FTW_94'

Hello Yotatech, I've been mainly lurking around the forum gathering info for my pickup and finally decided to create my page. I recently purchased a 1994 pickup 4x4 auto v6 for $2,500 cash. I automatically fell in love with the truck since i remembered my dad used to own one as a child and so the rest is history.

Mod List:

Fix rusted body panels (done)- 2 new front fenders, patched here & there
New paint (done)- original color
New wheels (done)- American Racing Baja satin black 15x7
New tires (done)- Firestone Destination A/T 225/75r15

New non-chrome front bumper (pending)- will color match
New non-chrome rear bumper (pending)- will color match
Roof rack (pending)- will color match
Fog lights (pending)
Shocks (pending)

Misc:

New interior door handles (done)- missing driver/broken passenger
New wipers (done)- worthless
Oil change (done)- omg, the oil was ˟˟˟˟ing black!
New spark plugs (done)- were evenly burnt

Will grind rust off frame then recoat (pending)

So many things planned and not enough money as a full time college student and working full time but will do my best to update my thread.

FTW_94'

This is a before pic. The new wheels and tires go on tomorrow!

FTW_94'

A close up shot of the old vs new wheels

FTW_94'

Finally got the wheels/tires mounted and balanced only. Apparently the driver cv axle & bearing are bad and the left idler arm as well so the parts list continues

FTW_94'

Here are a few pics with my new wheel/tire set up. enjoy

FTW_94'

I'm thinking of replacing all of my shocks and was looking into the Bilstein 4600 and 5100 series. From what I've read the 4600's are for stock suspension and the 5100's are for trucks with a 3-4 in lift. My question is I'm considering lifting the truck in the future so should i purchase the 5100's instead?

FTW_94'

Overall I'm very happy with the wheel/tire choice. The tires are very quiet and comfortable and not to mention that the trucks handling feels so much better. Lol the previous owner had 3 different brands of tires on the truck. Both front tire were awful and the rears i kept as spares and still in good shape

pnwadv

Looking good so far! Digging the wheels. Keep it up!

Yota.Jay

Looking good cant wait to see the rest

atlastrekker

You won't be able to reuse the shocks with a lift anyways. I'm running 4600's, they are ok, but not awesome.

FTW_94'

@pnwadv & @Yota.Jay thanks!

Yeah, little by little. What helps is that I wont be doing summer classes so i'll be able to unleash my wallet haha

FTW_94'

Thanks for the advice! I assure you that after seeing how my current shocks (originals) are in either one of the two series would make a world of a difference. I'm gonna shop around online and see what kind of prices i find.

FTW_94'

So 1 of the 2 small front speakers is beginning to crap out and the stereo doesn't have a USB port/outlet so listening to the radio all the time sucks. I'm thinking that after I iron out the suspension/mechanical issues a new sound system will be next but nothing to cray cray. Perhaps something along the lines of new tweeters, 2x 6x9's, 1x 8 or 10in JL audio sub, 1x good amp (unknown brand yet), and a Alpine headunit.

In the mean time i need to remove the driver door panel and see why the door wont open from the inside and also why the key wont unlock/lock the door with the key. Having to lower the window down every single time I'm going to get out is becoming annoying. The two sets of keys that i have appear worn out so I am not sure if that has something to do with that but I'll find out soon enough.

Yota.Jay

Would be nice to see someone to work on the speaker system. Mine doesnt work at all. Im going to order something from crunchfield.com. Ive heard good things from them.

FTW_94'

Indeed they are but there's also a few sounds system shops in my area so im going to shop around. On another note i got my driver cv axle, left idler arm, stabilizing shock fixed, and an alignment done. Wow, the truck feels so much better! I've also decided to order some Bilstein 5100's because they're adjustable from soft to stiff and 4600's are good too but only have 1 setting

FTW_94'

So I noticed that I had a small transmission oil leak bu I couldn't identify where it was coming from because as the oil drop dropped on the front shaft and spun it was wetting everything. I took my truck and gave it a power wash and then waited for the leak to start again keeping an eye out and finally found my problem. So the oi line was so rusted that it cracked open.

FTW_94'

Here's a few pics of where the transmission oil line connects on the passenger side above the oil pan

FTW_94'

I went to AutoZone and they don't carry mm fittings only standard size so i ended up using the original fitting and bought new pipe. After being down there for a few hours I got to see how bad the bushings to the front suspension are and have decided to purchase a complete kit to repair them all along with new shocks. To be cont.

FTW_94'

Probably not the best picture but I had noticed that I was leaking power steering fluid and after power washing the engine I finally found the leak. After doing some research I think that I'll just replace it opposed to tinkering with it. It's leaking from behind and within 6-8 days almost had depleted all the fluid so I picked some up from AutoZone.

FTW_94'

Today I place the order on front/rear Bilstein 4600 series shocks, ordered both front upper/lower driver & passenger control arms because the ones on my truck are obliterated by rust and also looking into ordering a complete suspension bushings kit. Also, it looks like the water pump is leaking so that'll have to be something I address soon too.