New to IH8MUD (1 Viewer)

[blumtn]

Long time Toyota owner and fan having owned 2 previous trucks ('87 and '89) that clocked over 600k miles between the 2. I've owned an '83 Trailblazer for the past 19 yrs (glad to see a single forum for older trucks/4runners since I was unsure where the Trailblazer fit) and hope to start restoring it next year. The rust gremlins have gotten to the bed (replacement on order from toyotafiberglass), but the frame and cab remain solid. Recently I've been considering an FJ80 to get me through the couple of years the truck will be sidelined for restoration. But I've discovered that prices are a bit crazy nowadays. Also looking at early trucks and 4runners. Attached are a couple of pictures of my truck. One shortly after I bought it, swapped engines (with another 22R), and sprayed it. The other is recent showing the bed rust.

 

[aztoyman]

Welcome, cool truck! Looking forward to your restoration.

 

[pappy]

Welcome to our slice of MUD. Tell us about the Trailblazer. Most of us are familiar with the Trekker. Where does this fit in?

 

[Manhattan]

This will be a fun restoration to watch. That's a cool little truck. My '84 was in a similar situation - the frame and cab were basically rust-free, but the bed had long since been scrapped by the time I acquired the truck.

What's the current lead time at toyotafiberglass? I talked to them a while back about a couple panels (since changed directions) and was told 18 months. I mean, based on those website graphics, I don't think there's much happening fast there

 

[blumtn]

What's the current lead time at toyotafiberglass? I talked to them a while back about a couple panels (since changed directions) and was told 18 months. I mean, based on those website graphics, I don't there's much happening fast there

As of earlier this summer lead times remained up to 2 years. I've talked to Corey several times concerning special requirements for the trailblazer bed and possible modifications needed for running w/o the rear top. He's had problems with staffing (covid related) but it sounds like things are starting to pick up. I'm hoping mine is available sometime next year.

 

[blumtn]

Welcome to our slice of MUD. Tell us about the Trailblazer. Most of us are familiar with the Trekker. Where does this fit in?

I consider the Trailblazer the "east coast" version of the Trekker. Similar concept to convert the mini into a pre 4runner for testing the markets. The Trailblazer conversion happened in FL by Griffith Enterprises. They basically opened up the cab and installed a fiberglass shell while retaining the original bed. Mine had fiberglass panels covering roll bars located front/back of the bed and a bench seat. There were also panels to dress up the interior bed sides. I'm not sure exactly how many were built as I've seen various numbers. But I suspect several thousand between 81 and 83. I've never seen one in the wild, though. I'm hoping to get lots of help here with the restoration. Is the first step to start a "Builds" thread? Thanks.

 

[Grease106]

Classic rig! Is the cab walled in or is it open through the canopy? Wish there were a few more of those old girls floating round here in NZ…

 

[blumtn]

The cab is opened through to the rear. From the showroom floor there was a fiberglass panel that shrouded the cab cutout and front rollbar. Another panel enclosed the rear rollbar and provided a spot to mount the lift-gate arms. The panels were kinda big and I removed them (but still have both).

 

[msahr]

Never seen a Trailblazer before. I saw it and immediately thought "Trekker" but then noticed it looked like a longbed and your post. Got any interior pics of all those panels and covers and rolbars and such? Did it have a full carpeted interior and rear seat?

 

[msahr]

Rather than the 2 year wait time why not source a good bed and graft it in? Just a thought.

 

[blumtn]

Never seen a Trailblazer before. I saw it and immediately thought "Trekker" but then noticed it looked like a longbed and your post. Got any interior pics of all those panels and covers and rolbars and such? Did it have a full carpeted interior and rear seat?

It's actually a shortbed, but I agree it looks like a long bed in with the rear cap. I don't have any pictures of the interior when I got it with the rear seat and carpet. I've attached a couple a photos of the cutout cab with rollbar and the fiberglass panels, though.

 

[blumtn]

Rather than the 2 year wait time why not source a good bed and graft it in? Just a thought.

Yeah, I've thought about that. I'm a little concerned that a replacement would eventually have rust issues like the original. And the 2 year wait may work out OK. I just purchased an 80 series LC from a fellow MUDer. So I can take my time with the '83. My grand plan is to do the '83 and then the '93 FZJ80.