Hi folks. I just purchased a 79 longbed(I think?) and would like some input on what mods I should look into first. This truck is going to be my daily driver but I still intend to let it roam freely from time to time. This also happens to not only be my first yota but my first 4x4 as well so please forgive my ineptitude. Truck has the stock 20r.

 

Welcome to Yotatech. Lots of good information and people here. The vendors you need to get most of your parts from are also on here. And real good people. First thing I would recomend is a good tune up. Clean carb/intake, vac lines all new, plugs, wires, cap, oil, air filter, tranny fluid, front/rear diff fluid, brakes. Then drive it for a while, she will tell you what she needs done. If all is good, then start your mods.

Later

 

I agree. Do a basic tuneup & change all the fluids, then see if there's anything else mechanically that needs attention. Makesure it's in good running condition before spendind money on mods.

Depending on what you're going for...you can fit pretty big tires on these trucks with no lift. I think you can get 33's without a lift. You could look into some armor, like bumpers and nerf bars. Locking rear differential is nice. Maybe a winch. You can go totally crazy but those are some basics that will help get you more places offroad, and protect the body while you're out there.

 

A good tune up is your first priority.

Then, if you want more power, try a header and a carb(aisin 22r, weber 32/36, etc). A good set of bumpers and some rocker guards, and maybe a better skid plate can't hurt. I bought a set of mud terrains for my DD a little while ago, and although I love them off road, I should have gotten a cheap set of normal tires for the daily drive, and mounted the mudterrains on another set of rims so I could just slap them on when I hit the dirt. you might want to consider better shocks even if you aren't lifting the truck. You could throw a selectable locker in the rear if you have the cash.

If you want to lift it you can get a few great 3-4inch kits with alot of flex, but then should hi-steer to and it gets expensive. As far a little lift kits i'm not really sure who has any. I'm currently putting a bigger carb and header on my 1980 (as soon as the parts come in from backorder) as well as a few other things. try searching the build thread section.

 

Thanks for the input guys. As a bit of a twist, it appears I have a 22r under the hood and not the 20r. I'll have to post some pics tomorrow when I have better light.

 

The same advice still applies. the motors both respond well to air/carb/exhaust/camshaft upgrades. Im not sure a weber 32/36 would be an upgrade for you though since it flows 1 cfm less than your stock carb. a weber 38 might be though.