OK, The Project BEGINS!!! (1 Viewer)

[KLF]

Having your wife and family on board is very important, otherwise it becomes a hated project. I remember the conversation with my wife back in the Spring of 2010, when I was in the quandary of whether or not to restore it, or just get rid of it and get something newer. She would have none of me selling, I tell her that it's her fault that I took on this project, which is partly true, but she never once complained.

The only work I paid to have done was the machine shop on the engine block, and the paint. I know my limits, and I don't have the patience to do bodywork. I was very glad I did, they did a fantastic job, better than I expected. But I did all the stripping, delivered them the bare body parts, and put it all back together. There is a HUGE amount of satisfaction with dropping a freshly painted shiny cab back onto a freshly painted frame, I'll tell ya. Almost as much as the maiden voyage once you finally get it all back together.

I will warn you that keeping a vehicle of this vintage on the road is challenging, and you have to be committed to fixing all the little issues that will pop up after you get it back running. Parts will be very difficult to find for that truck. I sometimes think it's not worth it, it doesn't ride very smooth, not very comfortable, it's very slow, yadda yadda yadda.... until I drive it. Then it feels awesome, I love it. You will get that feeling too, lots of thumbs up and waves.

WHERE ARE THE PICTURES??

 

[Len Miller]

I completely agree! My wife is the BEST! I'm letting someone else do much of the work because I realized I just don't have the time to start this project and keep it going, plus, I'm good with tools, but I'm not a mechanic! I know my limitations! I will not be removing the cab of the truck. Why do more then I need to! I know keeping an older car on the road might be some work, but first things first, I gotta get it running!

 

[vtgbeemer]

Those things are rare here because of rust but recently I have been seeing one around that is repainted the original 2-tone colors with everything else basically stock. That 2-tone color scheme really sets the early ones apart.

 

[tonka az]

Ya, the only thing AZ rigs have trouble with are hoses and rubber drying out. Seals, hoses, cables, toast. The paint on my FJ62 hasn't faired well either. But thankfully, no cancer.

 

[Len Miller]

OK boy's and girls! Here is a little truck porn that you have been waiting for! My son and I pushed my 83 out of the garage, (after a tire change!) where my little truck saw direct sun light for the first time in over 10 years! 2 weeks from today, (Tuesday Feb. 24), the truck will be put on a flatbed, and delivered to a local dealership that specializes in rebuilding older trucks! The project TRULY BEGINS!!!

 

[Len Miller]

OK everybody...the truck will be going in soon. I really need any suggestions, or advice that you can give me! How should I get more power out of the engine...what's the best way to upgrade the cooling system...what tires should I be looking into?...what about the camper shell? I'm open to any and ALL suggestions! What would you do if it was yours???

 

[Mudder]

If you want power and your winters get cold you could swap heads for am EFI head and go fuel injection. As for power with a carb, Weber 32/36 header and a 2 1/4 exhaust

 

[G-Cat]

It's nearly-identical twin is on eBay right now...check it out:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Othe...5a181858d&item=161623410061&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 

[the gimpey one]

I did not realize that was a factory paint job. You got me second guessing my decision not to swap the cab.

 

[Len Miller]

OK, Here is the latest update. The engine was removed from the truck. A wrench was put on the crank and it turned over like butter! A compression test was done and it was bad. When the cylinder head was removed we discovered a previous bad repair that had failed. A new loaded head was ordered, and should be here in a few days. She needs new rings. When the timing chain cover comes off I will replace the plastic guides with metal. I am currently searching for parts. If anyone has a good source, PLEASE let me know! Also, the campershell has been removed, and will be repaired and restored. Garth, I found the exact same truck here in town in excellent condition with less then 200,000 miles selling for $2,800! Unfortunately it was sold. Pics to follow!

 

[Len Miller]

OK boy's and girls, it has been awhile since my last update, and MANY things have happened! The engine is just about all back together. I purchased a new header from LC Engineering, along with a new high flow catalytic converter. The truck somehow got sent out for paint and body work without my knowledge, or approval which caused a bit of a problem! The transmission and gas tank, along with the interior were still in the truck! I think the paint situation was resolved, I hope! I'm still looking for a radiator! Anyone have any suggestions? I will soon be ordering new suspension from Old man emu, and then finding the right tires. I'm keeping the stock chrome rims. Any imput on tires or anything else I should do would be appreciated!

