Isn’t it funny how life changes and flows…?



In the last two years, my wife and I got married, bought a “forever home”, built her 5th Gen 4Runner for adventuring, acquired a really cool rock buggy, bought my “dream” Tundra, picked up some quads, and got a couple trailers to haul everything around. We were having a blast playing with our toys and finally being in a spot that we had dreamed about. However, God had other plans and answered a long-forgotten prayer. Amy, who was told that she could never have kids, got pregnant and we are expecting our little boy to be born in March!



With a new baby on the way, our lifestyle and finances needed an overhaul. (Child care is expensive!) We sold the buggy, then the car hauler, then the Tundra, then one of the quads… We were able to get out of some payments and pay down some debt to get ready for the next chapter in our lives. However, that left me without a truck and that wasn’t going to work. I made a list of what I needed a truck to do for me in this stage of my life and figured out how much we could spend. This truck is the result of that and I hope that it will be a member of our family for quite a while.



I was looking for a pre-1992 Toyota pickup or 4Runner. I wanted a truck that was mostly turn-key as I wouldn’t have time (or extra money) to build anything. I needed a truck that I could wheel pretty hard but still drive 4 hours on the highway to take me elk hunting. Long term dream would be something I could load up, drive from Portland, OR to Rubicon Trail, wheel the trail, then drive home… Oh, without spending a bunch of money on it. That is not a small order! After shopping for a while, I ended up with this:















She is a 1985 Xtra-Cab with an ’87 SR5 body swapped on at some point. The bed is bobbed and the fenders are cut at least 4”. She has a 22RE that has been supposedly rebuilt with an intake, cam, header, and exhaust. It feels strong and doesn’t make any noises it shouldn’t. The 5-speed shifts great and it is currently running a stock transfer-case. The front axle has high-steer, 3” Trail-Gear springs with a leaf removed, 14” Fox remote resi shocks, 5.29 gears, Detroit locker, 1.5” spacers, and 30-spline RCVs. The rear is an IFS housing, f150 springs, 14” Bilstein 5100s, 5.29 gears, and a spool. She is currently running 36” radial Iroks on 15” fake beadlock wheels. Other stuff it has is rock lights, heated Mini Cooper seats, a homemade DOM tube front bumper, projector headlights with LED bulbs, and almost everything works! The PO drove the truck daily, so it drives very nicely.



I will be making small changes as I go along, so this thread is just to document the changes and the adventures. Hope you enjoy it!

 

Nice!

It looks like you found just what you wanted.

Lots of life changes! Congratulations on your baby boy!

As somebody who does not go off road, you could have told me those were real beadlock wheels and I would have not question it.

I will be following.

 

Congrats on the kiddo! Looks like you've got a great little p/u to enjoy!

 

Congrats on impending new family member and on the pretty red truck!

 

Thanks guys! I'm excited for all the changes. Even though it took me a couple months to get over the shock. LOL!

 

I was able to order some parts for the truck to make it a little more pleasurable. The window runs were shot, so I ordered a new set for both windows along with the inner and outer "wipers" or weatherstripping. I was also able to find a NOS full lock cylinder set, so that is being shipped to me as well. (The doors were not keyed the same as the ignition and I didn't have the door key.)

This weekend I will put the Iroks and wheels up for sale, so they can be replaced with 37x12.50r17's on my 2015 4Runner Trail Premium wheels. To make that work, I may have to move the 1.25" spacer in the front to the rear and buy 2.5" spacers for the front. I am also planning on running 10oz of DynaBeads for balancing just in case I spin a tire on the wheel up wheeling. The big decision I will need to make is what tire to run! I've had really good luck with Kanati Mud Hogs and would consider them again. I am also very intrigued by Milestar's new Patagonia M/T, but there isn't much out there on them. The last tire on my list is Cooper's STT Pros. If anyone has any insight, I would be more than happy to hear it!

Also on the to-do list this weekend is see if I can fix the dome and cargo lights, install my Ham radio, and start planning storage both in the cab and bed. I also may get working on the shifter bezel if a stock one doesn't show up for sale. My interior is clean enough that I would rather have a nice stock one, but cup holders would also be nice.... LOL!

 

I figured will just post all of the misc pics I have from the ad for those who care...

The seats are out of a Mini Cooper. They are super comfy and have the seat heaters hooked up.

 

Congrads on the little one,he should keep you busy.
Nice truck, plan to watch the progress

 

 

Thanks guys! I'm excited to get her out on the trails for sure.

 

Looks very clean Chad!

Gonna have to head over to check this thing out

Is the shock hoop braced at all? Didn't see the usual little one inch brace

 

It looks better in pics, but it is a really cool little truck. I'm very happy with it. You are welcome to swing by anytime!

As for the shock hoop, are you talking about the front? If so it doesn't have a brace to the top of the frame and I don't feel that it needs one based on how it is welded on.

 

i'll give you a shout later this week.
Yep, I was wondering about the front shock hoop

I thought this truck had been converted to SAS, graphics look like they are from 87-88 SR5. maybe they just put the fender and doors on

edit: just saw it had a body swap

 

Good eye! It's an '87 body on an '85 frame.

 

I got some work done on the truck Saturday: The tires and wheels are for sale. I fixed the dome light and the cargo light. I built a battery tie down to replace the ratchet strap. I de-stickered the interior. I added floor mats...




Of course, like any new toy, I found a few more things I need to adjust or fix. But, I did get to take her out for a little bit on Sunday and get her muddy.

Side note, does anyone have a set of the factory stereo brackets they would be willing to sell? Mine are missing...

 

Nice work!

I might have a pair, I don't remember if I still have them. I will check tonight.

 

That would be awesome! Thank you!

 

I haven't found the radio brackets yet, but I have one more box to look through. I will let you know if I have them tonight, if you are still looking for them.

Thanks for giving me the motivation to do a little organization!

 

No worries, Jake. I think there is a guy down in CA with a set that he is willing to mail to me, but I really appreciate you taking the time to look!

 

No dice, I no longer have them. I think I used them for my brothers 1990 Corolla Wagon.

But now I have an organized parts bin, so that is a plus!