My 1988 Standard cab "4 Seater"

[GloNDark]

I figured I'd start a build up thread here, hopefully get some fresh eyes and fresh ideas over it. I found this truck about an hour from my house right around Christmas. Picked it up for $1800. I've been thru a ton of rigs in the past, a couple 69 FJ40's, an 87 4runner and a 69 bronco. I've always been pissed at myself for selling my 1 ton cruiser, and the other rigs weren't really my style at the time. I dig this truck though, it started out rough and too tall and ugly as hell but it's coming along.

Specs when I bought it:

1988 Truck
22re with 205k on it
SAS front – 5.71 Gears, highsteer, Detroit truetrac, broken birf, RUF Conversion
IFS width rear with 5.71's and a full Detroit, Chevy 63" springs
Dual cases, stock gears in both, Trail gear cross member, 37" MTR"s on aluminum wheels, On board air, racing seats, harness.......blah blah blah.
Other than the crappy job bobbing and dovetailing the bed and the overall HUGE height of the rig  it was pretty decent out of the box for $1800.

Pic of it when I brought it home.

Couple of "Before" shots in front of the house



After I swapped out the BIRF I found the rear 5.71 gears were hosed.

And I figured since I had the rear end torn apart, I might as well rebuild the rear leafs and move the mounts to lower it down.



Once I had the rear end dropped down, I had to get to the front pretty quick, so I pulled everything apart, ordered some of Marlins  frame tubes and a set of Daves anti death wobble shackles. Rebuild the springs with 4 less springs per pack, moved the steering box forward to line everything back up and reinstalled everything.





In the middle somewhere I got rid of the ricer Honda racing seats for some lowback suspension seats and camlocks.



Then it was on to body work, I had a buddy pick up an 85 truck that he was using for the axles, so I scavenged the bed, doors, hood and fenders. I ended up not using the front fenders because I liked the look of the stock 88 4x4 fenders better.



Soon after getting the new bed, it was time for the bed bob. I took about 14" out of it.





Did some fender trimming so had to take it out and see what cleared and what rubbed.






And a cool of it sitting next to a stocker just for a size comparison


The past week or so I've been busy moving, but still found some time to get the half doors almost done and throw some new to me 38.5" sx's on there. I've got a set of 4.7 gears for the rear case ready to go in, as  well as some 4.10 thirds to get away from the weakness of the 5.71 gears. I'd rather have 5.29's but the 4.10's were free to me  so I can't be too picky. Haha.



Next on the list will be cutting the back of the cab out and building a full family style cage and putting some seats in the bed of the truck for the kiddo. I can't wait to get started on that.

[84t0y]

I remember this on craigslist awhile ago, you made it much nicer, nice job.

[bigarms23]

great job on the truck

[chim]

Looks way better! Well done

[GloNDark]

Had friday afternoon off, found some paint that I liked and went to town painting the exterior. Still need to pull the seats and paint the back of the inside of the cab and my half doors but it looks pretty killer. Pics suck but you get the idea.

Also got my front end torn down to get rid of the 5.71 gears. The rear is 50% done, should be done tonight. In the process of doing that, i'm pulling the t-cases to install the 4.7's in the rear case too. Should be plenty low enough.

[chim]

A little pirate4x4 action... I like the color you chose what is it?

[2slow4you]

very nice looking rig.

[GloNDark]

I think the offical name is Stone Gray Satin. The plan all along has been to just repaint the truck red, but I was never feeling it. I'm not flashy when it comes to the color of my rigs or tow rigs. So I started looking around at other options and tried 10 different silver and gray colors. This looks pretty sweet, i'll try and get some better pics tonight when I get home.

[87hillbillyoter]

thats sweet doode. nice job

[THK Matt]

damn nice way to save that truck, looks really nice. props.

[GloNDark]

Been a while since I posted an update, finished the paint, finished the half doors, working on the rear bumper now. Turning out pretty sweet so far.

