This was last weekend's work (doors & remainder of the cab). Since I had the mirrors off, I decided to paint them black (liked the look on Shlobeck's truck). Tailgate is next. I'm thinking about doing a roll on liner in the bed.

 

The only reason I would have to disagree on that would be since replacing it, the wobbles I would get around 45 mph, are now gone.

 

nice truck man! i love first gens

 

I opted to do a swap to the newer Toyota alternators instead of the GM (don't see a need for that much amps). I ordered the alternator bracket from LCEperformance & picked up a used alternator from a 1986 pickup in the local salvage yard. I also took the wire from the B terminal all the way back to the fuse block(either #8 or #6 wire). I took it to a couple of different places & it tested OK. The bottom back bolt on the old bracket was a PITA to get off. Only a open/box wrench would fit. Had to use some PB Blaster. Bolted in the new bracket & alt, wired it to the battery & eliminated the external voltage regulator. Started & runs fine with everything turned on (fan, high beams, flashers, etc). At idle the voltage gauge runs a little bit higher than with the other. Right now it's 14volts (13-13.5 before).

In the pics the brackets are laying 180 degrees off. Only thing I'm a little concerned about is the pulley on the alternator I put in seems a little bit forward. Next time I'm under the hood I'll take a measurement.

 

Last month I found a craigslist ad for (4) tires/rims from a 4Runner. He wanted $100 so I went & looked at them. They are 235/75/15 studded snow tires. The rims were rusty, but some time, elbow grease & SOS pads took care of that. It's definately easier steering & acceleration picked up. The other tires were getting bad I needed something inexpensive right now.

Last weekend I had good weather & time, so I changed the gear oil in both diffs, the transfer case & the tranny. I used Valvoline Durablend 80W90. The front diff looked the worst, it was a grey color. Also a previous owner rounded the fill plug to the transfer case. I was able to get it out & back in, although I will need to get a new one.

 

Wednesday I called Yota Jim's & they just got in an '83 4x4 that had power steering so I stopped by after work and they pulled the parts for me. Crankshaft pulley, cooler, hoses, pump w/bracket & pulley, reservoir w/bracket, gear box w/pitman arm, nuts/bolts/screws. $250. Other than my crazy work schedule, I just need some warmer weather so I can get it installed.

Anyone have any tips for me on this project?

 

Here's a link to my install..

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f197.../#post51779858

Remove the fan and shroud, you'll save yourself some time and grief. Getting the bracket that wraps around the lower rad coolant line is probably the hardest part.

I didn't have to remove the pitman arm from the box to get it in place, just have to rotate the pitman.

Make sure you prime the pump before you start it up!! There will be a ton of air in the system, so I hand cranked the pump for a while and turned wheel lock to lock to get the fluid moving. Look up p/s pump priming and install instructions.

The reservoir shares one screw with the voltage regulator, and i'm thinking I'll probably sheet metal screw the other side. Make sure you loosen the set screw before removing the tension on the smog pump pulley!

Wow, looking at my oil pan, mine has come a long way in cleanliness!

Good luck, ask if you have any Qs or need to see pictures..

 

^^^^^^^^
Thanks for the tips & pics! I'd already thought about running the pump by hand before putting the belt on & running it. Do you remember how much fluid it took to fill the system?

 

My p/s box had fluid in it, and i think 2 qts did the trick. I think the owners manual also says how much

 

I got the power steering installed yesterday. I removed the fan, shroud, air intake tube & the black box it attached to behind the grille. This created quite a bit of room. Everything was bolt on, which was nice. Getting the fan back on after putting in the shroud was a little difficult, but definately worth it. Getting in & out of parking spaces got a whole lot easier.

 

Replaced the shocks with some ProComp ES3000. Had to use a little white lithium grease for the bottom bushing on the fronts.

 

She's looking good. I'm working on getting my 81 long bed back on the road, piece by piece. Getting some good ideas from your build.

 

Changed out the shocks to the ProComp ES 9000. The ES 3000's I had on it can be found in the Classifieds.

 

Relocated the breather for the differentials. The breather union for the diff is part # 90404-51026 & the new breather is part # 90930-03136. Other items needed were some teflon tape, 1/4" fuel line & hose clamps. The new location I chose for the rear was by the fuel cap & the front was up on the firewall. I left some slack in the line for axle articulation.

 

What was the reason for changing your shocks? I might be interested in buying them from you is why I ask.

That breather spot is primo. Thanks for posting the item #'s. I'm going to have to steal your idea. My rear axle doesn't have a breather hose and you can tell it could use one since there is a lot of oil build up accumulating in that area.

 

I liked the shocks, just used to gas charged ones.

 

Main work with the truck recently has been going up to the mountains for firewood. Here's a pic from this weekend. I did manage to score a pair of PIAA 520 lights for nothing. Ran into a guy who had sold his Tacoma for a WRX and didn't need these anymore. They have the 55W/110W extreme white bulbs in them.