Author Topic: My 85 Runner project (updated - finally) (Read 11307 times)

gturismo · « **on:** Oct 22, 2004, 11:15:37 PM »

I was hooked after the first time I rode along on a little rock crawling adventure. I knew it was something I wanted to do! So I started looking around for a truck. I wanted EFI and a straight axle so it had to be an 85 (on a budget and knew I couldn't afford a SAS). After looking for a couple months(seemed like forever!) I found it. I went to look at it immediately. It had a straight body with original paint, ran good, 182K miles, no rust, good interior, and everything worked even the AC. BOUGHT IT. Price: $2250 Drove it home (about 4 hours) with no problems.

Here she is (YES, that is a cop spot light you see.....don't laugh)

BigMike · « **Reply #1 on:** Oct 22, 2004, 11:23:14 PM »

Wow you've come a long ways then. I like seeing how stock rigs turn into awesome wheelers.

gturismo · « **Reply #2 on:** Oct 22, 2004, 11:30:43 PM »

Yes, I hope it will be an awesome wheeler someday, after much more work (and much more money than i planned on!!!) Oh well, there are no cheap hobbies anyway, certainly not that kick ass, like wheeling.

gturismo · « **Reply #3 on:** Oct 22, 2004, 11:39:35 PM »

The next day I looked it over really close and found a few problems. Both rear springs were broken! Not a big deal, they were to be replaced anyway, but I didn't know they were broken while I was driving home at 70+mph

Also discovered that the coolant was brown....not good! and the radiator hoses were very mushy feeling. The brake pads/shoes were very thin. No other big problems, just a few minor things here and there.

Gtown · « **Reply #4 on:** Oct 24, 2004, 11:40:22 AM »

auto

Hyena · « **Reply #5 on:** Oct 24, 2004, 04:14:28 PM »

Thats is a nice runner. Good project toy.

gturismo · « **Reply #6 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 11:28:05 AM »

This is right after the lift was done. Went with Pro Comp 4" springs and 2" shackles. Tried using a 2" block in the rear to level the truck. Hopefully this won't cause axle wrap problems $:-\$ \ This was my first lift install, and it went alright....now I'm ready to go tire shopping.

gturismo · « **Reply #7 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 11:33:44 AM »

Ahhh, that looks better. Found a set of 35x12.5x15 Goodyear MT/R's. Used but with 90% tread left. Mounted them on Pro Comp Extreme Alloy 15x10 wheels.

Also removed spotlight. Damn thing wasn't even wired, no wonder it didn't work

gturismo · « **Reply #8 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 11:46:50 AM »

Been working on small things lately. Pulled radiator and took it to a local radiator shop. They said it wasn't worth trying to repair, so I replaced it. Probably better in the long run anyway.

Ordered the 529 gears, ARB locker and Rancho 9000 shocks last week. They should be here any day now.

I was planning on using Ford shock towers, but now I'm leaning towards the hoops.

Had the front driveline lengthened and balanced.

Finally bled the brakes. That was one of the last finishing touches to the lift install that I just hadn't gotten around to doing.

brainlessfool · « **Reply #9 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 11:53:23 AM »

like the way it's looking

And love the pic with the trail mutt sticking his head out the back

gturismo · « **Reply #10 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 12:58:40 PM »

Ruff.....Rrrruff, ruff! Translation: Stop working on this damn thing, and lets go somewhere!!!

BLACKDOG · « **Reply #11 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 01:30:06 PM »

Nice doggy. Don't eat me. Rig is lookin' nice..reeaaalll nice. gturismo, I'll take that spot off your hands if you dont want it and still have it.

GrimReaper · « **Reply #12 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 05:57:00 PM »

Nice!
So getting any weird vibes with that much lift?

Flexed it yet? any scrub?

