Dropzone's 1981 Trekker Build-Up Thread
#1264
yes I got mine used.. new they are about $150+
I would have liked a Go Pro, the accessory market is awesome but when I saw these at Best Buy I started doing some research on them and found them to be comparable.
I would have liked a Go Pro, the accessory market is awesome but when I saw these at Best Buy I started doing some research on them and found them to be comparable.
#1266
I went to put in a back up camera today and found I didn't have power to my cigarette lighter...
so that prompted a minor redo of my dash..
edit: found a pic of what my Dash looked like before I repaired:


2 12 volt plugs (one in stock location) and 1 dual USB compliments of Blue Sea..
The switches are for future use..
I do have another dash pad I will redo similar to Corax's write up and also have a straight metal replacement dash..mine has been hacked by assorted previous owners...
Last edited by dropzone; Dec 3, 2013 at 05:40 AM.
#1267
#1268
Dang, that some really cool stuff going on here! I would dig having one of those. I watched a guy in a crew cab Dodge for the 27 or 30 foot trailer today back up into a Mercedes... I bet he wishes he had this! Hahaha
#1269
#1271
I use one of those for all sorts of stuff too...surprisingly handy!
Are you going to rebuild the 22R yourself or use a shop/buy re manufactured engine? There seem to be a lot of shops in your neck of the woods who are quite familiar w/ them.
Are you going to rebuild the 22R yourself or use a shop/buy re manufactured engine? There seem to be a lot of shops in your neck of the woods who are quite familiar w/ them.
#1272
I have a feeling my engine is going to need to be swapped sooner than later. Was talking about it at work. ... A guy said I've got a deal for you...it's a little bit rusty but for $50 I think it will do the trick..plus save my back loading misc heavy crap into the tow rig...
#1273

Oooooooh! I I spy with my little eye... 3RZ swappy? Sorry, I think you mentioned this already but my brain is just on overload at the moment! Lol... Pretty good deal. I saw a brand new one at the Salvation Army the other day for 79 bucks. It was a 4 ton? I have a picture of it in my photobucket, I can't remember but it was absolutely brand new... I really feel stupid for not grabbing it... But honestly, Robb, I gotta get crap out of here before I can take anything else in! Haha
3RZ-I wish..down the road sometime. Part of me doesn't want to have to redo my driveshafts...again..too much $$$$. I need to do some more research on it but I don't believe there is a way (adapter) that will allow me to use my L-52 transmissions...I have two spares..though I know in the long run a W-56 would be the way to go..
As mentioned above I have a low mileage 60K 22R, i will go through it with a new water pump, oil pump, timing chain etc..
#1274
they are welcome to borrow it, but they have to haul it
I actually have a low mileage 22R i bought a couple of years ago sitting on an engine stand..
THat would have been a great deal for a brand new one...
3RZ-I wish..down the road sometime. Part of me doesn't want to have to redo my driveshafts...again..too much $$$$. I need to do some more research on it but I don't believe there is a way (adapter) that will allow me to use my L-52 transmissions...I have two spares..though I know in the long run a W-56 would be the way to go..
As mentioned above I have a low mileage 60K 22R, i will go through it with a new water pump, oil pump, timing chain etc..

I actually have a low mileage 22R i bought a couple of years ago sitting on an engine stand..
THat would have been a great deal for a brand new one...
3RZ-I wish..down the road sometime. Part of me doesn't want to have to redo my driveshafts...again..too much $$$$. I need to do some more research on it but I don't believe there is a way (adapter) that will allow me to use my L-52 transmissions...I have two spares..though I know in the long run a W-56 would be the way to go..
As mentioned above I have a low mileage 60K 22R, i will go through it with a new water pump, oil pump, timing chain etc..
There's no way you're going to get a L52 or any other L series trans behind a RZ motor unfortunately.
In all honesty, for a "wheeler" I'd stick with a 22R(E) and make use of your dual cases. The 3RZ doesn't do much for you when you're geared down crawling that a 22R won't. The 3RZ in my opinion makes the truck tolerable with modern day freeway speeds. I think the 3RZ shines in a Daily Driver application more than a wheeler. Just my spare change opinion
#1275
I feel you on the driveshafts.. When I first did my swap I had my stock '83 shaft shortened for the W56. Horrible vibrations with this setup as the driveshaft angle was at the max the stock yolks could handle. Bought a IFS front shaft to have extended. That worked, but the local shop I was using did a piss poor job on fabrication/balancing. Finally I just didn't want to deal with any more issues so I called up Tom Woods and had him make me some custom shafts. Not cheap, but it's so nice having something done right and not having to deal with it anymore.. Again, I don't blame you for not wanting to have to deal with new shafts..
There's no way you're going to get a L52 or any other L series trans behind a RZ motor unfortunately.
In all honesty, for a "wheeler" I'd stick with a 22R(E) and make use of your dual cases. The 3RZ doesn't do much for you when you're geared down crawling that a 22R won't. The 3RZ in my opinion makes the truck tolerable with modern day freeway speeds. I think the 3RZ shines in a Daily Driver application more than a wheeler. Just my spare change opinion
There's no way you're going to get a L52 or any other L series trans behind a RZ motor unfortunately.
In all honesty, for a "wheeler" I'd stick with a 22R(E) and make use of your dual cases. The 3RZ doesn't do much for you when you're geared down crawling that a 22R won't. The 3RZ in my opinion makes the truck tolerable with modern day freeway speeds. I think the 3RZ shines in a Daily Driver application more than a wheeler. Just my spare change opinion

