Started this build back in August. It started out as a 1982 longbed.



Dicouraged my the amount of rust in the cab, I set out to find a more solid truck to build. Came across this '81 with a blown engine.



I'll let the pics tell the story...

 

That's a early 90's W56, dual cases with a Marlin adapter, Front Range Offroad crossmember.

 

Installed a spool in the rear axle, and a Spartan locker in the front.



The next project will be swapping in F150 rear springs, rears up front with crossover steering. Shooting for 2 to 3" of lift, max.

 

nice first gen man! what did the sheriff say to you?

 

now that's the way the first few posts of a new member should be. Nice looking truck man.

Do tell what the deal was with the Sheriff. No BS we can sniff it here a mile away.

 

Thanks!

The Deputy is an old friend of mine from High School.... stopped by to see what was going on.

 

I'm new to Yotatech, but have been around 4x4's for years.

Some of my old rigs...





My goal with this truck was to build a dependable daily driver/weekend warrior. But, ya know how that goes! Almost every modification to make a rig perform better off-road, takes away from it's road manners. Lucky I only have a 10 minute commute into work. The rear spool isn't too bad.... maybe 36-37" tires and 5.29:1 gears won't be too bad either!

 

nice looking truck man. good to see another 1st gen back on the road

 

Love first gens and i love red! Very nice!

 

Thanks! I've liked red 1st Gen's since seeing Marlin Crawlers truck years ago.

The color is Massey Ferguson red.... bombed it with rattle cans.

 

you have had some cool old rigs, anyone of them would be welcome in my driveway..cool...

 

Thanks! Hoping to have the '81 as capable in the near future.

Would love to do a Trekker style walk-thru cab mod with a rear seat for the kiddos. I have four of 'em though, so I'd need the 3rd row Trekker conversion!

 

Chopping up the cab floor and a FROR crossmember today. Trying to get a flat belly with a standard rotation dual adapter isn't easy. Wish I had the 10-degree clocked dual adapter.

 

I love your red, Kubota Orange was a choice but now the tractor red seems even sexier

 

Thanks. My wife made the decision on the red. After staring at the implement paint selection on numerous occasions.... I think she was afraid I'd settle on John Deere Green!

FROR crossmember mutilation is complete. The belly is almost flat. The drainplug on the rear case is all that's below the frame rails. Gotta get a skidplate built.

 

That is one good lookin 1st gen!

 

Thanks! Thinking about selling it and building a family trail rig. Seeing several 2nd Gen 4runners locally for decent prices.

Traded for this https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f198.../#post51665613

 

CSR im in the same boat as you!! i sold off my 79 yota that i bought last summer in order to buy my 85 runner that i just picked up not too long ago! ill be keeping up with your build