Project - Not so Nice
- Thread starter S4Cruiser
- Start date
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Thus the reason I had to get rid of my 72 GMC Jimmy. After a while we fall in love with the old classic iron and just don't want to see them messed up. We CAN fix it, therefore we do...
I understand, every rig I get I go thru the same thing, thinking I will fix it up just "a little" and a fresh paint job certainly does wonders for a rig.
I would ONLY pull the body IF the frame needs serious help. Otherwise fix it on the frame, and maybe spend the $40 for a gallon of the stuff that uses rust to create a chemical reaction, and "blues" the metal.
We are using that right now on the rust on my Wrangler, and it does wonders! We will then prime and paint over those little surface rust places. For the holes that go all the way thru, my dad wants to cover them with a panel insert, but I really want to fix it right. (Unlike the 85 pickup/trail rig)
If you want FAST, and dirty, but yet perfect for a trail rig, consider using the rust conversion stuff and bondo?
85 Toyota Bodywork pictures from off roading photos on webshots
You can still end up with a rig that LOOKS good, but with a WHOLE lot less $$ and time in it. Something you can have ready by 4/1!!
If you pull the body, I suspect you are looking at a 2011 trail rig - just my guess. (And you will be too tempted to keep fixing stuff until it is "too nice" to wheel....tis just your/my nature)
I understand, every rig I get I go thru the same thing, thinking I will fix it up just "a little" and a fresh paint job certainly does wonders for a rig.
I would ONLY pull the body IF the frame needs serious help. Otherwise fix it on the frame, and maybe spend the $40 for a gallon of the stuff that uses rust to create a chemical reaction, and "blues" the metal.
We are using that right now on the rust on my Wrangler, and it does wonders! We will then prime and paint over those little surface rust places. For the holes that go all the way thru, my dad wants to cover them with a panel insert, but I really want to fix it right. (Unlike the 85 pickup/trail rig)
If you want FAST, and dirty, but yet perfect for a trail rig, consider using the rust conversion stuff and bondo?
85 Toyota Bodywork pictures from off roading photos on webshots
You can still end up with a rig that LOOKS good, but with a WHOLE lot less $$ and time in it. Something you can have ready by 4/1!!
If you pull the body, I suspect you are looking at a 2011 trail rig - just my guess. (And you will be too tempted to keep fixing stuff until it is "too nice" to wheel....tis just your/my nature)
- Thread starter
- #63
Thanks guys - a reality check was what I needed. It's settled - body stays on and fix what needs fixin and move on.
Tough to fight the urge to make it nice
Tough to fight the urge to make it nice
- Thread starter
- #66
Yeah I know...but I keep buying new parts and then used ones like this come available (let's not even mention his cruiser
). I received the metal tech family kit about 2 weeks before you posted it up for sale 
.Hopefully once I get the other 40's top install finished later this week I will have time and space to work on this project. Got a lot of parts that are just waiting on me to do something with them
.
- Thread starter
- #67
Alright - time to resurrect this thread...
Got funds in my pocket that are burning a hole in it
.
Plans have changed slightly since purchasing the truck and then changed some more...
Sold the hard top, roof rack, front doors, front seats and rear seats...so there isn't much left for an interior. Will be using 'cummingscruisers' tube frame seat kit for the front, but haven't decided on what seats to run.
Already purchased but not installed the MetalTech family cage and tube fender kit and black canvas Paki top.
Engine will stay 2F as it sits now, but am picking up a sm465/AA kit/Orion 4:1 case with a AA twin stick setup this Friday.
Tub comes off soon and sent to blaster. I'll fix the rust but have Gibson Autoworks paint the body parts GM white.
Suspension will most likely be SOA front and rear. Front will be Alcan springs and rear will be FJ55 (resisting the urge to go 4-link in the rear
). Probably will go with either 36 Iroks or 38 TSL SXs...but have more than enough time to contemplate).
Axles: Front gets 30 spline super set / hub gears / ARP knuckle studs and ARB locker. Rear: poly shafts and Aussie locker.
As you can tell this has ended up being a budget buster build but what the h*ll, I only live once.
I'll be posting up pics soon with my progress now that I have room and funds to continue the build.
Stay tuned and we'll see just how good (or bad) I'm at building a trail rig
.
Got funds in my pocket that are burning a hole in it
.Plans have changed slightly since purchasing the truck and then changed some more...
Sold the hard top, roof rack, front doors, front seats and rear seats...so there isn't much left for an interior. Will be using 'cummingscruisers' tube frame seat kit for the front, but haven't decided on what seats to run.
Already purchased but not installed the MetalTech family cage and tube fender kit and black canvas Paki top.
Engine will stay 2F as it sits now, but am picking up a sm465/AA kit/Orion 4:1 case with a AA twin stick setup this Friday.
Tub comes off soon and sent to blaster. I'll fix the rust but have Gibson Autoworks paint the body parts GM white.
