toyospearo said:
That is one sweet looking little truck!
1980 Longbed Pickup Build - Epically Slow Style
- Thread starter Sam Stewart
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That is one sweet looking little truck!
- Thread starter
- #122
- Thread starter
- #123
If there are any long bed purists out there... avert your eyes!
Keeping in mind that I have NO intention of driving this beast on the road as a DD, I took it up to my boys at ACC yesterday so I could pull the rear diff and Brian could weld it and also so we could put an Aussie in the front. Michael and I were discussing the future of the bed, which I intended to remove at some point and flatbed the truck or tube the rear. He brought up the idea to shorten the bed to a long wheel base short bed. So, here it is!
Again, I know the purists are going to hate this but this is a trail truck, not a DD, not a restoration.
Keeping in mind that I have NO intention of driving this beast on the road as a DD, I took it up to my boys at ACC yesterday so I could pull the rear diff and Brian could weld it and also so we could put an Aussie in the front. Michael and I were discussing the future of the bed, which I intended to remove at some point and flatbed the truck or tube the rear. He brought up the idea to shorten the bed to a long wheel base short bed. So, here it is!
Again, I know the purists are going to hate this but this is a trail truck, not a DD, not a restoration.
Man, I dig it. Now you can get them to build you a sweet bumper that has the shackle mounts incorporated to clean up those long frame horns you have left.
Sorta Random question, my dad has an 83 with a L diesel in it that looks alot like yoursand parts seem to be getting scarce, even thru the dealer, what are the options if dealer parts go to zero, or are there any?
I ask because if I ever have a chance I want to buy the truck and wondered about future maintenance.
Sorta Random question, my dad has an 83 with a L diesel in it that looks alot like yoursand parts seem to be getting scarce, even thru the dealer, what are the options if dealer parts go to zero, or are there any?
I ask because if I ever have a chance I want to buy the truck and wondered about future maintenance.
- Thread starter
- #125
Yeah we're going to chop the frame right at the rear hanger. There's already a crossmember right there but I was thinking about making a minimalist bumper and integrating a 2" receiver or a winch mount.
As for the L... parts are already getting kind of scarce. I just looked up some engine rebuild parts for the guys at ACC the other day and the head gasket kit, and the complete rebuild kit are already disco'd. You can buy the individual gaskets (head gasket, intake, exhaust, etc) but that's it. I really like those old L trucks and they're tough as nails. For nostalgia and coolness factor I would totally buy it. Are you going to run into some parts availability issues? Probably. I'd say tune up parts and regular stuff like that will always be available. If Toyota stops having it you will still be able to get aftermarket. Some of the more special items are a different story. If it's a dealer only item and Toyota stops making it, your only option is to try to find used. The issue there of course is that those trucks are pretty rare. So, it's a tough call. If it was me I would buy it just because I think they're awesome and deal with the occasional parts issue. Really up to you.
- Thread starter
- #126
One of my wheels came in FINALLY!
That's some serious lip!
That's some serious lip!
Just one, man did you P-off the brown santa?
Anyway, thanks for the info on the L motor. And I will definitely be picking it up if he ever parts with it. He just ordered some new glow plugs and he said the parts guy told him there were like 10 left in the US system, total.
Anyway, thanks for the info on the L motor. And I will definitely be picking it up if he ever parts with it. He just ordered some new glow plugs and he said the parts guy told him there were like 10 left in the US system, total.
- Thread starter
- #128
Yeah one wheel was shipping from Ohio and 3 from Nevada. That's why the one came in first. The tracking info on the other 3 says Monday. That's awesome except my truck is still up at ACC and I won't be able to go back up there until the 24th. Lame.
I'm not surprised about the glow plugs. I actually looked up a combustion chamber for ACC and they were still available. So you never know.
- Thread starter
- #129
Went ahead and mounted up one of my well used tires...
It's a 305/65/17 Procomp A/T (roughly a 33x12.)
It's a 305/65/17 Procomp A/T (roughly a 33x12.)
- Thread starter
- #130
Dang! All the way back to page 5? I'm slacking!!!
So the truck has been at ACC getting slidered, chopped, rear welded, front high-pinion installed (with Aussie locker), and.. I think that's it. Anyway, I'm still going to do a pic heavy update and show all the goodies but here are just a couple teasers..
Getting ready to head home:
Short!
