The FIRST GEM .

[iNfErNaL]

I'm starting this build thread for my Son Ricky who is 11 years old . For those who have never met my Son , he eats , sleeps and breaths off-road . He is a die hard Toyota wheeler , that's all he's into . We just bought him his first Toyota 4x4 which he has decided to name "The First Gem" , because he consideres it to be a gem and because it's a first gen Toyota 4x4 . The truck is a 1980 Toyota 4x4 with a 20R . It came with about a 5" suspension lift with trac bars , 35" tires and some old school outlaw 1 aluminum rims . . . The plan is for my Son to get some hands on experience building it in the next 5 years (till he's old enough to drive) , and to keep him motivated to do good in school , otherwise the Gem will get taken away . . .

Build plans are to build it on a budget from spare/left over/swap meet parts . The plan is to keep it full bodied , make it a capable wheeler but restore it to look nice . Sort of going for an old school Toyota 4 wheeler look because that's what my Son and I both like . . .

Future plans include : Better suspension system , 5:29 gears , Detroit lockers , 22R motor , header , power steering , high steer , roll bar and roll cage , bigger tires , rock sliders , along with a few other things . . . I will update this thread slowly , as parts are gathered and put on to the First Gem .

[dylan_doomsday]

You two are sure starting out with a good foundation!  Lucky boy you got there. Good luck with the build!

[gmack192]

Good luck...Nice truck to start with...

[iNfErNaL]

You two are sure starting out with a good foundation!  Lucky boy you got there. Good luck with the build!

Thanks alot Dylan    

[iNfErNaL]

Good luck...Nice truck to start with...

Awesome , thanks Gmack   

[iNfErNaL]

I just picked up some 36" TSLs this past weekend and he talked me out of them . I traded him for the 35s that were on the truck so that was the first actual mod done to the truck along with factory mud flap removal . Here he is removing the 35s :





And the new tires that are going on :

[santa cruz crawler]

  , Boy , your going to have one sweet truck !
X2 on the outlaw wheels !

[CrazyYota]

I like the new rig Pepe!  What color are you guys going to paint it?

[Shamb]

 That's awesome Pep's!  I hope my daughters as interested in wheeling when she gets that age.

[ajordan1975]

That's awesome! My daughter loves to go wheeling and wants her own truck when she's old enough. I told her she would have to help me build one if she wants one. Only problem is she HATES getting sweaty and dirty. I've told her many times she's going to have to get over that part of it if she wants to build something like that. She wants a second gen extra cab. It'll be a mild yet capable rig. She's only nine now but has already started saving her allowens for a truck.

[Zs Confederate Toy]

Lucky kid! That truck is definitely a great starting  point, looks very clean. Definitely gonna keep an eye out on this one

[iNfErNaL]

Lucky kid! That truck is definitely a great starting  point, looks very clean. Definitely gonna keep an eye out on this one

Thanks alot Zach 

That's awesome! My daughter loves to go wheeling and wants her own truck when she's old enough. I told her she would have to help me build one if she wants one. Only problem is she HATES getting sweaty and dirty. I've told her many times she's going to have to get over that part of it if she wants to build something like that. She wants a second gen extra cab. It'll be a mild yet capable rig. She's only nine now but has already started saving her allowens for a truck.

Thanks Andy ! ! ! . That's awesome bro , already knows what she wants . I'm sure she'll get over the being sweaty and dirty part . I also have a 7 year old , already saving for his rig as well . Time sure does fly   

That's awesome Pep's!  I hope my daughters as interested in wheeling when she gets that age.

Thanks Shane ! ! ! . I'm sure she will be bro . She'll follow your lead 

I like the new rig Pepe!  What color are you guys going to paint it?

Thanks Carnal    . Not sure what color yet . Maybe beige again or yellow . He loves those two colors on first gens . Paint may be way later down the road though .

, Boy , your going to have one sweet truck !
X2 on the outlaw wheels !

Thanks brotha   

[rubiconrunnerneville]

sweet build man what a lucky kid

[84t0y]

lucky kid, I think he got the better deal in the tire trade lol.

[ajordan1975]

going to need a bigger tow rig!

[mudaddict]

Nice peps that's one lucky kid wish i started with a truck like that.

[toyyota]

We do love our first Gens! Super nice truck to start working on. Props to you Pops, for family time.

[Nimyad]

This is exactly how I got my first truck. When I was 14 not 11 though, wow can't believe it was 4 years ago. Anyways, I'll be watching this one!

[Rocksurfer]

I smell green paint!

[iNfErNaL]

I smell green paint!

    Maybe . We have a few other colors in mind though   

This is exactly how I got my first truck. When I was 14 not 11 though, wow can't believe it was 4 years ago. Anyways, I'll be watching this one!

That's awesome man ! ! ! ! . Too cool , thanks for watching the build      

We do love our first Gens! Super nice truck to start working on. Props to you Pops, for family time.

Thanks alot man  , same to you . Big fan of your truck along with both of your Sons' Toyotas .

Nice peps that's one lucky kid wish i started with a truck like that.

Thanks Kurtis ! ! !     

going to need a bigger tow rig!

     I think so . Maybe I'll be able to afford it one day   

lucky kid, I think he got the better deal in the tire trade lol.

  I think so too .

sweet build man what a lucky kid

Thanks alot     

[iNfErNaL]

Big thank you to Locktup 4x4 for the awesome HD Transfer case mount ! ! ! ! :

[Wainiha]

Lucky kid to have you to teach him.  He's gonna be one hell of a wheeler and "wrencher" by the time he's 18.  I remember my dad letting me help pick out tires, and just that was fun.

[iNfErNaL]

Thank you bro ! ! ! !     

[santa cruz crawler]

X2 I love workin on the truck w my son !
I'll be watching this one !
Plenty of time 

[874runnertoys]

Sweet rig
Nice to see father and son working together
Don't really see that anymore 

[mudmaster]

Great project for father and son quality time. Good luck!

[gmack192]

Big thank you to Locktup 4x4 for the awesome HD Transfer case mount ! ! ! ! :

How much? If ya don't mind my asking..

[Nimyad]

like $120 on their website. I looked, I've been shopping around for better mounts

[gmack192]

like $120 on their website. I looked, I've been shopping around for better mounts

Thanks...

[iNfErNaL]

Great project for father and son quality time. Good luck!

Thanks alot buddy 

Sweet rig
Nice to see father and son working together
Don't really see that anymore 

So true man , thank you ! ! !   

X2 I love workin on the truck w my son !
I'll be watching this one !
Plenty of time 

That is too awesome ! ! ! ! . Thanks