Newbie here! Looking to build up my 1985 Toyota Pickup

[codyps85]

Hey gang,

My daily driver is a 1985 Toyota Pickup named Betty. I drive her 60 miles per day and is reliable as hell. I want to build a rig that is a good daily driver, but can tear up the trails on the weekends.

The majority of the time Betty (my 1985 Toyota Pickup) will be crawling, but enjoy the fast stuff too. Here is a list of the modifications that I currently have:

Body: 1985 Toyota Pickup Long Bed, Regular Cab

Engine: 22R rebuilt about 80k miles ago and Rebuilt carb

Front suspension: Allpro 4 in. long travel springs, Datin fab spring hangers, Allpro shackles, Allpro shock hoops, 14 inch Rancho 5000s

Rear suspension: Trail gear 3in. long travel springs, Long travel shackles and spring hangers, 12 inch Bilstien 5100s

Drivetrain/Steering: Allpro cross over steering kit,92 Toyota truck steering box, Custom square front drive shaft with double cv, Custom 1 piece rear driveshaft with double CV, 4:88 gears, Aussie rear locker, open front

Other: 35/12.50/15 Mickey Thompson MTs, Custom offset black steel wheels, Fabtech spare tie carrier, Smitty built rear bumper, 10k HID headlights, cd/ipod/am/fm stereo, a/c, and heat

Right now, I do not have armor, front bumper, winch, front lockers, or any t-case modifications. I believe my next upgrade will be 4.7s. Would you guys agree?

[boomtacoma01]

I would start with a good sturdy set of sliders to prevent any rocker damage since the truck is your DD. But yes 4.7s would be a nice upgrade. Looks like you have a pretty nice setup to begin with

[codyps85]

Thanks for the suggestion. I know that I need sliders. It's definitely on the list. I've been lucky to not have any significant body damage yet but it's bound to happen. Ideally, I would like to do the sliders and the tcase, but you now how it goes... gotta start saving my chips.

[bigarms23]

sliders and a cage and your good to go

[NCK4L]

if you can make sliders do that its cheap . then find a  used 4.7 case with marlin gears usually cheaper than buildin your own. make sure you put selectable lockers in it if you are using it as a dd .

[Goldrush]

if u want to go fast and go slow, you can do dual cases. you have more options that way, and yes sliders and bumpers would be good to start with.

[punchyyoter85]

sliders and nitrous! lol jk i would say sliders and bumpers, then do 4.7s thats what i plan on doing to my 85 in that order, but hey ur truck just my .02

[SCyotacrawler420]

i like the nitrous idea. speed wheelin? haha. buy trail gear sliders, there dom tubing an super cheap/easy to put together. then from there on maybe like everyone else said do bumpers, then 4.7 to save clutch, then do a front locker an maybe hydro assist

[ajordan1975]

4.7 and a front locker

[Jokeass-Wheelers]

ARB!!! bob the bed custom rock sliders since dd possible interrior cage? depends on how hard you romp it

[Rocksurfer]

4.7's and a front locker and it will be unstoppable.

[Jokeass-Wheelers]

one word " BOSS "

[codyps85]

Guys,

Thanks for the great info. Here is where I'm at so far -

Purchased and Received:
Marlin inner axle seals and a front knuckle rebuild kit
Diff armor front and rear
Front axle truss

Purchased and awaiting arrival:
4.7s
Sliders

Not Purchased, but saving up for:
U bolt flip kit
Spartan front locker
Better than stock birf

So let me know what you guys think. I'll get some pictures up once i get everything installed.

[ajordan1975]

My  is only go w/ 30 spline Longfeilds.

[codyps85]

I completely agree with you. I just don't have the money for 30 spline birfs, so i will spend the $100 and buy the better than stock 27 spline birfs and keep my stocks as spares.

[codyps85]

What up gang? Since my last post I have purchased and installed TG 4.70 low range reduction gears for my transfer case and thanks to my buddies, Matt and Hartley, I've installed them. I've also purchased a Smittybilt 8000 lb winch, TG rock sliders, Spartan front lockers, two sets of ubolt flip kits, front and rear diff armor, and I'm not going through the process of installing them.

First to go on will be the rock sliders, since they are the easiest. Then the rear ubolt flip kit - since my rear end is already built and locked.

After those two projects, I will build my front bumper (which I've already designed) so that I can mount up my winch.

And finally build my front end... I have to grind off the steering stabilizer mounts to weld on my front axle gusset, replace, my birfs with TG dirty thirty birfs, put in my spartan lockers, Marlin axle seals and front axle rebuild kit, and then put in the ubolt flip kits.

I'll keep you guys posted. It may take a while since I have to coordinate time to use my buddies garage, but my target is to have everything installed and rock ready by KOH 2011 in Feb.

[codyps85]

I have purchased and installed TG 4.70 low range reduction gears for my transfer case

I forgot to tell you what a difference this makes. This was the smartest decision that I could've made. More torque, lower range allows me to be more deliberate with my lines. I LOVE THEM.

[yoshaleng]

Like everyone else said, lockers, gears, t-case gears, and armor will do you alot of justice.

[codyps85]

Yes sir! Before long I will be locked front and rear. Tcase gears are in and armor will be welded on soon!

I CAN'T WAIT

See you guys at KOH 2011

[yotaneck13]

Nice truck lookin good my buddy has an 85 gonna mention this thread to him bc he needs to get something done with his truck or its gonna go down hi fast

[codyps85]

Sounds good man. The more Yota Crawlers the better.

My buddy beats on his '85 every weekend and that thing is still going strong, so I'm just seeing what works for him and then modifying it for my application.

[yotaneck13]

im getn ready to tear into my 90 gonna sas  tires of the no flex ifs lol

[codyps85]

Sounds like a plan

[yotaneck13]

soon as i get all the to yota parts cleaned up ad can actually get it in the garage