RIGHT ON! Triple bonus, Happy-Happy Joy Joy Party time day! hahaha. Sorry, ... just watching some Chinese Game show comedy on Youtube! lol.

Looks GRRRRRRRREAT, man, serious!

 

Hey guys not much to report but making small amounts of progress. ran the brake lines from the proportioning value to the front of the truck, finished cleaning and painting the gas tank and made new plates for the motor mount lift brackets i'm fabbing up. Nothing really picture worthy but hoping I'll have more interesting things to talk about after the weekend. Cheers!

 

I figured my build thread could use some love. I haven't been able to get much done lately, too much crap going on in my life. I left the company I've been with for about 12 years now, and I've been working on resume and job interviews. Not really sure what direction I want to go in, but I'm hoping to put in some serious Yota time next week to clear my head. I have gotten a few things done, though. I bolted the gas tank in, and connected the wiring for it.

I also bolted up the transfer case xmember. It's not welded yet, just tacked. I'm going to do a fit test with the engine and tranny probably next week, and if I'm confident with the xmember and motor mount lift brackets than I'll weld them up solid and paint them. Here are a few pics showing the clearance I should have:


Keep in mind the gas tank guard isn't on yet, but I'm pretty happy with how flat the truck's belly should be after I'm done.
I also finally got around to vacuuming and cleaning out the 4Ruster. There never seemed much point in cleaning the interior because I'm filthy when I come out of work every day, but now I won't be coming out of work at all for a while. I usually drive around with a sub box in the back, but I really hate having it get in the way, and take up cargo space so I decided to make my truck a 3 seater. I drive alone 95% of the time, and I can't remember the last time I've had more than 2 buddies in the truck with me at the same time, so it just seemed to make sense. If I ever need it back in it's only 4 bolts:




I should have done this years ago. Thats my cheapie little sub box. I got it off a buddy for I think 10 bucks. There's actually a 10" Alpine type R in there, which I've had for years, and it's been great to me. I like that box because it's really small and I figure people are less likely to take a walk with a sub branded as Visonik or whatever it says on there. The box is actually smaller than the sub should have for a non ported enclosure, but those are pretty tough subs, and this box is already a tight fit.

Jump to next drivetrain lift post >>

 

Lookin great, Dutch! I have a pair of 4way 6x9 pioneers in the back seat floor area on 6ft. of monster cable Put em on the roof, etc., they're great when camping! lol.

Best wishes on the job hunt, sorry to hear about what sounds like an abrupt end!

 

Thanks Chef. I knew this was coming for some time now. I've wanted to move on to something new for over a year, and the company just recently sold the building and moved to a different location, so this seemed like a good time to go elsewhere.

With speakers in mind, I really do want to do a full audio system build up after this truck is on the road. I'll probably start out simple with a set of component speakers and the sub I already own, but I'd really like to eventually be running two sets of components in the front, an 8" sub in the dash somewhere (that'll take some serious rework and probably some custom fiberglass) , and the 10" sunk somewhere in the back as close as I can get it to the cab. Obviously money is going to be a factor now, but I'm already planning out where I want the speakers and amps to go. I want a setup that doesn't take up any of the cargo area. I've always hated having a sub box floating around in there and having to move it every time put the seats up or down, or needed that extra space for one more bag of groceries. I do like the idea of having the extra speaker box I could take along for camping trips like you've done with your 6x9's though. I had a buddy who used to have a crappy cd deck sunk into a box with 6x9's on either side and a battery attached. He used it as a stereo while camping because the car battery would last him all weekend.

 

best of luck on the job search. but cant wait to see what you will get done in the mean time.

 

My pleasure, bud!

Far as the sounds.... I would LOVE to have one like I had in my 70CST Blazer...

Boston Acoustics 6.5" in the front

1 pair 4way 6x9's in the back seat area and 1 pair of the same in the very rear

Dual Infinity 10's and a 1500W 4 channel Alpine Amp

Alpine top of the line deck with 10disc changer(Of course, no need for that anymore, so a nice deck on a killer sale with plug ins and plenty of pre-outs would be nice hahahaa.

