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!

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

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.