Builds 1983 Toyota Hilux 4x4 Short Bed (1 Viewer)

[Will Van]

Edit (again): This is what the truck currently looks like.

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I just picked up this 1983 Toyota Hilux 4x4 short bed 5-speed out of Grand Junction, CO. I'm documenting my (slow) build thread here. I'll get better pics as soon as I take delivery next week.

Plans for the truck are:

• Old Man Emu 2.5" Lift
• OEM Toyota Steel Wheels
• 33" BFG Mud Terrains
• 7" Round Headlight Conversion
• Twin Stick Conversion
• Marlin Crawler Dual Case
• Marathon Seat Covers
• Air Conditioning
• Sell camper top
• Sell front bumper guard

 

[BHillteq]

I feel like I saw this thing on Craigslist! Either way, beautiful truck and congrats!

 

[Will Van]

I feel like I saw this thing on Craigslist! Either way, beautiful truck and congrats!

Thanks!

Yessir, it was on Craigslist (in Grand Junction), AutoTrader, and YotaTech.

 

[BHillteq]

I thought so! I couldn't believe how clean it was. Great find! Will be following along for sure.

 

[Cannon88]

Wow! Beautiful truck. Great find!

 

[Will Van]

After I pulled the camper top, I took the truck out to the lake. I still need to pull the front bumper off and do something about the terrible roll-on bedliner. The bumper is mounted on the front leaf spring hangers. So I need to lift it by the frame and support the axle to knock the front hanger pins out enough to get the bumper loose.

 

[Will Van]

This is ultimately what I want the truck to look like.

 

[Will Van]

I'm definitely going OEM steel wheels. But I can't decide on the color.

White

Silver/Gray

Or Black

What do you guys think?

 

[Meatdawg]

Very nice truck, congratulations! Personally, I like the black wheels. That is what I run on my truck with the FJ40 caps.

 

[onemanarmy]

I vote no on black. Any one can do black wheels. Appears lazy...unless paired with hubcaps ^

 

[Will Van]

Actually, original steel Hilux wheels did not come with hubcaps or mounting tabs. They’re also 6” wide (instead of 5.5” on the Cruiser wheels). I’m leaning heavily toward silver. I already have white on my Cruiser.

 

[onemanarmy]

Yea....just stating that you can run FJ40 steel wheels with clips and run hub caps, if you wanted.

Solid steel is the way to go. Great looking truck.

 

[Will Van]

Yea....just stating that you can run FJ40 steel wheels with clips and run hub caps, if you wanted.

Solid steel is the way to go. Great looking truck.

Yessir, that's good intel.

I only mentioned it because I thought the Hilux wheels were identical. Only after researching them did I realize they are their own wheel for the Hilux application.

It looks sharp on 40 series wheels too.

 

[Manhattan]

I've been doing the same thing - deciding which color to powder/paint the new FJ40 wheels and hub caps (ordered this week!). My '84 is also Creme (at the body shop right now for body and paint - sticking with O.E. Creme)...
I considered:
- Gray, but decided gray looked better on the primary colors, i.e. blue, red
- Creme - body-matched; still like this... but dropped to 2nd place
- Black - nice, but sort of a strong contrast with the pale Creme
- Antique White. The winner. The white pops just enough - makes the Creme look sort of richer, more saturated. Yeah... probably thought about this a little too much

Similar to this:

I do like gray steel wheels. That's what I have on my 100 Series:

 

[BHillteq]

I'm definitely going OEM steel wheels. But I can't decide on the color.

White

Silver/Gray

Or Black

What do you guys think?

I vote for the silver/gray! I honestly love when they're painted the same color as the truck. I think it looks rad on the steelies. But definitely go with the steelies, and the SR5 stripes. My pickup still has it's on the fenders/cab. Literally my favorite thing about the truck.

 

[Will Van]

I vote for the silver/gray! I honestly love when they're painted the same color as the truck. I think it looks rad on the steelies. But definitely go with the steelies, and the SR5 stripes. My pickup still has it's on the fenders/cab. Literally my favorite thing about the truck.

View attachment 2115641

I’m definitely getting the graphics. I need to figure out how to pull the “Toyota 4WD” badge without breaking it so I can install the stripes.

 

[onemanarmy]

Take the fender off for easy access to the backside of the badge mounting

 

[Will Van]

I got the truck insured, inspected, registered, and titled w/ TX plates. I also swapped the side mirrors.

Hopefully I can swap wheels and tires next week. And remove the silly front bumper.

Graphics and replace spray-on bedliner in November.

 

[BHillteq]

I got the truck insured, inspected, registered, and titled w/ TX plates. I also swapped the side mirrors.

Hopefully I can swap wheels and tires next week. And remove the silly front bumper.

Graphics and replace spray-on bedliner in November.

Love those! Where did you pick those up? They look like FJ60 mirrors.

 

[cruiserdan]

Nice truck! Technically it is not a "Hilux" as beginning in 1979 The Hilux name was dropped in the US and it was simply called the Toyota Truck.