When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I recently picked up an 86 extended cab pickup 4wd for 2k a few months ago. The guy I got it from used it as a hunting buggy so you can imagine not much maintenance was done.
I got it with 68k miles, clean title and beautifully running 22re with the automatic (although I wish it was manual).
After a few months of fixing up things that werent taken care of or were broken (hub rebuild, new brake drums and hardware, axle seals, wheel bearings, calipers, rotors and brake lines, lspv bypass, and some interior cleaning, fluid flushes and change) its about time to start upgrading.
So the plan is to build a rock crawler down the road (this is a trailer rig only)
5.29 gears (shes on 35 treps)
Rear spool
Propane conversion
Home made snorkel (florida living)
Chevy 63 spring swap for the rear
Bj spacers for the front (plan on chopping the front ifs for a sas eventually so I dont want to spend too much on the front)
/\ mounted rear shocks (thinking 12inch kings or jri)
Roll cage
Transmission and gear box swap so u can run dual cases
Eventually a front selectable locker
And the list goes on.
My reason for posting besides wanting to just be about the truck is to discuss my next mod.
I plan on doing the gears and spool soon with a local 4x4 shop that's worked with all my jeeps I've owned.
I'm interested on advice for the lift and rear shock mounting locations.
I was looking at the low range offrosd chevy kit then grabbing a set of used 63s from the local junkyard. Then running skys rear shock hoop and shock mount relocations to run the shocks in the a shape /\
Does this sound like a decent plan as far as the shocks are concerned? I'd like to stretch as much travel out of this setup for the meantime because it will get swapped for either ori struts or coilovers later.
I'm also thinking the bj spacers for the front just to grab a little clearance for the 35s on top of fender trimming.
What are you guys thoughts and other suggestions.
Thanks so much
Couple photos from the truck Getting new bearings and some love New rotors calipers lines etc Gutted the interior to fix rusted floor pans New seat reupholstery marine waterproof material
I change my filter when I change my oil (at ~7500 miles). I just use whatever is on sale. I don't beat my truck up, so I personally don't believe the filter will make that much difference to me.
you sure are putting a lot of effort into getting around a solid axle. you said rock crawler, but you live in florida so unless your trailering out of state, do you really mean rock crawler? because your never going to get any decent wheel travel out of the torsion bar suspension. I run the original ifs on mine, but that's with the understanding that it will never, ever, flex out on a rock. yes, the BJS will help, that's what I run and im happy with it, along with a set of 26mm rods. a selectable locker up front seems like a waste imo. do a manual hub swap and put a lunch box locker up there, call it a day. if your going to spend the money on a selectable put it in the rear for sure. I get my oil filters from the local dealer, along with the oil. its hella cheap and the filter comes with a presealed top already lubed up for install, and I a new drain plug gasket with it. as far as other mods, its preference past gears, lockers, and suspension. those 3 things will take you anywhere, but I would say a little armor wouldn't hurt. I would ditch that protestor bashing bumper up front, its killing your approach angle. good looking truck, look forward to seeing where you go with it.
you sure are putting a lot of effort into getting around a solid axle. you said rock crawler, but you live in florida so unless your trailering out of state, do you really mean rock crawler? because your never going to get any decent wheel travel out of the torsion bar suspension. I run the original ifs on mine, but that's with the understanding that it will never, ever, flex out on a rock. yes, the BJS will help, that's what I run and im happy with it, along with a set of 26mm rods. a selectable locker up front seems like a waste imo. do a manual hub swap and put a lunch box locker up there, call it a day. if your going to spend the money on a selectable put it in the rear for sure. I get my oil filters from the local dealer, along with the oil. its hella cheap and the filter comes with a presealed top already lubed up for install, and I a new drain plug gasket with it. as far as other mods, its preference past gears, lockers, and suspension. those 3 things will take you anywhere, but I would say a little armor wouldn't hurt. I would ditch that protestor bashing bumper up front, its killing your approach angle. good looking truck, look forward to seeing where you go with it.
