expedition build up of my 1990 pickup. (1 Viewer)

[roamingaz]

I have started to build a self reliant offroad truck, granted it's not a Landcruiser but still a very capable rig. I searched for Landcruiser's but most I found were out of my budget or beat up and worn out.
Once I decided a Jeep or full size truck wouldn't work for what I wanted I started my search for a Toyota. I found this '90 pickup on craigslist, it wasn't exactly what I wanted but for the price I couldn't turn it down. The previous owner bought it new in 1990 and it has served as a daily driver since, he is also the owner of Toyata specialist in Mesa, Az. , this truck was extremly well maintained, it has a LC engineering engine with 80K miles, complete LC engineering exhaust, and it already has a front ARB locker !
My idea of a expedition vehicle may be different then other's , I don't plan on deep South American trip's driving through the knee deep mud of the amazon, I also don't get into the rocks much so I think this truck will work very well as a build up platform.
I wanted a vehicle to pulll my fishing boat to the lake, still have decent gas milelage and be able to handle the harder trails with ease.I also wanted to be able to camp out of my truck for at least 7 days without needing to refuel or resupply.
so here is a couple pics of the truck before I stripped off the parts I don't need. I am going to be doing a lot of work to it in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned for more pics!

 

[Coyote808]

Nice find. I always thought we got kinda ripped when they swapped to IFS on our pickups in 86, but they're still stout frames to build from, and the IFS is some stout stuff as well. However, finding a factory HiLux front axle is getting harder to do. If you don't plan on doing terribly complicated things with it, the IFS might be better for your purposes. Overall, it looks to be an interesting project. What are your plans for that front suspension?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'm interested in how this project turns out!

Maybe the IFS will do what you need it to, but a SAS will be stronger in the field.

 

[roamingaz]

I have looked into doing a solid axle swap but I will give the IFS a shot first, this is my first time with IFS. I am considering a total chaos kit but I don't know I want to drop that much cash right now and push back other plans. I am probally going to put in new old man emu torsion bars and crank them up about a inch, that will level the front out after adding my bumper and winch.
I realy need to swap gears first, the previous owner put 4:88 gears in with 31" tires, I am at 3000 rpm at 60mph! I top out around 65mph. Give me some ideas on the correct gearing, I am thinking maybe 4:10 maybe go back to 3:73.
I get my wheels mounted today

 

[roscoFJ73]

My idea of a expedition vehicle may be different then other's , I don't plan on deep South American trip's driving through the knee deep mud of the amazon, I also don't get into the rocks much so I think this truck will work very well as a build up platform.
I wanted a vehicle to pulll my fishing boat to the lake, still have decent gas milelage and be able to handle the harder trails with ease.I also wanted to be able to camp out of my truck for at least 7 days without needing to refuel or resupply.


]

I think it will suit your needs just fine. Not everything needs be armoured or "built" to have a good,all round expo rig

 

[roamingaz]

I found a Craigslist bargin on a utility camper shell, I have some awesome plans to make this a 1 person and a kid camper. It came off a 2003 Tacoma, and has fresh paint but I am thinking satin black would look nice.

I liked the tool box shelf thingy on the side, it is the perfect hight to use as a cooking platform and also I can keep small items secure without rolling around the bed.

Anyone have a 1990 dash look like this ??
didn't think so... Hmm who knows what this instrument cluster came from?

 

[Niner]

I found a Craigslist bargin on a utility camper shell, I have some awesome plans to make this a 1 person and a kid camper. It came off a 2003 Tacoma, and has fresh paint but I am thinking satin black would look nice.

I'd at least leave the top white just for a heat factor.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Anyone have a 1990 dash look like this ??
didn't think so... Hmm who knows what this instrument cluster came from?

Please. Get back when you've got something REALLY unusual.


That's from a '95 SR5 pickup (or 4 runner), but with the '90 speedo and tach, correct?

I'm paying attention.... I'm real curious what you're planning for armor, and how you outfit that topper.

Dan

 

[kcowyo]

Anyone have a 1990 dash look like this ??
didn't think so... Hmm who knows what this instrument cluster came from?

Looks exactly like the cluster in my '97 T100.

Love the topper. I considered putting one just like it on an '85 pickup I once owned. Very practical and utilitarian for excursions off the beaten path.

 

[Bogo]

Anyone have a 1990 dash look like this ??
didn't think so... Hmm who knows what this instrument cluster came from?

Looks nearly exactly like my 1994 dash except for lack of cruise control light and that round gauge in the lower left. Is that an actual oil pressure gauge? The dash could be from any deluxe cab '92 to '95.5. I don't know what others got the same dash. Toyota loves to reuse parts everywhere. I have a standard cab deluxe 1994 4x4 pickup.

As for your gearing. 31" tires normally came with 4.56 gears. I'm using 4.11 gears and it feels to sluggish on the highway. I'm waiting till I have the $$$ for lockers and I'll switch up to 4.56 gearing at that time. If you want to tow then staying with 4.88 may be best. It will get you more torque at the ground. I wouldn't go to 4.11 ratio and expect it to have any towing ability.

