Well I decided to do the oil pan gasket before I fully bolted everything down. I figured it was the best time to get it done since you either have to pull the motor or pull the diff to complete the oil pan gasket. That took a lot longer than I expected, I never realized that oil baffle was bolted to the block. To complete the process you have to set up 2 pan gaskets. Oh well. I got it done. I then completely bolted down the motor and transmission along with the cross member, and front drive shaft. While I was working on the oil pan, I applied Por 15 to the cross member and front diff protection plate. And just because I wanted to. I started putting on the headers. In the process i rerouted some lines and ran new vacuum hoses as needed. I will say these headers look quality for the price and they are easier to install than the previous NWOR headers. All in all it was a good day.

 

Well, I got the rest of the header kit bolted up tonight and I got some adapters to fit the muffler to the header y pipe. I got a 45 degree elbow and turned the pipe above the rear axle. I have the adapters and muffler section welded up. But I'm missing some hangers to hold everything up.

I do have one small issue with the header kit. The bolts supplied for the O2 sensor won't fit . The nuts are too big for the bolt to line up. I will probably just grind the nut down to fit.

Tomorrow is another day... Wish me luck

 

Today I changed the oil and oil filter, and I finished mounting the exhaust pipes. I still need to figure out how to block the EGR ports on the headers. Any ideas???

 

I switched over the rear axle tonight. And hooked up the driveshaft. So I have a complete drivetrain again! The 4.56s are in place.

Here's my current to do list:
BRAKES- this means everything. Lines, front pads, rear shoes, LPSV delete?? And bleed everything.

EXHAUST- EGR block off ports, mount the O2 sensor.

FUEL- need to mount the tank, which requires welding the cross member back in to place. Running the fuel lines.

TIRES-. Dismount the 33s from the 6 lug rims, dismount the 35s from the 5 lug rims. Mount the 35s on the 6 lug rims. Mount on the truck!

CAB- mount it!

ENGINE- check the fluids and make all connections and fire it up.

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Mount the bed and fix the paint. Easy peasy.....

Wish me luck

 

This weekend I got some small details done. I started with getting the new calipers and pads switched over and plumbed. Then I started on moving the brake and fuel lines over to the new frame. I also made some EGR port block off plates out of some steel plate that I cut out and shaped with my 2 x 72 belt grinder. I fit the steel inside the screw down cap that came with the headers. I think it will work well.



I finished up the brake lines and I also changed a U joint on the 80. So it was a productive weekend but not a lot

 

I took care of two major problems this week, both were related to the fuel situation. First was the fuel sending unit. The old one looked like this.....


The pressure line had snapped off. So I ordered a new one from Toyota. 240 dollars and a few days later it looks like this....




The next problem was the fuel tank mounting bar and bracket. The old one looked like this....


As you can see, there was a giant rust hole on the bottom of it. I decided to remove the entire bar, carefully cut the tank mounting bracket off the bar and weld it on to a new bar. I'm not a good fabricator or welder and I have the cheapest of the cheap welder so I decided to drive a new 1 1/4 pipe all the way through each side of the frame. The 1 1/4 actually fits INSIDE the existing bar. That way I could weld it AND bolt it to the frame. Like this....




When I cut the old bar off I left about 8 inches of bar on each side to use as attachment points. It seems to be working.

So as of right now, all brake related things on the frame to do are complete. New pads and shoes all the way around. New lines and everything is bolted in and together. Except for the lines that go to the master cylinder in the cab.

All fuel lines are complete. New shocks all the way around. All drive line items are complete.

At this point, all I have to do is put the wheels and tires on the truck and the cab and bed. But as of right now, I'm still waiting for my body lift. I contacted Roger atlat 4crawler last Monday and he said my lift was still being fabricated. And he anticipated about another week or so. With everything going on, I'm ok with that.

So my plans for this week, are to get the rims and tires on the truck and to scrap the old frame. And hopefully clean up my garage. Lord knows it's needs it.

Wish me luck

 

Good luck! Nice bunch o' work you've gotten done.

 

So I got tired of waiting for the body lift and bolts, I decided to place the cab on the frame and start making all the connections. So with the help from my sons, we picked-up the cab and gently placed it down. Then we started to work on mounting the radiator, battery, coolant lines, AFM etc... And at 9 pm I attempted to start the truck. It turned over like a champ but never started. I couldn't figure it out. I double checked everything and tried again. And .... Nothing.....

​​​​​​Unable to figure it out I went to bed. At 6 in the morning I woke up and realized why it wouldn't start. I forgot to plug in the rear wire harness that sits below the passenger seat. It happens to power the fuel pump.... As soon as I let the dog out I went out and plugged it in and turned the key.... It fired right up!!!!

So I set about the rest of the day to hook up the brake lines, burping the coolant system etc. In the process of this, I discovered a broken brake line and a cut in the coolant line that goes to the heater control valve. But all in all it was a great weekend.

Here's how she sits now.



I also got the rims ready for tires.



And a picture of how the cab is sitting....




Anyway, it was a good weekend.

 

I made a video of the new exhaust system sound. It sounds great!



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Current state of the truck....



I could be done this weekend if I had my body lift and bolts. But I'm still waiting

 

The tires are on the truck. And the truck is not on jack stands for the first time in several years.

 

I bought a set of 315/70/17 bfg all terrains on Escalade wheels off of Facebook market place. When I got them home I realized that the Escalade center bore is smaller than the yota by over an inch in diameter. So I had several options. 1) drill it out with a hole saw 2) find Toyota wheels.

I went with option 2 and found this set of 2014 Toyota 4 runner rims that are 17 x 7. And I love them. The Escalade wheels are for sale.

 

My bolts and body lift have arrived!

I know what I will be doing this weekend! Driving!

 

Front end

The bed paint still needs to be touched up.

It lives!! It drives!! I love the 35s!

 

Well I made it 15 miles before I blew a power steering line. Good thing I had a spare! I love this thing. I forgot how much fun it was to drive a 5 speed truck every day. I'm sure there will be more problems but I'm just enjoying it now

 

Truck looks great!

 

Thank you very much! That means a lot coming from you

 

Well, I have been driving the truck for a week now. I have developed a small clutch line leak, which causes the clutch pedal to stick to the floor. The first time it happened was my wife's first ride in the truck as we were stuck in a busy drive thru... Lol. Let's say she was less than impressed... Lol 😂😂

Other than that its been great! I haven't really pushed it to hard yet. Just trying to shake it down and work out the bugs.

Apparently I don't have to let anyone know know that I have arrived, they hear my exhaust system sound before I get there. Lol. It's not offensive just a good rumble.

 

looking great man

 

Thanks man