2004 HZJ79 plow truck refurbishing

[crushers]

This thread will show the extent that a mine truck has to go through to become a reliable daily driver and work truck.

other than a few mods it will be a stock refurbish:
engine left alone (MAYBE turbo and intercooler) (compression is excellent)
new tranny
rebuilt t/case
rebuilt front diff (MAYBE e/locker)
manual locking hubs
rebuilt rear diff (MAYBE e/locker)
frame sand blasted, refurbished and powder coated
rebuilt cab
new front fenders (all 3 peices per side)
new hood
new doors
new glass
steel or aluminum door panels
hippo lined floor in cab and factory box
like new factory box and accessories
alloy working cage for back and over roof
neavy duty front springs
factory rear springs with airbag assist
new u/joints
refurbished or new rad
new hoses
custom mounted snow plow front
sanding box rear
class 3 tow hitch and wiring
recovered front split bench
hidden box under the factory box

and the list will go on as the refurbish proceeds

first pics tomorrow.

this build is for a customer and he has the final say in the process and cost.

do not ask how to register it, i am not willing to share that info. it can be done and it can be done legally. you just need to learn the ropes. any questions in this reguard are unappreciated.

feel free to follow along. tenative finish date is the end of oct but since i am already 2 months behind that might change.

cheers

 

[Chang-kuao-lo]

...do not ask how to register it, i am not willing to share that info. it can be done and it can be done legally. you just need to learn the ropes. any questions in this reguard are unappreciated...


cheers

go and leave out all the good bits, ya bastid...

all joking aside, sounds cool. i will be embarking on a similar project with the '74, next year.

 

[lshobie]

I think I have a new rear third and some rear axles as well - let me know if interested.

I found that the splines were worn out on the drive shafts, so I just bought tom woods custom shafts, 230 for the front and 300 for the rear - pretty near the cost for the u joints and time to install them.

Have fun can't wait to see the pics. The good thing about the 79 compared to the 75 is the solid cab - much nicer than working on the ton of little cab bits and pieces - safer truck as well.

 

[Clint79]

Mate sounds like its going to rock if its is going to have a plow truck the plow in the front will the front spings get airbags in them to
when you mention "steel or aluminum door panels" can you get 7x series door already pressed up in aloy or steel? or did you mean the inside door trim in metal

 

[crushers]

Louis,
i just took it for a boot up the road and it does 120 no problem with the 'mine' fuel settings.
the tranny is FUBAR but the engine purrs like brand new. the rear diff seems solid but will know when the tear down begins. if needed i will be contacting for the parts.
not sure if i agree with the "solid is better" theory and hope to never have to test it out.
as for one piece better than two for working on, it is easier to go buy a roof, back, windshield frame new than the hours to massage a one peice back into shape... well, in my mind anyway.

J7, that is the inner panels. since this is a work truck there is no need for 'pretty', form over function. once the steel is powder coated then it will last the life of the truck with any abuse thrown at it.

couple things i don't like about the 79 series, elec dash... stupid idea by Toyota. ...okay, the one thing i don't like about the 79s.

 

[Clint79]

ahh i see metal inside doors panels in the winter they might get a little cold will be like jumping in a early 40 series but good suited for a work truck mate

saying the 79 series dash is elec i take it the 75 etc is not or something what the diff?

 

[crushers]

the difference is if something goes wrong then on the older series you can figure it out. for guys like me, elec anything is a "black box". even the speedo is elec.
i just like simplicity.
i am sure once all is done it will grow on me.

 

[pinkfloyddsotm]

do not ask how to register it, i am not willing to share that info. it can be done and it can be done legally. you just need to learn the ropes. any questions in this reguard are unappreciated.

do you know how much of an old grump this makes you sound ??

 

[Clint79]

do you know how much of an old grump this makes you sound ??

lol

 

[lshobie]

The only electric thing in the console is the speedo and odometer - and the pick up on the transfer of course. It is good if it works, if something stops working it is expensive I know where I can get used consoles if you fry something.

The cab would be better in a roll over for sure, you will see when you take it apart, the steering wheel/column assembly is collapsable for head on collisions - so I do like the safety factor of the 79.

If you want to go e-locker in the rear then the 105 series rear is the same with 4.30's, older 4.10's won't fit and pre 98 rear diffs won't fit - axles are bogger and more splines - rear diff is overall bigger as well.

There are some things that i i don't like about it - but the ride and comfort is way better than the tiny 75's with leafs. Getting old I guess - I like comfort when wheeling

 

[crushers]

ummm, i AM an old grump.

do you know how much of an old grump this makes you sound ??

 

[Eric Winkworth]

totally agree with you Wayne... In the electrical technology course I'm taking i've learned that the vast majority of the time a "Black box" and/or circuit board isn't really worth fixing, just throw away and buy new usually!

I've fixed a few Honda PGM-FI relays for 90's Civics/integras/accords, but they're easy because basically every one has the same cold solder joints.

I must say though even on 80's cressida's i've looked at with all digital dashes, everything works, and that's definitaly not the case with GM's digital dashes they're a frickin nightmare

cheers and looking forward to seeing and hearing more!

 

[Rusty Phillips]

12 posts already - and no pics..... Sorry bout that

Friday - moving trucks about the yard, getting the crate off the bed of the 79, pulling misc parts from the cab, put new battery in, cut frozen parking brake line, and then test driving the truck

 

[Rusty Phillips]

body damage from being in a mine

 

[Rusty Phillips]

more


shifter 5th gear lockout plate

 

[Clint79]

NIce pics mate
that sure has had a flogging
you will have to start a 5 stud rim collections now, top project
nice troopy your yard looks like a toyota car yard ,which is minting

 

[Rusty Phillips]

couple other things from day 1 that I thought were interesting

in addition to blocking 5th gear
they put the truck in 4 low and then disconnect / remove the transfer case shifter

you saw the closeup of the 5th gear block - this is what they covered the empty hole in the tunnel with

 

[crushers]

yep, the drivers did not show much consideration to the sheet metal.
2 rag top 70s
1 hard top 70 (bush pig heading to Kingston Ont)
one 75 series truck
1 75 series troopie (heading to a customer in Ft Mac Alberta)
1 79 series pickup (heading to Sanich BC)

i like my 70s.

and a bunch of other RHD vehicles...

NIce pics mate
that sure has had a flogging
you will have to start a 5 stud rim collections now, top project
nice troopy your yard looks like a toyota car yard ,which is minting

 

[Clint79]

nice mate one day i would like to have a few 7x seies of my own in my yard

the 79 grey seat,door trim,hand brake but brown glove box? what colour you going to stay with?

 

[lshobie]

Wow, what a hack job they did on that lockout - lol. I've seen some bad mine trucks - that one is up there. The lockout on mine was a small metal spacer that was placed in the transmission.

Can't wait to see it progress.