Looks a lot better with the wheels/tires (even thought the tires are shot):
Also, snapped a couple of my future (probably) EFI swap:
So the truck has been at ACC getting slidered, chopped, rear welded, front high-pinion installed (with Aussie locker), and.. I think that's it. Anyway, I'm still going to do a pic heavy update and show all the goodies but here are just a couple teasers..
Getting ready to head home:
Short!
Looks a lot better with the wheels/tires (even thought the tires are shot):
Also, snapped a couple of my future (probably) EFI swap:
Truck is looking good. Is it going to make an appearance at GSMTR next week? How long did the bed end up after the chop?
And on a random sidebar, if your donor for the EFI has a gray interior and an uncracked dash, I would be happy to make a contribution to you EFI swap fund.
And on a random sidebar, if your donor for the EFI has a gray interior and an uncracked dash, I would be happy to make a contribution to you EFI swap fund.
- Thread starter
- #132
Truck is looking good. Is it going to make an appearance at GSMTR next week? How long did the bed end up after the chop?
And on a random sidebar, if your donor for the EFI has a gray interior and an uncracked dash, I would be happy to make a contribution to you EFI swap fund.
Yes it will be at GSMTR next week. I can't do anything too crazy because I'll likely still be sporting the mostly bald tires and I don't have a cage yet. The bed is pretty short. I haven't actually measured the length but we took out 22 inches. From where we had it measured I was thinking it would come out with the tailgate directly above the edge of the rear crossmember but it's a little shorter than that. In retrospect I would have done about 2 inches less to keep the crossmember under the bed instead of it being slightly exposed. That being said, BIG props to Mike at ACC for doing the chop. He did a great job and it looks really good. It looks like it's way stretched out with the rear axle so close to the back of the truck! Eventually, I'll box in the ends of the frame and build a bumper or maybe put a receiver and some recovery points.
BTW, speaking of stretched out, we measured the wheel base and it's the same as an 80 according to Brian.
And, the donor is an 87 4Runner that does in fact have gray interior. I haven't looked too closely at the dash or anything though. I also should mention that I didn't buy the whole truck. I just bid on the engine/harness/ecu. A lot of the parts are already spoken for I believe.
Looking really GOOD!
-Daniel
Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.
-Daniel
Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.
- Thread starter
- #134
Random question:
Anyone ever use Toyota 53" leafs? The 05+ Tacomas used them. I was thinking about using them on my truck. Just move the hangers and throw on some longer shackles. Any input? Has this been done before?
Anyone ever use Toyota 53" leafs? The 05+ Tacomas used them. I was thinking about using them on my truck. Just move the hangers and throw on some longer shackles. Any input? Has this been done before?
I don't see where it would be any different than the 63" chevy spring mod only keeping it Toyota.
Now I am intrigued because you could get a set of the domello/ deaver Tacoma packs and have a nice flexy rear.
Now I am intrigued because you could get a set of the domello/ deaver Tacoma packs and have a nice flexy rear.
- Thread starter
- #136
That's kinda what I was thinking. Everyone is using the 53" and 63" chevy/ford springs. The only thing I noticed (not that I've seen a lot of trucks with the domestic springs) is that the Taco springs seem like they are a little flatter? Like, less arch. Not sure if that would make a whole lot of difference though. I guess the only difference is that it wouldn't give as much lift as an arched spring. If I do go this route (looks pretty likely at this point) I'll make sure I document and measure and post results (and lots of pics.)
- Thread starter
- #138
Awesome!
- Thread starter
- #139
Went for a little shakedown last night after work. The truck crawled GREAT. I was surprised that the bald tires didn't cause more problems.
HUGE problem with the brakes, however. Coming back down off a climb I had the brakes on the floor and still wasn't stopping. It seems like something is sticking really bad. I'm thinking that caliper(s) are locked up or the rears are frozen. It might be time to upgrade to the vented rotors and bigger calipers.
Edit: Will post some pics later.
HUGE problem with the brakes, however. Coming back down off a climb I had the brakes on the floor and still wasn't stopping. It seems like something is sticking really bad. I'm thinking that caliper(s) are locked up or the rears are frozen. It might be time to upgrade to the vented rotors and bigger calipers.
Edit: Will post some pics later.
- Thread starter
- #140
Sorry the pics aren't great. Small size and from a camera phone. This is about 2 seconds before I went down the steep part of the hill and had no brakes and almost needed a change of pants.
Edit: And, yes, I was still wearing my shirt and tie.
