1980 Longbed Pickup Build - Epically Slow Style

[NorCalBorn]

If you're gonna do up the entire loom do it right or better than factory while you have the chance to.

Thought about a parting out thread once everything's done?
I know quite a few people'ses here's be looking for interior bits.

Also, I recognize those carts.

Used mine today to transfer our downstairs commode around so I could repair a rusted out flange and replace the wax gasket.

I got even more technomological and power washed the porcelain throne and even threw some polish on it before putting it back in.

You'd be surprised how much wear, abuse, and weight those little buggers can keep. People thought I was goofy for taking mine with me when where I worked shut down.

 

[Sam Stewart]

If you're gonna do up the entire loom do it right or better than factory while you have the chance to.

Thought about a parting out thread once everything's done?
I know quite a few people'ses here's be looking for interior bits.

Also, I recognize those carts.


Used mine today to transfer our downstairs commode around so I could repair a rusted out flange and replace the wax gasket.

I got even more technomological and power washed the porcelain throne and even threw some polish on it before putting it back in.

You'd be surprised how much wear, abuse, and weight those little buggers can keep. People thought I was goofy for taking mine with me when where I worked shut down.

Way ahead of you on the part out thread!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/parting-out/598846-parting-out-87-4runner-atlanta-macon.html

I'm thinking it will be easier to just swap the entire wiring over than try to isolate all the circuits I need and rewire them. Like I said in the previous post, stuff like the MAF, injector resistor, and circuit opening relay, along with the fuse panel are pretty important. The dash wiring is a bugger to get out. I had already removed the dash and I was pulling the A/C out but I still had to remove some other bits to get to it. I'll make sure it looks right when I put it back. If you go way back to the beginning of my thread I rebuilt the rear harness because it was all hacked to pieces. And you're right about it being a lot easier now. I plan to take the mini apart, install the engine and all the wiring, get everything right, THEN I'll put it all back together.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Dash harness is out!

Now it's time to start stripping the mini down. I'm going to clear the engine bay out and pressure wash everything and throw a coat of paint on it. I'm going to try to do everything in the exact reverse of how I removed it from the Runner:

Strip the mini
Clean and paint engine bay

Install dash harness (also runs to engine bay)
Install A/C box (if it will fit)
Install A/C lines and condenser
Install P/S (lines, reservoir, cooler)
Install front end harness
Install air box (LF), igniter (L), injector resistor (R)
Install throttle cable (incuding pedal and bracket)
Install fuel lines
Double check everything!!
Install engine and connect everything
Install trans and driveshafts

Crank it up!

(Sounds pretty easy right? )

 

[jynx]

Yep, just like that.

From the look of the list it kinda looks like you are working toward having AC again. I think that is a excellent idea.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Yep, just like that.

From the look of the list it kinda looks like you are working toward having AC again. I think that is a excellent idea.

Yeah I'm looking at possibly getting some tube doors as well. Cabin temps get pretty high in that little truck. It's a long story so I won't bore you with the details but I am going to be able to keep some of the A/C components and another MUDder has offered a trade for some A/C parts that I'm missing. So, in theory I should be able to have working A/C when all is said and done. Another big plus is that I can get rid of my janky, rigged up P/S setup that I have now.

 

[jynx]

Oh I completely understand the in-cab temps. My AC compressor is shot and I haven't had time to have the system discharged so I can install my Denso replacement (hopefully this weekend that happens) so I am cruising in my "black" truck with no air in the TN heat. That plus the heat coming thru the floor from my exhaust makes a 2 hour drive pretty unpleasant.

I am thinking of getting some Lizard skin spray on coating. I need to do the cruiser to so probably the ceramic for heat with a layer of the sound deadening to. I should be able to do both vehicles for about $250 - $300 which seems reasonable to me for cooler feet and a quieter ride.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Oh I completely understand the in-cab temps. My AC compressor is shot and I haven't had time to have the system discharged so I can install my Denso replacement (hopefully this weekend that happens) so I am cruising in my "black" truck with no air in the TN heat. That plus the heat coming thru the floor from my exhaust makes a 2 hour drive pretty unpleasant.

I am thinking of getting some Lizard skin spray on coating. I need to do the cruiser to so probably the ceramic for heat with a layer of the sound deadening to. I should be able to do both vehicles for about $250 - $300 which seems reasonable to me for cooler feet and a quieter ride.

