Switched builds... traded for a '85 4runner

[CSR73]

I finally registered with the MC forum and thought I'd share the progress of my truck build/rebuild.  I started this project on the 5th of August.

I picked up a '82 LWB.  It was used around the previous owners hog farm.  The original 180,000 mile 22R was leaking oil from every seal.  The original transmission and tcase had been replaced with a W56 forward shift from a 89-95 truck.  The clutch chattered something fierce, the brakes were shot, and the front axle seals are puking lube.  It appeared to be mostly rust-free.... 'til I got it to the shop and pulled the carpet out.  The floor was rotted out from sitting out in the fields for years with the windows rolled down and water trapped inside.



The next week I found this '81 SR5.  Blown engine, but most of the parts I needed were still there.  It had changed several owners and each had pulled a few parts off for their trucks.

[CSR73]

I started with pulling the engine/trans/tcase, and rolling off the rusted cab.



Swapped the good cab off the SWB (it had frame damage from an accident).  Yay!  Round headlights!

[CSR73]

Ordered up some cool parts.



Duals stacked behind the W56.  Put in new rear main seals, resurfaced flywheel, new pilot and throwout bearings and clutch.  The powertrain is supported on a jackstand.... waiting on a Front Range Offroad crossmember.  Started hacking away at the floor to get things tucked up a bit.

[CSR73]

Bobbed 14" out of the bed.  I used the back section off of the other bed I had since it wasn't smashed up and had a working tailgate.







This is where i'm at until I get some parts delivered.

[CSR73]

FROR crossmember installed and a fresh coat of Krylon Satin Black.  Next up is driveshafts.  Having the rear built by a professional.... the front square tube driveshaft will be less than professional!

[kneedownnate]

Cool build but, what's the deal with the cop in the one pic? 

I tried using the same krylon paint for my motorbike bodywork, but gave up after 3 cans in a row began spitting and puking all over my plastics 

[CSR73]

Cool build but, what's the deal with the cop in the one pic? 

I tried using the same krylon paint for my motorbike bodywork, but gave up after 3 cans in a row began spitting and puking all over my plastics 

That's my buddy from High School, he stops by periodically to check out the progress.

The "hot rod black" paint was his suggestion.

[CSR73]

Not much to report... I did get the ol' junk pile fired up, which was a little surprising since I pulled all the EGR and emissions vacuum junk off it while I had the engine out.  I dropped off a rear driveshaft at the driveshaft builders.  I found a .125" tube with the right I.D. to slip over the O.D. of a stock front shaft.  Gotta stretch a front shaft 8" to make up the difference in the duals and longer late model transmission.  The pieces are cut, just need to burn it all together tomorrow.

Just need to wrap up a few little things, then I'll be ready to drive it over to the exhaust shop and have something put behind the open header.... she's kinda loud.

[CSR73]

Built a front driveshaft this morning.  Stretched the original shaft 8" to make up the difference in the dual adapter, 2nd case, and longer/later model transmission.  More floor had to go away to make room for the FROR crossmember bushings and bolts.  I didn't get it anywhere close to a flat belly.  This is as good as it gets without a body lift or a lot of sheetmetal work.  Bled the clutch and brakes and went for a FWD test drive (having a rear shaft built by the pro's).  Everything works!  The stock carb is running great with all of the emissions and EGR pulled off.  I got it up to around 40 mph and didn't feel any vibration from my re-tubed front shaft. 





I need to get the truck licensed and insured soon.  This is gonna be my daily driver.  I'm waiting on a deal on good tires before I decide on suspension and gears.

[Sparkplug]

Did u get a rotated adapter? Because it looks like if u wud have, u wud have been able to get alot flatter IMO, Swwet build tho, I like the bob job

[SloCrawler]

Good Start

[PBrown]

Not to shabby. Its coming along good.

[CSR73]

Thanks for the good words!

I wish I'd got the clocked adapter now.  I got under it with a tape measure today.  18.5" to the frame, 16" to the lowest part of the rear case... and that's with the big drain plug still in it.  I'll definitely want to get the FROR skid plate before I hit any serious trails.

It's getting there.  Still have a long way to go, though.   

[hilux-1983]

 

[CSR73]

Working on getting the interior put back together.  Gotta build a center console to cover the floor I chopped out.  Yeah that's carpet!   It's marine grade so it shouldn't hold moisture.  The previous owner installed the carpet.  I ripped it out and tossed it in my junk pile.... but decided to stick it back in today.  There's pieces of styrofoam insulation underneath to help with the heat.



Enough playing with the 'Yota!  Going riding with the wife!

