This is my first write up on here. I’ll admit I was a Jeep guy
for a long time and built several different rigs from Street/Show to
full a out rock crawler. With no where close to wheel and spending more
time snowmobiling out West. I got out of wheeling for a while.
Then I was talking to a buddy and he mentioned he was going to haul
his Toyota truck to the junk. Being I work for Toyota I had been kicking around the idea of getting a truck to have some fun with. I asked him what he wanted and what was wrong with it. It needed a battery and a clutch. So for $200 I threw a battery in it and drove it to my place. I have replaced clutches in just about every kind of motorized vehicle over my time as a mechanic.But I was busy with work and family stuff so luckily I have a good
buddy that is an Auto Tech Teacher at the local High School. He always has a few students needing something to do. So I dropped it along with a new clutch and related parts.
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After getting the clutch in it I drove it a bit but the vacuum leaks
were everywhere so with the help of this site and some great posts I
removed all the emissions crap and unneeded vacuum lines. It ran a
lot better after that.
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Next to go was the rusted bed. I really liked the look of the flat
bed / truggy look so I started with plating the frame rails where the
great Iowa Winters had taken their toll. Then from there made the
main bed and added the tube around the back of the cab that ties into
the frame. I drove it for most of the summer this way while I collected parts for a SAS swap.
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By fall I had everything gathered together. I used a 81 axle and made my own truss. I used Chassis Unlimited 3 link coil/lower link brackets with Rancho coils and Johnny Joints. While I was at it i replaced the front fenders and built a winch bumper. I still need to make some adjustments to make it drive on the street better.
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Where its as of now
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In the future I would like to do a transfer case doubler and EFI swap. A cage and maybe a removable top are also on the drawing board.

 

Glad you finally got a thread setup!!

How do you like the cool setup in the front? Looks nice and flexy!!

I did not know you were a Toyota tech? That's awesome!

My buddy is one of the instructors in the T-ten program at kirkwood community college.

Glad to see you put Jason to work with the clutch!!


On the EFI swap...have you thought about goin with a Weber carb? They are supposed to run better than the EFI setups.

If you check out Terrys87....he is swapping one from EFI to a weber carb setup.

 

Thanks Man
So far I like the coil set up. Havent got it off road yet. Most flex Ive done so far is a big hole swallowing the left front while crawling along a field putting up snowmobile signs. Ask Jason about his forehead meeting the windshield. but I've done a couple 3 links and 4 links in the past. Best Ive found is the set up here, 3 link front and leafs rear. Simple and easy to set up and lots of flex. it does need a swaybar for on road use.

I'm actually not a tech I work for Toyota Motor Insurance ie Extra Care. I do warranty claims. I get to use my ASE's and experience from my years as a tech and not get dirty.

Ive thought about the Weber too. Not sure what I'll do yet. Small block would be fun too.

 

Great hearing you saved another truck from the scrap yard. You done some great changes on it. EFI is great and some work flawlessly, but when you get one that keeps having issues, it just seems like a never ending thing. If you are going to stay with the carburator, the Weber is a great replacement. So much nicer then the Aisin carb.

Welcome to Yotatech.

 

Whoa...Very nice transformation!

 

Wow, nice work, doesn't even resemble the truck you started with! What kind of coils did you use up front? Do you have anymore pics of the 3 link setup? Keep up the good work!

 

Ill have to ask him about it. He did tell me he broke one of your windows recently when you guys were out wheeling I think.

Very nice to still be able to apply the knowledge and not get dirty!!

A Small Block wouldn't be too bad either. My buddy and I put one in his old Reg cab pickup. Had tons of torque.

I personally want a 4BT in Mine!!