Builds 86 Xtra Cab Build (4Wheelunderground 3 link front, 4 link rear and 3.4 swap) (8 Viewers)

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I got to work on Frankenstein a little today. My first attempt to make an inner fender was a fail. I can roll the shape on the English wheel one direction or the other but I haven't figured out how to do both. I just don't have the skills (yet) or tools to pull it off.

I'm going to plan B. I went ahead and cut out what was left of the fender well so I better figure it out.

I cleaned all the paint away from the weld area and I have my piece cut out. Then I noticed that the coolant reservoir doesn't properly fit and the washer fluid reservoir doesn't either. They bolt on top but the bottom post that goes through a rubber grommet doesn't reach the hole.

I found out a while ago that the front clip has been replaced. Many of the sheet metal sections were not properly fit. They are welded with gaps and seam sealer was covering the gaps.

I spent a lot of time cutting welds and cleaning out seam sealer. I'm not liking this body work stuff. It's all cleaned up and ready to start fitting up the piece I want to put in.

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The reservoir now fits like it should. It was short of reaching the hole. Actually the bottom was dropped out of reach.

I don't really like this kind of work but it makes me feel better that I'm not cutting up a cherry 2nd gen Xtra Cab.

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In the end you well be happy knowing the job was done right and by you !! ;)

Cheers
 
So I started welding it up and ran out of gas. 🤬 My welding supply is closed until Monday.

So I messed around most of the afternoon seeing if I could fabricate an inner fender/wheel well.

I used the English wheel to roll my shape one direction and used a shrinker/stretcher to arc it to the radius of the wheel well.

This is what I ended up with. It's not a show piece but I think it will work. I left the edges of the original to use as a guide. Fits well. I'll weld it to those edges when I get my bottle swapped out.

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Got some welding gas and got busy today. Everything that was clamped together got welded. Basically three layers. The battery tray was pulling away from the radiator support so I jacked it back in position and ran a bead to hold it more securely.

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After welding the edges of the multiple sheet metal layers of the chopped body mount I cut a piece of sheet metal to cap it and welded it on.

Everything is noticibly more ridgid. I didn't want my headlights flopping in the breeze.

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With that done I started fitting and tacking the fender well. I started at the firewall and worked forward. I couldn't believe how well it was fitting. I mean perfect. Woohoo. About time SOMETHING goes on without a fight on this build.

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I get up towards the battery tray and I left excess to trim if needed. The arch had some spring to it and I didn't want to end up short. So I mark it and trim off the excess. I cut on the WRONG side of the line! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

There's a big gap! Son of a....... DANG IT!!!!

It's too wide to weld and too narrow to make a filler piece. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

Can you tell that I'm PI $$ED?

I went through my stash looking for some copper. All I could find is a coupler.

I held it with vice grips to use as a backup and hoped for the best.

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I made a bunch of tacks that bridged the gap and eventually connected all the tacks.

I also was able to use a hammer and dolly to work it closer. Man I got lucky.

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I need to grind the fugly filler weld and finish welding the whole thing in.

The coilovers have a straight fitting for the resi hose that doesn't clear so I need to get a 90.

I'm thinking of fabing some panels to cover the engine better. Maybe screen or vents to allow the heat out. I'll save that for later but I'm happy with how it came out. I have the passenger side to do yet.
 
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gnob had given me a link so I could get a MAF sensor tube. Unfortunately that company didn't have one that fit. I could have bought the tube and adapter and welded one up but decided to try another place.

I ordered a Chinese one and ended up returning it. The dimensions were off. The bore for the sensor was .022" oversized and I'd have a vacuum leak.

Today I got the proper one in the mail. Woohoo again. And made in USA.

It's part #HS-SU2

I'll get a filter later.

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Thanks Broski. I think most people that are working on a running truck just aren't able to get to some of this stuff. Well, that's how it was on my 88. I didn't want that to be the case on this build.
 
Years ago a friend commented to me "There's a reason that MIG wire comes on a spool!" :)

A clamp-on K&N type filter is the easy solution, but for a large range of reasons I do not like them. I would track down the filter assembly from an FZJ80, buy the Toyota OEM washable filter element for it, and use that. You'll likely have to modify the filter assembly's outlet, but that doesn't have to be too terribly difficult.
 
Years ago a friend commented to me "There's a reason that MIG wire comes on a spool!" :)

A clamp-on K&N type filter is the easy solution, but for a large range of reasons I do not like them. I would track down the filter assembly from an FZJ80, buy the Toyota OEM washable filter element for it, and use that. You'll likely have to modify the filter assembly's outlet, but that doesn't have to be too terribly difficult.
I do think the FZJ80 filter system is one of the best. But I don't think it's going to fit. There quite large
 

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