Builds Let's build a 79 Series from parts... (8 Viewers)

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Trying to cram in some work on the 79 before we get bogged down on other projects....

Got the alternator nose swapped on the new Denso body. Easy.
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Welded up a bracket that will hold our e-brake cable support and probably help to hold up the exhaust when we start running that.....we don't have a crossmember on the 80 chassis that the 70s frame has to mount all this stuff so we built this piece to bolt in between a couple bed mounts. Figured we'd make it removable so we could build it on the bench then bolt it in.

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Used our Second Skin Audio Spectrum Sludge on the underside of the cab. Gave it a wipe down and put the stuff on. Sludge is a thickened version(you add in the thickener)....it stays put, even on a overhead surface. We did 2 coats.....used a brush. I was going to spray it but I wanted to try it this way. Easier and less mess. With this on the bottom, the other stuff on the top.....the floor feels like it is made out of 3/8" steel. Really happy with it.
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Blew thru a can of aluminum paint on this thing....not going to rebuild it I don't think...going to put it in and see how it does.

I need it in so I can get the shifter location squared away(this trans...H151....is 2.5" shorter than the R151 the cab was made for so we need to cut a new opening for the shifter tower).

Also want to get the rear crossmember in, check how the clutch goes together....shifter linkage for transfer(converting from 80 series top mount to 70 series(105 series too?) side mount, etc. Some of this stuff is a little bit of a mystery as I've bought mostly pieces....nothing fully assembled or complete. I think we've got it figured out. But that usually means I don't. Ha.

With the trans in we can do a part time kit install and I can start doing something about the shifter boot area since we'll have to make a console of some sort to cover up the mods to the vinyl floor when we move things around.

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Probably the best thing to arrive this week....other than the Trekker......was this:

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We've installed 100s of seats over the years in all kinds of cars from all kinds of manufacturers. This Scheel-Mann seat is one of, if not the nicest, seat we have done. Just a top notch seat all the way around. Very excited about this.

I went with the grey 5 bar insert and the grey anthracite leatherette for the bolsters...I felt it matched the grey of the interior the best. This is the Vario F model. Lower seat bolster height for easier in and out. 10 way adjustable. Optional heater elements.

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I knew the Planted brackets that I bought most likely weren't going to work on the 79 floor.....and they didn't but they were easily modified and now they work perfect. We cut off the forward mounts, moved them forward and burned them in. Easy.

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And here she is.....perfect fit, just like the OEM seat with regards to height, width, etc.
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Very very happy with these and the material I went with looks perfect.....kind of OEM actually which was super important to me. I'm very particular with aftermarket seats not looking aftermarket in our projects....we end up recovering a lot of them in OEM materials. Not necessary with these.

I was able to purchase additional material that I will recover the OEM bench I have for the right side. I prefer the bench....easy for the dog to lounge about on. I'm considering making a cover for the seat vs. recovering so it can be cleaned easier....just not sure I will like how it will look as a cover. We'll see how that pans out. Vinyl seats and dogs seem to work really well together...

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Man... I want new front seats in the Troopy for my wife and I... and everyone keeps posts Scheel-Mann porn!

And then I check the prices again...

They're expensive. I'm not sure if I would have bought them if we weren't a dealer for them. Good write off I guess.

Seats in general are expensive....Recaros have steadily increased quite a bit over the years. I'm always surprised when I go to order a set.

I kind of like the idea of using seats from something else...there are so many nice OEM seats to use but they look really weird to me in 70 series trucks. Some of them are getting harder to control too without creating interfaces....they are very integrated(Mercedes/BMW).

I bought a set of these seats for my RV project....they're unbelievably good. Not sure if you could remove all the suspension parts and just use them as a straight seat but they can't be beat. And they're ventilated! I bought the 600L as I recall. I found them for 20% off and free shipping during a sale. Hard to beat. They are very very well built. Just a bit tall I think. But in a Troopy they might just work with some mods.

 
The scheel-mann are cheaper than those RV seats aren't they?

And yeah, seats are expensive. Like you I want something OEM-like. Have actually being looking at early-model Tundra seats so that they have the "flip forward" function with a foot pedal for the kids to get in/out of the back. Figured if I find a nice enough set I'll have them re-upholstered. By that point I'm spending around $1000, all-in... and that would be a bargain amount to have decent seats in the front.

Still not decided... so I'm still using the stock seats with at least one additional cover on them (I've not pulled back the onion on mine like you did on your Troopy).

But those pics of your scheel-manns... they look so good. And you nailed it on fabric selection.
 
The scheel-mann are cheaper than those RV seats aren't they?

And yeah, seats are expensive. Like you I want something OEM-like. Have actually being looking at early-model Tundra seats so that they have the "flip forward" function with a foot pedal for the kids to get in/out of the back. Figured if I find a nice enough set I'll have them re-upholstered. By that point I'm spending around $1000, all-in... and that would be a bargain amount to have decent seats in the front.

Still not decided... so I'm still using the stock seats with at least one additional cover on them (I've not pulled back the onion on mine like you did on your Troopy).

But those pics of your scheel-manns... they look so good. And you nailed it on fabric selection.

The RV seats are cheap...under $1000 for some models. I just don't think they will fit right unfortunately. Tundra seats would be good...maybe even Tacoma seats? Feels better keeping it all Toyota.

When we mount them in my RV we will put the passenger on a swivel plate so it can face backwards. Would be cool in a Troopy.

I was a little worried about the Scheel-mann seat fabric and choosing the right one...they have some really cool choices. I was able to get swatches and once I had those, the grey 5 bar was a no brainer.
 
The RV seats are cheap...under $1000 for some models. I just don't think they will fit right unfortunately. Tundra seats would be good...maybe even Tacoma seats? Feels better keeping it all Toyota.

When we mount them in my RV we will put the passenger on a swivel plate so it can face backwards. Would be cool in a Troopy.

I was a little worried about the Scheel-mann seat fabric and choosing the right one...they have some really cool choices. I was able to get swatches and once I had those, the grey 5 bar was a no brainer.

Okay, I poked around a bit more, you're right... not too bad. (I just jumped right to the 600L previously)
The idea of a swivel plate for facing backward would be very cool in the Troopy. That's got me thinking.
 
Okay, I poked around a bit more, you're right... not too bad. (I just jumped right to the 600L previously)
The idea of a swivel plate for facing backward would be very cool in the Troopy. That's got me thinking.

i bought a swivel plate for the RV....it's very very low profile.

The 600L is really nice. Those seats are impressive and for the price, there is nothing that compares. Looks like they have more colors now too.
 
Got the PS cooler mounted up...waiting on a couple fittings so we can connect. As a side note...the Trekker got it's bumper removed.

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Thanks to @joekatana I was able to get my hands on these....which hopefully contain wiring diagrams....which will make our lives way easier when we get to modding the harness for the truck.

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And a big thanks to Rob at Odd Iron Off Road for getting me this Terrain Tamer 1HZ alternator. I've seen a lot of alternators and this thing is one of the nicest. Too nice. 😂

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We just ordered a couple Scheelmann seats for a customer, very excited to see them when they arrive. Glad to see you are happy with them. The fabric is perfect for the truck.
 
We just ordered a couple Scheelmann seats for a customer, very excited to see them when they arrive. Glad to see you are happy with them. The fabric is perfect for the truck.

The other set we ordered arrived today......with the MB Rodeo plaid inserts....they're spectacular. Need to get some pics up of them once we install.

Great seats. Your customer will be very very happy.
 
Some East Tennessee mud will help take some of the bling-bling off. :)
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