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Hello All. Been wanting to start a rebuild thread on my '81 Toyota longbed, had to find some old pics that showed what it looked like back in its glory. I bought as a second owner in '85, so it has some of the old aftermarket axle trusses, dual rear shocks mount and other stuff on it that some are familiar with.
I was stolen from work one day, had tires/wheels, carb, battery, springs and shocks, custom
front/ rear bumper, roll bar and stereo system taken. Major bumper, but was found basically unharmed that insurance did fix. Through out its years it has traveled from San Diego to Texas, with no problems. I towed my '67 Cal Bug with ease coming across I10 to to its present location.
When one of my grandsons was living with us, before going into the Marines, he was interested to know some mechanic'ng, so it is a project for both of us to work on.
It hasn't moved for 5 years. Plans are to rebuild to a close stock condition with any new tech stuff throw in as needed. Ya'll know how hard it is to find stock parts, especially out here in the sticks.
I love these 1rst gen trucks, I have an 83 thats waiting for me to get started on but I have to finish my 86 runner first and quit finding things I want to do to my 97 runner dd.
are you planing on just a basic restore or do you have bigger plans? awsome that you have owned since it was near new. look forward to your progress.
Aare you planing on just a basic restore or do you have bigger plans?
I kinda behind in the builds pics. Already pulled the bed, doors, hood, fender off the cab. Pulled cab off frame and working on both. Cab is in my air conditioned shop, and frame/engine is outside. It been over 100 degree here for over 10 days. Gonna pull engine out of frame soon to prep both for paint. Plan on upgrading brakes, and a 1 wire GM alternator to carry more load. I would like to put in an aux fuse box, power steering. Plan on spraying the interior of cab and underneath cab with sound damping and insulator. No headliner or carpet to be installed. Bucket seats from 87 Camry are going back in, once recovered. Probably an ammo box for center console
I'll be posting tear down pics soon and the rebuild pics as it all goes back together. Haven't decided on paint color yet, but I really like the stock blue color, maybe a pearlized version. I painted a bass guitar with Auto Air Colors pearl blue that look awesome. That is my other hobby, bass guitar building.
Sounds like a good plan look forward to more pics. I bought my 83 in pieces so it will be nice to see one come back up from the frame will help me a lot.
Got started on the tear down, getting things lined out for work progression, looking for parts, etc
Bed off sitting in breezeway, I'm sure it will be used for storage.
Other parts leaning against wall, waiting their turn to be worked.
Pulled alot of stuff from the rear, the next thing will be cleaning up the rear frame area, getting ready to replace the rear springs and shocks, as a couple of leafs are broken.
Back to it. Over the weekend, we were able to drop the rear axle out and pull what ever was in the way of getting the frame cleaned up and painted.
We cleaned up the rear frame with wire brushes, drills, etc. to check for problem area. Banged on the frame looking for rusted spots, holes. Since this rig was a S. CA. breed, it mostly lived inland and had desert running in its back ground, it is solid.
After cleaning the frame, sprayed it all down with Rust Bullet Metal Blast, then painted it with their Silver Label rust inhibitor, then painted with a satin black chassis paint
Rear axle and springs back under the freshly paint back frame section. Looks like the shackles are going to need some rework at a later date.
Cab off and in shop. Forgot to say that the truck was totaled during a hail storm back in '95, got it back form insurance company. It has a lot of baseball/softball size dents in the roof that need to be pulled.
Cab stripped down except windshield and wipers, now is cleanup time to get ready for interior refurb and exterior work to get ready for paint. There is alot of surface rust, but no panel replacement in sight.
Next is to get engine pulled/painted and clean/paint the front axle and frame. Will post pics of that process next.
Wow.. that is a project.. looks great so far. If you need misc parts sent a message to trekkerpaul, he has a ton of 1st Gen stuff.
Edit - all that work on the frame but not the bumper?
Last edited by dropzone; Aug 27, 2012 at 08:06 AM.
Sorry for the delay in posting, but my mother passed, so busy with family stuff. Today the plans are to pull the engine/tranny out of the frame. Plan to split the tranny off and put engine into stand, to get ready for painting. Start with the rust prevention and paint the frame. will have pics on that process next. Also want to clean up engine bay and bottom of cab, repaint, and reinstall after the the engine is completed and reinstalled. 'course this all depends on green backs availability, being "retired" and all. LOL
HOLY COW BATMAN that is allot of elbow grease! it will never rust! did you do anything for the inside of the frame rails???
and was the paint pricey?
I didn't do anything to the inside of the frame, as when checking the frame, it was solid. I bought the Six Shooter pack from their site along with the Metal Blast spray, which is plenty to do the frame. We brushed on 2 coats. Both products cost me around $80.
Got engine/tranny pulled and split. Pulled all accessories off engine while on stand, still have a few things left before cleaning for paint job. Parts laying all over the place, need bigger shop. LOL. Critters decided to spend winter in the bell housing
The frame has been pressure washed, plus a few other parts that needed it.
Aug 4, 2012 | 11:01 AM