 

[Jonathan_Ferguson]

The truck somehow got sent out for paint and body work without my knowledge, or approval which caused a bit of a problem! The transmission and gas tank, along with the interior were still in the truck! I think the paint situation was resolved, I hope!

Please elaborate on this part of the story.

 

[Len Miller]

Jonathan, the truck is at a Toyota dealership. They have a mechanic that has specialized in doing rebuilds on older Toyota vehicles. My son has had his, (It use to be mine), 1989 Landcruser rebuilt there. I was called by the father of the paint and body shop manager to discuss having them do the paint and body work. I guess he is the salesman. I had expressed interest in having the dealership do the paint considering that the truck was all ready there. I told him I was leaning towards Letting them do the work, but did not commit, nor did I get a written estimate of the cost. The Mechanic had gone on vacation and the old man called the service rep and asked if he could get the truck to start the work. The rep said sure considering the mechanic was gone. No one called me to give me the cost, or to confirm if I had approved the work. The next thing I hear was the rep. sending pics of my truck dismantled and sanded to my son! I called to find out who had given the OK to start paint work before I even had a firm price. To make a long story short, we ALL got together and had a come to Jesus meeting. I am still a little uneasy about getting short changed on the quality of the paint job, but I was assured that the job would be done right, and the paint will look like it did the day I bought the truck. This is the readers digest version of what happened. There was A LOT more!

 

[Len Miller]

It's been a while since I have posted anything about my truck rebuild. Many things have happened so here is an update. The truck is finally out of paint and body work, and back to the mechanic. The paint cost me $9,500. I was NOT happy! Considering I never got an estimate of the cost! The gas tank was sent out, cleaned, and re painted, but I'm having trouble finding the fuel sending unit. The transmission still needs to be sent out to be checked. I also can't find a good aluminum radiator. I also need to talk to Old man emu about the cost of the suspension. I'm also looking for a few trim pieces. Here are a few pics of what has happened. Please feel free to comment, or if you have sources for parts let me know!

 

[Pacer]

Truck looks amazing!
I would pull the $ of the paint work out of your last post. That is nobody's business but your own.
LC engineering header and an updated exhaust will help with top end power.
You keep mentioning the Radiator/cooling sys. Did you have cooling issues in the past? If you did, maybe it's related to whatever was found under the original head?
In my opinion, there is very little today that will fit like, or is built as well as your stock, brass, OEM Radiator.
Keep the updates coming, love it!

 

[Len Miller]

View attachment 1127065 View attachment 1127065 Pacer, I put the cost of the paint and body work in the post because I think it was a bit high. I was hoping to get a few comments. I'm glad you think the truck looks amazing. As for the radiator, yes. I was having a few issues, and yes, some, if not most of it was due to problems in the top end. But you must remember, I live in AZ, driving when it's 110 is pretty normal during the summer. I want to go with an all aluminum radiator. I also did have some issues with the original OEM radiator, developing rust. Your recommendation for LCE header and exhaust, is exactly what I got! Along with there high flow catalytic converter! And if I didn't post it, I change the complete cylinder head with an up graded cam shaft. I am trying to increase the hours power and torque to help get me up hills without having to down shift all the way to 2nd gear! Also, the glass has been tinted and is back in the truck. Please keep the comments, AND suggestions coming! Here are a few more pics! ENJOY!

 

[Len Miller]

Notice the sloppy paint job on the tail gate. They are going to bring in somebody to fix it. Here are a dew more pics.

 

[Mudder]

That cost is a bit high. I know guys who do body work and painting and the highest I've heard of is 5k for a custom paint job on a show car.

 

[Toast]

Cool rig man, thanks for sharing your paint cost too. Let's us know what people are charging these days and what to expect.

 

[muddpigg]

Nice rig, I 2nd set you boundaries for building truck. Once you start past a boundary it just keeps going. Well unless your gonna build a rig to wheel.