking my front skycrappers which arent too bad and running them on it with marlin rears and run marlin f/r on the xtra cab.  i dont really know though..any suggestions

[Matty]

Alright well i have been thinking about it and i think im going to continue to build the Xtra Cab a lot more, and i think the idea is that im going to take the suspension that is on it now and put it on the 4runner, and make the 4runner into a D/D Cruiser, with 4.88s and some road 33s.  So that means the Xtracab gets new suspension!! now the choices, i am going to be running 36in. Iroks should i go with Marlin 4in or 5in. Springs??? Also will those springs move my axle forawrd in the stock hangers?? or do i need a drop hanger?   

[RHG]

The Marlin drop hanger will move your axle forward an inch or two, I dunno if the springs move it any. As for 4 or 5 inch...go with 4 and do some metel work. If yo find you need more lift further down the road either add another leaf or put a 1 inch body lift in there. Good choice with putting the skyjacker on the runner. I think its a good idea to do a little bit of a build on it so it can be trail worthy but still a great dd and camping rig. Maybe a 4.0 or a 4.7 in the t-case and call it good.

[gotrocks]

well tahts a good choice I'd agree.  Now that I have a DD runner I don't feel so bad about building up my other one thats a little beat already.  I say go 4.88's lock it up and decide later if you need trans gears or not.  As for the pickup, well I haven't run the marlin springs and from what I've heard their good but what I'd do it use stock rears up front and some mazda's out back.  Mine flexes really well and it ddin't cost much at all.  With the hanger kit I have I have plenty of lift and I run 37's  thats just my

[Matty]

went wheelin today got some random shots....

[Matty]

more after the posers....

[Matty]

sorry bout the repeat, and theres more but i can seem to post them right now....they arent that exciting though

[Matty]

well im finally starting to get all my own tools, instead of having to use everyone elses....now i can get all of the work on my truck done that i need.....just a start to the vast array....(got the compressor at a tag sale...)

[4.3s10]

nice impact wrench... this winter should be awesome when we tear down your truck completely and put it on 37s