pretty much what a figured as far as mating a L-52 to a 2RZ or 3RZ.
With 5 drivers in my house now the truck has taken on fairly regular DD duties. I may have to suck it up and go with an 'RZ' series engine at some point.
#1276
I know you have spare trannies but why not go with the R series Trans mates to the RZ? It would avoid an adapter/bell house? Usually the engine Trans combo purchase is cheaper then buying them separate, although you'd still need the adapter for a gear driven t-case. Those adapters aren't terribly expensive. Compared to my street bike mods 4x4 mods are $$..... Just sayin.
Honestly for the amount of effort a 1uz will net more power and roughly the same mpg from what I've read. Plus a 1uz can be had for cheaper then a 3RZ. And nothing sounds as nice as a v8. IMO
Honestly for the amount of effort a 1uz will net more power and roughly the same mpg from what I've read. Plus a 1uz can be had for cheaper then a 3RZ. And nothing sounds as nice as a v8. IMO
#1277
There is NO WAY a UZ series motor will fit without EXTENSIVE modifications. Even the 3RZ takes up almost all of the room in the engine bay (vertically). A 5VZ is a "chore" to fit in a 1st Gen, much less a V8.
But I agree, they sound sexy as all get out!
Getting the R series behind a 3RZ is more work that in seems. You need to find/source a bell housing off a 2TZ, and then swap input shafts on the R series transmissions to get the proper length. Then comes the adaptors aft to get the transfer cases sorted. Much more work than needed. The W56's even old worn out ones hold up to the power of the 3RZ as do 4cyl diffs.
It's much easier to get the bell housing with the motor, and plop it onto a W56 and be done with it.
I looked at all of this when I did mine, and I can't say enough how nice it is to have a more or less drop in solution, and not have to deal with all the swappery of this and that to get something to work. Makes repairs and troubleshooting 10x easier as well.
My 2cents.
Well Rob, if you end up going RZ power you're welcome to get in touch and I'll share what I can..
But I agree, they sound sexy as all get out!
Getting the R series behind a 3RZ is more work that in seems. You need to find/source a bell housing off a 2TZ, and then swap input shafts on the R series transmissions to get the proper length. Then comes the adaptors aft to get the transfer cases sorted. Much more work than needed. The W56's even old worn out ones hold up to the power of the 3RZ as do 4cyl diffs.
It's much easier to get the bell housing with the motor, and plop it onto a W56 and be done with it.I looked at all of this when I did mine, and I can't say enough how nice it is to have a more or less drop in solution, and not have to deal with all the swappery of this and that to get something to work. Makes repairs and troubleshooting 10x easier as well.
My 2cents.
Well Rob, if you end up going RZ power you're welcome to get in touch and I'll share what I can..
#1279
Gotcha...I actually followed suit...although mine isn't QUITE as low mileage as yours...hoping to get it swapped within the next month or so. Happy wrenching!
#1280
So some of you probably know I have a stash of parts, some like my rear disk brake kit have been sitting around entirely too long

made a little progress today.
IFS width axle will be going in

After trying the unassisted gravity method I broke down and cut up an old axle housing and booger welded a handle to the spring perch...Low and behold it only took a couple of whacks using the assisted gravity method on each axle.

hopefully make some more progress early next week..

made a little progress today.
IFS width axle will be going in

After trying the unassisted gravity method I broke down and cut up an old axle housing and booger welded a handle to the spring perch...Low and behold it only took a couple of whacks using the assisted gravity method on each axle.

hopefully make some more progress early next week..






