1980 Longbed Pickup Build - Epically Slow Style
- Thread starter Sam Stewart
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- #322
dngspot said:
How did you get around the high amperage draw? That was the thing that made me rethink it. People were having to jump through a bunch of hoops to get it wired. Like extra relays, fan controller, etc.
We've already made a fan shroud btw. It seems to be pulling way more air now. I'm gonna test it out tomorrow.
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- #324
dngspot said:
Yeah I don't have all that. I think I'm just going to stick with what I have right now.
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- #325
Well I went out yesterday with some of the GA Cruisers. I had a great time and put my truck through a few places I didn't think it would go. Since I was driving I obviously didn't get any pics or vids of myself. I'm pretty sure some of the other guys did, so once they get uploaded I'll link them here so you guys can check them out.
Everything on the truck performed great. The 22RE was in top form. Its still a little tricky with the HD clutch and the touchiness of the throttle. I'm still learning a balance of wide open and letting the RPMs drop so low that the truck shuts off. I killed it a few times when we first got there. The more I drive it with the new engine, the more comfortable I feel tho.
The only issue I had was getting tossed around "like the bean in the baby rattle" as one of the guys so eloquently put it. It's probably still going to be a while before I do the suspension. I'm still saving my pennies so I can get gears, do the doubler, and driveshafts all together. So, I'm think about picking up some cheapo oe replacement shocks for now so I didn't get beat to death on the trail. I'm thinking as long as I can keep it under 100 bucks I should be ok
Everything on the truck performed great. The 22RE was in top form. Its still a little tricky with the HD clutch and the touchiness of the throttle. I'm still learning a balance of wide open and letting the RPMs drop so low that the truck shuts off. I killed it a few times when we first got there. The more I drive it with the new engine, the more comfortable I feel tho.
The only issue I had was getting tossed around "like the bean in the baby rattle" as one of the guys so eloquently put it. It's probably still going to be a while before I do the suspension. I'm still saving my pennies so I can get gears, do the doubler, and driveshafts all together. So, I'm think about picking up some cheapo oe replacement shocks for now so I didn't get beat to death on the trail. I'm thinking as long as I can keep it under 100 bucks I should be ok
Did your new shroud do it's job?
Sounds like a good time, but you know the rules, without pictures we are not allowed to believe you.
Sounds like a good time, but you know the rules, without pictures we are not allowed to believe you.
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- #327
jynx said:Did your new shroud do it's job?
Sounds like a good time, but you know the rules, without pictures we are not allowed to believe you.
Ha! Good point about the pics.
It seemed that the shroud worked pretty well. You can def feel it pulling a ton of air now. The temp gauge didn't fluctuate like it did last time I was out there. It still makes me a little nervous tho. II might get one of those digital ones for inside the cab just so I can keep an eye on it.
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- #328
Well, here's a video of me struggling on Slippery Nipple (yes, that's the name of the trail/obstacle). Granted everyone else has dual cases, much bigger tires, and generally more skills than I do, but I think I did ok. I did make it up the trail. 
[YOUTUBE]gFOsqr3r9oo[/YOUTUBE]
And a couple of pictures.
If anybody else posts any up I'll copy them over here.
[YOUTUBE]gFOsqr3r9oo[/YOUTUBE]
And a couple of pictures.
If anybody else posts any up I'll copy them over here.
Finally something for me to look at! LOL... Great job!!!
-Daniel
-Daniel
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- #330
Adventure Copan said:
Ha! Thanks! I guess I have been slacking on the pics and vids lately. I'll try to go through and take pictures of all the updates.
sam,
is that the same place that you took the truck to test it out initially? looks even better than last time.
is that the same place that you took the truck to test it out initially? looks even better than last time.
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- #332
Yeah it's the same place Bryan. The group I went with is the TLCA chapter here in GA so there were some more capable rigs there. We stayed pretty tame the first time I went. It was just a test run and I was with an unlocked 80 that the guy didn't want to damage. The pic of me standing under the green truck is over in a section called the rock garden. The pictures probably make it look a little better than it is though. It's a pretty small park and it's mostly geared to quads and dirtbikes.
