Hey guys, long time no see. Just picked up a 1978 from a buddy of mine. It was actually a chinook camper originally but the camper has long since gone... so I'm going to be turning it into a flatbed. We pulled it out of the bushes and got it running last weekend, actually fired right up!

Now we just have to figure out the clutch (absolutely no pedal- my buddy said reason it was parked was bad slave cylinder). I ordered a master and slave and plan to put them in next weekend. We also have to figure out the fuel pump- we're not getting any fuel. Luckily as there is nothing on the back right now it should be relatively easy to test/replace the pump itself

Anyway, the vac hoses are in disrepair so I'm likely going to be doing some degree of desmogging. I was thinking about keeping the EGR and vitals (brakes and distributor advance) and scrap most everything else. I did review the write up on here for the desmogging, I must say well written! If I end up with a weber that will be the route I go, but I'm going to try to run the factory carb for now.

Pics to come!

 

I'd like to see it when it's all done. Sounds kinda like some of the projects I like to rig up.

 

No, a 1978 is technically a 2nd gen Hilux. 1979 is what most consider a 1st gen pickup.

I have a 75 and these trucks seem stupid simple - as you can see, it started right up after sitting in the weeds for however long!

As for vac hoses, the only lines I have hooked up are the one to the distributor and the PCV valve, all the rest is removed. You can get a kit with all the block plates needed. Mine has a Weber carb, the Aisin is supposedly a good carb too but many people swap them for a Weber after time.

I've found more info about these trucks on other sites than here on YT. Check out Toyotaminis. Good luck!

 

Yeah I've had an 82 and a 77 in the past, don't really understand the whole first-gen thing. I think the 79-83s should really be a third gen myself, but thats another debate.

Anyway got the new clutch slave and master in and fixed the fuel pump (was actually just a corroded connector) and got it moving, it actually drives pretty good! Has idle issues though, that will be the next project. I'm thinking it has a large vacuum leak somewhere. Probably will use the ol carb cleaner method to see if we can track one down.

Here's a picture for ya


After that will work on patching up the back of the cab and building a flat bed

 

I think first gen is for the first generation 4x4.

 

Yes I agree 1st gen for 4x4 pickup was likely a strong influence on why we separate them this way at the 1979 model. The previous pickup is considered "Hilux" for the 72-78 even though in 75 there was a slight model update and name changed to "pickup" in the USA.


What are you going to patch the back of the cab with?

 

Thats the current question. We have a cab from an 81 but (as we all know by now, lol) is a lot different than the 78. We had planned to cut off the back of the cab and weld it on but we're thinking thats more trouble than its worth. And I don't even want to consider switching the entire cab over....

We're contemplating either getting a piece of sheet metal and having some ridges put it in for strength and welding it in, or using plywood and fiberglassing over it. The nice part is toyota did us quite a few favors here such as strengthening the cab and providing a nice flange to bolt to.

 

I like those years of Toyota trucks, especially with the 4 headlights. Wish I could swap the front grill and everything from one on to my truck. That might confuse some people.

 

What does the "edge" look like? Does it terminate on the top and side faces or does it turn inward and terminate on the rear face?

The stock cab has some hefty ridges in the rear wall under the window, like unnecessarily deep. I would get a cut-out rear window so you have the frame, then somehow splice it in there with strips to adapt it. A simple piece of sheet with ridges rolled in would be plenty. Not diggin the wood/fiberglass solution, these trucks deserve more than that IMO.

You could also just get a bed off another truck and fix it to the cab, put a topper on it with some sort of flange to direct water and you've essentially made yourself a "Trekker".

 

The cab has a "flange" all the way around the back with bolt holes. That is why we were leaning toward homebrewing a cab back. We also have a window that came out of the motorhome that should work perfect for a back window

I thought of the trekker idea actually, this would be pretty much the ideal platform for one.