I'm planning on a Marlin Debating on a 4 inch spring lift and 2 inch body THen tuck the case and gas tank up or all spring like you did. My truck is getting a SAS and plan to move the axle forward 1 inch for better clearence on 35s.

gturismo · « **Reply #13 on:** Oct 25, 2004, 09:02:17 PM »

Sorry blackdog, the spot light is a goner.

No GrimReaper, I have not had it on the trail yet, but I can't wait! Sounds like a nice set up you are going to have. Do you have any pics posted?

FatAzzRunner · « **Reply #14 on:** Oct 26, 2004, 03:31:35 PM »

Good lookin rig, I remember when mine used to look that nice.

Now, I cant even put a hard top on it and there is not a straight body panel on it.

GrimReaper · « **Reply #15 on:** Oct 26, 2004, 08:08:04 PM »

Quote from: gturismo on Oct 25, 2004, 09:02:17 PM

No GrimReaper, I have not had it on the trail yet, but I can't wait! Sounds like a nice set up you are going to have. Do you have any pics posted?

Its still bone stock. At the parts collecting stage and still trying to sell my last rig for some finacing.

Have my front axle, Have my second case for a doubler. Now I need springs. Should be able to get the Chevy's for the rear cheap from a Buddy that works at 4wps. That leaves buying the conversion kit possibly front springs, cross over and the little parts that add up. Just need to decide all spring or half and half. The 2 inch body does have good points from stand point of clearence on the Crawler and room to move the horse shoe up out of the way. Easier to fab sliders etc but still a lot of work to install. After seeing yours I may just go spring and deal with the fabrication and do a different way of dealing with the clearence issues on the Horse shoe crossmemeber (Think drive shaft safety loop).

So runs smooth down the road? does it have a Marlin in it?

gturismo · « **Reply #16 on:** Oct 28, 2004, 01:57:59 PM »

Wow Grim, I wish I knew how to fab stuff

Are you going to post a "build up" thread? I would like to see your rig progress.
Runner or truck?

No crawler for me, I have the auto. Well I guess I could if I were willing to swap to a later model tranny, but for now I'm going to go with what I have.

gturismo · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 02, 2004, 12:58:22 PM »

Finally got my parts

Pulled the rear 3rd out last night and will take it to my buddy for gears and locker install. Everything looked good, at least as far as I know. No metal chunks or shavings, oil looked good. I am hoping to have the gears, locker (including compressor), shocks and hoops all done by Thanksgiving.

gturismo · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 15, 2004, 07:48:12 PM »

Finally got around to doing some more work this past weekend. Man, where does the time go?

Installed the rear 3rd and put the rear axle back together. Got the ARB compressor installed under the hood. Still need to run the air hose and install the switches in the dash.

Pulled the front axle off and took it to my buddies. We tore it all down in preperation for a complete overhaul. I didn't want to do it on my own since it was my first time. I was going to run the front open for now, but caved in and ordered the ARB for it as well. Do it right the first time, right? So now I'm a little deeper in debt than I planned, but the front axle will be totally done.

I also plan on moving the axle forward 1.5". Soon i will be

I still have a few minor things to finish up. The shock hoops come to mind right now, but I know there is more.

Skinny_Pedal · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 15, 2004, 08:54:38 PM »

must say that is one very sweet runner. being in debt is fun when it goes to your truck. now just swap out the auto for a w56

gturismo · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 06, 2005, 10:18:29 PM »

Alright, I have not updated this in a loooooong time and many things have been done. This is what I have done in a nutshell:

Rebuilt and reinstalled the front axle, moving it forward 1.5"
Finished up the ARB install and tested the lockers
Mounted front shock hoops and shocks
Swapped the rear axle for an IFS unit
New brake pads and shoes
Got the rear shock mounts and shocks installed
Flipped the rear u-bolts
Installed a CV rear driveshaft to get rid of the vibration
Replaced tranny mount

Doesn't sound like much, but time and money have slowed things down. I blew it....and didn't take many pictures

Got a couple of the front shock hoop install......then fast forward to today with the flex test pics.