Finally Inspired enough to start a build thread on this beauty I scored a few years ago by mere chance!
Builds 1983’ mini-crawler RN48 “Clementine” Build (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mesa man
- Start date
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- 1983 pickup 22r rn48
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- Thread starter
- #2
So the story goes like this, my wife was browsing the CL ads in Santa Fake searching for a good truck for one of our teenage sons and she comes across an ad for a pickup and shows it to me.
Some story of a boyfriend who moved and owed her money blah blah, and wanted it to find a good home. We went to look at it based on their description in the ad, said 22r rebuilt and installed at local shop Abet/ Alton auto, have receipts. 2nd gear grinds, needs TLC. Asking 4500$
We went and I checked it out, she said she couldn’t get it started and put gas in it and still not even a click! I proceeded to check battery connections discovering a mess of wires at terminals. Some tightening of connections got it to fire up! I tried to shift from 1st to 2nd, grrr, grrrind! Shifted into 3rd and drove it a mile or so and it just dies! I coast it off the road to a safe spot and pop the hood.
The rats nest of wires at the battery was suspect, so I striped the corroded wires back with my leatherman, cleaned and reconnected everything tight and she fired up again! I limped back with the brakes barely working, the front wheel bearings loose, knuckles oozing slime and large rust holes in both sides of the floor.
Well frazzled I got back and blurted out “ wow she’s rough! I can offer you 2500$…
Sold she says and we finalize the deal.
I limp it home 20 miles with my wife following behind and park the rough little pickup that just drips potential and character with its rusty patina that matches the tan/brown interior perfect!
Some story of a boyfriend who moved and owed her money blah blah, and wanted it to find a good home. We went to look at it based on their description in the ad, said 22r rebuilt and installed at local shop Abet/ Alton auto, have receipts. 2nd gear grinds, needs TLC. Asking 4500$
We went and I checked it out, she said she couldn’t get it started and put gas in it and still not even a click! I proceeded to check battery connections discovering a mess of wires at terminals. Some tightening of connections got it to fire up! I tried to shift from 1st to 2nd, grrr, grrrind! Shifted into 3rd and drove it a mile or so and it just dies! I coast it off the road to a safe spot and pop the hood.
The rats nest of wires at the battery was suspect, so I striped the corroded wires back with my leatherman, cleaned and reconnected everything tight and she fired up again! I limped back with the brakes barely working, the front wheel bearings loose, knuckles oozing slime and large rust holes in both sides of the floor.
Well frazzled I got back and blurted out “ wow she’s rough! I can offer you 2500$…
Sold she says and we finalize the deal.
I limp it home 20 miles with my wife following behind and park the rough little pickup that just drips potential and character with its rusty patina that matches the tan/brown interior perfect!
- Thread starter
- #3
Going thru the PO receipts for remanufactured engine and install along with exhaust, clutch assembly, starter, alt etc. 240$ for the crappy engine bay rattle can paint that’s peeling off (actually matches the “mosaic”exterior paint) and 280$ to R+R trans/tcase seals, spray the tranny/tcase with silver over grease and dirt in spots! 123.90 for red silicone?!!! They paid over 7400$!!! 
WTF!
WTF!
- Thread starter
- #5
Looking at the title I noted that the mileage was 171k in dec of 2000.
After the new engine the shop receipt from Jan. 2021 it’s 182,915, Around 12k in 21 years for any one who cant do math
!
My lucky ass got it 9/22 with 182,994 AM, less than 100 miles on the engine! Then I realized I needed to try and break it in properly!
And when I registered it I got a random custom (sorta) plate with most of the model code RN48! Kinda cool!
After the new engine the shop receipt from Jan. 2021 it’s 182,915, Around 12k in 21 years for any one who cant do math
!My lucky ass got it 9/22 with 182,994 AM, less than 100 miles on the engine! Then I realized I needed to try and break it in properly!
And when I registered it I got a random custom (sorta) plate with most of the model code RN48! Kinda cool!
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- Thread starter
- #6
I began tinkering with the pickup, making lists to baseline the little Hilux. This is a DLX so “no tach”. Needs a little “ touch up paint”
(thinking of names for this girl also)
All running lights need new bulbs and lenses, the corner lights are still available from Mr T.
The side running lights are interchangeable with 60 series.
She needs a white center latch tailgate, though i prefer the older latch handles on each side, more reliable.
