So, I went and did it. I couldn't pass up a deal like this on what I consider a classic. Plus, I promised that this truck would replace my '94 pickup and my '99 4Runner. No kids yet, so no problem there.

No pictures yet, but I'll post some soon. It's sweet. Bought it off my cousin and his wife. She's owned it since '86, and it had 244,001 miles on it when I picked it up Saturday.

It needs a couple of things to pass inspection, but for $500 it was a great deal IMHO. What it needs is some headlight combo switch work. I'm trying to follow 4Crawler's instructions to fix that. The low beams work, but when you flash or flip on the high beams, the lights go out completely. In addition, it needs a driver side taillight lens. Not for inspection but equally important, it needs a driveshaft carrier bearing.

My initial plans are to basically "restore" it and drive it daily. I love the extra room of the extended cab. My '94 is a regular cab, and WOW what a huge difference. I actually had to scoot the seat forward, and I'm 6'3". Tilt steering and a seat that reclines helps, too. I never had real comfort problems in my '94, just glad to have more space.

Engine:
-keep the 22R (however, not going to put a bunch of money into that engine)
-when/if the 22R wears out, swap in a Ford 289 (probably much later)
-Nissan Quest electric fan

Electrical:
-Optima Red Top (already installed)
-Blazer lights (Walmart cheap but pretty good, might try an HID conversion)
-XRC8 winch, hopefully mounted like 86tuning did his
-came w/ Silverstar headlights, but when they burn out prematurely I'll consider a wiring and H4 upgrade

Tires/Wheels:
-30x9.50 BFG M/T KMs (I still have a set I had on my '94 with lots of tread left, love the older thick-lug design)
-stock steelies, painted black w/ chrome lug nuts (a little "bling" to pop haha)

Body:
-pull out passenger door dent & fix other dings (cow ran into it)
-paint satin red (wanted to paint it a tan color, but I think it'd be better to be brighter out where we are so the oilfield truckers can see me)
-Duplicolor roll-on bedliner

Interior
-keep the brown interior (it's growing on me, and the only thing wrong with the seats is the vinyl on the sides)
-yank out the vinyl floor and bed-line it as well (might try to paint over bedliner with some tan)

Miscellaneous:
-Sony CD deck w/ HD radio capabilities (not sure what I'm going to do for speakers yet, but they'll be Pioneer)
-swap the A/C compressor from my '94 so I can stay cool
-grander plans for later (like swapping a bunch of parts from my '94), but this is the "get it back in great shape and drive it" step

I'll post some pics soon, and I'll probably start a build thread as well.

 

Sounds like you have a plan now... I just did the Duplicolor Bed Armor on my 84 and couldn't be happier for a roll on liner. I was able to buy it online at Advance for $49 for the whole kit. I did see a commercial the other night that they are now making the bed armor in an aerosol can. Not sure how that will work, but I may grab a can to spray on my recent job to "smooth" it out some in the bed.

Is the 94 AC compressor a direct swap for the 85?

 

I used the Duplicolor on my sliders on the '94. I didn't stick well, but I know it's because I didn't prep it right. I shoulda used a Scotch-brite pad to rough it up, but instead I used a wire wheel and made it too smooth. The aerosol can should work great to fill in or touch up your bed.

I'm not sure if the compressor's a direct swap. I'm going under the assumption it is. If not, I'm sure someone will correct me or I'll find out the hard way!!

 

Keep us posted when you swap the AC compressor in. I just added AC on my 84 and I used parts from an 87 4Runnner and an 85 pickup. I was able to get it all going, but I definitely want to keep my options open if something were to ever fail.

I didn't care much for the pad that came with the kit, so I used some really rough sandpaper to rough the bed up. The PO had some SERIOUSLY thick clear coat on it that the pad in the kit just wasn't scuffing up too good. Other than that, I have been pretty satisfied. It was cooler outside when I applied the coats, so I let the bed cure for several days before I put it back to use. Holding up great so far.

 

a few pics (albeit, w/ my cell), as promised
note the steelies and original mudflaps. whoop!!


working on the combo switch

passenger door dents

 

Cool find, man! not very often available any more! Best wishes!

 

you stole it for $500 nice 85 man!

 

Nice find

Now it's a build thread

:wabbit2:

 

Cool, can you change the title too?

Everyone, thanks for the comments. I'm excited about the project!

 

So the driveshaft center support was toast. I've got a picture I can post later, but I wanted to post these of the reassembly.











Like my workbench ?

 

Gotta wait til tomorrow to borrow a torque wrench from NAPA. Don't wanna over-torque the nut and put undue stress on the bearing. I think we made pretty good progress tonight, though. That whole shaft assembly needs a thorough greasing, so the process of re-installing it may be pushed out a little. I need a press

 

Well, it's been a long time. We bought a house, so I've been busy with that. A letter from the city about my "junked" truck got me moving, and I fixed my headlight combo switch the other night. All I had to do was file the contacts and soak it with contact cleaner. Works like a champ.

I'm going to try for an inspection tomorrow and go from there. I've literally done nothing on the truck in a long time. I've got a legit workbench and a shop press now, so I can fix my u-joints. That'll be next.