Oh well.... mine works, pioneer 3300 or something, super tuner with "XM ready" or whatever.... But no aux stuff. My buddy sold his 85 EFI 4x4(SWEET RIDE!) and so he traded me the deck he had for the crappy one I had in this. At the time, it was state of the art(10 years ago, lol).... now it's old. They have great sound though, the older super tuners I mean, ya know?

I think an alarm would be wise before I go for sounds though, lol.

Glad you're ok and good to see you have a good attitude, man! Wishin you the best..... maybe a lil prayer for THE BEST JOB IN HISTORYYYYYYYYY! lol.

 

Leaving your job is a scary situation and have been in your shoes. Did see on the news the other day, Canada is in far better shape then we are. This could be a blessing in disguise. Never would of left the computer field 10 years ago, they helped me with a pink slip. You have mentioned having a great wife and that helps and with your determination, things should work out for you.

I have been amazed at what you get done while working. Now that you have a break, might be quite surprised. Looks like you are on the down hill side of getting the frame finished up.

 

Hey Terry thanks for the kind words, and yeah it's surprisingly scary. I haven't been out of work in probably 12 years, feels wierd. And yeah, my wife is awesome.

I still have no progress to report, I'm sort of living one of those sappy country songs lately. I lost my job, and now I've lost my dog. He got spooked by some skeet shooting out at the farm on Saturday night and took off running. I wasn't expecting it because he's been around guns more times than I can count in the past. Needless to say the build is on hold again.

 

Dude, ... you're NOT kidding, ..... I wish you were, that SUCKSSSSSSSSSSS! Seriously... the best friend took off????? You got a dog call for him, and you're out scouring the countryside, ...and no answer, eh? I know what you mean by, 'suddenly, it bothered him'..... My last dog was around smoking for years, via friends... Suddenly, a friend lit one up, "GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR"... AND I MEAN HURT YOU GROWL! lol. He put it out, she was fine, rubbed on him, everything. Lit one up again.... 'GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR".... They just freak out in the head, some times, eh? Best wishes on that, I hope and pray yer furry buddy is safe and returns that way! Is it tagged/chipped?

 

Update: Dog strolled into the farm about an hour ago. Just got the call. A crappy day just turned itself around.

 

wow dutch sounds like you got a lot going on, best of luck on the job search man even if its by choice it can be nerve racking. glad to hear your dog came back, my long time best freind passed away a few weeks back "an 8 year old boxer" she was my buddy hung out in the shop road with me every where I went you know how they are, I thought of her looking at the pics of your dog sitting the back of your runner. anyway I know your covered up but looking forward to to you getting back on your truck.

 

Still a lot goin on but tried to get something done today. Had plans to pull the engine out and attach it to the tranny to do a cold fit on the transfer case xmember and engine mount lift brackets, but the father in law had visitors that forced him to drink entirely too much to help me pull the engine from storage. I'd do it on my own but the opening in the granary it's stored in is really tight so I'd rather he was driving the tractor while we craned it out. If the thing gets dented he should do the denting. Only real plus to the day was my parents are home from Alberta for a couple weeks (this is where all the americans search for a map to figure out how far that is from Ontario) and my Father stopped in to see what I've been working on. I only see them once or twice a year. He was a mechanic for 9 years before he moved on to long haul trucking, which he's done for 29 years now, so he was pretty interested in what I was doing. He's never been the type to give compliments or approval, but the fact that he was interested enough to show up and ask questions about the whole drivetrain lift etc. was pretty cool. I did get the engine mount brackets tacked up and ready though:

Made plans to get the engine out on monday. Hope the father in law isn't popular that day.

 

Your dad should be impressed. You have done some great work on this truck. One day you will have back on the road. Doing a frame off is an accoplishment by itself.

 

YESSSSSSSS! Yer Hairy Homie is back!!!! lol. That's great, man!

Awesome on the 'getting ready' and 'Pops took interest' portions! Actually, this is all 'awesome', Dutch, and I concur with Terry.... I bet he's VERY proud of you accomplishing something so daunting to most... with other things going on, etc.! My dad being proud of what I've done with my rig is VERY MUCH A GREAT FEELING! He actually said, last time there, "Hey, wanna trade for my Tundra?" (it's a 2005 Limited 4x4-4door, LOADED, leather, ETC., with 89K)!!!! lol. "Nahhhhhhhh, ... sorry, Dad... besides, you're too used to your Auto!" lol.

