Topic: looking for direction on my first build

[Osage]

looking to build my first Toyota. what I've got is an 80 shortbed 20R-l43-stock t-case, stock gears (4:10 I believe)installing kit to Run on propane - IMPCO ca125 mixer)

So here are my questions about what i'm after and what should i tackle first round as i've got to do this stuff as I can afford it. got about $2000.00 to spend right now

LIFT       -  wanting 3"-4.5" , want to run 33's and not trim fenders ( truck won't have a bed ) what brand do i use that is reliable. I don't rock crawl, more of a hard core offroad hog hunting truck where sand and mud will be more of an issue. I can build my own lift by combining leafs from my parts truck and make that work and it's cheaper, did it before on a 79 ford solid axle 3/4 ton and worked great.  

Is my range of 3" - 4.5" a good choice? 33's should be plenty i'd think?

Gears - 5:29's

Lockers - maybe the softlock?

T-case - Marlin Crawler lower gear set ( dying to get that bought )

winch- Honestly, probably an e-bay special.

not sure what else? guess I'll see what breaks or needs improving. I'm fully open to suggestions.

THANKS AND GOD BLESS FOR ANY HELP MEN

[4RunnerChevy]

Ruf's and 63" out back, will net you some lift.  Get the 5.29's, and some Marlin t-case gears, weld both diffs. Have some change for service parts left over, maybe assist.

[Osage [OP]]

" Ruf's and 63" out back " ? sorry but what's Ruf's and 63" what?  sorry not up on the lingo. we talk real slow here where I live LOL!

Are you talking about 63" leaf's and I don't  know if I really wanna weld up cause I will drive the truck a whopping 8 miles a day to work now and then and i've owned a z28 with welded 10bolt, it was not real fun when turning sharp. isn't it tuff on the diff. driving welded up on the street.

[Dingman.]

Ruf is rear springs up front.

Generally people make custom front leaf packs, with generally at least the two main leafs from the back of the truck.  Ive always heard people happy to use the rear springs from an 84-88 pickup, etc. 

63" out back is 63" chevy leaf springs in the rear.  This is common, and so is ford f-150 springs.  They both net about the same ammount of lift i think, and can be found at junkyards for cheap.   


You are going to want high-steer for sure.

[kneedownnate]

what I've got is an 80 shortbed 20R-l43-stock t-case, stock gears (4:10 I believe)

4.37 

[4RunnerChevy]

You are going to want high-steer for sure.

Way to ruin the budget !  But true!

[Peterbuilt84]

Read 

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=775780

[ryan_ackerman]

i highly reccomend that you do not weld the front. the rear will be fine but you will grenade everything in that front end if you weld it. i would go welded in the rear, 63 inch chevy springs in the rear, rears up front, i would put a bed on it also, get a little weight on that ass end, marlin gears... your on the right track

[4RunnerChevy]

i highly reccomend that you do not weld the front. the rear will be fine but you will grenade everything in that front end if you weld it.

I call bull cause I have been runing it for years.   Sure my rear spool has blown one but never my welded front.  Yeah i'm pushing x2 the horses

[Osage [OP]]

Thank you guys for your respones, the link and your opinions.  I am assuming the T-case gears only effect the low side correct? Thanks again


Waylon

[4RunnerChevy]

Thank you guys for your respones, the link and your opinions.  I am assuming the T-case gears only effect the low side correct? Thanks again.


Waylon

Correct, you would still retain 4hi

[ryan_ackerman]

I call bull cause I have been runing it for years.   Sure my rear spool has blown one but never my welded front.  Yeah i'm pushing x2 the horses

you must be superman or popeye or something being able to turn with a welded front third.

[4RunnerChevy]

you must be superman or popeye or something being able to turn with a welded front third.

LOL, no but the assist helps.

