my junk 1981 toyota aka rock rat

[papa mike]

this is the start to my project  went down to marlins today  man i have to say  they are great  down there,
cant wait till they get there shipment of springs in,, im going all marlin on this   project

[papa mike]

so far  i have  part of my half doors done  dont know if im going to cut them up more as far as the size of the hole

[papa mike]

thanks  lee  for the help and info 

[papa mike]

big mike do you have any pointers  where to start this project,,also  do you live around clovis and ashland   thought i saw  your rig around there  a few times

[pickemup81]

  looks good how much did you pick it up for?

[BLACKDOG]

Man, that ut looks familiar

looks like a good start!


you gonna keep the window guide/ door rim all the way around?  I did, think it looks better that way

[papa mike]

looks good how much did you pick it up for?

to much  but was all there was out there at the time  lol

[papa mike]

Man, that ut looks familiar

looks like a good start!
im thinking on keeping  the winow pillars on   not to sure yet

you gonna keep the window guide/ door rim all the way around?  I did, think it looks better that way

[yotakid88]

start with basic stuff like a lift and tires. then when money alows buld up the axles and the t-cases then other crazy suff when you think the time is proper.

[papa mike]

start with basic stuff like a lift and tires. then when money alows buld up the axles and the t-cases then other crazy suff when you think the time is proper.

i have  five grand  to start with  so money is not the problem  so far anyhow,,but you know  how things change  real fast

[yotakid88]

well 5 grand is a great start. since your truck is an 81 get a trail flex kit and get it in the air.

[papa mike]

well since marlin doesnt have springs and other parts  i got  chevies to put in the rear  going to put rears up front  ,,then get  a dual transfercase adapter  and high steer,,was looking at getting  marlins rock rails  but they are out of them to  man  thoses guys go through the parts  there
also  got this  neat hood ornament  for it

[papa mike]

my project is on hold  back went out big time  guess the  22 r i had in the back of truck was heaveier than i thought anyone know of a good chiropractor in fresno or clovis 

[papa mike]

got my lift in going to do some tweaking of springs  to get it the way i want it

[papa mike]

heres  the rear shot   got to get chevy springs 

[papa mike]

if  adding springs  and taking a few away dont work  im gonna get marlin springs  ,got the front hanger  to weld on yet

[MR_DIY]

I'd avoid chevy springs in a pickup.. too light for them.. try a ford ranger or mazda p/u... even a tacoma setup like mine works well IMO. 

[papa mike]

so far i still need high steer  and  crawler box  but i have a start on this  project    thinking on going to 529 gears and aussie locker,,still have a ton of stuff to do

[papa mike]

have a dropped  steering arm on here   how tight  do i tighten the end   bolts on this   seems with them tight  the cotter key  is way off

[6.72:1]

have a dropped  steering arm on here   how tight  do i tighten the end   bolts on this   seems with them tight  the cotter key  is way off

You don't have too tighten them too tightly.

I just usually tightened them until they seated well, then went a little tighter until I could get the cotter through....

[PA_taco_13]

  nice looking rig man keep up the good work

[papa mike]

finally got my marlin rears in  and did some hybrid  fronts ,,my rear shackle  needs to be moved  the angle is  to steep  also  put power steering in it ,,thanks  to dan [75toy ] for the good deal on all the parts

[papa mike]

well  my  project has turned into a budget build  got my marlin rear springs in , did  hybrid fronts ,need to get  new shocks for the front ,and i have to move my shackle hanger  back  the angle is to steep  ,,got to make front  drive shaft  as mine  is way to short,, the front springs  are the ones with the long spring bolt in it  the others where  bent

[papa mike]

rear

[papa mike]

rear  shackle angle  is bad

[papa mike]

problem with my steering arm  now i have to flip the ball  going to run this till i get high steer and a new box,,if anyone in fresno or clovis has a press i can use to do the flip  i would really apreciate it

[papa mike]

i will add more pics  as i get them

[papa mike]

my little  110 welder works great

[papa mike]

i need to get  some u bolt flip kits and shock hangers  next  ,,then get some  square tube for the front shaft,,next major buy is going to be the crawl box  adapter  and  the  gears

[Volcom]

Nice buildup so far!  I like the black on the hood with the rest of the truck yellow.