Thanks Chris!!

Thanks Terry! I agree on not really caring for Pirate, but that Toyota Bible section is filled with unbelievable amounts of great information.

 

Looks like we might need to get some shims for the front axle. I looked at my runner and there are smaller shims in the front end of mine to correct the driveshaft angle.

We might have to wait until the engine and body are on to see what that does to the angle.


We almost have the engine and trans out of the 81 to implant on the new frame. Hopefully today, I have a decent amount of students show up to help me make quick work of it. I really want to get the engine and body on next week.


The steering is going to be the tricky part with this build since we are not going hi-steer right now. The 2wd stock steering setup is different than the 4wd, so we will have to fab a few things up to make it work.

 

Sweet.come along way from what you started with.

 

Thanks buddy.

 

When is school out for you guys? It cant be much longer and that time is going to come up quick. Especially when you are trying to get to a certain point. Getting the body on when you have the hands available is nice to.

 

We get out June 4th. We are certainly in a hurry to get things to certain point.

Today we are starting to make the brackets to hold the Tcase cross member. Hopefully we can get that done today or tomorrow.

 

Haven't made an update in a few days. But we have been getting alot of work done on the frame.

We finally were able to pull the engine and tranny out of the 81 pickup last week and set it on the frame to take some measurements.






So now we are measuring and measuring to make our mounts for the transmission. Came to find some information that I did not previously know. The 1st gen transmission is about 4" shorter than the 2nd and 3rd gens. This was throwing me off for a few minutes when we were taking the tape to the frame. Not until I compared it to my runner and the 81 frame did I realize it.


We also got the cab upright and started to cut out the floor for a repair.




I had the kids start cutting out the rot in the floor so we could figure out a patch piece.


Yesterday was a hot one here 95 and humid as ever. Especially in the shop since there is no AC. One of them was spot weld cutting in a tank top trying to get the body mount out. HAHA

A quick photo of the Engine and trans on the frame to take measurements for the mounts that we have to make.

Coming along pretty nice.

 

Looking great. I have seen some of the first gen trucks transmissions that are shorter then that. Look like a Model A tranny on one that I seen.

If you are going to modify a crossmember, they look the same but are different in different generations. Just to make you aware of some differences in them.

First time I removed spot welds I used regular drill bits. Then I found out about Spot Weld Cutters and they make removing spot welds sooo much easier.

I got a feeling we are going from cold to blazing hot in just a matter of a few days. Just like it did last year. I still would rather deal with the heat. Getting ready to go out and get started on my projects, just got to get a few more cups of coffee in me.

 

Definitely a learning experience on my part with the crossmember and tranny differences.

Weather is crazy here. 95 two days ago and was 47 this morning on the way to work.

 

You and your students are dong some nice work, its looking good!

Can't believe you've had 90° weather already! We've hit low 70's...looks like mid-50's this week and raining today. I'd be content with some steady 70° weather, 90's is a little too hot, especially at work, it makes it about 120° inside the building, lol.

 

Pulled the eng trans n tcase in one peice!!sweet!!

 

Thanks Ed for the compliments. We are definitely having some weird weather these last few weeks. It was 95 last week now so far this week it has not been out of the 60's.

I would also love to have consistent 70's all year round. Maybe a light coat or a sweatshirt in the morning and warm enough in the afternoon to work comfortably in a t-shirt. Ahhh wishful thinking

 

Yeah buddy. It fought us a little but the old girl finally gave up the ghost and popped loose.

 

More pics!HEHE...

 

I know I know. haha

 

Sorry guys for not making an update sooner. I have been extremely busy the last few weeks. Between end of year stuff, my own family, and everything in between, it has been hard to make updates on Progress.

We have successfully patched the driver and passenger floor on the cab. Now I am going to put some sealant/ coating over it to protect it.

I had some Stainless laying around that was going to waste, so I let the kids have at it making patch panels .





I also had them cut out the old mount and rebuild it for re-installation.





Had them stitch in the panels.


Finished product with some seam sealer where needed.




Its not perfect by any means, but I think its darn good for their first time and what we had to work with. Ideally I wanted to go to the U-pull it and cut floor sections out, but I simply could not find the time to do so.



We also started fabbing up our cross-member mounts yesterday. Hoping to have those finished this morning and burned in.

 

Your students did a good job on patching the floor boards, the stainless patch panels will probably outlast the rest of the truck, lol. Nice work!

 

lookin good

 

Haha. Yeah it probably will.

 

Thanks