Another option is the half cut, bring in the front half......
ARCHIVE ANY SERIOUS INTEREST IN NEW/COMPLETE 79 SERIES UTE BODIES?
- Thread starter wardharris
- Start date
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Buy a truck.
Rip the engine and trans
Ship seperately (no not in the same can..)
Assemble in your home country and say its a kit car.
Rip the engine and trans
Ship seperately (no not in the same can..)
Assemble in your home country and say its a kit car.
c2dfj45
Supporting Vendor
This is what went on with the Skyline GTRs back in the day. A lot of the kit car or 'home built' cars are more complicated to do now. Probably tougher in certain states too
I seem to recall reading something about the importation of certain motors here was difficult...but that might have been from Canada to the US.
There's really no cheap or easy way to do one of these trucks. I'd build myself a whole fleet of them if so....but for now one will do.
I seem to recall reading something about the importation of certain motors here was difficult...but that might have been from Canada to the US.
There's really no cheap or easy way to do one of these trucks. I'd build myself a whole fleet of them if so....but for now one will do.
DamoPeru
SILVER Star
sounds like a black hole for someone's bank account... I have a better idea: take 3 months out of your life in a single block as opposed to stretching it out over years; fly to australia; buy the V8 version already decked out and tour australia in it; then sell it; fly home and do something else. will probably cost a 1/3 or less, be less painful and provide much more enjoyable bar stories 
Another option ...... Just buy a 75 Series (1990/1991) and call it a day. You can then leave ~ $50K in your banking account and instead of working on a truck for the next two years, you can just enjoy driving one.
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How about a third option and build one with parts that are already here .
For Sale: - 70 series extended cab pick up project
Sorry about the tread hijack Ward
Joe
For Sale: - 70 series extended cab pick up project
Sorry about the tread hijack Ward
Joe
- Thread starter
- #47
I am going down this road with a proffitts carcass. First, a few errors
frames cannot be had from Toyota. After a eight week paid purchase pursuit, I was told that frame are the titled portion of car according to toyota and even Tacoma/Tundra frames made stateside are nearly impossible to get. ENS ordered one frame in their history (1975-2013) according to Brian Downey the long time manager, and that was the source of 22 week lead time.
I know of one frame that was delivered to US then the policies changed. No, i did not get it but a famous personality here did. I ended up driving to Saskatoon in June 2013 and getting a frame from ENS (16' of steel on a pickup contractor rack for 2,400 mile journey). In the good days of mining they were parting out new trucks and at the time had four frames. Mining interest is down and I doubt they have some now. I looked at an 80 series conversion, but cutting fender wells and moving multiple mounts was just silly. BTW, 80 series axles fit on 79 series chassis, but the rear axle is sub optimal as they are wider without a fender flare (see long build here).
interiors (dash) could be sourced from ENS, but drivers and passengers seats are $1600 ea. new take outs. Not even sure about steering links. No a/c evaps, no radios, limited instrument cluster systems. And only grey interior. Remember to get pedal assemblies, the newer 2007+ clutch system is unique. Wire harness are ALL cut at engine connections and instrument area.
FYI, prices from ENS for front or rear axles $7,500 ea, doors $1,500, transmission/transfer (R150's and 38mm style) $7,500, 1hz (non importable) $24,000.
Importation of a newer carcass requires the glass, fuel system, lights, wheels, be removed from a vehicle. Even the standard 16" 5 lug rims cannot be imported by Toyota Motor Torrance because they do not have DOT stamping. I will eventually be using 5/16" front spacers and 1 1/2" rear spacers (on 79 series rear end). If you travel, or have loads of cash to ship plus duty for japanese parts, you can get all those from ENS for the cab. Rear sub tanks the only deal is cruiserparts and don't forget the sub frame supports. best of luck on fuel line nightmare.
Building raw shells up will cost a fortune in parts. Ward, bring in cabs complete if you can.
my biggest headache had been i got a plastic dash (6/09 models and later) and fitting into 3/09 cab (those from proffitts).
frames cannot be had from Toyota. After a eight week paid purchase pursuit, I was told that frame are the titled portion of car according to toyota and even Tacoma/Tundra frames made stateside are nearly impossible to get. ENS ordered one frame in their history (1975-2013) according to Brian Downey the long time manager, and that was the source of 22 week lead time.