Suspension will most likely be SOA front and rear. Front will be Alcan springs and rear will be FJ55 (resisting the urge to go 4-link in the rear
). Probably will go with either 36 Iroks or 38 TSL SXs...but have more than enough time to contemplate).Axles: Front gets 30 spline super set / hub gears / ARP knuckle studs and ARB locker. Rear: poly shafts and Aussie locker.
As you can tell this has ended up being a budget buster build but what the h*ll, I only live once
.I'll be posting up pics soon with my progress now that I have room and funds to continue the build.
Stay tuned and we'll see just how good (or bad) I'm at building a trail rig
.
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Alright - time to resurrect this thread...
Got funds in my pocket that are burning a hole in it
Plans have changed slightly since purchasing the truck and then changed some more...
Sold the hard top, roof rack, front doors, front seats and rear seats...so there isn't much left for an interior. Will be using 'cummingscruisers' tube frame seat kit for the front, but haven't decided on what seats to run.
Already purchased but not installed the MetalTech family cage and tube fender kit and black canvas Paki top.
Engine will stay 2F as it sits now, but am picking up a sm465/AA kit/Orion 4:1 case with a AA twin stick setup this Friday.
Tub comes off soon and sent to blaster. I'll fix the rust but have Gibson Autoworks paint the body parts GM white.
Suspension will most likely be SOA front and rear. Front will be Alcan springs and rear will be FJ55 (resisting the urge to go 4-link in the rear
Axles: Front gets 30 spline super set / hub gears / ARP knuckle studs and ARB locker. Rear: poly shafts and Aussie locker.
As you can tell this has ended up being a budget buster build but what the h*ll, I only live once
I'll be posting up pics soon with my progress now that I have room and finds to continue the build.
Stay tuned and we'll see just how good (or bad) I'm at building a trail rig
Are you going to have to center your rear axle? If so why not go with something bigger?
Also screw leaf springs..if you are going that big why not go coilover?
Sounds awesome.
- Thread starter
- #69
No - axles stay Toyota offset. I'm leaning towards no 4-link and start with leafs. If I did coilovers and 4-link then I would lose the use to the back area of the truck...having to mount them in the rear of the cab...
It's going to be sick Jon. I think you should start w/ the 55 leafs - if no likely, what has it cost you??? You can resell the springs and shocks and the SOA costs you about $50 in the rear.
Crawl Ratio => 6.55 x 4 x 4.11 =~108:1 I'm at about 61:1, and love it. Your 2ndL will be really close to my 1st L - you'll wind up using that for most your crawling I would guess. My biggest complaint is 3rdL is a bit too low for the bulk of the "mild" trails, and 2ndH is a bit high. It's not too bad, but I'd love to have somewhere in between there. Me thinks a Toybox will be in my distant future so I'll have wicked low 123:1 Granny, and 7 other combos to find a "sweet spot" for every situation.
R
Crawl Ratio => 6.55 x 4 x 4.11 =~108:1 I'm at about 61:1, and love it. Your 2ndL will be really close to my 1st L - you'll wind up using that for most your crawling I would guess. My biggest complaint is 3rdL is a bit too low for the bulk of the "mild" trails, and 2ndH is a bit high. It's not too bad, but I'd love to have somewhere in between there. Me thinks a Toybox will be in my distant future so I'll have wicked low 123:1 Granny, and 7 other combos to find a "sweet spot" for every situation.
R
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- Thread starter
- #71
Continued tearing down the truck yesterday. Most of the time was spent labeling wires, taking pics for future reference and breaking bolts 
.
Broke my 3rd Kobolt 1/2" air impact wrench...figured that I would upgrade to an IR 1/2" model from Northern Tool. WOW what a difference.
Also got my transmission/transfer case combo delivered on Friday...
as longs as it was setup correctly.
Hope to have the tub ready to pull one night this week and off to the blaster with all the parts.
.Broke my 3rd Kobolt 1/2" air impact wrench...figured that I would upgrade to an IR 1/2" model from Northern Tool. WOW what a difference.
Also got my transmission/transfer case combo delivered on Friday...
as longs as it was setup correctly.Hope to have the tub ready to pull one night this week and off to the blaster with all the parts.
Long time, no updates. Any chance she'll debut next weekend at URE? If nothing else, post some pics over the long weekend.
- Thread starter
- #74
I wish
!!!!!!!!!Project has been put on the back burner b/c of life and an extremely busy last few months at work. I plan to get back at it when the weather cools down and my travel schedule for work settles back to normal.
I am picking up a new toy tomorrow though
...not a cruiser .
whats the new toy??? your killing me.. haha Suspense!
my money would be on an RC
- Thread starter
- #80
New to me daily driver...2004 VW R32. I was getting tired of commuting daily to either Raleigh/Winston/Charlotte in the Chevy 2500.
This will be much better on gas and an easier drive. Pretty quick for a stocker and the exhaust note is outstanding!
This will be much better on gas and an easier drive. Pretty quick for a stocker and the exhaust note is outstanding!