Topic: 85 Xtracab in time for a friend

[Slabzilla]

I bought my 85 Xtracab from the original owner that only used the 4wd for ski patrol in Big Bear back in 97.  The idea was to get my pal Bob and I back into 4wheelin' together again.  We sold our 3/4 ton Chevys quite a while back due to the fact that they never met a gas station that they didn't like.  Life and Families got in the way and so we eventually ended up with, Him, an 80 and me an 85Xtra.  We didn't get to wheel together long due to his cancer.  He still wheels with me in spirit every time I'm out though.

Since I got my truck I've rebuilt the tranny(Marlin seat & socket also), the front axle(Marlin seals too), added Marlin rear bumper and sliders, All-Pro tie rod, dropped push-pull steering arm, combo of Downey and All-Pro spring packs for 4 and 1/2" of lift, made my own mount for heavy duty steering stabilizer, rebuilt rear driveshaft after pretzeling it. 33"mtrs. Replaced the motor with a three letter motor, DON'T EVER DO THAT!  Their company may start at the beginning of the alphabet but the work is the bottom of the cesspool.  I've always built my own engines, minus the machine work, this was the only time I broke that rule.  My own fault!

[Dingman.]

Got any pictures of the truck?

[Slabzilla [OP]]

Been a member for a while just never posted, so I need a few more posts for pics.  She's bright metallic blue and what my club uses to find camp.  I'm with a group called the Roughwheelers out of Redondo Beach.  It's mostly a jeep club but me and another Toyota still keep them in line.  I started with the club on 10-15's with open 4:10's and blew them away with where Toys go.  The 33's and 4:10 opens blow, but the 4.7's help a lot.  I'll get some pics up after a few more posts.

[Dingman.]

You can always use photobucket or any other photo hosting site and post the "[img]" code

[Slabzilla [OP]]

Just one more word on my THREE LETTER engine, I won't mention the name(but it starts with an A).  It started making making some noise after 3 mos. and with a 3 year unlimited milage warranty on it, I figured they would stand behind their junk.  Wrong!  They said I broke it in incorrectly and it was my fault.  I've been working on cars since I was 8 years old and rebuilt 123 metric & American engines, none failed, even my race motors.  When the head gasket blew, one of the head bolts broke off with just enough meat to massage it out.  The head looked like they surfaced it by dragging it on the sidewalk behind a tricycle.   

[toe]

 

[1985CRAWLER]

Just one more word on my THREE LETTER engine, I won't mention the name(but it starts with an A).  It started making making some noise after 3 mos. and with a 3 year unlimited milage warranty on it, I figured they would stand behind their junk.  Wrong!  They said I broke it in incorrectly and it was my fault.  I've been working on cars since I was 8 years old and rebuilt 123 metric & American engines, none failed, even my race motors.  When the head gasket blew, one of the head bolts broke off with just enough meat to massage it out.  The head looked like they surfaced it by dragging it on the sidewalk behind a tricycle.   

im pretty sure my buddy got a rebuilt 22re from the company in mention, they blow , told him to rebuild it himself or get a low mileage one from a wrecked truck.

ended up blowing the reman motor in less than a year, rod knock and cracked head.


thats a cool story BTW how you came to get the 85 to wheel with youre buddy bob

[kneedownnate]

ATK? 

[Slabzilla [OP]]

Thankfully the motor held out longer than Bob. Put a used head on it as a band aid until I can build my own motor. This could be a while as I'm recovering from the third surgery from a stupid camping accident. I went wheelin' alone, DON'T DO THIS. I was in a very familiar campground, slipped and fell while making dinner and took out my left ankle , right knee and left shoulder(sober). Spent a painful lonely night, broke down camp the next day and my trusty Toy guided me safely home.  Won't do that again.  Looking forward to getting back to work and getting started on my new engine.