I know of one frame that was delivered to US then the policies changed. No, i did not get it but a famous personality here did. I ended up driving to Saskatoon in June 2013 and getting a frame from ENS (16' of steel on a pickup contractor rack for 2,400 mile journey). In the good days of mining they were parting out new trucks and at the time had four frames. Mining interest is down and I doubt they have some now. I looked at an 80 series conversion, but cutting fender wells and moving multiple mounts was just silly. BTW, 80 series axles fit on 79 series chassis, but the rear axle is sub optimal as they are wider without a fender flare (see long build here).
interiors (dash) could be sourced from ENS, but drivers and passengers seats are $1600 ea. new take outs. Not even sure about steering links. No a/c evaps, no radios, limited instrument cluster systems. And only grey interior. Remember to get pedal assemblies, the newer 2007+ clutch system is unique. Wire harness are ALL cut at engine connections and instrument area.
FYI, prices from ENS for front or rear axles $7,500 ea, doors $1,500, transmission/transfer (R150's and 38mm style) $7,500, 1hz (non importable) $24,000.
Importation of a newer carcass requires the glass, fuel system, lights, wheels, be removed from a vehicle. Even the standard 16" 5 lug rims cannot be imported by Toyota Motor Torrance because they do not have DOT stamping. I will eventually be using 5/16" front spacers and 1 1/2" rear spacers (on 79 series rear end). If you travel, or have loads of cash to ship plus duty for japanese parts, you can get all those from ENS for the cab. Rear sub tanks the only deal is cruiserparts and don't forget the sub frame supports. best of luck on fuel line nightmare.
Building raw shells up will cost a fortune in parts. Ward, bring in cabs complete if you can.
my biggest headache had been i got a plastic dash (6/09 models and later) and fitting into 3/09 cab (those from proffitts).
- Thread starter
- #49
Thanks, Rick.
You made a valuable contribution to this thread with your post. There's a lot of information on Mud, but sometimes it is old/dated, incorrect or self serving. I did not have a plan to import or get involved as a business thing - just looking to assess interest - perhaps as a half-assed group buy.
For guys who have completed a 79 build or who are still in the process - thank you and good luck!
You made a valuable contribution to this thread with your post. There's a lot of information on Mud, but sometimes it is old/dated, incorrect or self serving. I did not have a plan to import or get involved as a business thing - just looking to assess interest - perhaps as a half-assed group buy.
For guys who have completed a 79 build or who are still in the process - thank you and good luck!
If it was easy there would be a whole lot more than the half dozen or so assembled trucks out there...
- Thread starter
- #51
If I wanted easy I would buy a new Tacoma.....If it was easy there would be a whole lot more than the half dozen or so assembled trucks out there...
Nothing that can't be overcome with the 3 T's ........ Time, Tools and Talent ..... And of course $$$$.If it was easy there would be a whole lot more than the half dozen or so assembled trucks out there...
- Thread starter
- #53
After the 73 build, I am a little short on most of those items........Nothing that can't be overcome with the 3 T's ........ Time, Tools and Talent ..... And of course $$$$.
At this point, planning road trips and social opportunities as my budget barely covers fuel and motels these days!
Gotta sell some chit so I can buy some chit.....
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After the 73 build, I am a little short on most of those items........
At this point, planning road trips and social opportunities as my budget barely covers fuel and motels at this point!
Gotta sell some chit so I can buy some chit.....
View attachment 1204709
Ain't this the truth!
I may be wrong but I believe that all Tundra and Tacoma frames are manufactured by METALSA out of Monterrey, MX, shipped in by rail to the Tundra/Tacoma plant.
Was this after the Dana outsource debacle? (rotting frames)
If the whole DANA debacle was before 2007, then probably....
The way I understand it, METALSA has always been the onsite supplier of frames for all 2007 and up Texas made Tundras (and later Texas made Tacomas as well after NUMMI shut down) here at the TMMTX plant. I assume the TMMBC Tacomas use the same frame supplier as well.
I don't work for METALSA though so I could be wrong. Their warehouse is right down the road from where I am and I see the frames all the time coming in by rail, sequenced by order and shunt driven into the plant.
Sorry OP, I got the thread way off topic here. I will shut up now.
- Thread starter
- #59
No worries. At least it was tech!