Fifths time's a charm... 1983 Pickup build.
Mar 3, 2018 | 06:52 PM
#1
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Fifths time's a charm... 1983 Pickup build.
We'll start with a little back story, i've been playing with Toyota 4x4s for over 10 years. i've had 5 first gens, 2 second gens, 1 third gen, 1 Tacoma (mistake) and 2 diesel land cruisers (still have those). But it always comes back to the first gen pickup, it was my first truck and still my favorite. Last year i picked up a cheap lifted '82 with a flatbed, it had been rolled on its side but it had low KM and a great interior. i spent a winter putting it together with a usable factory bed, and then brought it out for a break in camping trip. Unfortunately my friend took it to get firewood...and well....long story short it ended up on its roof. Luckily everyone was ok.
That's where we get to this truck. We picked up this '83 from a friend of mine who started the project, but didn't have time to get into it. The truck is very original, low (ish) KM, its a factory sunroof truck, and it has all the little bit that usually get lost over the years (mudflaps and such)...... but.....its pretty rusty. if this truck was somewhere else i'm sure it would be considered parts. However living on the west coast of Canada and being into Toyota's has led me to be pretty confident in rust repair. That and working in aircraft sheet metal.
I started with the box, as it was the biggest issue. the way the factory box corners are built make them extremely difficult to repair. the upper and lower box panels meet with the bed floor, and all three are welded together.makes for a lot of rust...
my plan was to rebuild the floor, and then use door skins on the outside to replace the body lines.
i have 3 out of 4 corners done now and it seems to work pretty well. the truck may not be a show truck but it will be pretty straight with a new paint job. Also it will be getting the lift from the rollover truck, plus a set of 4.88's and a factory E-locker from an LJ78 land cruiser.
I'll try and keep this thread updated regularly. work should progress pretty quick, as i've set a paint deadline for May when ill have an opportunity to set up a decent paint booth.
I'm super excited for this project, and hope that others will enjoy it too.
That's where we get to this truck. We picked up this '83 from a friend of mine who started the project, but didn't have time to get into it. The truck is very original, low (ish) KM, its a factory sunroof truck, and it has all the little bit that usually get lost over the years (mudflaps and such)...... but.....its pretty rusty. if this truck was somewhere else i'm sure it would be considered parts. However living on the west coast of Canada and being into Toyota's has led me to be pretty confident in rust repair. That and working in aircraft sheet metal.
I started with the box, as it was the biggest issue. the way the factory box corners are built make them extremely difficult to repair. the upper and lower box panels meet with the bed floor, and all three are welded together.makes for a lot of rust...
my plan was to rebuild the floor, and then use door skins on the outside to replace the body lines.
i have 3 out of 4 corners done now and it seems to work pretty well. the truck may not be a show truck but it will be pretty straight with a new paint job. Also it will be getting the lift from the rollover truck, plus a set of 4.88's and a factory E-locker from an LJ78 land cruiser.
I'll try and keep this thread updated regularly. work should progress pretty quick, as i've set a paint deadline for May when ill have an opportunity to set up a decent paint booth.
I'm super excited for this project, and hope that others will enjoy it too.
Mar 3, 2018 | 07:02 PM
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No idea why the pictures are showing up sideways, better with rusty sheet metal than computers lol. heres a few more pictures from picking up and working on the truck. and a couple of my Landcruisers for fun.
Mar 3, 2018 | 07:43 PM
#3
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
Welcome to YotaTech!
Nice project truck!
It is nice seeing someone repairing the rust in the factory bed/box. Most people give up and either install a fiberglass bed or flat bed.
Good luck! I will be watching the progress.
Mar 4, 2018 | 06:20 AM
#6
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The clecos make it so much nicer. Having the ability to put the panel in hé same place every time is key.
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Oct 8, 2018 | 11:22 AM
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This reminds me I should update this thread... I finished the truck last May lol.
It was a fairly quick rebuild but it turned out pretty good. I ended up using tremclad paint with a roller. I found that their fire red colour is a pretty good match for the factory red.
So far it’s been a great truck. Next on the list is a front end rebuild with HI steer and 4.88s.
Oct 8, 2018 | 12:08 PM
#11
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From: Seattle
I had 2 new door skins and 2 salvaged ones, luckily that part is usually still doing even on a bad door.
This reminds me I should update this thread... I finished the truck last May lol.
It was a fairly quick rebuild but it turned out pretty good. I ended up using tremclad paint with a roller. I found that their fire red colour is a pretty good match for the factory red.
So far it’s been a great truck. Next on the list is a front end rebuild with HI steer and 4.88s.
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