Builds Patricia in the Woods… (1 Viewer)

[jesus888]

This is the build thread for my 1st Gen DCSB Tacoma that I picked up recently as a “cabin truck” for our property in Western NC. The first time I hauled a couple of muddy river water filled kayaks in my 62, I knew a truck would be a much better tool for that job and I’ve always wanted a 1st gen taco… so I found one on Autotrader…

The story goes that a single mom purchased the truck @ 211K miles for her son to drive in high school, spent about $4K (i have the receipts) taking care of some deferred maintenance (timing belt, shocks, steering rack, etc) at the local AAA mechanic in Wilmington, NC and then the son graduated high school and she was selling it.

She mentioned it had a MAACO paint job this year (which is really the only part of this story that isn’t great) but the lack of rust on the frame and the general condition, receipts for service, and pictures (and most importantly price) led me to take the plunge sight-unseen and have it delivered to me in Atlanta…

She will be known as Patricia in the Woods because that’s what my nephew named our cabin

 

[jesus888]

She got delivered and I changed the oil and checked the fluids and then took her to NC on her maiden voyage and overall she did great.

The seating position is awful in these trucks, I’m short @ 5’5” so I’m gonna try and mimic my 62’s seating position at some point because it’s awesome…

The steering has a clunk in it and the street tires leave a bit to be desired so since I can’t leave anything alone… I made a list for a few upgrades/changes with emphasis on keeping it tame since she’s just gonna sit out side with her “bass boat sparkles” as my buddy said…

• Front: 2 x Bilstein 5100 (F4-BE5-D558-T0) and 2 x OME 2881 springs
• Rear: icon 51100 1.5" AAL lift and 2 x bilstein 5100 (33-247724 and 33-247717)
• Whiteline lower control arm bushings
• Whiteline steering rack bushings
• Yokohama geolander M/T g003 255/75/17
• FJ Cruiser 17” Steelies painted silver

 

[jesus888]

Parts came in and things started happening…

• Wheels painted
• Tires delivered
• Steering rack bushings in
• LCA bushings replaced (old ones probably part of that clunk)

 

[jesus888]

Had to cut out the LCA bolt and one of the Whiteline bushings was missing from the kit so those will be in tomorrow…

 

[jesus888]

Later, once all of these things are done/sorted, I'll be working on the interior... carpet kits are cheap and the radio needs updating, along with a backup camera, so I'll work on all of that at one time, and probably address the seats at the same time. More updates comin... excited to see a little more cabin-worthy.

 

[jesus888]

With the bushing not coming til tomorrow… we can get one side done!!

 

[jesus888]

One side down in the rear. Icon AAL and bilstein 5100s…

 

[jesus888]

Also apparently this truck had nerf bars at some point… those brackets gotta go.

More importantly, another bushing kit ordered from whiteline because the other rear spring bushing was spinning in the leaf spring… and had to cut the bolt to get it out.

Oh and the nut on the leaf spring looks minty, eh?

 

[jesus888]

Kinda stuck waiting on the bushings but the tires can be mounted on the rims and a test-fit while it’s in the air doesn’t hurt

 

[jesus888]

Brandon at Allpro is crushing it today...

• Tires are all mounted and balanced
• ICON AAL are both installed
• Rear Bilstein 5100s installed
• Front coilover 5100s were both built and installed
• Front LCA bushings were pressed out and new ones installed (Waiting on bolts from Toyota and new Whiteline kit for passenger LCA)
• Whiteline Steering Rack bushings installed
• Side Step brackets removed
• Waiting on the Whiteline Rear leaf spring bushings and then things will get buttoned up and an alignment will be had

 

[jesus888]

Bushings came in this morning for the rear leafs and the rest got buttoned up.

Getting an alignment and Phase 1 of this old girl will be in the books…

 

[jesus888]

Back to this… needed to replace the rag joint couple for the steering shaft as well as some added insurance with the lower ball joints, all before that final alignment…

 

[jesus888]

Intermediate shaft done.

 

[finslayer83]

Any rub with the FJ steelie offset and the 255’s?

 

[jesus888]

Haven’t off-roaded at all yet but I didn’t feel any in the 25 miles of driving around town.

Also she got a bath.

 

[jesus888]

Last little addition for now… boats will be easy to move around now.

 

[finslayer83]

Any contact on the flaps? Are they the OEM ones?

 

[jesus888]

Any contact on the flaps? Are they the OEM ones?

No contact on the flaps... they are OEM ones. Tires are 32.5" tall and with the small lift, there isn't any binding/rubbing.

 

[surfishjoe]

Love the paint job on the steelies!

 

[jesus888]

Love the paint job on the steelies!

Thanks man… real quick and dirty paint job… it’s a cabin truck but you’re right, they look soooo much better in silver