[Ancich]

thats a nice truck, whoever did that bob job should never do bodywork!

[GloNDark]

thats a nice truck, whoever did that bob job should never do bodywork!

You want to know the best part about that? The guy I bought it from did the original bob/dovetail and he works at a body shop in Reno. hahaha

[Ancich]

You want to know the best part about that? The guy I bought it from did the original bob/dovetail and he works at a body shop in Reno. hahaha

wow, thats sad, good thing i dont live in reno..

[Ancich]

it doesnt even look like the p.o taped off anything when he primer-ed that bed either,

[greg_k113]

I love this truck but I think I liked it better red. But none the less it's really cool!

[Talon84x4]

I like how it's turning out, nice job

[PBrown]

nice job 100% better

[GloNDark]

Rear bumper is 95% done. Need to add some attachment points.

Next on the list is, ARP knuckle and hub studs, clean up the rest of the PO's SAS hack job, a tool box and a high lift mount in the bed and i'm ready for the con in a couple of weeks.

[GrnMachine]

looking 1 million x better. love the rear bumper. keep up the good work!

[Peterbuilt84]

Truck looks hella good Pretty much what I want to do to my truck, gives me inspiration.

[THK Matt]

oh nice update. its lookin mighty sexy man

[Hyena]

looks good.  I hope you dont plan on jumping it and breaking the front axle in half like the runner!  that was a crazy ride for sure.

[GloNDark]

Man that was a crazy ride. I miss that runner, it sure was fun. haha

I've been getting thru a laundry list of little crap on the truck

- Finished rear bumper, it's tied the frame in 5 places. haha Including some 2x3" that was hammered into the frame and roset welded in place for the main suports, 1 center support for a possible receiver hitch later, and 2" supports tied into the side to support the side bars.
- Reworked my cd player, added a hardwired fm ipod tuner/charger and mount, reworked my cb and ant mount.
- Made some quick panels to cover the half doors and added some MTX 5x7"s
- Made a high lift mount for the bed. Still need to weld some big finger tabs to the 1/2" bolts to make it easier to take out and put back.
- Reworked my onboard air system, it's kinda funky but it's free and works killer. Airs up my 38" from 0 to 20 psi pretty fast.
- Rebuilt the front axle with new seals, including new marlin heavy duty inner axle seals.

Next on the list, welding on my shackle attachments to the front and rear bumpers, 2 more supports for the front bumper and some ARP studs for the front axle.

Once my wife is back at work it will be time for some 30 spline longs, and some 4.88 gears.

Rear bumper



High lift mount


Door panels for the half doors


Generic dash shot

[GloNDark]

hell of a shake down run  

Spillway


Soup Bowl



Little Sluice, more to come my buddy got some awesome shots, I'll post em when I get them this afternoon.


Top of the Slabs, coming down to Buck Island.


Camp at Buck Island


Little Sluice Saturday, Watched a couple yota buggy's make quick work of it. Also watched a grump ass YJ guy give it a go and then get pissed off when he got stuck after not listening to anyone. Hardly anyone in his group even stepped down to help him out. I had to climb down off the wall in the rain to give him a hand with his winch line and get my strap around the tree for him. Oh YOU'RE WELCOME, By the way. haha


Spider lake


Memorial on the Rocks


Coming down Old Sluice. Ran into a group of guys, 1 had a CJ with a small lift and 33"s and was having a tough time on his First Run thru the Con. I think he did better than his buddies with the built rigs.

[SloCrawler]

Nice Build

[GloNDark]

Here's a couple pics that my buddy took, he's a professional photographer.

Little Sluice









Camp Saturday night

[84xcab]

badass rig man! kinda reminds me of mine when i see the leaning am/fm antenna and the firestick on the drivers side behind the cab.

[Yota87Truck]

I like this pic a lot:

Little Sluice

I like your rig.  it's good lookin'

[mattlosch]

Looks like alog of fun. I need to get down to rubi next spring