It has begun: 1985 Powerplant and Drivetrain resto mod

[DrRock]

Got some more details completed today. Did some wire dressing on the passenger side and installed some 2 degrees caster shims. On my truck with a 2” lift, the caster shims took the vagueness out of the steering as well as some minor wandering of the front end. It’s an easy install if you’re considering it. Got 150 miles now on the Sniper and the learn is great. No stalls, hiccups or other issues.

Wire Dressing: Thanks to @CruiserTrash for the fusible link upgrade, this is a sano installation and my overall system voltage is glad I did this!

 

[CruiserTrash]

Amazing what a little shim can do, eh?

 

[DrRock]

Amazing what a little shim can do, eh?

Shim= No shimmy

 

[DrRock]

This was a change of pace but welcome as progress was rapid. Started installing some sound dampening and got the rear carpet mocked in the cargo area. Also installed a Warn Bluetooth connection to the winch which is great for allowing remote control of the winch for moving downed trees on the property.

 

[DrRock]

Picked up the hood insulator from my local dealer today and completed the install. Engine compartment is almost done.

 

[DrRock]

Been hitting the carpeting detail with gusto. I have to admit, this is challenging work and definitely something I struggle with. Makes me appreciate folks who do this as a profession even more. Anyway, I got the front in and most of the middle piece in this evening.
Before

During, I also added this bracket for the Sniper display. I included the company that makes this too. Someone else here on mud found this but I can’t remember who but thanks!

Shout out to my assistant who helped reinstall the transfer case shifter.

Thanks to @dnp and @orikawa for providing the carpet and centre console!

 

[CruiserTrash]

Been hitting the carpeting detail with gusto. I have to admit, this is challenging work and definitely something I struggle with. Makes me appreciate folks who do this as a profession even more. Anyway, I got the front in and most of the middle piece in this evening.
Before

View attachment 3734637
During, I also added this bracket for the Sniper display. I included the company that makes this too. Someone else here on mud found this but I can’t remember who but thanks!

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Shout out to my assistant who helped reinstall the transfer case shifter.

Thanks to @dnp and @orikawa for providing the carpet and centre console!

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There’s an easy mod on the transfer case shifter bracket that allows for 2-Low hearing. Front flange on the transfer case receives no power and doesn’t turn, but the rear is driven in low range. That’s saved my bacon on the trail a few times. ….just an FYI.

 

[DrRock]

There’s an easy mod on the transfer case shifter bracket that allows for 2-Low hearing. Front flange on the transfer case receives no power and doesn’t turn, but the rear is driven in low range. That’s saved my bacon on the trail a few times. ….just an FYI.

Hey, I think that might already be done on my truck as I can push the transfer case shifter over to the right from 2H. On this topic, my shifter is quite stiff going fore and aft and I'm wondering if I've used the incorrect fasteners to hold it onto the stud coming off the transmission. Does anyone have a picture of the outboard side of the stud with the shifter and fasteners or better yet, the part numbers?

 

[CruiserTrash]

If you can go directly the right from 2H and it feels like the 4wd shift pattern, sounds like you're good!

I have photos of the stud that holds the linkage to the side of the transmission, but it might take me a bit to find them. I know there's a "stack" of stuff on that stud: a spacer, maybe a bushing, lock washer, nut, etc. I think the shift linkage itself has bushings that go on its inner diameter and are flanged on the out edge. Surprisingly almost all of that stuff for the shifter linkage is still available from Toyota.

 

[Godwin]

Been hitting the carpeting detail with gusto. I have to admit, this is challenging work and definitely something I struggle with. Makes me appreciate folks who do this as a profession even more. Anyway, I got the front in and most of the middle piece in this evening.
Before

View attachment 3734637
During, I also added this bracket for the Sniper display. I included the company that makes this too. Someone else here on mud found this but I can’t remember who but thanks!

View attachment 3734640

View attachment 3734641

View attachment 3734642

Shout out to my assistant who helped reinstall the transfer case shifter.

Thanks to @dnp and @orikawa for providing the carpet and centre console!

View attachment 3734644

View attachment 3734645

View attachment 3734647

View attachment 3734648

Where did you get the 5 speed knob?

 

[DrRock]

Where did you get the 5 speed knob?

