yota81

I've got an 81 4x4 with the 4speed and L45 trans. I got it for a steal (has a salvage title but i don't plan on getting rid of it) and i've done a lot of searching on here, Pirate, and 4x4wire and still have a few questions. I need to work on my trans, and if I'm correct, a G series trans will bolt right up with no mods except changing the crossmember for the extra length? Will those trans work with my top shift T case? I would swap in an L series, but the Gs are easier to find, but whatever works easiest. Also, I need to rebuild the carb, and I've read alot where the stcok carb is not worth rebuilding and to get a Weber, but I don't need anythiing heavy duty, so if you have rebuilt the stock carb, how is it working and what was the price? I also want to get rid of the smog clutter under the hood while doing the carb. One more...I need to get new wheels and redo the brakes. I believe all 6 lug 15 in. toyota wheels will fit, correct? I have also read about upgrading to vented rotors and different calipers...but I haven't found anything specific. I will be slowly rebuilding/upgrading things as the time and money alow, so I'm sure I'll have some more specific questions.
Thanks for the help

pics coming soon...

idayota

first off...welcome!! good to see you've done some homework. we'll see if we can get you some more information. no doubt you've posted similar questions on other forums and that's a good thing to get as many answers as possible. one thing to note is that everyone is going to have some different opinions as to what you should do, only you choose what you actually do.

as far as the tranny goes, check out this 4x4wire.com page: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/faq/parts/

about half way down you will notice the transmission chart. any top shifting t-case set up originally mated to a 22r or 22re should work for you. if you find a transmission set up for sale that comes with a forward shifting transfer case, then it doesn't matter, just so long as it was originally mated to a 22r or 22re.

as far as a carb goes: i loved my 32/36 weber carb. it was simple (once i had a shop dial in the jetting), worked well on and off road, gave a good amount of power and eliminated a lot of the smog equipment. however, the toyota carb is a decent set up and can be rebuilt for considerable savings. my $.02...rebuild what you have (it will be good experience) and if you decide you want to upgrade later, great! it didn't cost you a lot and the rebuild got you going until you had the cash to spend on the weber.

any 15 inch 6 lug wheel will work. tons of guys go with inexpensive steel wheels (black, chrome or white) for about $45 each for an 8" wide wheel. other guys want a more stock looking set and will opt for later model allow wheels. you can usually find a set of four for around $125 on ebay, craigslist or on forums.

for brakes, you are correct. you can upgrade to v6 ifs calipers and rotors, but do some more research on this one. some guys need wheel spacers to make them work correctly. http://www.wabfab.org/products/brakes/brakes.htm

hope this gets you started. keep doing your homework before you buy. dont take anyone's word for it, find out for sure. and again, welcome!

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

Welcome to YT!
The link idayota posted has been help to me in the past.

In addition to moving the crossmember back remember that you will also need to shorten your rear driveshaft and lengthen your front shaft. That sometimes negates the 'good deal' on a different tranmission...

Stock IFS wheels will not work on the front (w/o spacers)...I know I have 2 beside the garage I thought might work for 33x9.50 spares

85toy

welcome to yotatech this is a great place to learn everything about you toyota.

idayota

i like the rig!

monstertruckman

hi welcome to yt

Lunnzz

I have a similiar question I have a 80 PU that has a 5spd swap already and I believe from the 4x4wire link it is a L series. I am want to swap in a W56 and hopefully I can find a tranny and x-fer case combo so this is a do able swap?

Thanks

idayota

if you find a w56 with a x-fer case already mated, then you're in luck!

Lunnzz

Kinda what i was thinking and exactly what I wanted to hear..

yota81

couple more questions...the wheels i have now, are they stock toyota wheels? I have 3 of them and am using the spare wheel for the front pass. side. I would like to get a replacement, but can't seem to source any. and as stated above, what size spacer would i need to run IFS wheels of an older truck or runner that look similar to mine (15 inch)?

also, i have read some threads about putting a SR5 gauge cluster in 84 and newer trucks, are there gauge clusters with a tach for an 81? is it a fairly easy swap as it is in the newer models? I saw a cluster for an 82 with a tach on ebay, but would that work in my 81?

thanks

rowdy235

There have been a few cluster swaps done. You will need to run a wire to your tach, and replace the oil pressure switch with an oil pressure sender. Overall a fairly straightforward job.

orangepeel

wheels, look for 6 lug chevy wheels after market are better cause the will bolt right on, stockers work also but you have to cut the center hole bigger cause chevy hubs are not as big

yota81

cool...i wanna get the cluster with the tach. does the year matter? (81,82,83) also, I wanna stay with stock toyota wheels in the 15 inch variety, the older the better. (to match the age of the truck)

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

There was a really nice set of 15x10 Turbo fin style rims on craigslist in PDX that were really tempting. Kind of that early 80's look. Thought about them but need a rim I can pound back into shape..

yota81

so these wheels like in this thread will not work without spacers? these are the wheels i want to use...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f11/...-250-a-130969/

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

Those wheels are what came stock on my old '86 4Runner SR-5.
YotaTony had some on his 1st Gen: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114/ol-yota-106649/ You could try PM'ing him to find out if it had spacers. I know that two factory steel rims that I bought don't clear my front calipers on my 81 with out spacers.


I did find a set of four 1.5" spacers on ebay for around $120 or so shipped. they have been through some abuse and seem to be holding up well.

Edit: If you get those rims, be sure to get the lug nuts, if memory serves me correctly there was something special about them (mounted washer and special to the rim or something like that)

rowdy235

From what I understand the cluster syle was changed in 82, as my 82 has a different cluster than my buddy's 81. So, I think a cluster from 79, 80, or 81 will work.

toyotaman11

iTrader: (1)

iv'e got an 83 sr5 pick up i'm parting out i still have the gauge cluster w/factory tach... pm me or email me at k5mike@verizon.net & i'll e-mail pics. i'm thinking 50.00 o.b.o. + shipping ,also iv'e got various parts for the truck too . just not selling the drive train tho

yota81

well if it will fit in an 81 then we might have a deal

toyotaman11

iTrader: (1)

let me know if you want it