Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Did you get your rims on yet, or you waiting til your lift? Hopefully they got your clutch done today

Finally got my build page up. Had to go under newbie section.

se7en.. like to pic of your 85

JoshToy84

Just got my truck back tonight. I'm going to get my rims hopefully Friday. I finally get a day off after 3 weeks of 15 hours a day, so I'm gonna check one more store for the wheels I want before I order them from American Tire, but so far they have the best price. $340 for the whole set, out the door.

Here's what they look like:


I'll either get the chrome or the polished wheel, depending on what they have in stock. I'd prefer the chrome, but the polished looks good too...I'll post pics as soon as I get 'em on.

Excited to drive my truck for the first time with a new clutch..will be interesting to see if I can avoid stalling it.

And it turns out that my friend that did the clutch can also do my body lift..bonus there...I'll get it done cheap.

I also figured out that I'm just gonna drive down to TJ one day to get my interior done rather than spend up to $2000 here. $250, a few cervezas and tacos later, I've got a new interior. Then again, with all the BS going on down there, might not be a good idea to venture beyond American soil.

JoshToy84

Ahh..what a difference a new clutch makes. Smooth, quick accelleration through the gears, smooth shifting, and best of all, no noise. There's a bit of shudder when I start in first, but it's only a sporatic occurance that I'm sure will go away once it gets broken in.

Here's the weird thing...I told my mechanic that I was having trouble getting into 5th, but apparently my truck is a 4 speed. For some reason it would seem the previous owner put a 5 speed shift knob on it..but it doesn't make sense to me. Why would someone put the wrong shift knob on it?

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

A clutch does make a difference. Funny thing .. My shifter knob is 4 speed but the tranny is a 5 speed. I switched knobs as the 5 speed tranny was missing the plate on the knob. I looks better and doesnt have glue on it from the previous plate. I will get a 5 speed knob eventually.

I was stationed in San Diego in the early 90s. I had a ragged out Mustang and took it down there on time. A friend of mine had lived there and I let him drive in TJ. He knew the laws and how to get around. He said you get great work down there, I just wasnt brave enough to take my car there again.

Looking forward to seeing your rims on.

JoshToy84

Well, there's actually been a change of plans. I never looked at my tire size and they're 14's...they don't make the wheel I want in a 14" which means I need to get tires.

Since I'll eventually go with 33" knobbies, there's no point in buying wheels and regular tires, just to replace them later when I do the lift.

So, I'll be getting the paint and interior done, then I'll have to do the lift and get the tires and wheels all in one shot.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

If I remember right mine came with 14 inch wheels. I replaced them with some Ford Ranger or Explorer 15 inch rims I found on Craigslist for a really good deal. I plan on getting the center caps and smoothing out the Ford emblem or even adding the Toyota emblem. I might be another option if you find a style you like.

Post pics of your interior when you do. Always looking for ideas. I am going to put some of that roll on material for sound control. Just waiting for a nice day to get it done.

JoshToy84

Well, I'm getting a quote tomorrow from someone that can offer me a deal for paint...I may have a new paint job in the next few days.

The company that sent me my flywheel accidentally sent me another one, and I let them now about it, so they offered to hook me up with a free set of brake pads for being honest, and I need em! And some people say karma doesn't exist. Pfft.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Looking forward to seeing the new paint job. That worked out for you on the brake pads. Honesty works out the best. I didnt see in your post what color you were going to. To save a few dollars, you might ask what you can do to help cut down cost. Like maybe removing the bumpers, mirrors,wipers, antenna,grill. I worked in a body shop and getting one ready for paint is really time consuming.

JoshToy84

That's a good idea and I thought about that..unfortunately I don't have the time, and she's my daily driver. I think though the cost of having it towed to the paint shop may not be that much different from the cost of just paying them to do it.

This is the closest representation I can find of what my truck will look like from the outside, but with a 3" body lift and 33" knobbies.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Just checking in to see how the paint is coming along.

JoshToy84

Still waiting for a quote from the guy that's gonna paint it. Will probably be more of a reality after the end of this month...just a few small month end bills that need to be paid. If I don't get a quote from him by the end of the first week of Feb, I'm gonna find someone else.

JoshToy84

Well, I know it's been awhile, but I still haven't had any progress on my truck. The paint guy never got in touch with me. Not only that, I started considering a suspension lift instead of the body lift.

After much deliberating, and a ton of research, I've decided I'm just gonna stick with the body lift. I don't plan on doing much off roading, and I think I just want the look more than anything else. And a friend got a suspension lift and spent nearly $4000 on it. Cost is definitely a factor for me.

So after blowing $700 on a CB, I now have to save up a few days pay before I order the kit, then another couple of days to save for the install.

I wonder though, does anyone have any pics of your 84-88 pickup, with a 3" body lift, with the stock wheels and tires on it still? Just wondering how lame it would look without the proper size wheels and tires to match the lift...maybe I can get away with driving around on the stockies for a few weeks.

XtraSlow_XtraCab

It will... sorry. Buddy has an 89 that WAS 2wd and with some 31" tires it looked just right. I think you may have trouble with your 33's, even after the 3" BL. If you find that you have front fender clearance issues, you might try and order some 4WD fenders from the internet. The factory 4WD fenders have a much larger opening and with a slight flare. They will bolt straight to your truck.

You'd be suprised what you can do with a 2WD pickup. It'll never be 4x4, but with some clutch talent you can have fun with dry offroading. As for the buddy's 89, we picked up a parts 87 4x4 truck and threw his body and motor on the frame. Apparently the two body styles share the same mounting locations... if you ever come across a deal on a non running 4x4.

JoshToy84

Yeah I kinda figured it would. Damn. And by the way, I decided to go with 31's instead of 33's.

XtraSlow_XtraCab

Ok ok well you'll be cool with the 31's I would imagine. You can also install longer shackles in the rear... 1" lift for every 2" additional shackle length.

The front you can "crank the torsion bars". The first fellow YotaTechie to read this is going to spite me, buuuut.... screw it. They're replaceable if you find the ride too stiff. But anyway, for the price of roughly 4 feet of flat stock and you can lift the suspension an inch.

You know that with a body lift, you'll have to mess with a few things like: shifter, fuel filler neck, bumpers, and slacken the seering shaft?

JoshToy84

Yeah, that's why I've got a good friend for a mechanic!
He'll take care of all that for me...don't have to even worry about it.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Ive been checking in on your build. Cant help with the lift questions. But like Xtraslow said, there will be plenty of modifications to do. Just do some good research to know what you are getting into and what will be needed.

JoshToy84

Ok, well I finally ordered my body lift kit from Fat Bob's Garage in Utah. In about a week I'll order my wheels and tires, then get it all installed. I'm estimating that in about another week and a half, my truck will be halfway done. I've grown tired of people calling my truck "cute". It's not cute dammit! LOL

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Just checking in on you. I was just wondering how your lift and wheels were coming along? The word "Cute" on a guys truck just doesnt do much for the ego. lol

JoshToy84

Well, there's been a setback. My guy told me it would take him 3 weeks to get it done, and I should be able to find someone to get it done in just a few hours. As it's my daily driver, I can't have it out of commission for 3 weeks.

I've also just moved from a roomate situation to a studio apartment so I've gone from spending $400 a month to a little over $800 a month for rent.

I did however get my wheels. Since I'm going to be holding off on the lift for a little while, I'm gonna try to find some good used 15" tires until I can do the whole lift and knobbies all at once.