Hello all.......My name is Chris. I've follwed the Yotatech forums here for years and gained much useful insight and many ideas to help influence my trucks. I have recently aquired a fairly clean 1983 4x4 and I am currently rebuilding this truck. I am going to attempt to post pictures and short descriptions as I go. (I'm no computer whiz.) Any questions ask away.


My 83 as it appeared when I first purchased it.


The motor has already been removed, simple wrenching to this point, sorry no pics of removal process.

Engine assembly pics to follow.

Thanks for the great community and info base.

 

Nice find man...will be watching this.

 

as far as pictures...personally i think that uploading the pics are kind of a pain.
consider using a hosting service like photobucket: http://photobucket.com/

after your set up your account you can arrange your pictures in albums if you like.
scroll over the picture and you will see 4 line under (or to the right) of your pic.
copy and paste the [img] your pic...[/img] code into your post and you will than have big pics instead of a little tiny pic


looking forward to seeing more of your truck

 

I knew there must have been a trick to it. Thanks for the advice. More pictures tonight.

 

Okay, a little delayed, work has been hectic, but here is a quick update on the progress so far.

This is my 83 as it looked at the time I purchased it.


Engine removed for rebuilding. Future...engine bay will be stripped and prepped for paint.


The truck originally had business logos and info painted on. I removed all of this with 1000 grit wet sanding and plan to buff the paint in hopes of restoring it.

 

looks like a great base for a build

I notice the towbar mount. I hope the rear driveshaft is removed when flat towed.
According to Marlin the transfercase doesn't get lubed properly when flat towed, the oil in not slung around properly on the output shaft. It is still spinning even with the TC in neutral...
And I have personal experienced...learned the hardway

 

I am half way through rebuilding the engine now. After removing and disassembling the engine it took 3 or 4 good scrubbing and pressure washing sessions to get the block and numerous other parts clean and painted.

Block ready for assembly after cleaning, painting, and honing. Amazingly the cylinder walls still have factory cross hatching with 175k on the odometer. I suspect that many of this trucks miles may have come in tow of an RV.


Pistons after cleaning and reinstalling on rods, new wrist pins fitted as well. I decided to keep the original piston set because there were only slight signs of lateral wear.


The crank, rods, and pistons are all back in now. New timing set, oil pump, water pump, etc.. in the next day or so with pictures.





On another note here is a before and after of the interior......big plans in store, nothing too flashy though.....white suede and dark brown leather already purchased, just have to figure out how to put them together.

As purchased....



As of today....

 

Did not know of the transfer case flat tow issue. Definitely an issue to look into. I have the t case seals, may look into output shaft bearings while I'm there to be safe. Rather buy bearings than a casing. I know that the rear drive shaft wasnt removed, no way around checking now. Thanks for the info!

 

It's looking good, I love the 79-83 pickups. What are your plans for it (paint, lift, tires etc.)?

 

nice 1st geny. i got a 83' too, but its super rusty. wished it looked as clean as yours haha.

 

Good luck on the build, are you trying to restore it to original spec (interior) (exterior) ect? Nice Sr5 with chrome package. Be patient and take your time, done right it'll last you a long time..Any questions let us know!

 

Wow! Thats a trip! This is now my truck. Looks like someone dug up an old thread from the guy I bought it from. Too funny!

 

Beautiful little ride. There's just something about the 1stgen that just looks so unique. Good luck with your build. Hopefully if I can scrape some cash together I can work on the paint with mine. Rattle can/primer is all she has on her.