New 83' Member aka 'The Ol Wood Hauler'

[Derek24]

Hey all!  Been around lurking and thought I should share my 83 longbed with everyone and get more ideas!  Some may know me from expo site.  Long story short, I acquired this truck from my uncle about a year ago for $400.  At first it was my grandpa's, then my uncles, now mine.  I had to keep it in the family name for another 31 years!  I love it!  So much so I sold my 2011 FJ Cruiser because I was always driving this truck.  Its all stock down to the shocks.  Original clutch and all.  Runs great and passed smog here CA with ease.  So far I've torn out the interior and made my own carpet kit. New stereo and speakers/sub. Repainted grill, bumper, ect.  New battery and external Bluesea Fuse block under the hood.

Because everything is original it needs a 'makeover'!!!!  My main goal, don't get to extreme with lift and cutting this and that.  It's my DD and adventure rig.  My plans:

-OME Springs front and rear
-longer shackles
-31x10.5 (KM2's or Kevlars)
-Rebuild front end
....

Once i reach 11 post here I'll post up some pics!

[twistedtoy92]

Welcome! Nice to see people keeping these first gens alive!

[Derek24]

Thanks!  I'm sure it will out last me!

[toe]

 

How many miles?

[Derek24]

180K and some change.  My uncle said he disconnected the speed cable for 10 years so probably alot more!  Luckily this was a ranch truck in Napa on 2,700 acres and has more dirt miles than any. It has hauled alot of wood in its day!

[1985CRAWLER]

sounds like u have good plans for it, keep it stock and clean!

maybe when the motor dies if it does ever u can do a 22re swap!

[ryantowry_81]

 

wish my 83 was that clean.

cant wait to see pictures.

I know all about wanting to keep a truck in the family. my dad bought the 86 2wd i DD back in 85 with 13 miles, now it has 310K!

[Derek24]

When it dies, I know we will see... I like the semi stock look but very capable. With 31s I've been reading 4.56s do great. While I'm in there I have to put some kind of LSD or locker. I'm thinking LSD in the rear and Detroit in the front or reverse or...pics soon!

[Rocksurfer]

  to Marland

[Derek24]

Just one more

[Derek24]

Post

[Derek24]

Ok

[Derek24]

Now

[hilux-1983]

We're waiting[emoji16]

[Derek24]

Here ya go!  With and without my $20 shell. Down in Morgan Hill and up at the Lost Coast!

[tgmaul88]

super clean!

[1985CRAWLER]

clean! i would pick that over an fj cruiser too!

[Nation]

 

[Derek24]

Thanks all!  The bed has some rust holes,but other then that its pretty clean for its age, still original paint.  Here's some pics of what I did to the inside, sound deadening and homemade carpet kit, speakers, stereo, slim 8" sub...

[Derek24]

Awesome little truck, best sounding stereo I've ever had, there are also 4" speakers in the rear.

[Derek24]

Bought this yesterday!  2003 Sequoia Limited 4WD.  I had a 2000 Tundra before and loved it, sold it for the FJ, bad move.  I wanted my Tundra back but did not need two trucks, so I bought the next best thing, this will work great for the road trips the GF and I take, and I can also tow my truck if needed.  Love it so far, just like my Tundra, but a whole lot smoother!

[Nation]

Very Clean

[Derek24]

Hey all! Have a question. Took the truck up to the property the other day and now when I'm in 4Lo, hubs locked, and climbing up hills I hear a clicking sound coming from the front. Sounds like it's coming from the passenger side. My guess is something in the hub broke? The front still pulls me up hills and all. Just seeing if anyone here knows exactly what it is. Does not make noise in 2wd driving around the streets. If anything I'll find out soon, have MC knuckle service kit on its way!

[Nation]

Maybe try jacking up the front end.. lock the hubs and give the wheel a spin.. see if you can pin point it.