Looking really nice. I used to know the exact backspacing that worked for these trucks...the info is on this site somewhere. I don't remember anymore. If I find some time I'll dig around. Way better than using spacers.

 

Thanks!

I think it's 3.75" backspacing. It also depends on the shape of the wheel. I'll have more updates soon.

 

Thanks!

 

Updated pics.

 

Ah-ha! You painted the wheel wells black too! I always thought it was cool that I could have people look at the wheel wells and see that there was NO rust. They were always shocked to see that. But, I did think about painting under there. BTW- that rubber sheet that was in one of the boxes of parts was intended to be some new splash guards to replace the missing ones. I never found the right plugs to hold them in place though.

 

No sir, I didn’t paint the wheel wells. It must be the shadow from the picture. I’ll rummage around and find the rubber sheets. I think I have the correct plugs already!

 

Nice stance. You got any info on the bullbar you pulled?

 

I really don't. I already sold it but I think it was a SmittyBilt. Maybe the PO can chime in.

 

Super clean. Well done

 

Yep. It was a Smittybilt (vintage) bar. When I got the truck, there was still a Smittybilt sticker on the bar, but I had to sand off the sticker prior to repainting the bar.

 

Thanks!

 

I have one I pulled off of my '83 that I'm probably not going to use. PM me if interested!

 

That’s a nice truck. Why not change up to 16” rims? Lots more tire options. And why planning dual cases? That thing is too nice to turn into a crawler IMO.

 

Thanks!

The wheels/tires are a long story, but the short version is that I wanted to go back to OEM Toyota 15” steel wheels. I bought what I thought was remanufactured OEM Toyota wheels. It turns out they were Toyota wheels, just for an IFS truck. So they wouldn’t fit my ‘83. And at that point I had already purchased the 15” BFG tires. So the Wheel Vintiques was my solution.

In hindsight, I would have just kept the 16” wheels that were already on the truck, and upgraded the tires. But here we are.

I think a dual case has its advantages even if you’re not rock crawling. Descending steep inclines, or 4WD technical terrain at low speeds works well with a dual case. Plus, I think they’re awesome. But you are correct, the truck is way too nice to beat up on the rocks.

 

Gotcha... funny I'm prob going to get a set of the wheel vintiques in 16" so I can run 235/85/16 BFG AT which are my favorite tire (and cheap... shhh!). I have the stockers and love them, but the 16" rims make way more sense (to me).

Are you planning to regear with the 33s?

BTW, you can buy the stock 15" steelies from Toyota still.

However... maybe its just me... but I'd rethink that dual case plan. You'd be surprised at the places you can get with a stock x-fer case. Not sure of your off-road experience, but unless you're seriously grinding stuff in the rocks, you won't gain much with a dual case. The internet may tell you otherwise lol.

 

No plans to re-gear.

Are you confident about that? The correct Toyota part number for OEM 1979 to 1985 Toyota Truck steel wheels is 42601-60082. That part number is discontinued from Toyota. Sure, you can get Toyota Land Cruiser wheels with the correct offset (PN:42601-60072), but they have the hubcap clips and are not Toyota Truck wheels. Or you can get 1986 to 1995 4Runner/T100/Pickup wheels for independent front suspension trucks (PN: 42601-35390-05), but they don't fit solid front axle trucks without a spacer.

Where are you able to find Toyota PN: 42601-60082?

I don't see a downside to a dual case. You're not obligated to use the second transfer case. I'll be happily surprised at all the places I can get with a stock transfer case, but I'd still like the option to put it in low-low and crawl over anything.

Let's just agree to disagree.

 

If you want to do the work, no reason not to go with dual cases. These trucks are very capable stock and the 4lo range has been plenty low for me but if i had the time and money, Id do dual cases too.
However my priority would be gears.
But this is your build and your truck.
Keep up the good work!

 

Hm interesting. Yeah i was referring to the wheels with the hubcap clips. My 83 has them. But based on your post, I searched for 82/83 Toyota brochures, it looks like in 83 the choices were steelies with no clips or chromies like the Landcruisers have. But, brochures from 79-81 show the pickups with the center hubcaps, so it appears they were used for that body style, just not during 82/83. I never really paid that much attention to it. You could always remove the clips, not hard to do.

 

Thanks!

"...and if you're gonna do gears, you might as well do lockers." That's how it starts!!!

 

For what it's worth, my 83 felt "best" with 30x9.50s. It was a dog with 31s. Can't imagine 33s. This was with a rebuilt engine. If you don't know what you're missing then nothing is wrong, but you'd be amazed how much better it drives with the "right" gears. We're all willing to agree to disagree, but keep it in mind!

Good luck, really nice truck.