A couple more pictures:
And just for reference, these are the kind of trucks I was with this time:
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- #333
Hey guys. Thought I'd give a little update. The last couple of trips have taken their toll on my spine. So, I'm thinking suspension is going to have to be next on the list. I don't know if I'm going to be able to do the doublers, gears, etc all at the same time so I'm just going to see how it goes.
So, after the run in November, the truck is going to ACC to get some work done. I have a couple sets of Tacoma springs that I am going to utilize. The springs are the same width as the mini springs so there will be no need for the wider hangers. The mount points for the rear spring will have to move however. That was where I ran into a little issue when we were measuring. All the Chevy kits/threads/etc say that you have to move the rear hanger back 4". Well... my frame is bobbed where we bobbed the bed so I can't move the hanger back at all. So, I think we are going to build a mount point (possibly inegrate a crossmember/bumper) on the rear that will give about 2-3" that I can move the spring hanger back. The Taco springs are 53" eye to eye so they should work similarly to the Chevy/Ford springs.
Also, I am not in a hurry to do the AC since it is getting cooler outside but I did order an AC control/cables/AC switch from a fellow MUDder. So at least I can control the heat in November.
There are some other small things we did. One of the guys in the shop made me a cooler holder. We just took some of the extra sheet metal from the fan shroud and made a box and attached it to the bed. It's got a place for a rubber strap to go over the cooler to hold it in.
I'll try to get some pics and post up some of the stuff at some point in the near future.
So, after the run in November, the truck is going to ACC to get some work done. I have a couple sets of Tacoma springs that I am going to utilize. The springs are the same width as the mini springs so there will be no need for the wider hangers. The mount points for the rear spring will have to move however. That was where I ran into a little issue when we were measuring. All the Chevy kits/threads/etc say that you have to move the rear hanger back 4". Well... my frame is bobbed where we bobbed the bed so I can't move the hanger back at all. So, I think we are going to build a mount point (possibly inegrate a crossmember/bumper) on the rear that will give about 2-3" that I can move the spring hanger back. The Taco springs are 53" eye to eye so they should work similarly to the Chevy/Ford springs.
Also, I am not in a hurry to do the AC since it is getting cooler outside but I did order an AC control/cables/AC switch from a fellow MUDder. So at least I can control the heat in November.
There are some other small things we did. One of the guys in the shop made me a cooler holder. We just took some of the extra sheet metal from the fan shroud and made a box and attached it to the bed. It's got a place for a rubber strap to go over the cooler to hold it in.
I'll try to get some pics and post up some of the stuff at some point in the near future.
Good to hear, I am interested in how the tacoma leaf swap goes. If it all goes swimmingly I may try it if/ when I get around to SAS'ing my DD, or the 4runner.
Also looking forward to the ACC run in a few weeks to see how it does on the trail, it does really well sitting in the back lot at work, I know that.
Also looking forward to the ACC run in a few weeks to see how it does on the trail, it does really well sitting in the back lot at work, I know that.
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- #335
jynx said:Good to hear, I am interested in how the tacoma leaf swap goes. If it all goes swimmingly I may try it if/ when I get around to SAS'ing my DD, or the 4runner.
Also looking forward to the ACC run in a few weeks to see how it does on the trail, it does really well sitting in the back lot at work, I know that.
Yeah I think the leafs are going to be good. They should be nice and flexy. I think I've collected about 3 pair so if it goes well I might have a couple extras for sale.
And, yes it holds the parking lot down like a champ!!! I plan to be stomping some trails in November though.
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- #336
Small update. Nothing too interesting going on but I ordered an LED replacement dome light. You can't see jack squat with the one that's in there now. Also, I have to figure out where the wires run so I can hook them up. This is the light I ordered: Super Bright LEDs. (I tried to get together with PFran but for $10 I didn't want to waste his time going back and forth. I'd def recommend him for the bigger stuff though.)
I also received my AC controls that I bought from a fellow MUDder. It didn't have the face plate so I ordered a new one.