Yessir I trailer out of state whenever I go wheeling unless we are just joyriding around town for whatever. Been all over the east coast and hoping to make it out to rubicon and moab next year. The only thing I want to do with the ifs is do bj spacers. I do have manual hubs but not going to lock the front until after doing an sas. I figured the lift, some gears and a rear spool will set me up until I'm ready for doing an sas.
And definitely chopping that weird brush guard thing off. It's terrible lol
Chevy 63's and RUF make a great staring platform for crawling with a lot of flex. Since its trailer and you dont need to worry about road manners at 60 this is a great setup. Put a Hysteer on it with a toyota 8" up front and wheel it till it breaks. Fix what broke and upgrade as needed then wheel on. I had detroits and a 4" rancho springs on my last solid front axle with just 33's and 5:29's. Not a rock crawler per say but went through a lot of stuff the guys with 35's said I couldnt do with small tires. Armor, lockers and lines are worth more than tire size as I am sure you know.
Look forward to seeing the progress of this come along.
FWIW I am build my 2nd 85 (4runner this time) with OME Dakar springs, ARB's front and rear, 4:88's, 33's and armor. I really enjoy small tire wheeling. Forces you to pick good lines and be technically proficient.
Chevy 63's and RUF make a great staring platform for crawling with a lot of flex. Since its trailer and you dont need to worry about road manners at 60 this is a great setup. Put a Hysteer on it with a toyota 8" up front and wheel it till it breaks. Fix what broke and upgrade as needed then wheel on. I had detroits and a 4" rancho springs on my last solid front axle with just 33's and 5:29's. Not a rock crawler per say but went through a lot of stuff the guys with 35's said I couldnt do with small tires. Armor, lockers and lines are worth more than tire size as I am sure you know.
Look forward to seeing the progress of this come along.
FWIW I am build my 2nd 85 (4runner this time) with OME Dakar springs, ARB's front and rear, 4:88's, 33's and armor. I really enjoy small tire wheeling. Forces you to pick good lines and be technically proficient.
Yessir that sounds like the route I'd like to go. I'm still debating toy front axle or doing a core44 or dana 44 or something of that sort in the front. I'm not familiar with the birfirfields toyota runs on their axles ,but that's also a ways down the road.
What's your thoughts on the inboard mounted rear shocks vs stock location with longer travel after doing the 63 swap? I've heard mixed reviews on the setup mostly revolving around body roll being a problem with inboard shocks.
As for shocks I would leave it alone unless you see a need. Then modify as needed. If you can find a cut down 44 or have the $$$ to have it done thats great. Dont know the weight differences between the 2 but thats a big factor for me at least but I DD mine. If you go full width up front then you just need to match front and rear. But also factor what your ultimate tire size will be. Are 44's and a 10 bolt enough or are you planning on running 40+" tires eventually? Then 3/4 ton axles may be better but then its a big drag on power...
As you know its a deep rabbit hole with no bottom in sight. Best advice I have ever received is "Wheel what ya got until you stick or break. Then modify as needed"
Makes sense. Guess I'll see how she does after gears and doing the chevys and bj spacers. I'm pretty stoked! Spent almost a year solid looking for a truck. Really excited to get to work and do some wheeling
Makes sense. Guess I'll see how she does after gears and doing the chevys and bj spacers. I'm pretty stoked! Spent almost a year solid looking for a truck. Really excited to get to work and do some wheeling
make sure whatever BJS you get has the drain cut into it. that's the main different in 4crawler and amazon special
make sure whatever BJS you get has the drain cut into it. that's the main different in 4crawler and amazon special
That's who I've ordered from after lots of reading on them.
Got started on my snorkel today. I live in florida so when we do trail ride theres lots of water. So the plan is to run a hummer style snorkel. I ordered a top from river raider then grabbed some flex hose and some other pieces I had laying around. My air inlet (the part right behind the grill that goes into the bottom of the airbox) was trashed and held together by ac vent hose. So I cut it down to make a 45 and mocked this up. Going to silicone everything up once the top piece gets here.
Obviously doing breather hoses, the distributer, dialectic grease and a list of other things. This is more preventative as I really cant stand water crossings and mud. But it is what it is.
Aug 22, 2019 | 09:40 AM
