Build SipLife’s 80’ Toyota Hilux Short Bed 4x4

[Toyotafan1991]

Thanks for the links! Will do. I already picked up a new brown dash from toyotapartsdeal. Didn’t know you could still purchase the Radio Bezel surround trim new. Good to know.

Yeah no problem at all. Half of the fun is trying to find some of these old parts. Yeah partsouq is usually cheaper, I bought my blue and brown dash pads from the for less than $200 each where as Toyota parts deal is over $300 If I remember right, and also amayama is a good source for parts in Japan. Love the pickup and FJ's bud!

We’re you able to find new side marker lights? It looks like there some in your picture.

Yeah toyota parts deal has all but the rear driver side in-stock still. But you can just flip the pass side upside down and make it work. There like $30 each I think. I was pretty shocked so I bought 2 sets. Lol.

 

[Travis 76]

Thanks I’ll check them out. Make sure you plug the weep holes on the upside down one or it will fill up with water when it rains.

 

[Toyotafan1991]

Thanks I’ll check them out. Make sure you plug the weep holes on the upside down one or it will fill up with water when it rains.

Yeah I would absolutely get a set now because the aftermarket ones are junk imo, I won't run anything non-genuine unless I HAVE too. Yeah only downfall of flipping is those holes but until I can find a new one or nice used one I will have to live with it.

 

[SipLife]

Parts are rolling in, still waiting on a few delayed items from eBay and Toyota:

 

[SipLife]

Decided to tackle the front end today. Dismounted the old grill, headlight bezels, and front bumper.

Attempted to mount the new grill but the attachment clips used to secure it to the bib weren’t secure enough to my liking.

I decided to modify the design and shaved off the protruding end of the mounting point on the grill. Above is before, below is after:

Then I mounted screw clips on the bib and purchased some lathe screws from Ace to mount through the grill:

 

[SipLife]

Had an issue with the new connector on the headlight bezel not matching the old one so I swapped connectors and soldered and shrink wrapped the wires together to avoid tapping into the factory harness connector:

Buttoned everything up and here’s the end result:
(Still need to pull the front bumper when I head to the barn next weekend to bang it flush and paint it)

Before:

After:

 

[SipLife]

Installed the new door locks I received refurbished from @ToyotaMatt . It’s good to have smooth functioning locks again.

Attempted to install the ignition lock cylinder but it appears my original lock cylinder is for a non locking column and the new one is for a locking column. Didn’t fit inside the column so I’m working on getting a non locking cylinder from Matt.

 

[Manhattan]

That front end looks GREAT!

Is that a Coverall dash pad? I just prepped and painted one... but haven't glue'er in yet.

 

[SipLife]

That front end looks GREAT!

Is that a Coverall dash pad? I just prepped and painted one... but haven't glue'er in yet.

Thanks, It’s actually a brand new OEM dash pad!

 

[Manhattan]

Thanks, It’s actually a brand new OEM dash pad!

SHUT UP! Is that from some hidden NOS stash... or are those just available for the generation? That is going to look fantastic in that cab.

 

[SipLife]

SHUT UP! Is that from some hidden NOS stash... or are those just available for the generation? That is going to look fantastic in that cab.

Didn’t know they were still available either, got the link from @yotadude520 :

United Toyota Imperial | Dealer in Imperial, CA

At United Toyota Imperial you can expect great prices and an excellent selection of new or pre-owned Toyota!

parts.rogersandrogerstoyota.com

 

[pappy]

Had an issue with the new connector on the headlight bezel not matching the old one so I swapped connectors and soldered and shrink wrapped the wires together to avoid tapping into the factory harness connector:

View attachment 2304859

Just an FYI. Those terminals could have been removed from the connectors and swapped without cutting/solder/shrinktube.

 

[ToyotaMatt]

SOLID BUILD TECH !​

looks great !

Installed the new door locks I received refurbished from @ToyotaMatt . It’s good to have smooth functioning locks again.

View attachment 2304873View attachment 2304874

Attempted to install the ignition lock cylinder but it appears my original lock cylinder is for a non locking column and the new one is for a locking column. Didn’t fit inside the column so I’m working on getting a non locking cylinder from Matt.

View attachment 2304875

i have located and sourced maybe the last NOS OEM NON-Locking Column First Gen. 4WD HILUX Ignition Key lock cylinder today out there
left on earth

- It will be Re-Coded -/ Re-Keyed to match your Refurbished / Restored
Side Door locks recently installed ...........

- it will include a Complimentary OEM TOYOTA Genuine Parts Key Blank as well ...........

- Please choose 1 style from the following 3 options below and report back .......

no worries here , I will always have your back !

​

Below are some creative Lock and KEY TECH. visually descriptive images ..........

these are the only Three TR-33 profile key blanks available Globally
for the 1975-1995 Pickup + 4Runner Community mud members

i am aware of that still exist .............

​

Kindly
Matt .......

 

[msahr]

In my first gen, i removed the pedal from the floor and welded a small pedal plate to the rod.

Good idea.

 

[SipLife]

Took the truck on the highway for the first time the other day. Cruised at 70 just fine, until a massive storm hit and I blew the fuse to my radio and fog lights and lost the ds wiper arm

The PO installed a modern fuse box in this truck so the wiring is currently a bit of a mess. Luckily he wrote down all the changes he made to the wiring so I’ll I need to run through and tidy everything up:

Took the truck out for tennis practice this week and parked it for an hour. Came back and it wouldn’t crank. Dead Battery. Took it in to get tested and sure enough it was faulty so I installed a new battery:

Also installed new wiper arms after the old ones decided to go commando on me:

And new window belt line weatherstrip:

Then put the old girl to work:

 

[SipLife]

Cut some new siding and made a rear deck step for a rental property:

 

[msahr]

Where did you find the weatherstripping?

 

[SipLife]

Where did you find the weatherstripping?

Couldn’t seem to find the belt line weatherstrip for a 1980 so I just shortened the weatherstrip from an RN30 model since they have the same attachment clips.

 

[SipLife]

Worked on getting the reverse lights functioning today. I’ve been running with just the brake lights and running lights for awhile. Checked the reverse switch first and sure enough it was severed:

The wire running from the switch was too short to connect to the harness so I soldered and shrink wrapped longer Toyota wires from the switch:

Then used spade connectors at the end to connect the switch and the harness. Wrapped individually, then together in electrical tape, and tucked it away:

 

[SipLife]