hello all, picked up a 1985 extra cab frame with a std cab and a 22re. its auto with 170k and doesn't run to good but that's getting fixed.

Current Mods:
4.5" lift (mixmatched)
Flatbed
RCI Seats
Eagle Aluminum Wheels 15x10
35" Baja Claws
Block Heater

Plans:
Fix the interior (done)
Fix the transmissoin (in progress)
5.29's and locked rear (done)
Rear Tube Bed


Time to get to work!

Snapped a Couple Pics Today

 

pics??!!?!

 

Its at work and i have family on the way. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I will get pics when i can, hopefully tomorrow.

I started a project earlier and didn't finish. Swapping a Turbo Gauge cluster into my Std truck. I unplugged the oil sending unit, waiting on a new one to show up. I plugged in the gauge and the warning lights and 4wd lights work but nothing else.

I'm not to familiar with Toyota's but I've heard the swap can get a little confusing. Anyone ever done it before and if so what wires need to be swapped?

 

pics posted

 

Borrowed a friends bumper today, and I don't want to give it back . I might just have to take it off his hands. Was a PITA to put on but it looks okay for being homebuilt

Oh and Sorry for the horrible cell phone camera resolution

 

I cut the bed off, cleaned the frame up and put a large aluminum toolbox on the frame up against the cab. It's not permanet but it's a start. I moved the gas tank inside the tool box and ran the fuel filler neck out the center of the box. I plan on putting the make-shift bed back together with a spare tire and some sand bags to add some weight.

I'll post some pics up when the snow finally stops and I can get out.

I also got the truck driveable, it's running awesome. I just have to manually shift and automatic, go figure. The next step is to put the dashboard in and get the heat working. It's nice have a block heater also. Worthy upgrade if you live at a high altitude.

The truck is so light that it just sits and spins on dry pavement. I can barely take off from a red light, haha

 

Update*

Well I spent all day today stripping the interior and removing all that tar junk and sanding everything.. End Result:
















I also bought some stuff from ECGS. Got Nitro 5.29's, master install kits and Lokrite lockers. They should be in by wednesday.

 

looks good but the door might not close all the way unless you sand it off of there, just my $.02

 

there was a huge gap in the doors anyway, i put it on pretty thin on the jambs to be sure. plus i dont have weatherstripping which should help also. I guess we will see, I hope it works

 

wow, went to the shop this morning and it looks quite a bit different then it does in the pictures, I took the pics as soon as I laid the 2nd coat and now its lost its sheen and looks much better.

Now I can't wait to see what it looks like once I get my Recaro's in it

 

so heres the next project.. I know most people tell me to do the 5 speed swap but I like the auto. I have never owned an auto and its grown on me, the only problem is that I'm manually shifting it. Idk if it has been modded or if it just isnt working or hooked up properly.

When I put it in drive it shifts from 1st to 4th, so it starts to move then stops. When I manually shift it everything seems to work except it skips 3rd. 1st, 2nd, then 4th.. makes things difficult in the mountains. I'm gonna try to fix it but I'm still a little lost on why it would do that. I wouldn't mind manually shifting it, the slap stick thing is kinda cool but I need 3rd gear

Good news is I did a gearing calculation and with the 5.29's and 35's my RPM's should be at a managle level with the auto, not so much with a 5 speed W56 or R151.

Auto at 75mph > 2,786RPMS

5 Sp at 75mph > 3,280RPMS

Thoughts on what I should do from people who run auto's or did swaps? I've done plenty of research, just can't make up my mind

Oh I also just read that an Auto 22RE with 35's and 5.29's corrects the speedo within 1%. Idk how true this is but thats definitely a benefit

 

a few quick pics i snapped yesterday

 

Bushwacker Flares installed and fenders trimmed and I beat back the body seam so it's flush now




Nice 3" flare covers up the 35x12.50's really well

 

a little flex test at my makeshift rock garden in my parents yard, haha



This is why I need to take this bed off and build a real bed, it was bottomed out like this almost the whole time





Zero Rubbing!




But then this happened. I tried hitting the rocks from the other direction like I used to in my cherokee

End Result


Caught the shackle and high centered,bent the spring and pulled the axle about 4" forward

 

Well here is the 1" body lift, Trail-Gear 3" Springs, Spring hanger with some mods, and 7" eye-eye shackles with 35's. No test drive, I just set it down on the ground so I'm sure it will settle quite a bit once driven and when I get the 200lb+ bumper, winch and lights on the front.
The steering and brakes should be fixed up tomorrow. Just waiting on a new pitman arm to show up. Then we'll see how she drives with the whole new front suspension and steering.

 

thats a clean 85'! what kinda ideas you throwing around for a new bed?

 

Thanks I appreciate it

I was thinking that I would keep the flatbed design, no truggy for me. I found a couple pics of designs I liked. Not quite like mine but close.



I liked this one but it doesn't seem finished to me. Open tube ends, ect..

 

Well the progress is coming along. Since I got the truck hardly running to now..

Got the engine running good
5.29's with rear locker
Put together an interior with nice seats
completely wired a sound system
all new front suspension
crossover steering
1" body lift
35's with 1.25" spacers
custom front bumper
and a few other things..

but the question is, when is enough and what should I focus on next?

I was thinking 4-link but I'm not so sure now. I was thinking about doing a few engine bolt-ons but I'm not sure if the investment is worth it on a 22RE with god knows how many miles.

Or should I focus on the drivetrain? Auto with a Gear driven case or possible a 5 speed with dual cases?

I'm torn on what to do while I wait to build up some more funds.

Anyone have any suggestions on what will benefit me the most at this point

Keep in mind it's a soon to be daily driven/weekend warrior.