Howdy folks - I acquired this rig earlier this year in January after an elk destroyed my Tacoma. I did the sensible thing and got this and a commuter car instead of another reliable truck. I have a history of Toyota trucks - 1981, 1986, 1991 mini trucks, 1996 T100 and 2016 Tacoma. Having an LC was always a goal!
Seems like it's pretty common to have some sort of frankenstein and this is no exception although I haven't pieced it together. I've since learned a lot about these reading the forums. I'd like some help sleuthing now that I've spent some time with it.
The guy I bought it from added some stuff to it:
Holley Sniper EFI and HEI distributor, aftermarket bucket seats, paint job, doors, really crappy mirrors, fog lights, rear wheel fenders.
From what I can see the previous to last owner added exhaust, shocks, tires/wheels, radiator looks newish, back seat that is probably from a jeep. It came from Eastern WA.
My intention is to have something to drive and learn about/work on. Won't be doing heavy off-roading but it's meant to have fun with. Mini expeditions, camping etc. Try to keep the general value steady if I need to sell it or decide I don't really like it.
At the moment it has a nice aesthetic but not really what I want - It looks more like a jeep than a cruiser. I want it to be somewhere between road warrior and something you see on an African expedition, hehe.
While looking around at obtaining a hardtop I realized that the tailgate had been welded shut. So for this era I understand they normally had ambulance doors but perhaps an upper liftgate (or whatever it's called) might work...?
Some more observations-
It has the tail lights installed in the tub and not the bumper.
I don't know what kind of roll cage is in it - not original.
The bumper is a bolted on aftermarket thing but has no hitch/receiver or anyway to attach a spare or other junk.
Seems like much of the wiring has been randomly cobbled together. Has a newer fuse block installed.
The original gauge cluster has a working speedometer but no other gauges work. There's an aftermarket cluster for oil pressure, coolant temp, and amps. No working fuel gauge.
I've replaced the alternator/regulator, starter, battery and new cables. I had to send the Sniper back to Holley because the ECU might be fried. This was due to some crappy wiring work from the PO. I'm slightly mechanically inclined but needed a mechanic to help me figure that out for now. Going to dial in some more of the wiring with this guy.
Have a working fuel gauge. Bought a new sending unit.
I'm cleaning up the doors and installing the Serengeti panels.
I'm trying to install 3 point seat belts (have to figure out the roll cage attachment).
I'm removing the rear seat and want to put in some kind of locking toolbox.
I'll be replacing the brake master cylinder, booster, and clutch cylinders. Still have to have a look at other brake and wheel assemblies but probably those.
Will probably replace u-joints since I don't know the history.
I want to get old school steel wheels.
Move the off road/fog lights - they are in front of the headlights and sort of obstruct the tow hooks.
Trying to decide on what to do about upgrading steering.
Here are a couple questions:
How do you think a hardtop would work out with the weird back door modification? I like the OG style softops but the style I have.
Find a bumper solution that doesn't cost $2k +
Seems like it's pretty common to have some sort of frankenstein and this is no exception although I haven't pieced it together. I've since learned a lot about these reading the forums. I'd like some help sleuthing now that I've spent some time with it.
The guy I bought it from added some stuff to it:
Holley Sniper EFI and HEI distributor, aftermarket bucket seats, paint job, doors, really crappy mirrors, fog lights, rear wheel fenders.
From what I can see the previous to last owner added exhaust, shocks, tires/wheels, radiator looks newish, back seat that is probably from a jeep. It came from Eastern WA.
My intention is to have something to drive and learn about/work on. Won't be doing heavy off-roading but it's meant to have fun with. Mini expeditions, camping etc. Try to keep the general value steady if I need to sell it or decide I don't really like it.
At the moment it has a nice aesthetic but not really what I want - It looks more like a jeep than a cruiser. I want it to be somewhere between road warrior and something you see on an African expedition, hehe.
While looking around at obtaining a hardtop I realized that the tailgate had been welded shut. So for this era I understand they normally had ambulance doors but perhaps an upper liftgate (or whatever it's called) might work...?
Some more observations-
It has the tail lights installed in the tub and not the bumper.
I don't know what kind of roll cage is in it - not original.
The bumper is a bolted on aftermarket thing but has no hitch/receiver or anyway to attach a spare or other junk.
Seems like much of the wiring has been randomly cobbled together. Has a newer fuse block installed.
The original gauge cluster has a working speedometer but no other gauges work. There's an aftermarket cluster for oil pressure, coolant temp, and amps. No working fuel gauge.
I've replaced the alternator/regulator, starter, battery and new cables. I had to send the Sniper back to Holley because the ECU might be fried. This was due to some crappy wiring work from the PO. I'm slightly mechanically inclined but needed a mechanic to help me figure that out for now. Going to dial in some more of the wiring with this guy.
Have a working fuel gauge. Bought a new sending unit.
I'm cleaning up the doors and installing the Serengeti panels.
I'm trying to install 3 point seat belts (have to figure out the roll cage attachment).
I'm removing the rear seat and want to put in some kind of locking toolbox.
I'll be replacing the brake master cylinder, booster, and clutch cylinders. Still have to have a look at other brake and wheel assemblies but probably those.
Will probably replace u-joints since I don't know the history.
I want to get old school steel wheels.
Move the off road/fog lights - they are in front of the headlights and sort of obstruct the tow hooks.
Trying to decide on what to do about upgrading steering.
Here are a couple questions:
How do you think a hardtop would work out with the weird back door modification? I like the OG style softops but the style I have.
Find a bumper solution that doesn't cost $2k +
