Sacrilege? '81 Trekker, to build or not.... (3 Viewers)

[Pacer]

So, I bought a rusty Trekker a few years back.

I got it to run, got it to move and stop and then I tore it apart.
Floors were completely shot!

The sliding rear windows in the cap must'a leaked from the factory, this truck spent its entire life with a soggy carpet. Other than that, the frame is solid and it's a legitimate Trekker with dash plaque and all.

Here is how it sits today, with a new floor and cab corners and all.

I want to wheel it!
I am also hesitent to chop it up and put a cage on it as it has become "nice" as work has progressed.

Basically, if I'm gonna wheel it, it gets a cage, if it can't become a wheeler, I don't really want it....

What say the Mini Truck fans?

Please see my thread on our Kestone Cruisers page for further details. Linked below.

'81 Trekker ReDistruction

 

[muddpigg]

Trekkers are rare and given that this is becoming nice. Ashamed to stop your progress. Build it and wheel it or rebuild it to sale. Use proceeds to finance a less rare rig to wheel.

Your work is solid and looks nice!!!! Could make a nice trail rig... cage, duals, lockers..... Or rebuild it nice and clean for a daily. Sweet rig though either way you go.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I would build it, but I'm not good at leaving things stock... No matter how rare they are.

 

[Gumby]

I've put a 1FZ in an LV, a 6.2 LS in a SWB 45, and cut a FJ55 in thirds to make it a 2 door, but each of those was already modified by someone else first.
So take it from someone who has already blasphemed a lot, I'd keep it stock. Wheel a mini truck.

 

[muddpigg]

What'd you decide on?

 

[Pacer]

Here's the deal.
The mini truck is a tin can...
This thing, with the cab back/bulkhead removed is so floppy feels like it would just squash flat if it ever became involved in an incident, on or off road.
I wouldn't even feel comfortable driving my kids to school in the thing the way it is.

I'll keep it leaf sprung and 22r powered.
But it shall get a minimalist exo-cage, winch bumper and 33s for now. See how it goes.

I've put a 1FZ in an LV, a 6.2 LS in a SWB 45, and cut a FJ55 in thirds to make it a 2 door, but each of those was already modified by someone else first.
So take it from someone who has already blasphemed a lot, I'd keep it stock. Wheel a mini truck.

Sage words from an OG, I appreciate the input guys.

 

[muddpigg]

Here's the deal.
The mini truck is a tin can...
This thing, with the cab back/bulkhead removed is so floppy feels like it would just squash flat if it ever became involved in an incident, on or off road.
I wouldn't even feel comfortable driving my kids to school in the thing the way it is.

I'll keep it leaf sprung and 22r powered.
But it shall get a minimalist exo-cage, winch bumper and 33s for now. See how it goes.


Sage words from an OG, I appreciate the input guys.

I think it'll be awesome to build. I'm not one of the "resto" crowd. My '86 is a DD/trail rig; kind of a pain to have dual purpose at times but so be it. You'll probably want to do a heart transplant on it, my next motor will be a 3rz. I've always felt HP is for road use and gears are for trails.

Not insulting you knowledge on mini's here's somethings you might wanna look into: highsteer; dual t-case or triple (I like Marlin's); beef up front spring hanger, Chevy 63" rear springs will give you best flex for the buck.

Looking forward to seeing exo-cage.

 

[Pacer]

Lots of progress on this since I last updated here.
Please follow along:

Builds - '81 Trekker ReDistruction

I picked up a rusty '81 Toyota Trekker a year or so ago. It is a mess! Floors rotted on all four corners of the cab, sliding windows and tailgate look as though they leaked from the factory and the globbs of silicone applied by previous owners tells a similar tail. I never posted a build thread...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I love it.