1974 Toyota Truck Bed Trailer (2 Viewers)

[The Jade Bean]

EDIT (NEW TRAILER):
I’m adding to this thread rather than start a new one since it’s in line with the same theme. The 1980 Hilux bed from the original thread had been converted to a wall bench as the rust was to much to work with. I just got a new trailer bed conversion that someone else did. It’s a Frankenstein, but with some time and labor it’ll be cool

I’ll post up as I dig into it.

LINKS TO HELPFUL STUFF:
Patina Preservation
OEM Light Wire Diagrams
Chain Sleeve
Coremark Metal - 2” seamless receiver tube
Wipe On Patina Preservation

ORIGINAL POST:
I scored a free ‘80 Hilux bed from friends at Tandem Offroad. I was gonna keep just the tail gate and scrap the rest, but then thought...TRAILER!! The frame, axle and springs were gone, but then Tandem said they had the frame and springs still!! The frame was cut up a tad, but repairable. I’m trying to use as much scrap steel as possible to keep cost down. The body is super rusty, but solid enough and a fun project to work on little by little.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Frame repair.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Frames fixed. The old hanger mounts were butchered, so I cut those off and ordered some new ones.

 

[joebattle1]

Wow awesome! I’m not alone in my weirdness. Great start you’ve got going. What are you doing about axles? Are you making a camping trailer or just a plain old utility trailer?

 

[The Jade Bean]

Wow awesome! I’m not alone in my weirdness. Great start you’ve got going. What are you doing about axles? Are you making a camping trailer or just a plain old utility trailer?

You’re defiantly not alone. Right now the need is utility trailer, but it’ll be multi purpose I’m sure. I’m putting my split rims off my 70 series I sold since I already have them. I’m just gonna put a 3,500# axle with brakes on it. I have some inversion shackles I’ll put on it to give it a tad lift. It’ll really be too tall for a lot of utility trailer work, so eventually I’ll likely buy a cheap low to the ground one too. I thought eventually it’ll be cool to put a soft top on it so maybe you could sleep in it or something like that.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Bought some hanger mounts and now I just need bushings and bolts and then moving forward!

 

[joebattle1]

@The Jade Bean Are you using the original stock leaves? I'm thinking I need something a bit stifffer...

Where did you get the spring mount hardware?

I've been debating buying the rears of an OME kit. Not sure what year will work for my 77. The earliest I can find is 80 pickup.

 

[The Jade Bean]

@The Jade Bean Are you using the original stock leaves? I'm thinking I need something a bit stifffer...

Where did you get the spring mount hardware?

I've been debating buying the rears of an OME kit. Not sure what year will work for my 77. The earliest I can find is 80 pickup.

Yes originals as they were free. I can’t recall where I bought the mounts. Oh found it: Mounts I may change the springs out later. My goal was to keep the build as cheap as possible and upgrade as time goes on.

 

[The Jade Bean]

NEW TRAILER:
I’m adding to this thread rather than starting a new one since it’s in line with the same theme. The 1980 Hilux bed from the original thread had been converted to a wall bench as the rust was to much to work with. I just got a new trailer bed conversion that someone else did. It’s a Frankenstein, but with some time and labor it’ll be cool.

The 1980 beds fate.

The new one.

You can see in the front there’s a rail road track, pretty funny. Not sure on where to attack first. I plan to use Nolen’s patina tactic to preserve the look as much as possible. Obviously the whole front end will be redone.

 

[The Jade Bean]

That’s about it. I plan to use it regularly for mulch and such around the house. Things where using my 16’ trailer would be overkill.

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

Dig it! Recently acquired a 1981 short bed. Love the blue patina on yours! @cjmoon build inspired by his Datsun trailer he did a few years back.

 

[ntsqd]

What I'd be tempted to do, rather than try to find the original tail light assemblies (guessing they're rare and spendy) would be to make some sheet metal inserts that screw in like they're the lights. Then cut those plates for a red oval tail/stop light and a a small round amber turn signal light.

Like these: Maxxima 6" Oval Red Stop / Tail / Turn Light w/ 6 LEDs - https://zips.com/parts-detail/maxxima-6-oval-red-stop-tail-turn-l-m63346r

And these: Maxxima 1 1/4" Round Mini P2 PC Combination Clearance Marker Light w/ 6 LEDs - https://zips.com/parts-detail/maxxima-1-1-4-round-mini-p2-pc-combinat-m09400light

 

[The Jade Bean]

Dig it! Recently acquired a 1981 short bed. Love the blue patina on yours! @cjmoon build inspired by his Datsun trailer he did a few years back.

View attachment 2798249

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I like those stripes.

What I'd be tempted to do, rather than try to find the original tail light assemblies (guessing they're rare and spendy) would be to make some sheet metal inserts that screw in like they're the lights. Then cut those plates for a red oval tail/stop light and a a small round amber turn signal light.

Like these: Maxxima 6" Oval Red Stop / Tail / Turn Light w/ 6 LEDs - https://zips.com/parts-detail/maxxima-6-oval-red-stop-tail-turn-l-m63346r

And these: Maxxima 1 1/4" Round Mini P2 PC Combination Clearance Marker Light w/ 6 LEDs - https://zips.com/parts-detail/maxxima-1-1-4-round-mini-p2-pc-combinat-m09400light

The repo lights are cheap enough.

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

 

[ntsqd]

The repo lights are cheap enough.

I'd have never guessed that they were even available.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Put the old girl to work.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Tested the CLR and a scratch free pad on the tail gate. You can see a mild improvement, but I think I’ll need to step up to something more abrasive.

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

Hit it with fluid film or penetrol.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Tail lights and plug connector came in. Just need to grab a few more parts and then get to it.

 

[joebattle1]

Yoooo Mr Bean. I noticed this trailer says “long bed”… how long is it? Mine is exactly 6’ long. I’m trying to find the right 3 person roof top tent for mine but quite a few of the larger soft shells are longer then I want and hang over. I also noticed that my yota trailer has 4 side cleats and yours has 3.