Builds Beaten, built, 80 series rebuild thread (1 Viewer)

[dogfishlake]

My mileage is still between 12-14mpg depending on how heavy the foot is. BUT you have to run premium (I usually do anyway in the other truck), so there could be added expense there. The guy I bought the truck from didn't know much, the owner before him did the mods and it just got abused from there. My thinking was to take the truck with the mods but beat up, for (relatively) cheap, do major PM and repair/improve and come out ahead of all new mods on a stock truck. So far going somewhat as planned. It is a money pit labor of love no matter what.

 

[dogfishlake]

any idea where the hood scoop came off of?

Subaru WRX I think, but not sure

 

[2fpower]

Well, it looks great. Like the propotions.

 

[dogfishlake]

Put a center diff lock switch in last night. I used a hazard switch from a salvage yard 97 4runner. Very easy installation. The plug is right behind the existing hazard switch tied to the harness with a little white plug end on it. Pull off the plastic face, by removing ash tray and "useless slot" above it. Remove the screws and pop it off. Move the security indicator down to a lower knock out (because it will reach), find the cdl

plug end, remove the end cap (picture), line up the hazard switch and you will see the two grooves that mate the plug and switch. One groove on the plug doesn't continue all the way - just snip it with a pair of cutters and pop on the switch. Easier than it sounds

 

[dogfishlake]

Built a rear bed setup this weekend, actually two of them. My neighbor has a 96 and we are going to the U.P. next weekend so he got the first set up and the second version was for me so both rigs are camp ready.

 

[dogfishlake]

So to back up a bit, I was throwing away one of those tarp sheds with the steel frame cause the tarp was shot. At the same time, I was trying to think of a good way to make a bed frame. It literally struck me as I was tossing tube in my truck that these would be perfect. Not the prettiest set up but works sweet.

 

[dogfishlake]

It's set up to angle into the back and strap down to the 3rd seat mounts in the floor, so far with super size zip ties until I come up with something better.

 

[dogfishlake]

For the wood I used half inch thick sanded plywood. I made a template by putting a 4x8 sheet in the long way then scribing the two sides. I then ripped the sheet and came up with the amount to fill in the middle

 

[dogfishlake]

I made the plywood part with a left and right half, with a hinge on each front section so I can still use the second row seats. I have to pull each half out to fold

because the front section is too long to fold in the truck but it is very easy

 

[dogfishlake]

I started my hi lift mount on the back. When I re did the rear bumper, I welded on new tabs because I knew this was coming. Still a little tweaking, then powder coating

 

[dogfishlake]

More

in

 

[dogfishlake]

I bought a $100 snorkel on ebay, pretty decent quality. I broke off my right front flare (again) and decided to try to glue it back together and install the snorkel while I was behind the fender anyway. The snorkel went well, I have my doubts about the durability of the flare repair.

 

[dogfishlake]

Snorkel is solid

 

[dogfishlake]

Not sure if it was me or the template, but I wound up slotting my holes to get the alignment I wanted. The large hole was spot on. I used a 3 1/4" hole saw and wont up opening the hole a little with my cut off saw

 

[dogfishlake]

The only other problem is getting to all the studs to get the nuts on the back. One of those deals where you could use one more joint in your arm. I don't have a factory antenna so that hole was accessable

 

[UnderDawg]

Trucks looking great dog!!! Nice work. I was just up in Michigan, where do you go wheeling at?

 

[dogfishlake]

Thanks! The Paradise/Taquamenon area of the UP is where we snowmobile in winter so I know it best for summer trails. Down state there isn't much til you go as far north as US10. I am going to try a trail that follows a big power line right-of-way from the tiny town of Woodville and goes north til at least M55. Supposed to be cool, good terrain with some choices on how technical you want to get, stream crossings, etc. Also was around Grayling earlier in the year- cool but I don't know it well

 

[dogfishlake]

I have a bracket on the left rear swing out that used to have a jerry can holder. The po forgot to bring it to work where we met to seal the deal with the promise he would send it; yeah right, never happened.

Anyway, I decided to make a rack for the back that can haul cans, or a cooler, or what ever. Thinking about this size

 

[dogfishlake]

Made a rectangle out of 3/16 x 3 inch flat stock and welded it up

 

[dogfishlake]

I used 3 inch channel to connect to the bracket on the swing out and space the rack out from my hi lift mount. Connected that to 1 1 tube going under the rack to reinforce it.