1985 4x4 ext cab
#22
#25
Registered User
I'm starting to love red trucks. I forgot until just now I've already owned two red trucks and a red VW, MG and Corolla. I guess I DO like red. That cleaned up nicely. It would be nice to have a truck with no ECU. Are you somewhere in VA due to your screen name?
#27
Yep Chesterfield
#28
#29
Registered User
Hanover. That dash is pretty cracked for VA. That's far down he list but I think you can fiberglass it.
I look on Chesterfield Auto Parts once in a while and they never seem to have old Toyotas . They have an all truck yard in Midlothian. They list the vehicles on their web site. I'm not sure of anywhere that has Toyota truck parts in the area.
Your 2013 is beautiful.
I look on Chesterfield Auto Parts once in a while and they never seem to have old Toyotas . They have an all truck yard in Midlothian. They list the vehicles on their web site. I'm not sure of anywhere that has Toyota truck parts in the area.
Your 2013 is beautiful.
#31
Frame is F@€¿%d
Alright fellas, I've had some time to mess with this truck and the frame probably has 400+lbs of plate steel welded from front to back!!! Along with a few spots still in need of more. So I did some searching and found a 1984 extra cab frame with supposedly just surface rust. I have to go look at it but he wants $200 for it. So here is the question, is it worth trying to swap EVERYTHING over to a new frame? I'm a HVAC mechanic by trade not a auto guy. So how realistic is it for me to attempt this task?
#32
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Frame swaps are not exactly complicated, but TIME is normally the biggest issue. For a pickup, you basically unbolt the 8 bolts for the bed, unplug the tail light wiring and get it free from the box holders, and the license plate lights and lift it off with a friend. The cab is 6 bolts, the tail light/tank wiring unplugs under the passenger seat and stays with the frame. The rest of the front end harness you'd have to work with. The engine sub harness should unplug from the body harness around the passenger side area. Parking brake, wiring, and brake lines, and the cab should be free to lift up. Either you'd have to lift the cab very high to clear the engine, or remove the engine/trans with the cab still on the frame. a couple 4x4s, plenty of blocking, and a high lift jack works fairly well. Pretty much it's just repeat what you did in reverse to put it back together. Exhaust might be your biggest problem, but you could have an exhaust shop make you up an exhaust, or see if you can drop your exhaust off the frame as one full length if it's in good shape yet. Overall it's defo a lot of work, but not all that complex except the wiring/brakes etc in the front area.
$200 for a solid axle frame (4x4 right?) is quite cheap unless it's the bare frame no axles. If you do go after the frame, bring a small hammer or something to tap the frame with, and check the bottom and inside areas of the two main frame rails. Generally they rust from the inside out due to the boxed in design, so the outside can look great, and still be about really to rust though.
$200 for a solid axle frame (4x4 right?) is quite cheap unless it's the bare frame no axles. If you do go after the frame, bring a small hammer or something to tap the frame with, and check the bottom and inside areas of the two main frame rails. Generally they rust from the inside out due to the boxed in design, so the outside can look great, and still be about really to rust though.
#33
Subscribed to this thread. I also have an 85 extracab with 5 speed and EFI that I'm gradually working on. You've got a steal there even it seems like it has a bad frame to begin with.
#34
Well got the truck running. New battery and fuel pump,drained gas tank and oil change and fluid check. Runs OK for now. Put some new tires and now digging into the brakes. Did notice real wheel is jerking a little on take off on gravel. So will be looking into transfer case and drive shaft.
#37
#38
Registered User
#39
Gave the truck a serious purple power power washing today but ran into a few problems. I guess the alternator took a ˟˟˟˟ cause now I've got a batt light and a brake light on in the dash. Also I cleaned the ˟˟˟˟ out of the undercarriage and my parking break is now stuck engaged. The worst thing is I blew my 22R sticker off the motor😢!!!! All I was originally going to do was change my belts.....smh😕
Last edited by rtrippva; 06-23-2017 at 06:40 PM.