[Osage [OP]]

I might weld the rear but probably not the front  Oh and it will have a steel dog box mounted to the frame from the cab to where the real wheels start and the rest will be basicly flat bed. The propane tanks will be hidden under the dog box and above the rear dropped section of the frame protected by steel plates on all sides and I have fabbed a remote fill system for the lp tanks just not sure if 18 gallons will be enough?, that and the extra steel on the rear of the frame where it will be bobbed so weights not gonna be an issue

[BadnewsBob]

Here is my truck on 63" chevies and RUF. I run 529 gears and spartan lockers.  Also I am running 35s it is more than enuff lift for 33s.

[Osage [OP]]

When you use the 63"s do you use all the springs or take out some & what year and model of chevy should i look for ( I can buy a nice looking extra clean 86 suburban 4x4 for only $300  and it even has the working 77r4 and 208 t-case still installed )

do you have to relocate the shakles hangers ( yeah i know there called something else lol ) that mount to the frame or does it retain the stock location

When using rear springs up front is that simply a bolr in deal or do I have to relocate anything there

Sorry for all the questions but I need the help

Nice rooster by the way is he a game, looks like it from what i can tell

[BadnewsBob]

Here is one I just did with ford F150 springs AND STOCK ruf, Those are 36" TSLs on that one.

[Osage [OP]]

That's about the height i'm after, what year F-150 was the donar 4x2? 4x4? hell maybe I want 35"s 0r 36"s now lol that thing is sweet. I'd like to hear more, I notice your shock mounts are different did you make those or do you buy them

[BadnewsBob]

Nah the Rooster is some french breed, He gets his butt kick all the time by my dominecker.

No for removing springs on the rear. And it rides much better than stock.

Yes you have to relocate your shackle hangers, No big deal. I made my own.

Not sure about your front, Both I did had to have new front spring hangers installed and shackle hangers.
because one was a 2wd and the other was IFS. It is very easy with one of the aftermarket front spring hanger kits.

[BadnewsBob]

I believe it was a 1992 F150 2wd, You don't want the 4wd.

The white truck has ford shock mounts the black one has aftermarket ones.

I am running ford F 250 shocks on the white truck, I am cheap and try to get by with what ever I can to save a buck.

[BadnewsBob]

If you go up to the Engine/Suspension/driveline section there is a sticky on the 63" chevie mod that covers a bunch of your questions.

The Ford springs are shorter and may work better on your SWB truck.

I extended the wheelbase on both of the trucks pictured.

[sparkys83yota]

if you lock up the front i would highly recommend upgrading your front axles. But if you on a budget those can be kinda pricy. I waited until i could afford longs before I locked up the front. I have participated in a couple of trail fixes involving broken stock axles on a locked front end.

[Osage [OP]]

Man you guys are awesome, I can't thank you enough for your help!

[BadnewsBob]

That's what I come around here for, the information trade is great.

[Peterbuilt84]

All the answers to your Chevy 63" spring questions

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20665

Edit: Ruf too

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265669

[4RunnerChevy]

if you lock up the front i would highly recommend upgrading your front axles. But if you on a budget those can be kinda pricy. I waited until i could afford longs before I locked up the front. I have participated in a couple of trail fixes involving broken stock axles on a locked front end.

x2

I have also been on a few of these fixes, mostly mine.  The damage to the inside of the ball, when your birf explodes, can possibly ruin an axle housing.  Most of the time its just scarring, bushing damage, and a seal.  Buy some longfields when you get money down the road.

[Osage [OP]]

I will be going the 63" route on the rear for sure, in fact my buddie who owns a wrecker service is bringing me a set of 4x4 ones this week with the chevy hangers. Trying to decide if the ruf's are gonna net me better results than just adding leafs to the fron pack.
The RUF'S sound like the way to go but not sure how complicated it will be and if i can handle doing it myself hmmmm!!!!!!!

Great help so far guys, thanks again

[Peterbuilt84]

I'd say run the ruf or buy some springs from a vendor. The stock pack isn't going to give you enough lift, even if you add leaves. It's going to look like a stinkbug. All you need for ruf is 2 stock rear packs (which you have one of, just need another). Only thing with ruf is you need crossover or high steer. Putting the packs together isn't hard at all. Take a look at the ruf and 63" chevy faq's and do some searching on your own, all questions and concerns will be answered.