86 use for parts or do a frame off

[chesshircat]

I picked this thing up for $600 for a parts truck. My wife has been eyeballing it and wants me to fix it up for her. I would go with OME, H55, frame off, rebuild motor etc.. I don't mind spending the money on the right truck plus if its for her i can stay out in the shop without all the Blah, Blah, Blah. I've been searching on replacment body pannels and it doesn't really seem like anyone is making good stuff. Has anyone here used panels with good success or is this truck even worth the effort? It would also give me an excuse to buy a rotiserie

 

[chesshircat]

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[chesshircat]

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[Spike Strip]

It's always worth saving one from the parts bin - but I suppose it depends on your willingness to put the time and money into it. Also depends on how bad the rust is, underneath. Bear in mind, it's unlikely you'd get the money out of it that you'd put in, but as I look at it, what else on the market could you touch for the same $$ that would be as great!

I've been working on mine since last Aug, and I've got a ways to go. But I've been doing it myself, steadily. Probably have about 13-15k $ into it (stopped counting so I wouldn't hyperventilate), and have done pretty much what you've outlined above. With the addition of a FF rear and 40 gal tank.

But since you're really lacking for work space , it may be hard.

 

[chesshircat]

I don't mind the time and money, like you said, what else could you get in todays market. Even with 33's it would get better mpg than her 80. I just don't like to do anything half-a$$ and if i can't find the parts to do it right, i won't. The rust is centralized on the rear quarters and inner skirts and in the corner bolow the dogleg on the pass side. The transfer leaked enough to keep the under side coated pretty well, so there are a few places i could easily patch with metal but thats about it. the frame would be ok after i sandblast it. Have you replaced any pannels on yours? if so any luck?

It would be mainly a grocery getter, camping, slight off roading type vehicle, so i'd like to make it nice if possible. We have enough beaters around the house for other stuff.

Yeah i would have built my shop a little larger but when it got big enough to put my house inside it i figured i better quit. My biggest problem now is keeping enough of my own projects going so I don't loose too much floor space to my buddies.

 

[Spike Strip]

There are a number of places that sell quality replacement panels, I don't have the address off-hand, but if you do a search for patch panels they're here. Most of the stuff is still available from Toyota, for $$$, but avail. Then there's always $OR who has everything used, in good shape. There's also a couple of threads where guys are fixing the bodies with home-made patches, and it looks pretty good.

THIS GUY is really doing a Hell of a job.

I haven't done my body yet, as I just got the motor in this weekend. But I plan to do something similar with spot patches.

 

[jgordon]

Dude, if that's your shop and you're debating it, no choice at all - do the restoration. At least do it for us, not to mention the cruiser gods (and the poor truck). I'm looking forward to reading the thread and ogling the pics of the restoration.

 

[chesshircat]

Yeah, thats my shop. I'll probably start tearing out the interior this weekend to get a better idea what I have.

 

[D'Animal]

I have one that is in really great shape if you want a nice one. It just needs the entire power train.

On the one you have, check the frame on bothe sides of the rear frame support and the the spare tire area. With as much rust as you have, I would be supprised of the rust was not already seperating the metal of the frame.

 

[chesshircat]

If you weren't on the other side of the world I'd take it.

I'll check, if it is bad in that area, can I fab up a new support and fix it?

 

[mwalls54]

How is the interior? I just bought a 87 thats in excellent shape with no rust for 2800, and the only thing wrong with the interior is the seats need to be cleaned and the carpet could be replaced but is still in decent shape. so if this has too much rust and the interior is shot i would say it would be a good trail rig but might not be worth restoring.
BTW nice garage you got any more pictures?

 

[chesshircat]

Interior is great, it was a one owner Lady. We don't come accross much anything over here without rust. I have a 84 I bought out in CA with no rust in great shape, Its my daily driver.

Any more pics of the truck or garage?

 

[mwalls54]

Interior is great, it was a one owner Lady. We don't come accross much anything over here without rust. I have a 84 I bought out in CA with no rust in great shape, Its my daily driver.

Any more pics of the truck or garage?

The garage of course, I have a house down in roanoke and I will be needing a garage within the next couple of years.

 

[chesshircat]

Ever Heard of Craig Springs, in Craig Co.? I have a hunting Cabin there. I'll get some pictures tonight, its a real nice shop, a little more than what i need, but what the he$$

 

[chesshircat]

Shop

Its 50x100x21 high. Metal siding. Poured a 2' wall, framed 18' high, had trusses made that gain another foot in the center. 6" concrete floor. Still need to pour slab in front of the 3 doors on shop side. I own a small farm so its a "farm" building for storing Hay. I had the county come assess it when it was just a shell, no elec., framing inside, dirt floor. I stacked some hay, and put some farm equipment in it before they came out

 

[chesshircat]

shop

THis is my enclosed shop, 32x50 insulated. I'm going to get a waste oil burning furnace to heat it. Sewer is stubbed in, i will add a crapper later. I built beams by sandwiching 2x12's and ply to span 16' from each side to the the 2 6x6's and 18' between the 2 posts so there are only 2 posts in my shop. I used 16' 2x12's to build the floor/ceiling. Used Joist hangers on the beam, to a band board over the garage doors to the front and rested the back side on top of the wall. By using joist hangers on the beam, i have 10' clearance all the way through. Still need to make a sliding barn door to close the back door in the shop area.

 

[chesshircat]

Shop

this is looking from the 8x12 opening between the shop area to the unfinished 68x50 area. I used 18+' 2x6's and 4x6's on 2' centers to frame the shell. 4x6's where the trusses sit. 14x17 and 12x17 doors with extra track to hug the trusses when they are raised.

 

[chesshircat]

shop

this is looking at the enclosed area from the far end. And the floor above the enclosed shop. I used 3/4 tongue and groove for the floor. It will hold anything i could possibly want to put up there. Pool table, wood shop etc.

 

[chesshircat]

shop

this is the best part, when the doors are open all i see is cows, corn and mountains. I will pour a slab out here soon

 

[incogrhino]

hell, I'd live in it.

save the 60.For 600$ it looks pretty ok.