Decided to build my '85....

[bigndn]

I like your rig!

I would do the chebbies in the rear and either waggy's or rears up front ASAP... no reason other than the long springs will be a huge advantage and a cheap mod. The chevy's ride great....

any chance you'd consider a GM auto behind the 4.3?

BTW, Supra buckets are nice and close to bolt up, and they have auto adjustments... and are cheap.

Thanks! I agree and will likely do the spring swap in short order, as I've never liked the kidney pounding I take from the EPC springs. I'd consider a GM auto as a buddy of mine has one behind his 4.3L. What do you have in mind?

I've been looking for supra/celica/toyota buckets and am not having that much luck locally.

FWIW, the email I got back says the black SR5 seats are out of a '05 Hyundai Tiburon. I hope to check them out today.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Here's a Tiburon seat install (scroll down) They look very comfy!

New Seats!!! - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

 

[Wayneraintree]

Hey Chad,

A good rebuilt 700R4 will handle the load from the 4.3 and has a good low 1st gear.... I think there are some good ways to beef up the tranny so you won't have to mess with it again...

Here ya go: school me on 700R4's - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board
good discussion...

My good friend used a 4.3 in his minitruck (pulled a 22RTE in favor of it) and had a 700R4 rebuilt... standing on the brakes in low/low/1st, the brakes would barely hold it back : )

 

[bigndn]

Here's a Tiburon seat install (scroll down) They look very comfy!

They were comfy, but they were black cloth. I decided to his the local pick and pull. I found a set of tan, leather electric seats out of a 1999 4Runner that were in excellent shape. Now I just need to figure out the wiring. The male wiring harness is there, and there's 3 wires to both seats. So I'm guessing 1 hot, 1 acc, and 1 ground????? Anyone know which wires are which???????? Pics to follow.

Hey Chad,

A good rebuilt 700R4 will handle the load from the 4.3 and has a good low 1st gear.... I think there are some good ways to beef up the tranny so you won't have to mess with it again...

Here ya go: school me on 700R4's - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board
good discussion...

My good friend used a 4.3 in his minitruck (pulled a 22RTE in favor of it) and had a 700R4 rebuilt... standing on the brakes in low/low/1st, the brakes would barely hold it back : )

Yeah, good idea. IF I didn't already have the 4.3L mated to a beefed G52, I'd do something about it. In the mean time, I've decided to see how long the G52 lasts before it grenades. At that time, I'll prolly go with the 700R4.

 

[bkg]

Why not? Marlin's folks seem to think it'll do fine, depending on my driving habits.

Normally I would defer to Marlin, but not on this. G52 simply can't handle the torque. A W56 might survive for a while if you are good to it. I ran a 4.3 in front of a 150 for a long time with great results.

 

[bigndn]

Out with the old, in with the new........











Seats that is. Had to bend the inner front mounting bracket for both and re-drill the holes for the rear brackets, but all in all a straight forward afternoon. Good stuff. Way more comfy than the old bench. I think I'll keep it for extra seats in the shop, though.

 

[theside00]

What seats are those. I want those in my truck. Nice job they look nice.

 

[bigndn]

What seats are those. I want those in my truck. Nice job they look nice.

1999 4Runner. Leather, electric, kangaroo pouches in back. Spauldings for $132. They had an entire upstairs full of buckets. These were the only ones I could find out of a Toyota.

Kewlest thing: The support is predrilled and tapped for the inside front bolt. Zing!!!!

 

[bigndn]

Well, I've been awful busy lately with a few thing: had a kid, re-building my shop, paving the driveway, settling a property dispute with the neighbor, etc, etc, etc.

BUT, I am accumulating parts for the build. I have Marlin's Dual Ultimate T-case and HD crossmember, both ARBs and compressor, and the Longfields and 4340 rears, front axle gusset, and a bunch of other stuff are on the way!!!

Things to order yet: 5.29 R&P, Ruff Stuff diff cover.

Things to build: Flatbed (similar to All Pro's), new front bumper (similar to Marlin's), sliders, and beadlocks.

Ahhhhhh!

 

[D'Animal]

I would keep the bumper you have.

 

[bigndn]

I would keep the bumper you have.

It's pretty stout. Plus, since those pics were taken, it's been modified and now has an 8274 in it. I have big ideas, but no bender as yet. I'm thinking of going in on one with some other guys I know.

 

[WristPin]

if only all us wheelers had benders....

 

[bigndn]

if only all us wheelers had benders....

Yeah, I hear ya! I'm still rebuilding my shop!!!

 

[NorCalBorn]

*^UMMM, CHAD..You realize we will have to login to view it on FB though, right?

This better be drool worthy stuff.

 

[bigndn]

Mope, didn't know that. My home 'puter is kinda jacked up, though. Hopefully I can just post the pics to this thread tomorrow.

As for 'drool-worthy'........well, each to his own, right?

 

[bigndn]

Some from this weekend. This is what I started with on Sat morning.

 

[bigndn]

more.

 

[bigndn]

more.....

rear axle w/armour.


front axle with armour and gusset.


My supervisors.

 

[bigndn]

Starting with the 4XInnovations front bumper with stinger and headlight guards. The sliders are from Marlin.



Brian came over to help. He's a certified welder. My welding sucks, so I picked up a lot of tips and tricks from him. We used my Lincoln 180c

 

[bigndn]

Looking pretty burly.



Finishing the welding on the front.



Tacking the sliders.