new to this, dont know a thing

[Zane]

http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/pts/2053305402.html what do you guys think of this?

[yjay]

3 grand for 2 axles with no locker is no bargain in my book. A welded rear is no fun on the street at least for me.

[yotatough]

for that kinda money you can get somthin stronger than a 44, not worth $2700 imo

[Snowtoy]

That front axle isn't worth more than $500, and the rear not more than $300, there is nothing special about either one, except that the owner paid a lot of money a year or so ago for them to be built, and thinks he can recoup what he pad fr them.  Used drive train components aren't worth much more than about 50% of the parts costs(no labor), ARB diffs with gears sell for around $600, and complete front axles w/gears and lockers and often high steer for about $1k.  Over the last 12 months I have seen adds for front & rear axles w/ARB's and high steer listed for as low as $1200.  The deals are out there, you just have to be patient.

[Zane]

Ok thanks. Ill keep looking and keep you guys posted. After the info ive been given, Im almost thinking ill just buy a different truck just for wheelin. that seems to me like the best idea. Something i can learn on without worrying about being out a vehicle.

[yotatough]

There's nothing wrong with wheeling the one you got. But for 6k budget, you can buy a built truck if you really wanted to. I would just do dome research and get everything you need before you start. It'd be a good reliable truck when u done.

[Zane]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2057407464.html This seems like a good truck to start on. Maybe lift it, put some 35s on it, 5.29 it. what you guys think?

[Zane]

I know i could wheel what i got, but i kinda want to get a truck to learn on, and if i screw it up wheelin or doing work on it i wont be out a vehicle. the main reason i joined this forum was so i could learn what im doing and get advice.

[BLACKDOG]

Doesn't look too bad.  Its a little over priced, I'd say that truck is worth around 2K, mabye less.  It would definitely be a good start.

Personally I like not having to rely on my truck as a daily driver.  I did it for a long time, and it can be stressful knowing the rig that you're taking through the trail is going to have to take you to work on monday.  I'm not saying it can't be done, and I know there are a lot of folks on here that DD their rigs, but it is a nice feeling to get back from a wheeling trip and know you don't have to fix anything, or even unload it right away before going to work.

[Snowtoy]

That would be a good rig to start with, since it already has an oem SA and dual cases.  Given your budget,  I would go with a rear ARB's along with the 5.29's, the front could be done now or later, depending on how much of your budget you waned to spend.  This will allow you to wheel open diff, until you need to a locker, something you haven't experienced w/the auto lockers you have now.  If your Taco has an MT tire, I would run those on the '82 and pic up a set of AT's for the Taco as DD/occasional off road tires.  You will get better handling, tire wear, and often better mpg's out of AT's than you do out of MT's.

Depending on how it drove, I would start w/an offer of around $2k.  Most sellers understand that unless they state the asking price is firm, most buyers are going to offer about 25% less as a first offer.  Clean stock bodies and nice interiors they go for around $2500, so with dual cases already in it, even if you had to go the full $2700, it wouldn't be too bad of a deal.  Given the add, I would think you should be able to get for less than $2500.  I would take a look at as soon as you can, it sounds like the owner needs money.

[Zane]

Yea I'm running ATs on my truck now, I was probably gonna offer the guy 2500 cash today or tomorrow. seems like he might take me up on it, provided its still up for sale.

[Snowtoy]

That is the one thing with good deals, you have to act fast, hesitation usually means you miss out.  From where you are at, it should only be about 45 minutes to Auburn.  I would contact the seller ASAP and set up a time to look at it, if it is still available.  If you do miss out on it, no problem there will be others, such as this one http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2057706782.html, it has been listed before, though curious as to why why it hasn't moved.

If you have the space and really want to build your own, I would look for a cheap project rig for under $1k.  An SA'd rig would be the best, but something like this http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/cto/2035990247.html, also wouldn't be too bad to start with.  With your ability to weld, you could likely do the SAS cross member, dual case skid plate, rock sliders, bumpers and exo-cage as a couple of advanced welding class class projects, and still not spend all of your current budget.

[Zane]

Yea Auburn is close. as far as building my own rig, i want something that runs already, and would prefer it to be street legal. less work is good, because i dont want to get something, then get overwhelmed by the work and have it sit.

[Zane]

Took a look at that tan toyota. Runs good. Offered the guy 2200, settled on 2300. seems like a good deal to me.

[RockRescue]

SO did you buy it ?

[Snowtoy]

Took a look at that tan toyota. Runs good. Offered the guy 2200, settled on 2300. seems like a good deal to me.

Yes, if you got the extras that were offered and the inside is in as good as shape as the outside(from the pics), $2300 isn't a bad deal at all.  With the amount you had to spend you will have a very capable trail rig one you are done, and likely money ahead.

[Yoda4x478]

I was new to wheeling at one time. I still wouldnt call myself a pro though. I have only been doing it for a few years. But it's fun.

[BoG-ToY]

I love the whole, post cushioning as seen in the post above... lol I swear people who do that should be force to have 50 posts before they can use PM and FOR SALE section... lol

Anyways, I think going with the second wheeler is a good idea for sure, shoot, get a trailer just big enough to pull the thing and your golden, keep it street legal, drive it where you need it, if it brakes get a ride home and pick up the tow rig.... long trip, just tow it?

But like others have said, it SUCKS to know if you hurt it, your hurting your vehicle, not your "toy"

Whats nice is if you start out with a basic truck, you can lift it, put tires on it, put armor on it, put lockers, duals, better axles(longs or so?), better steering, a camshaft, header, an ugly snorkel.... ALL of these can be done ONE AT A TIME. (ok so duals and like a RUF lift go hand in hand cuz front driveshaft mods can be needed for BOTH)

but you can peice it together... and if you do something that does hurt it... well, wait till you find a deal... I can do a cab swap EASY now.

as far as sparky says, on the sas in a weekend... I did my sas in less then three hours, BUT I didnt have a clean frame... it was drivable but not DONE,

But I honestly feel that I could do it in less then eight hours if I chose the easy way to do everything, not counting putting together the axle, but that can be done on spare time without the truck being down (having the second wheeler allows it to sit for a few weeks if you need the time to get the job done)

[Zane]

I got all the extras he had, rear bumper, sliders, new tailgate. The interior isnt in to bad a shape, most of the gauges work, but its definitely not pristine. The front leafs are bad, but he gave me some newer ones for it. The leafs will be the first thing i replace. Its got a carb issue, but he warned me that it did. other than that, it seems to run strong.

[BoG-ToY]

just so the story keeps going, here is the details of the CL listing before it get deleted

I have had this truck for about three yrs planning to make a rock crawler. I haven't had the time and have too many projects going on so it's time for it to go! Runs strong for an 82. Needs some miner work like front blinkers, new radio, ect.
Things I have fixed/replaced on truck:
32in mud/snow tires. 3/4 tred
Upgraded 1987 aluminum transmission W/ dual cases and weld in cross member
Rebuilt Carburetor
New Alternator
New Starter
New Windshield
New Master cylinder
New front brake rotors/pads

I also have some extras that fit this truck, I will throw in if wanted. Rock sliders, Roll bar, Tail gate, font/rear leaf springs.

[BoG-ToY]

pictures hopfully

[Zane]

Just a quick recap, I did buy that truck, and the first order of business is to get it california smog legal, then i need to replace the front leafs. I am going to lift it, but until then ill just put the extra leafs under it. Ill keep you guys posted, and ill get some pics up in the next few days.

[codyps85]

Congratulations on your new rig!