For whatever it's worth, Dutch.... I'M EXTREMELY impressed with your tackling this and by what you've accomplished thus far! I'm hoping you get it together soon! Wanna see a video of you doing donuts!! lol

 

Thanks Terry. I am happy with what I've accomplished so far, I'm just really itching to make some progress after these last few weeks of doing next to nothing. Short list to help me plan ahead:
-Mate tranny with engine
-test fit on xmember and mount brackets
-rework xmember or mount brackets where necessary, repeat step 2
-weld xmember and mount brackets solid
-paint and reinstall xmember and brackets.
-install engine/tranny for real
-breathe
-transfer all wiring harnasses, sensors etc. from old engine to new.

Other than a few odds and ends, at that point I should be ready to store the frame, and pull out the body from storage. I'd like to have the body undercoated and the engine bay cleaned before putting it back on the frame. If real life non Yota things don't get in the way, I could really start moving again this week.

 

Thanks Chef, I think I'll really start feeling good when I've got the body back on. Not much hope on the donut thing, though. For the first while I'll still be running 4.10's on 33's with a stock engine. It'll take a good helping of snow to make that happen, lol. After I've gotten the thing operational and I'm back to work, I"ll start focusing on mods like diff swaps and (I hope) an engine rebuild.

 

Went out to the farm to work on the truck today. Had to pull the engine out of the granary. We used an old post as a makeshift crane:

This is the first time I've really looked at the engine since I bought the truck. The PO was planning on throwing this one in to replace the one with the blown timing guides. I'm pretty sure he said it was from a Celica, so I'm hoping it'll still work. I really wish he'd mentioned what year it was from, because I know a lot of parts are year specific. Couple pics:


You can see the O2 sensor is in the manifold itself. I'm wondering why they didn't leave it that way for the rest of the 22re's. The O2 bungs always seem to rust out in the exhaust. Engine number:

Anyone know if there's a website I could enter that number into to find out what year this engine is from?
This is where I started to run into issues. I tried to throw it onto the engine mounts:


It's hard to see from the pics, but the oil pan is contacting the diff, and also the steering stabilizer. The hole spacing on the engine mounts was off, as well:

I could just barely get both bolts in, but the engine mount bolt pattern is more narrow than the mounts on the frame. I left it sitting there on the bolts and got the other engine back out.

I decided to swap out the engine mounts from the 4runner engine to the Celica one. At this point I realised not only were the mounts different between the two, but they were bolted to different spots on the engine block. The Celica mounts:

And where the 4runner mounts needed to be:

You can see from those two pics that the mounts needed to be shifted one bolt hole towards the front of the truck. Was about the same on the other side of the engine:


The oil pressure sensor is in a different spot on this engine as well:

One finger pointing at the sensor on the Celica engine, the other finger is pointing to where it would be on a 4runner engine. After I got the engine mounts swapped and bolted to the correct spots the engine lined up much better when I set it back down for a test fit.

If anyone could help me narrow down what year Celica this engine came from, I'd really appreciate it. I've been able to make it work so far, but I'm worried there will be other differences I haven't noticed yet.

 

Hello Dutch..I have an 83 Celica motor also, and I am guessing you have the same or within a year either way, just to give you an idea of year. I think the slant top valve cover is 83 or older.

I dont know all of the specs about these particular 22rs is for, but just for some numbers. Lets say an 83 22r, the block would be 5 inches tall and the head 4 inches tall, where as an 84 or newer would have a 4 inch block and a 5 inch head.

The way I understand they are the same height but the blocks and heads are different from each other.

This probably isnt much help, but giving it my best shot. This is an 83 Celica engine.

 

Thanks for postin Terry. I'm seeing a lot of similarities already. Looks like yours has the oil sensor in an even different spot, right where the engine mounts need to be for our trucks. Any clue if these things bolt right up to a W56 Tranny? I'm also concerned with whether I'll have issues with my ecu, I'm sure it's different than the one that would have been in the Celica.