Chiyo-chan, our 1980 4x4, is back! -- Some Cosmetic Improvements Only

[BigMike]

I heard a rumor that Chiyo-chan might be returning to the bay area

[coarsegoldca]

clean man

[hilux-1983]

 

[BigMike]

Mud-N-Yer Eye Frolic?

[zembalayan]

Mud-N-Yer Eye Frolic?

I just registered online!!!

Looking forward to it!

[4x4yota]

How did you fit that 33" spare in the stock location?

[zembalayan]

How did you fit that 33" spare in the stock location?

No mods were necessary.  I just reeled the spare up into the stock mounting location:



My matching/full-size 33" x 10.5" spare fits fine, and I would consider carrying another narrow type of spare in the same location, such as a 34" LTB if I had 35" tires, and maybe even the same sized LTB spare with 37"s.  I believe Marlin carries a partially deflated 35" tire under his bed, which tucks up there well.

I need to update this thread with some pics from MTA's Mud 'N Yer Eye.  My dad was visiting from AZ, and we had a real good time!  MTA put on a great event, and the BBQ dinner was awesome.   The truck performed very well, especially with some upgraded parts from Marlin Crawler, including a 5.29 4cyl Grizzly Locker in the rear, a 5.29 High Pinion ARB locker in the front, an ARB compact compressor, and a Marlink.  She also finally got Longfield 30 spliners--those with the Marlink up front make her a ton more sturdy.  

I have to say that the Grizzly worked perfectly and is in fact much better/smoother than I had imagined it would be on the street.

I also have some barely used Old Man Emu 2"/2.5" minitruck springs that I am itching to bolt on the front and rear hopefully this weekend.  Definitely, getting closer to feeling "done" as I had hoped with this truck, and I will post more pics soon.  

Of course, huge thanks go to Marlin Crawler for such great differentials, parts, and customer service!

[4x4yota]

So does this mean you got her back?
Cant wait to see the updated pics and the new spring install

[4x4yota]

Ive been trying to copy this truck ever since I say it
Im on 33x10.5 A/Ts and lookung to mount on my stock wheels

[zembalayan]

So does this mean you got her back?
Cant wait to see the updated pics and the new spring install

I finally got the Old Man Emu springs and shocks installed.  The on-road ride is much much better.  The springs still need a lot of breaking in and the current ride height seems pretty perky, a bit more than I imagined.  I took a few cell phone pics, which are posted below.  I am very glad to have the Marlink as rock insurance.









I was hoping to make a Cal 4 Wheel Trip to Niagra Rim on July 9th, but I received a call from the sponsoring club and learned the trip has been postponed due to US Forest Service order concerning too much snow.  I read a few people on this board will be up there this weekend.

[zembalayan]

Here's a before and after look:





I loved the way it looked on stock, fully frowned springs, but I know I will like wheeling with a bit of uptravel, rather than always sitting on the bumpstops.

[zembalayan]

Here are a couple more pics of minor upgrades that I added a while back--rebuilt/re-upholstered seat from Toy Connection and an FJ80 master cylinder from Marlin Crawler.

[Zs Confederate Toy]

Very nice lookin truck!

[zembalayan]

Very nice lookin truck!

Thanks, Man!

[4x4yota]

My jaw hit the floor as soon as I saw that first pic... Very good looking truck

[Yoat Goat]

Man, makes me want to lower my truck and put the steelies on........... Thanks. 

[BigMike]

Chiyo is looking great Bill! I also wasn't expecting that much rake. I'd also suspect the fronts to settle more than the rears, beings the weight is up there and it all shifts forward under braking. Sorry for having to ask this, but are you still running the stock shackles F&R?

[zembalayan]

Chiyo is looking great Bill! I also wasn't expecting that much rake. I'd also suspect the fronts to settle more than the rears, beings the weight is up there and it all shifts forward under braking. Sorry for having to ask this, but are you still running the stock shackles F&R?

Thanks, guys!

Mike, I am still using the stock shackles in the front and rear.  The shackle angle up front is right on, you might even say a bit relaxed; the rear shackle angle is a bit steep, but from everything I have read about OME springs, I expect some settling to occur after I have logged 300 miles and definitely after harder trail use.   Maybe she needs to do a Rubithon workout!    And, if I were to pack like my normal self, I would load Chiyo-chan up to her gills with spare parts, tools and supplies.  I am glad that I got the HD OMEs, and eventhough, I have heard great things about the new (Indonesian -made??) Emu Dakar springs, I am stoked that I scored this set of Aussie made OMEs. 

Like you said Mike, the front especially should settle more with all the weight.

Love the ride.  I can't be sure, but I think I was the first person to change her shocks since she was born 32 years ago.  The ride, braking, everything seems better!

I am really eager to take her out, and I am still thinking about a trip to one of the many several trails in Stanislaus forest next weekend.  Anyone up for that?

[BigMike]

Sounds great man, I'm interested to see how they break in! Listen, that ride quality much be soooo much better.... you're no longer riding on inverted leafs!!

[zembalayan]

Yeah!  It's better for sure, but you need to take her for a spin to see if I can start calling her a "HIgh-LUXury 4x4" (no abbreviations necessary due to upgrades  ).     

Have a great 4th of July, everyone!

[blumagoo]

Your ride is beautiful, you show good restraint with your choice of mods.
I love your choice in wheels. I had envisioned my 85 with old cruiser wheels from the start.
Where did you find them and what did you paint them with?
Keep it up!

[zembalayan]

Your ride is beautiful, you show good restraint with your choice of mods.
I love your choice in wheels. I had envisioned my 85 with old cruiser wheels from the start.
Where did you find them and what did you paint them with?
Keep it up!

Thanks!

I am grateful to have gotten the wheels in a trade from a true LandCruiser connoisseur who multi-sourced a used, full set over sometime.  I don't know where he got them from specifically, but he's very patient and particular, which i admire.  He told me that he had them powdercoated to match the Toyota classic gray paint.  I later found a set of the Toyota factory hub caps to match.

The LC wheel option seems very doable, especially if you were to look on mud or inquire directly with cruiser parts vendors.  

[zembalayan]

Just got back from running Slick Rock Trail.  Had a good time and the truck was great.

















The trail's entrance at Alpine Lake was closed; we went through the Utica side and turned around here, not too far from the Alpine entrance:























Saw a petty bad ass, built to the hilt 4Runner out there:

[bigarms23]

what are the specs of that 4runner but looks like a good time

[zembalayan]

what are the specs of that 4runner but looks like a good time

I don't know the owner besides seeing him on the trail yesterday.  Looked like MTR 40s possibly on KMC beadlocks.  He told me the axles were RuffStuffs, and I noticed that the front axle had a hi-pinion 9" diff of some sort while we were trying to tug him off of that tree in the first pic.  He had a custom fuel tank and skid plate right below the rear bumper to accomodate his rear links.  Sorry, I have no more details.  It was cool for sure.

[4x4yota]

about how much lift did you end up with? and what is your frame to ground measurement...

[zembalayan]

I will check.

[4x4yota]

I will check.

thanks

[zembalayan]

about how much lift did you end up with? and what is your frame to ground measurement...

Okay.  At street pressure (roughly 30 psi), it measured 22.5" from the ground to the frame immediately forward of my BudBuilt crossmember mount.  

I did not measure the truck before I bolted on the OMEs, but I have a 1984 4x4 Longbed with stock (inverted) springs that I should measure for comparison.  

[4x4yota]

my 81 with factory (inverted springs) on 33x10.50x15 BFG A/Ts at 30psi measured 18" (16" on stock tires 235/7515) just in front of the crossmember mount... hope that helps for refernce!...