Decided to build my '85....

[bigndn]

OK, I have a 1985 Toy Xtra-cab that's in pretty decent shape. I bought it with a reman 22R in it. Long story short, warped the head, rebuilt it, warped it again, piss on it, found a 4.3L V6.

So, now, I've decided to go with a Marlin dual ultimate crawler behind my 5 sp. (G52). I'll be installing Longfields, ARBs front/rear, and 4.88 or 5.29 R&Ps.

It has a 3.5" Explorer Pro Comp lift spring package on it and approx 2" body lift, with Rancho 5Ks up front and 9Ks in the rear. I'm gonna run this for a while and decide whether to keep it or install 63" Chevys in the rear and Waggys up front with some long travel shocks to get a softer ride and better flex. I don't want to link it because it'll be a DD.

Any input on the drivetrain or suspension?

Here's a pic from before the motor swap.

 

[D'Animal]

Giving up on the FJ40 with the Boat Oar pin striping?


What size tire are you going to be running? That will decide on what gears are recomended.

 

[Hilux]

sweet rig!......make it look like this!

(sorry I think this truck looks too damn good to keep to myself)

."Body Lift Kit 3 inches
TJM suspension 2.5 inches lifted
15x10 rims running 35 Baja Radial Claws
Lots of Spot Lights
Alpine stereo Head unit, Amp, Subwoofer and 6.5" Splits
22RE engine conversion, soon to be a V6 conversion."

.

 

[bigndn]

Giving up on the FJ40 with the Boat Oar pin striping?


What size tire are you going to be running? That will decide on what gears are recomended.

Nope, just haven't decided on that one. Of course, the cost of that FJ40 could fund the build on my mini. LOL, did you get my PM?

I'll probably be running 35's or 37's (preferably). In that pic, those are 31's and it's a whole different beast already.

Also, I forgot to mention, I'll be doing my own desert camo paint scheme on it.

 

[KLF]

I'd start by getting rid of that giant cow-catcher front bumper. Kills your approach angle and I bet it's heavy.

Have you installed hi-steer yet? Can't tell from the pic.

With that size tires, you're gonna want 5.29s.

 

[Hilux]

LOL what'd that come offa', an F250 SuperPooper?

 

[bigndn]

I'd start by getting rid of that giant cow-catcher front bumper. Kills your approach angle and I bet it's heavy.

Have you installed hi-steer yet? Can't tell from the pic.

With that size tires, you're gonna want 5.29s.

Yes, it does weigh some, about the same as an ARB. Yeppers, cross over steering with IFS box and beefy TR/DL and ends.

 

[bigndn]

LOL what'd that come offa', an F250 SuperPooper?

If you're referring to the front bumper, a buddy of mine built it and it's definately an upgrade from the (then) rusty crappy s***tybuilt that was on the front. Approach angle wasn't really a concern at the time, but being able to chase hounds thru heavy timber was.

 

[yotaelmo9]

nice lookin truck man cant wait to see what it turns out like

 

[bigndn]

nice lookin truck man cant wait to see what it turns out like

Thanks!

 

[bigndn]

Well, major disappointments. The truck rolled backwards off the trailer and bumped the well casing. As a result, the rear bumper on the DS pulled the frame down about 6": CANCER!!!!!!!! I guess I'll be bobbing the frame and going with a flatbed, unless anyone knows any other options.

 

[Hilux]

OUCH!


Where did it get the frame?...How far?


**EDIT** I got it,

 

[theside00]

I would just bob the bed along with the frame. Flatbeds just dont do it for me and a normal bed is way more useful even if it is bobbed.

 

[bigndn]

I would just bob the bed along with the frame. Flatbeds just dont do it for me and a normal bed is way more useful even if it is bobbed.

I agree, I was thinking about a flatbed with removeable sides and roll bars, similar to the All Pro kit, pictured below. Imagine full width with sides up to the horizontal bar above the rear fenders, so it would look like an actual bed and we could have a rear facing Sami seat back there, too.


sidenote: I can't believe they seriously put thornturds on that rig. :shaking head:

 

[JONNYFJ]

This is a sweet flat bed if you do decide on one. Keep us posted on the build.

 

[theside00]

A sammi seat in the rear would be a plus since the xtra cab is really just a joke and can only fit two people. With all the little rugrats on the way you are going to need those extra seats

 

[bigndn]

This is a sweet flat bed if you do decide on one. Keep us posted on the build.

That's a pretty sweet look. Thank for sharing! Maybe I can modify that to sit lower and incorporate all the things I want.

A sammi seat in the rear would be a plus since the xtra cab is really just a joke and can only fit two people. With all the little rugrats on the way you are going to need those extra seats

Not to mention, going with a twin t-case forces me into bucket seats instead of the bench. The idea is that I can DD it, since it should get good mileage, and the can wheel it while I'm driving the FJ40, unless it's just a quick trip up the mtn behind us, then we can all pile into either one.

 

[theside00]

What buckets are you going to run?

I got that other xfer case and thinking about re-gearing it and throwing it in behind my current setup. If I have any money left over from this engine overhaul.

 

[Bogo]

Well, major disappointments. The truck rolled backwards off the trailer and bumped the well casing. As a result, the rear bumper on the DS pulled the frame down about 6": CANCER!!!!!!!! I guess I'll be bobbing the frame and going with a flatbed, unless anyone knows any other options.

You can weld new tips onto the frame rails if you want. I'll be doing that with mine after I finish the transmission work.. Those frame rail tips seam to be a sacrificial part when it comes to being tail ended.

 

[Bogo]

Those frame rail tips seam to be a sacrificial part when it comes to being tail ended.

I've been trying to figure out a structure that I can put in place of the frame rail tips so it can be sacrificed and easily replaced when I get tailended. I'd arrange it so the pickup bed is supported even after the tips have been bent down. So-far I've come up with using a heavy angle iron or u-channel with the u pointing down to support the pickup bed. That would be welded in place. Then I'd need a separate u-channel that the bumper supports are attached to. It would only be bolted in place so it is easily replaced when bent.