Missing DS front bumper cap, no rear bumper.
Clean up wiring, inspect rusty floor thoroughly
Rebuild knuckles with a Cruiser Outfitters kit
With Marlin eco-seals.
Remove tranny and figure something out there!
Frame is decent on the outside but half full of dirt and rust scale on the inside!
She needs new body mounts and suspension bushings.
Weber carb on the de-smogged 22R will need attention!
She’s got a Hooker header.
(thinking of names for this girl also)
All running lights need new bulbs and lenses, the corner lights are still available from Mr T.
The side running lights are interchangeable with 60 series.
She needs a white center latch tailgate, though i prefer the older latch handles on each side, more reliable.
Missing DS front bumper cap, no rear bumper.
Clean up wiring, inspect rusty floor thoroughly
Rebuild knuckles with a Cruiser Outfitters kit
With Marlin eco-seals.
Remove tranny and figure something out there!
Frame is decent on the outside but half full of dirt and rust scale on the inside!
She needs new body mounts and suspension bushings.
Weber carb on the de-smogged 22R will need attention!
She’s got a Hooker header.
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You scored a really nice project. I love the look of the 1st gen pickups. Lots of potential there.
- Thread starter
- #8
0ct/23 My son and I drove up to the stripper party and brought home a dirty tranny from classic cruisers to help Brandon @Ratboy Strip Cruisers and organize parts.
We worked for 3 days and went wheelin , came home with Toyota parts!
Scored a chain drive tranny/tcase that was sittin in the dirt. And was offered 1 of 3 tailgates by an employee who invited me to his house, showed me his stash of parts and said “its yours, not going anywhere”. I wasn’t sure how to fit it in the 40 so against my better judgement my dumbass thought I could get it next time.
We worked for 3 days and went wheelin , came home with Toyota parts!
Scored a chain drive tranny/tcase that was sittin in the dirt. And was offered 1 of 3 tailgates by an employee who invited me to his house, showed me his stash of parts and said “its yours, not going anywhere”. I wasn’t sure how to fit it in the 40 so against my better judgement my dumbass thought I could get it next time.
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- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks man! I love it too, I was patient and finally the right one came along! Really lucked out for sure!
- Thread starter
- #10
I Decided to pull the hubs off to see why there was so much play in the front bearings and found this!?!?!!
- Thread starter
- #11
The metal plate and bolt heads were all chewed up also, not sure what the heck went on in there!
I sent a shout out to the High Desert Cruisers,
@pappy hooked my up with a spare spindle he had collecting dust! Thanks Jon!
Kurt @cruiseroutfit provided the perfect knuckle rebuild kit again + Marlin double lip eco-seals! Now I just needed a few days of good weather, and a 6 pack, oh and a s*** load of rags and paper towels!
I sent a shout out to the High Desert Cruisers,
@pappy hooked my up with a spare spindle he had collecting dust! Thanks Jon!
Kurt @cruiseroutfit provided the perfect knuckle rebuild kit again + Marlin double lip eco-seals! Now I just needed a few days of good weather, and a 6 pack, oh and a s*** load of rags and paper towels!
- Thread starter
- #12
Jan. 23’ I started cleaning up the knuckles and brakes after I had all the parts in order. She was a dirty neglected girl for sure!
Got her cleaned up and put on some makeup!
Lubed her up, Slid in the shaft nice and easy
and sealed the deal!
Time for a smoke!
Got her cleaned up and put on some makeup!
Lubed her up, Slid in the shaft nice and easy
and sealed the deal!
Time for a smoke!
- Thread starter
- #14
You bet Kurt! @cruiseroutfit Thanks for all all you do for our community! I just had a kit ordered for a new clients 80! Keep up the good work! When you gonna make a cameo appearance at SAS?
SAS has long been on my list to get to. Summertime has been crazy the last few years. We'll see where I land this year
- Thread starter
- #16
Thank you!!!
We would love to have you! Thanks for supporting our event!SAS has long been on my list to get to. Summertime has been crazy the last few years. We'll see where I land this year
- Thread starter
- #17
I replaced the broken latch for the stock rear sliding window that fit perfect! Exact replacement for 1st gen pickups, sold for Tacoma. Description says it won’t fit but it WILL!
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new parts on an old truck makes me smile.
Is the spring/clip rubbing on the rotor?
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