My '75 hilux build, wrecked it.....

[75 toy]

thats the fuel tank in the last photo.....  I took it to another place and he did a great job, it didnt even have any leaks.  If you want some good exhaust work done try precision automotive in Clovis.    While I was at it. I insulated the floor and firewall, what a change in road noise. I'll add a shot of my new dash when I get one.

[75 toy]

here is the dash, I decided to eliminate the factory heater and controls and go with a vintage air unit. What a difference!!!  If you are building a early truck I definitely recommend doing that. The factory defrosters were marginal at best and now they are better than my new truck and the heater will run run you out of the truck even on a cold day.  I took it for a test drive last weekend down to the northern end of death valley. It was increadable. No tough wheeling, I only used 4 wheel drive once when I got off the road to pass another car coming the other way but incredible things to see.

[46&2]

Nice, Hilux looks good!!

[Steve_925]

cant belive i've never seen this build before.

truck looks sick

[75 toy]

Thanks, I was looking at your build too. Sweet 4 link setup.  I want to do that but I drive mine to work every day and I use it for more of a overbuilt trail rig than a crawler any more. I'm collecting stuff now to build another one. I want a 4 seater and I'm thinking about going green sticker to keep it cheap and easy. It would be nice to just be able to go with the girlfriend and both cars when I want and wouldn't have to work around other peoples schedules to go wheeling.

[GrenadedToy]

so sick. I used this truck and steves as insperation for my build. nice job on the 4.3 swap, I was gonna go tbi in my hilux but decided on 22re propane turbo insted.

I figured it would have been a much tighter fit in there since the hilux engine bays are tiny.
How do you like the power?

[75 toy]

The power is great. Plenty of it but not crazy. I was thinking about a V8, in fact I was building a ZZ4 motor for it. I can't tell you how happy I am that I decided not to go through with that. I drove a LT1 powered Toyota once and it was scary on the street. That one was built for sand and was no good for a rock or trail truck. The only thing I would like is a 700r4 but I don't want to spend the $$ right now. I still have a few electronic code problems I'm chasing.

[GrenadedToy]

Right on. Did you ever think about running a w56 behind it?

How much was that heater? my heater core just went out and need a new setup for winter. 

[75 toy]

I thought about it but I already had the automatic and adapter sitting in my shop. The adapters and flywheel would run about $800+ if I remember right when I called advance adapters.
I traded some parts for the heater. It is pretty nice, just 2 switches to control the heater/defroster and heat. The only bad thing about mine is its a old unit and has no temp control, just off and on for the water.
  I would just go online and check prices. Just look for vintage air products.  If you live in central california you can ask at Snow White ltd. I put a A/C and heat combo unit in a early bronco once and it was a lot ($1200) but that was for everything and well worth it. I would do it in this but have no room in front of my radiator. Here is a link for the website. http://www.vintageair.com/catalog09/09%20VintageAir%20Catalog%2023.pdf

[the_white_shadow]

can I get some more shots of the frame clearence for the exhaust manifolds. I put the same engine in my '82 and have some clearence issues with mine. I need to get some mufflers bolted on, the 4.3 is loud with open headers. But I love the power. I can smoke the 37's down no problem.

[75 toy]

I'll try to get a better shot of it. Its hard to do with the motor in, I put it in and marked the frame where the manifolds were and then pulled the motor out to do the work. I just cut out a section of the corner with the ends going to a point at the corner and then hammered it togather and welded it. I dont remember how much I cut out (maybe only 1/2" wide?), I just guessed and said "thats about right". You dont really have to take much out because you can bend one side down and then overlap the other side over it to make it how you want it. I origionaly had my motor farther forward than it is but I had no room for the fan and had to move it back but luckilly I made the cuts longer than I needed so it still fit. On the outside exhaust mainifold stud on the driver side I had to remove it and use a bolt to clear the frame.  I'll try to get photos on this weekend.

[75 toy]

here are pics of both sides where I modified the frame.  Its hard to photo with the motor in. 

I was thinking about making a new rear axle for it. I was looking at a high pinion 44 from the front of a ford truck. I dont want to do a dana 60 because of the weight. As light as my truck is I think it would do ok with a 44. Anyone done that?  What do you think? I drive my truck on the road to work every day but it gets trailered when I go very far so I think it would oil ok to the pinion bearings. My concern is the reverse cut gears and running it backward on the weak side of the gear.

[Steve_925]

do you still have your old heater core?

[75 toy]

they whole heater is out behind my garage. Too bad you don't live closer. You have some things I would like to have for sale.

[Steve_925]

if you want to sell just the core let me know

[locked 4x4]

Thats an awsome looking rig.  Cant wait to see it in action.

[axled89]

ilike the old hilux. and this one is going to be very cool.

[75 toy]

You can have the whole heater for free. That would give you a extra blower motor too, but I dont want to ship it. I dont know when I'm going to get up that way and its probebly not worth the trip if thats the only reason for it.

[75 toy]

I need to actually take more photos when I do stuff to it. I get sidetracked on other projects and kind of forget about it and it just becomes my daily driver. I like it because its built to go where I want but I can still use it for a work car. It keeps me from getting too carried away with building it. It keeps me from tearing it up too because I drive it to work.

[Steve_925]

You can have the whole heater for free. That would give you a extra blower motor too, but I dont want to ship it. I dont know when I'm going to get up that way and its probebly not worth the trip if thats the only reason for it.

okay, ill have to go to napa and try to find a similar one. thanx though

[75 toy]

If you can't find one I can let you know next time I go to sacramento and maybe meet you somewhere with it.

[Steve_925]

sounds good to me

[75 toy]

A SCORE AT PICK A PART TODAY!!!   WOO HOO, YES IT HAD A HIGH PINION,  $75 AND ITS ON MY BENCH.  Found a '73 with a great front body and doors. there was another right across from it. Stuff is still out there.

[bigarms23]

nice find

[GrenadedToy]

that dually is  sooo sick!

[75 toy]

sitting at the madera pick a part...  Would be pretty sweet with a front axle under it and a v8 for a mini tow rig.

[46&2]

sitting at the madera pick a part...  Would be pretty sweet with a front axle under it and a v8 for a mini tow rig.

That is what I was thinking!! Slap something beefier in the rear, new front axle and a V8, that would be awesome lol

[hilux-1983]

I need to actually take more photos when I do stuff to it. I get sidetracked on other projects and kind of forget about it and it just becomes my daily driver. I like it because its built to go where I want but I can still use it for a work car. It keeps me from getting too carried away with building it. It keeps me from tearing it up too because I drive it to work.

I'm on board with your philosophy. Really nice rig boss!!!

[75 toy]

Thanks, I just have a few more things to get done, (Tranny rebuild, check engine light problem, and fix the exocage so it is easy to take off and on) and I think I'm going to call it good and start planning the next one. I have my axles, t cases and misc parts so I'm wanting to build a 4 seater.
  The check engine light is making me crazy. It comes on when I come to a stop sign or light. Smells like carbon and is showing codes for rich and lean from the o2 sensor. I'm not using the GM fuel tank and pump and I'm wondering if it is because I dont have enough fuel pressure when it comes to a stop. The pressure drops to about 52psi and thats when it lights up. I changed the injector and fuel pressure regulator because the old one was leaking fuel but it still sets off the light.

[75 toy]

took it for a quick run today, didnt get any pics of it but I did get a shot of what happens when you get a tire in the crack on V rock.