junior81

I just wanted to say i am brand new here. I used to own a 86 4runner for years but had to sell it but just bought me a new 81 toyota pickup... pretty much completely restored just little things here and there to do.

Anyways my question is, it is completely stock drive train/axles/diffs and i would like it to be alittle bit better off road yet still keep its on road ability to be a daily driver. so what upgrades would you guys start with? im looking at a rear posi but wondering what the best one for my truck would be?

thanks in advance for the help

cman1

iTrader: (1)

welcome to yotatech!!

junior81

thanks, but how come my pics aren't showing up? any ideas i just used a imageshack site

83

Not sure exactly what you did with the images so it's hard to say.

The best modifications for a fairly stock vehicle, assuming your engine and tranny and suspension are in good shape, would be:

rear locker
front locker
skid plates/sliders
winch

I think probably the biggest bang for your buck would be a rear locker. These trucks already sit high enough that unless you're going to do some crazy rock crawling or mudding, there's no reason for a lift. You should be able to fit 33's with no modifications, but unless you just want to look cool, or are doing crazy rock crawling or mudding, there's really no reason for tires that big.

junior81

sorry yea if the pics would work you could see some of the mods... it has a 9500lbs winch mounted on bumper(interchangeable with back bumper). the previous owner put a 3" lift kit in it from trailgear.ca in BC(not blocked up like most are around here) and it has 33" goodyear duratrac MT's on it. so yea it sits higher... i like to hit some deep mud so it works for me. what kind of locker would you go with in the front and rear? and definitely a skid plate.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/toyo003.jpg/

junior81

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/208/toyo002.jpg/

Lons81

iTrader: (2)

Welcome. Great looking Toy you got there. Hopefully my '81 will turnout as good as yours. Great color, I think.

junior81

forgot to mention that with the rebuild engine went in a cam and a set of headers...

Bingle

Welcome fellow '81 owner!
Looks nice, wish my bodywork was still that straight.

I love my detroit locker in the rear, acts a little wierd on a DD rig at first, but it's totally fine once you get used to it. How does she run? (does the engine need more or were you lookin for more traction/wheeling stuff?) Carb?

BTW, how do you like those duratracs? I plan on getting a set for my truck this fall before the snow flys.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

nice looking truck, bummer it has a 2wd BED or someone pulled the flares...

junior81

@Bingle thanks, she runs pretty good she is a little slow with the stock gears and the 33" tires, but ordering up a set of 4.88s... just looking for something that will help when things get a bit sticky in the trails and mud, yet still have a DD capability. I know its kind of a give and take idea but somewhere in the middle would be nice... as for the rubbers... my buddy had a set on his truck and he loved them...

@drop zone, yea not a huge fan of the 2wd box since its sooo super thin sheet metal. it feels like i could punch a hole through the side. on the bright side its light and and has zero rust.

Bingle

All the beds of that era are thin (no inner wall) I think the 2wd bed just didn't have the flare at the wheel well that the 4wd ones do. If you're regearing you might as well do lockers while you're in there. I like my detroit a lot, people seem to like the lock right for the rear, i've just heard they're a little more noisy, but cheaper than the detroit. I've been thinking about a detroit true-trac for the front (gear drive limited slip, no clutch plates to wear out). you might be able to run one in the back if you just wanted a lim slip but I'm not sure on that. 4.88's will help a lot, just be sure you aren't thinking of 35's or you'll just have (want)to do 5.29's later.

With your setup a webber 32/36 DGEV would be a nice addition, especially with a offy dual plane manifold. Just my opinion. I had that setup and prolly should have stuck with it. DCOE's are pretty cool though.

Yopar

iTrader: (2)

That's a real nice 1st gen.

I'd go sliders, I can't see what those things are on there, side step tubes??? You don't want to crunch up the rocker panels on such a nice truck.

Next, I'd go with an Aussie locker in the rear for $300 or if you want something a bit stronger go Detroit $550 or Yukon Grizzly $525, this doesn't include install, but if you are getting the diffs done already then just ask them to put one of these in the diff. (Don't get me wrong the Aussie is strong...)

Next I'd go front locker.

Or you can be sneaky and do the front locker first and leave the rear open. There are arguments that the front pulls you over things, depends on driving style and if you want to possibly throw in some stronger birfields like Longfields... 27 spline w/ stock axles would be fine.

Then I'd go dual cases