I also ordered some new knobs, which cost like $0.12 btw if anyone needs any. Since my area of my dash that should have AC controls in it is stuffed full of Scion radio, I think we're going to try to build some brackets or a little box and have them set on top of the dash sort of. Here's a pic for reference of the lack of space:
I think the hole that the GPS was in is going to have to be sacrificed for this purpose.
I also received my AC controls that I bought from a fellow MUDder. It didn't have the face plate so I ordered a new one.
I also ordered some new knobs, which cost like $0.12 btw if anyone needs any. Since my area of my dash that should have AC controls in it is stuffed full of Scion radio, I think we're going to try to build some brackets or a little box and have them set on top of the dash sort of. Here's a pic for reference of the lack of space:
I think the hole that the GPS was in is going to have to be sacrificed for this purpose.
Crap. I forgot to tell you I found that control module I promised to send you. I guess you don't need it now, sorry about that.
I have a pile of those little slip on knobs, it's crazy to see what some people want for them on eBay. Very cool you can still get the bezels new, I assumed they were out of stock.
Please let us know if the LED dome light works out.
I have a pile of those little slip on knobs, it's crazy to see what some people want for them on eBay. Very cool you can still get the bezels new, I assumed they were out of stock.
Please let us know if the LED dome light works out.
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- #338
No problem at all. I ran across a guy that had parted out a couple of trucks and runners so I asked if he had them. I got the whole deal including the AC switch shipped to my door for less than $40. The new face plate is $29.42 MUD price if anybody wants one. They are superseded to a number that has a knockout type plate over the clock and AC button. You just break or cut the little tabs holding the knockout and then remove it. Yep the little knobs are cheap. I'm sure most people just assume you can't get them. Heck, even I was doubtful about both the knobs and the face plate.
When the light gets here I'll try to take a before/after pic for you guys for reference. The bulb was $6.95 and the shipping was like 3 bucks. So, a little under $10 for the deal. Everyone getting the PFran kits for the 80s and 100s is what gave me the idea. Last time I was in the truck at night I was blinded by the radio and the dome light was so pitiful it might as well not have even been on.
I haven't posted about it because it's probably going to be a little while yet but I have been researching and pricing LED light bars and spot/flood lights. The headlights on the mini are super dim. It's not that I drive it much at night but if I was at an event or something I wouldn't dare go out for a night run. The good thing about a bar for example is that if I buy a second vehicle (like an 80) I could potentially use it on either one. I'm not talking about a 50" light bar for $2000 either. Like a 12 or 24 maybe.
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- #339
WOW. I got the LED light in for the dome light. It is stupid bright. If you look directly at the light it will leave 4 little spots when you close your eyes. I don't know how mugh room you guys have in your 2nd gens but we had to extensively "modify" my dome light housing to get it to fit. I didn't get any pics and I'm getting ready to head out of town so I will get some when I get back Monday or Tuesday.
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- #340
Well, no updates on the other sutff because I ran into a major problem. 
The input shaft seal blew out of the steering box. If it would have blown out AFTER the event then it would not have been a big deal because I am going to do the spring swap and will go with a high steer setup with an IFS box. Of course, things never work out that way. Also, there is some special tool that you have to have to remove a stake nut off the end of the box which we don't have. (Shocking I know, but this is a 32 yr old truck...) So, I am searching to see if I can find one at a junk yard. Worst case scenario I guess I will attempt to drive it with no P/S but I already know that is going to be nearly impossible. It def won't be any fun. Anyone happen to have one laying around from a part-out?
The input shaft seal blew out of the steering box. If it would have blown out AFTER the event then it would not have been a big deal because I am going to do the spring swap and will go with a high steer setup with an IFS box. Of course, things never work out that way. Also, there is some special tool that you have to have to remove a stake nut off the end of the box which we don't have. (Shocking I know, but this is a 32 yr old truck...) So, I am searching to see if I can find one at a junk yard. Worst case scenario I guess I will attempt to drive it with no P/S but I already know that is going to be nearly impossible. It def won't be any fun. Anyone happen to have one laying around from a part-out?