Sounds like a deal. You get the heat and noise protection. I'd do it.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Strip the mini
Clean and paint engine bay

Install dash harness (also runs to engine bay)
Install A/C box (if it will fit)
Install A/C lines and condenser
Install P/S (lines, reservoir, cooler)
Install front end harness
Install air box (LF), igniter (L), injector resistor (R)
Install throttle cable (incuding pedal and bracket)
Install fuel lines
Double check everything!!
Install engine and connect everything
Install trans and driveshafts

Crank it up!

Brought in the mini:

The new heart waiting patiently for transplant into it's new home:

So I just need to take all this stuff out...

And shove all this stuff in there:

 

[Sam Stewart]

So I won't get into the actual swap until I get back from out of town, but I slid the radiator in and it looks to be a direct bolt in. Also, the A/C stuff looks like it's going to fit. I am going to have to relocate the holes in the firewall for the A/C lines. The ones in there now are horizontal and the ones for the Runner are vertical. Just a couple of quick observations. Much more detail to come. I am going to try to take as many pics and notes as possible.

Stay tuned.

 

[NorCalBorn]

If possible throw in some higher sized images for the pending pics. These little 3"x3" one's are killing my eyes.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Ha! Uploaded them from my phone and I guess they resized. I'll redo them tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone.

 

[NorCalBorn]

Kinda figured that out, at least they only got resized, mine come out upside down half the time.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Kinda figured that out, at least they only got resized, mine come out upside down half the time.

Edited the above post with normal sized pics.

 

[Sam Stewart]

I'm back!!! Gonna start working on the swap this week. I'm going to try to make it to the Coal Creek ride on the 27th-30th but I'm not making any promises...

 

[NorCalBorn]

I'm going to try to make it to the Coal Creek ride on the 27th-30th but I'm not making any promises...

Nice, beats my weekend stuck here at home w/ the stomach flu.


Anyone else you know working on projects refer them into this part of the forum. We need some fresh blood in here IMHO, things are stagnant. I got tired of waiting for you to bump this and decided to re-read Aaron (WristPin's) MeatWagon build.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Nice, beats my weekend stuck here at home w/ the stomach flu.


Anyone else you know working on projects refer them into this part of the forum. We need some fresh blood in here IMHO, things are stagnant. I got tired of waiting for you to bump this and decided to re-read Aaron (WristPin's) MeatWagon build.

Well I'll do my best to work fast, take lots of pics, and post often. It's tough with the baby, full time work, MUD orders pouring in ...

Anyway... ON TO THE UPDATE.

Started a little teardown. (YES, this is pre-teardown )

You know what's a great bolt/screw/nut/etc holder? The glove box insert.

So even if the A/C did work before I can imagine it was a little restricted...

Stock harness, defrost vent, and A/C box mounting location. (And, yes I believe that is an OEM pine needle)

I have a feeling I am going to have to just re-mount everything inside. I'm going to pull the dash so I can run the 4Runner harness in the stock pickup location. That way it will be out of the way of the A/C components. It will also help with test fitting everything. More to come, when I have time. I may work on it a bit tomorrow during lunch.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Dash is out:

A/C and harness out!

Now for a day or two of rest.

 

[Sam Stewart]

So I knew that the A/C boxes and stuff were not going to directly bolt in but the boxes are totally different. I'm going to have to get creative to get them mounted. I don't think I'll have a problem making them fit though. Also going to have to be a little creative with the ducting for the vents. The 4Runner and mini are completely different there as well.

So this evening after work I am going to:

Get the dash harness run and run it through the firewall towards the front of the truck.
Test fit the A/C stuff and try to formulate a plan on the mounting.
Check the A/C controls to see if they are going to be funtional.
Install the gas pedal assembly from the 4Runner with the throttle cable. (Easier to do now)

 

[Sam Stewart]

Mocked up/installed the dash harness and the a/c stuff tonight. It actually fits pretty good! The a/c lines on the mini are horizontal where they go through the firewall and the ones from the Runner are vertical so I will have to drill a new hole before I can fully install them. The main box needed a little bracket to bolt on but I just made one out of a piece of metal that already had some holes in it. The air inlet that lets fresh air in the box looks like its going to line up also. The only issue I have seen is that the cowl is a different shape and I don't think the defrost vent is going to fit. Here's a bad pic of the a/c stuff mocked up. The center box is bolted in.

 

[NorCalBorn]

Just be very sure to hit all those vents, wires, ets with a rag dampened in a mix of 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of water since it's possible the mice that did that carried Hanta.

Also would be a good time to weld in a piece of sheetmetal or square stock up into the upper left corner of the pedal assembly bracket just above the clutch pedal brackets where they all eventually crack.

**Pic pilfered from Wasted Dragon's post in KKell's thread, I can get a pic of how I fixed mine if ya wanna see.