 

[Coyote808]

Depends on the size of the boat. Around here, people generally tow 20' boats with their small 4x4 Toyotas with no problem, however, if you have anything bigger, it's out of the question. However, here, 55 - 65 MPH is more than plenty fast enough, driving up there on the mainland is way too fast and crazy. Slow down a bit and enjoy the scenery some more. Stay in the right lane, and you'll probably be fine.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I'd at least leave the top white just for a heat factor.

second. anything black is bad for an expedition truck, as it cooks whatever is inside. white-good,black-bad.

 

[rusty_tlc]

That is perfect, looks like across between the Adventure Trailer Horizion and Taco Chaser.


Give the IFS a fair try out as is before you start modifying it. I've had two IFS rigs that saw many many miles of dirt and gravel roads with no issues.

 

[LABBE66]

That shell is exactly what I'd like to find for my truck. Can I ask what you picked it up for? Also do you have any idea how much it weighs? I notice a difference in my truck's power on long climbs with a regular fiberglass cab high shell. Also, I'd keep the IFS for what you are doing. IFS always gets a bad rap but unless you are throttle happy while you tires are wedged you will be fine. Toyota IFS is pretty tough. I have done plenty of rock crawling in mine with 35s and no problems. Good luck with the build. I'll be watching!

 

[roamingaz]

I found the camper shell for $300 on craigslist, I got the idea from Adventure trailers I was going to buy their truck conversion but $5K+ for just a base modle was too steep for me. I am trying to find a way to mount a RTT, I will have to have a custom rack made and remove the one thats on there now. I have considered removing the camper and building a rack so a RTT would sit leval with the cab...but I really like the camper
I got my new Corbeau seats in today but the brackets that I ordered to mount them puts the seat up really high, I am 6'3" didn't fit so i am rewelding the brackets lowereing the seat about 4 ".
My only problem with the 4;88 gears is I will be drivign this truck to work everyday and on the freeway I top out at 65 and RPM's are around 3200, seems high and I don't want to destroy the engine, my boat I tow is only a 16' basstracker so pretty light weight. The local 4x4 shop recomended 4:10 gears.
I will post up some more pics tomarrow, I am moving right along , it really sucks waiting on parts.
I am looking to buy a ARB/Engel fridge and a roof top tent if you have one for sale let me know, I will buy new but I am cheap and prefer a bargin.

 

[Bogo]

Standard 4wd Toyota gears are 4.11 for the smaller (28") tires shipped on the 4x4 pickups and 4runners. You will be able to easily find standard open differentials in junk yards for a reasonable price. 4.10's were in 2wd trucks and they got a smaller tire yet. I don't think you'll find a 4.10 gear set for the front differential. I still think you don't want to go lower than 4.56. That will bring back original Toyota performance with 31" tires and that will do 3500lbs towing. I often find myself using 4th gear, which puts the RPM into the lower 3000 range, to climb moderate hills and I'm running 4.11 gears with 31x10.5r15 BFG ATs. When I had the smaller (29") tires I rarely had to go down to 4th gear.

 

[LABBE66]

4 cylinder Toyota pickups and 4-runners came with 4.11 gears. The 4.56 gears came in the v6 trucks. I picked up a used stock 4.11 geared front diff from TAP in Fresno for $40. The guy said they usually go for $80 but I had seen a buy it now add on e-bay so he gave it to me for the $40. I'm sure they have rear 3rd members as well. For 31" tires I agree with the lower ratio. if you ever plan on going with larger tires I suggest keeping the 4.88 gears, they are perfect with 33" tires.

 

[roamingaz]

Deciding on the right gear ratio is the tougher then I imagined! So heres my delema, I will be using this truck as a daily driver for a while so it will get a lot of freeway time, I am concerned with the RPM's being high, is it OK to run a engine for long periods at 3200 rpm? I know the previous owner used it as a daily driver for the last 19 years and he also comutes to work the same distance as I do, he installed the gears back in '95 and the engine was rebuilt in 2005. I already have a front ARB and I want to put a rear locker in as well, I figured it would be best to regear when I am doing the locker install. I have considered going to 33" tires but I really don't want a lift done unless I get a Downy or Total Chaos kit, they are pricey but within my budget if I don't do the rear locker.

 

[Coyote808]

If you're looking at lifts, why not also look at ARB Old Man Emu lift kits as well. I don't know what the going price is, but they do them for IFS trucks too, so you could be in luck. If anything, I would keep as much of it stock as possible because that's probably easiest on finding parts, and keeping things relatively mild. However, if you're going to re-gear and do a rear locker install, you might as well try to see if anything else on that axle needs fixing/changing out as well like brakes and c-clips, etc.

 

[meridian]

My 98 tacoma has an EMU 2inch Dakar kit in it and rides better than stock.The rear springs are built awesome.

If you do install springs have getting the stock hanger bolts out, mine were a huge pain in the ........