[CSR73]

Finally got my hands on a crankshaft mounted power steering pulley.  That was the last piece I needed for my p/s system.  I guess I know what I'll be working on first thing tomorrow.  I'm excited!  And my arms are too!  It's been a while since I had a non-p/s rig.  That stuffs gotta go!

[CSR73]

Got all the power steering stuff installed today.  It came off a early 2nd Gen, but everything matched up.  I'm still driving around in front wheel drive 'til my rear driveshaft is done.... so p/s is a big improvement.  I can turn it with the palm of my hand now.

My to-do list before I put this thing on the road is getting small!

Get the rear shaft in
rebuild the knuckles (would be a good time to stick a locker in the front)
Install rear spool
registration and insurance

Looking for tires.  Whatever I find at a deal will determine what mods are next.

[CSR73]

Picked up my rear driveshaft this morning.  $67 to shorten and balance.  Wasn't too bad to have it built right.

[CSR73]

I've been shopping online for tires.  The BFG KM2's look like the best deal out there in the size I want.  Looking at 35-36".  Always been a fan of Swampers... I've ran TSL's, SX's, and Iroks.  I was thinking either 36x12.50 SX's or 36" Iroks.  From day one, I've envisioned this rig on 36" SX's.  Can't find a set for under $1000 though.   

Discount Tire will ship a set of 35x12.50-15 KM2's to my door for $792.

From everything I've read, the KM2's seem to be holding up decent.  With the realitively light weight of my truck and the type of 'wheelin I'll be doing, I think the BFG's would make sence.  This won't be a dedicated trail rig, more of a DD/weekend trail runner. 

What do you guys think???

[CSR73]

Welded up a frame to go around the chopped out transmission tunnel today....3/4" square toob.  Skinned the sides in sheetmetal.  I used screws instead or welding on the sheetmetal, in case I ever need to pull it out.  Still need to cut a piece to cover the 2nd tcase shifter.  I was too impatient to wait for the paint to dry.... so I've got some touching up to do.

[AaronB]

looking good, what else is in the plans?

[CSR73]

looking good, what else is in the plans?

Thanks!  It's coming together.  I'm fortunate to have a job that allows me to spend most of my work day tinkering with my truck (selling cars at the family owned dealership).

Plans for the immediate future are bending up sliders and bumpers.  Need to look into a roll cage (something I've always saved for last, but needs to be on top of the to-do list).  Tires, 2.5" backspaced wheels, lunchbox locker front/spool rear, 5.29's... probably end up with F150 springs in the rear with rears up front, x-over steering with IFS box... all the usual stuff.  My last rig had Chevy rears, looking for a better departure angle with this rig.

This is the last Toyota I did.... '85 Xcab, Detroits f/r, 4.88's, 36" Irok radials, Inchworm duals, etc.....

[Yota Rolla]

Welded up a frame to go around the chopped out transmission tunnel today....3/4" square toob.  Skinned the sides in sheetmetal.  I used screws instead or welding on the sheetmetal, in case I ever need to pull it out.  Still need to cut a piece to cover the 2nd tcase shifter.  I was too impatient to wait for the paint to dry.... so I've got some touching up to do.

what shift boot are you running?? looks like something im lookin for. .

[CSR73]

The shift boot was in the '82 when I bought it.  That truck had the forward shift W56 in it, so the boot probably came from the tranny donor (i've heard the trans came from a 89-95 truck).

I need to find a single boot for my rear t-case shifter.  In my last Yota build, I used a Samurai t-case shifter boot.

[mat305]

nice truck

[CSR73]

Tranny tunnel done.  The sheetmetal used in this project was harvested from the 14" section removed from the bed.   8)

[CSR73]

Chopped out the finally piece to complete the tranny tunnel (had to make a plate to bolt down the rear shifter boot, not sure what it came out of, but it worked).  Called and got it insured, went and got it licensed, then went down and filled her up.... drove it home!  My new daily driver!  Running an open header still.... the neighbors will love me tomorrow morning!  I think it's louder than the Thunderheader on my Softail.

[SloCrawler]

Nice work its really coming along, and fast.

[CSR73]

Nice work its really coming along, and fast.

Thanks.  I dropped the truck off at the exhaust shop this morning.  It was still sitting in the spot where I parked it when I drove by there on lunch break.  It's driving me crazy!  There's work to be done, but my truck is sitting across town!

[CSR73]

Got a good look at my dirty underside today while up on the rack at the exhaust shop.  2.25" pipe, exiting in the factory location behind the tire/ front of the shackle.