Hello Godwin, The Rust Farmers are making and selling them now. It was expensive but the quality is fantastic. Reminds me of my 1983 Toyota pickup.

 

[DrRock]

Completed the carpet installation yesterday just prior to the rain starting. Was able to get out yesterday evening and do some systems testing to ensure all is a go for the Vermont Overland:

1. Windshield wipers and washers- check
2. Sniper screen and learning nominal- check
3. Brake lights functional- check
4. Fog lights operational- check
5. Cabin heat functional- check
6 .Alternator output within parameters with all electrical loads applied- check
7. Suspension settings-check
8. Transfer case operation-check

I must say, these Yokohama tires are fantastic, almost feels like cheating when driving offroad. Aired down they grip anything and are very confidence inspiring.

Had a nice opportunity for a photo op at a covered bridge just north of my home:

 

[DrRock]

Today was brake day, part 1. I replaced the booster and master cylinder, plus one sticky caliper. Bled the whole system and what a nice difference, the fluid coming out was definitely 1980’s vintage, based on the colour. Also installed the wheel well flaps from @TRAIL TAILOR while I was in here.

 

[wngrog]

Here's some before and after of the C-Channel R&R. For this job, good quality tools are a must. I don't have access to air tools but a manual cold chisel did the trick. For this job, I highly recommend good quality drill bits to remove the rivets. I purchased a couple .25" and .4375" 8" drills so I could drill up from the bottom and get two holes in one shot as it were. I'll be finishing up the paint once I can get some time on my friends lift. This job is much easier with the fuel tank out as well. I had already dropped it in order to install the fuel pump for the Sniper so doing this was a no brainer.

Before:

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After:

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I have mad respect for anyone that does this job but man love respect for someone that does it without an air chisel

 

[DrRock]

It’s been a while for me with posting here but not due to lack of efforts on the 60. Much of the motivation for the work was to get the truck out to SAS9, then on to @kelly saad for a re-paint. Well, it is now 1.5 years, later, 2 SAS events, 12000 miles and a complete repaint. This is a story of making new friends, epic days behind the wheel of a 60, amazing craftsmanship, a long journey home and zero mechanical issues. Let’s get started! Began our trip to SAS9 from NYC. Me and my business partner decided we should make the trip together so we can exchange thoughts and ideas on how to shape our new business.
First we needed to do some final alignment and a check at the dealership. I’m lucky to have Dowling Toyota as my local dealer. They are very helpful with my old truck and are happy to assist. Also got the ceramic window tint completed, we are ready!

We departed from the apartment in Harlem, wheels up at 0430 to beat the traffic out of NYC..

Crossing the George Washington bridge.

Friends on a road trip in a 60, what’s not to like!

By day 2, we had comfortably made it to Kansas. Clinton State Park is an easy place to access off the highway and offers some nice camp spots away from the super-slab.

Yes!! Rolling into Colorado on the morning of day 3.

 

[DrRock]

Next up, SAS9! It was great to connect with folks who you only know by their handle on Mud! Nice to have the bulk of the journey out of the way and settled in nicely to the rhythm of SAS.

First morning in Colorado. Made it this far with zero issues!

 

[wngrog]

Are you both sleeping in the tent.


I gotta know.

 

[DrRock]

Are you both sleeping in the tent.


I gotta know.

Negative ghost rider., haha…. One on the roof, one on the ground.. using this as the ground tent, super plush..

 

[DrRock]

After SAS, we made our way to the San Juan for some dispersed camping and the Grand Canyon prior to arriving in Flagstaff..


Dispersed camp on the San Juan near Mexican Hat, Utah

Grand Canyon, If you know where this is, you know its one of the best vantage points away from all the crowds..

Flagstaff!

 

[DrRock]

After a nice 4500 mile break in for the truck, it was time to leave her with @kelly saad so he could work his magic….

Doors off and lower skins removed… Rust never sleeps. Kelly pulled all the lower door skins and hand made new ones….. Hell yea!

Body brought down to bare metal. There was a previous paint job done on this truck which left a lot to be desired. Runs, dull paint etc but on the bright side this saved this truck from any more serious rust. Roof was in great shape as were the gutters. Minimal other damage save for a dent I put in by the fuel door underestimating a tree on the Vermont Overland…