Been looking at pictures of other 83s online and dreaming. I think once I get a house again, (moved into an apartment to get finances straightened out) I will start to tear this truck down and rebuild it the right way. I would love for it to look like this.



I'm digging the stripes and all. Here are some pictures I found on Google:







I would like to go to a chrome bumper and grille. Not sure on the wheels. Part of me wants white wheels but I'm afraid that may be too much white if I put my camper on it. I do like some chrome wheels but i guess the black will hold me lol. It's nice to day dream about restoring my truck, not having a garage is really hard but at least I can still piddle around on it.

Oh should be doing my clutch next weekend! Hope that goes well. Bought an Exedy clutch kit (and clutch slave cylinder) with new bearings from Rock Auto. I found some good reviews on this clutch on Amazon with people with the 22R series motors. This week I'm also going to Napa and getting a rear main seal and a new flywheel to put in.

 

Those look something like yours once did


I understand your reluctance to do the body work, but that stuff isn't that bad. You can sell that bed if you are determined to abandon it. Use the money to buy a fiberglass replacement (check out Dave's Red '83).

I only say this because I like a fleetside longbed pickup. And the first gen Toyota 4x4 are extremely useful as pickup trucks. Optionally covered space is so useful. Even if you don't sleep back there, dry transport comes in handy.

 

Made a little progress with my clutch today. I got everything off the tranny (minus the shifter) and got it lowered which I am proud of lol. I am gonna be sore tomorrow!

New parts:

 

Made some progress today. Still can't get the shift off but I give up on that for now. I was able to scoot the transmission away enough for me to squeeze in and get to the clutch. Helps having a 3" and 33's .

Here is the fork cleaned and new bearing in that thing (don't know the technical name).



Clutch was worn down and had a few cracks in the material.



Pressure plate looked pretty good:



Flywheel had some nice grooves in it but I have a new one.



Here is the back plate thing. So nasty, I took a window pane scraper and scraped all kinds of bark like stuff off lol. Then cleaned it with some brake cleaner.



Back of the motor:



Old rear seal, it has a knick or something in it on the right side, not sure what's that's about, I put a new seal on and put a new pilot bearing in.



New flywheel is on and this is as far as I got. Still have to torque the bolts.

 

Oh I also noticed that my oil pan bolts are loose. So between that and rear seal I replaced today I now know where my oil has been going haha

 

I forgot to mention the other day when we were messaging, but check the crank shaft for grooves. If you have a heavy groove worn into the crank shaft where the old seal was riding then you want to do one of two things 1) get a seal saver sleeve for the crank shaft or 2) get a new seal that is wider or narrower than the original so that the new seal doesn't ride along the same groove.

 

I felt it and it didn't seem to have a groove, but my new gasket is thicker than the old one I scraped off so it should push the seal forward and off of any potential old grooves.

 

Made some progress, have the truck mostly back together. New clutch is in:





I have the tranny and support back in. Just have put the rest of the bolts in the tranny to motor, do the oil pan gasket, and fill it up with fresh oil and hope and pray I did everything right. I consulted a friend of mine, Dave from here, the FSM, and even a Haynes manual doing this lol.

 

I got my truck put back together today! Seems to shift fine, haven't gone above 50mph yet though. Also bled some nasty stuff out of my clutch line

 

I was looking at your bed and the damage isn't as bad as you might think. Get a cheap hammer and dolly set and give it a try, I think you would be surprised at how much would work itself out and you are not going to do any more damage then what is already done.

Anymore when I swap out a clutch, I replace the slave cylinder. Just seems like the slave will fail at a later time. The brake fluid is rough on the seals and makes them really spongy. When you pull the transmission, it seems like the piston slides more then usual and with a little more pressure on the slave cylinder due to the new clutch, they start leaking. Truck is coming along ways from where it was. Looking good.

 

Agreed with Terrys87 on the Bed.. Anything you do will make it better and keep it from getting worse exposed to the elements. Great job on everything so far!

 

I ordered an A/F fuel gauge from Summit racing yesterday. It really bugs me I don't know of my fuel/air mix is close to being right. I don't consider myself to be good at judging that.



Best part is the gauge fits in the SR5 pod so I can have it and the oil pressure gauge. Speaking of the little devil I need one of those connectors for the sending unit! My truck only has the dummy switch. I need the connector on the left.



Oh also got me a different tool box! Much better now!

 

Whats the lil tab sticking out of your bed above the tail light? Looks like where the dual latches would grab but back in one pic of a new tail gate you had a center handle??? Or am i just confused... It is 4AM. lol

 

No you are correct. The bed I have is not original to my truck. It's a double latch bed and my tailgate is single latch.

 

I got my air fuel gauge hooked up today! With a little coaching from Dave (again lol) I have it dialed decent for now. This is what I am at idle:



And this is at 3k rpm.



Here is farther away view of it.



Oh I did get the oil pressure gauge wired up too (minus the dash light connection, didn't feel like pulling the cluster today). I used 12 gauge wire female spade connector and it actually slid on that tab on the sensor really well. Seems to be enough tension to hold it on there. Also took my dog for a spin today, she is 7 and starting to show her age.

 

Have you try the rims in front too ? I've heard that they don't fit .....

 

Pro Comp makes a set of white where's that will fit. I been wanting those.

 

Well I sold my truck to a family friend. I bought a F250 the other day and I have no need for the old truck anymore. Kinda sad to see it go but I will see often.

 

Ouch...that would make me cry seeing my truck under the control of someone else. I hope to be driving mine for the next 30 years. I sure hope I make it to 84 :-)

 

Attention, may I have your attention please. I should be getting the truck back next week!!!

*dramatic music*