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

[aztoyman]

Since I know nothing about seam sealers, I just looked online and ended up getting some 3M 08368 White Urethane. Mainly to redo what was at the fender to firewall gap and down in the cowl. I think there is a certain type for the roof rails. If you know what that is feel free to make recommendations.

The only other seam sealers I've used is RV stuff. Self leveling and stuff for horizontal surfaces.

 

[bkg]

Thanks guys. It's just the white epoxy primer right now. I have to get the single stage top coat on in 24 hours if I want to do it without sanding. I don't want to sand all that again so tomorrow morning I will be applying some seam sealer and later in the afternoon it will get a couple coats of white urethane. Definitely easy to see in the engine bay and under the truck when it's bright colored.

White sealer under white single stage should be nice and bright. Going to look great!

 

[jgranthevagrant]

I have used the 3M stuff. Worked well.

 

[aztoyman]

Good to hear about the sealer. I put some on this morning, gave it almost 5 hours and put on two wet coats of white single stage paint. (Specs say I just needed 30-45 minutes before paint) Not perfect but I'm really happy with it.

 

[aztoyman]

Does anybody have an opinion on doors with vent window VS one piece glass? I was thinking about running my 88 doors with one piece glass.

I do like the mirrors the the 86 has instead of the small black plastic ones that the wind blows out of adjustment all the time. I need to make a decision on the doors.

 

[ntsqd]

Patch had the vent window doors. My turbo 2WD had the one piece doors. I was excited to see that the 4rnnr had the vent windows.

Fully open, at speed, the vent windows direct air right at a location that would be interesting to the driver, but not so much to the wearer of the dress in the passenger seat. If you get what I mean....

 

[aztoyman]

Thanks for the input. We had vent windows on our 86 4Runner. I don't remember liking them or not since it was my wife's daily driver. I do remember her complaining about it not closing all the way and wind noise. I think the latches failed but we had it for a LONG time. 450 K miles.

I like them on my 52 Ford. I'll have to take a look at the condition of the seals and such.

Any others out there with input?

 

[gnob]

i prefer fulls. i got stung a few times with vents

 

[Broski]

I like the vent windows, They quit making as a cost savings

 

[aztoyman]

I'll have to sit in the truck with each type door and make motor noises and see which is better I guess.

 

[aztoyman]

How bout tilt steering or not?

This 86 has tilt. I just rebuilt my regular column in the 88. I never felt the need for tilt but maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

I'm using the wire harness out of the 88 if that matters.

 

[pappy]

How bout tilt steering or not?

Yes to tilt. Makes things easy sometimes.

As far as vent windows. My 1982 and my 1985 both had vents. Both were broken into through the vent windows. There are times when the vents are nice. Like on a hot day being able to flip them all the way around to direct air into the truck.

 

[Mudder]

I would go with tilt steering. I wish the 84 I have had it. I personally love vent windows and lived with them for about a year in my 84 before adding AC. My 86 F250 has them as well and I love them in that too and sometimes prefer to use them over the AC for fresh air without having to have the main window down.

I do think that if you’re dealing with 100 degree heat they don’t work as well as having dedicated AC, but heck even at that temp on a motorcycle you still feel like you’re in an air fryer.

 

[aztoyman]

Hmmm I have two 86 Xtra Cabs so I'll check out both sets and make a decision.

One thing I wish I had in my 88 was a wiper delay. IDK if either of the 86's have it. I would think the tilt column would have it.

 

[aztoyman]

My next step (besides decisions on doors and column) is to get the interior in primer and the firewall (at least) in blue paint. That way I can bolt the cab to the frame for good if the HOA gets on me about half a truck in the driveway.

Ideally, I'd like to get the cab DONE and take advantage of this paint booth while it's setup. It would be great if I could get the cab out and on the frame so I could work on the doors and hood. IDK, we'll see.

 

[ntsqd]

Patch, my old '84, had wiper delay on a tilt column. The tilt is nice so that you can adjust the wheel to where you want it to be. I like to set it so that hands on my thighs, palms up, is on the wheel. Once in that spot I never change them. MISF, OTOH, tilts the wheel full up each time he gets out of a vehicle.

 

[aztoyman]

With the positive tilt column comments, it looks like I'll be tearing into the tilt column to refresh it. My other 86 cab was a 2wd automatic with a column shift so hopefully this one is salvageable and I won't have to go on a parts safari.

 

[Manhattan]

My truck came with one-piece doors/windows and a solid rear window. Switching to vents with a slider in the rear felt like a massive upgrade… for a truck in Atlanta without air conditioning.

 

[bkg]

Does anybody have an opinion on doors with vent window VS one piece glass? I was thinking about running my 88 doors with one piece glass.

I do like the mirrors the the 86 has instead of the small black plastic ones that the wind blows out of adjustment all the time. I need to make a decision on the doors.

I'm a huge fan of one piece... in part because Toyota moved the side view mirrors forward, which IMHO, is more comfortable.

 

[bkg]

Yes to tilt. Makes things easy sometimes.

+1