Greetings!

This post is kind of an online journal for myself. I plan on tracking my progress on here and will update when possible. Love the site and have learned quite a bit about Toyota's just browsing. Please feel free to post any input; it is greatly appreciated.

Picked up a 1988 Pickup 4x4 3vze (270,000 but I'm pretty positive this isn't the original motor) for $1500 from a buddy at work (he flips cars off Craigslist and only had this for maybe a month). I've always loved the 1st Gen Tacoma's but they are still out of my price range. My plan with this truck is a bit of a restore and turn it into the truck I want. I feel I have a pretty solid base to start with so this should be fun. I bought the truck in April 2013 and have been tinkering with it since then. While I have done a lot of the work myself, huge shout out to the old man for helping me when some of the bigger items.

The truck drove fairly decent when I bought it. However, the previous owner (before my work buddy) neglected it and only used it to commute a few miles a day to school. A lot of maintenance work needed to be done. The original bed was rusted all over and a different bed was put on before I bought it. Some of the dings and dents were fixed as well, along with a new grille. I have no plans for turning this into an off road rig. My goal is to have it be my daily driver or my main vehicle.

For what I paid for it, I'm more than satisfied. I will make a list of completed items, future plans and a wish list. This will more or less be slow going but I'm excited to see the 'finished' product (is it ever really finished?).

Completed:

- Change all fluids with Amsoil (both differentials, transfer case, transmission, power steering, coolant, brake fluid and cylinders) along with regrease everything. Oil change was done the day I bought it.
- New spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor. All Denso parts.
- Marlin Crawler shifter bushing along with transfer case bushing.
- New air and fuel filter.
- New shocks (Rancho 5000. Might upgrade down the road to Bilstein but for what I need right now, these work perfectly).
- Hella e-code H4 headlights.
- Replaced broken climate control plate.
- All dash bulbs changed to white/clear coloring.
- Patch leaky radiator (Will replace when timing belt is done). Upper, lower and bypass hoses replaced.
- Fixed broken sway bar bracket.
- New idler arm.
- Replaced dome light with LED light.
- Replaced bench seat and added bucket seats (done before I bought truck).
- Seafoam treatment (Done before I bought truck).
- New clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder.
- Mud flaps.
- Injector o-rings.
- Valve cover gaskets and new plenum gasket.
- TVV
- ECT sensor.
- PCV Valve, grommet and hose.
- Replace #3, #4, #5 hoses in the back of the engine.
- Clean throttle body.
- O2 Sensor.
- OME steering stabilizer.
- Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs 31x10.5x15 and alignment.
- Refurbish and install a center console.
- New windshield and back window.
- Repaint exterior - New tail gate handles, door handles, door locks.
- Stereo system.

Currently working on:

- Picking up a rear bumper, tow hitch and tool box for the bed from a friend.
- Unseize the spare tire assembly. Might have to find a new one or figure out what is up with the link in there.
- Timing belt and front end parts

Plans for the rest of the year (updated 7/12/13):

- Paint wheels black or keep chrome. Undecided.
- New exhaust. Cat back, most likely Magnaflow.
- Repaint and insulate/Peel & Seal the interior. New carpet and dash cover.
- Wiring harness for the H4 headlights (I have a hard time with electrical components and diagrams so I have been putting this off). Fog lights.
- Tint windows.

Things I'm looking for (updated 7/12/13):

- Stock skid plate.
- 84-88 SR5 Gauge cluster.
- Stock front mud flaps.
- Chrome trim on the doors that go over the water channel/rail thing above the windows. Not sure where to find that at, maybe junk yard.

Obviously I have my work cut out for me, but this truck has been a breeze to work on. Compared to my other vehicle (2001 BMW 540i) I would rather work on the 3vze any day of the week.

I will post pictures in the next couple days along with any updates.

 

Hello! Always glad to see plans laid out like this..it's very organized! I'm looking forward to pictures and all progress.

 

Pics of this rig please

 

Sorry, been busy with a few other things. Waiting on parts and the truck is sitting in the garage at the moment. I will get pictures tomorrow. Truck should be up and running Thursday or Friday.

Ordered the OME stabilizer and found the rear mudflaps and mounting brackets. Also replaced the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder since the master was leaking. Since I have the plenum off right now, decided to replace the ECT sensor. I do have a little bit of a hard cold start. Need to test the cold start injector and switch.

Also, going to be ordering some new tires real soon. And getting the timing belt done.

 

Here is how the truck currently sits.











Not the prettiest thing ever, but hey, it's a truck! The old bed was completely rusted through. This new one has no rust anywhere and someone rolled on a bedliner at some point. I also have a clean passenger side fender that will be going on the truck once I start the body work.

 

With the new bed on your truck, it is a clean little truck. Other then the paint not matching, you got a great start to a build. Looks great inside and out. Looking forward to your build.

 

Wanted to post an update since it has been a while. Trying to keep track of everything I've done so far.

Got the engine put back together after doing:
- Injector o-rings. Found a huge mouse nest under the passenger side fuel rail. Thing was massive, forgot to get pictures but it freaked me out when we pulled the plenum.
- Valve cover gaskets and new plenum gasket.
- TVV
- Clutch master and slave cylinder
- ECT sensor.
- PCV Valve, grommet and hose.
- Replace #3, #4, #5 hoses in the back of the engine.
- Clean throttle body.
- O2 Sensor (this was exciting...)
- OME steering stabilizer. What a difference this made.

Runs great and has become my daily driver. Yeah it looks a bit rough, but runs nicely. A buddy of mine got the center console and a new shifter boot set up. Welded some tabs to the floor board so everything is sturdy. Got the mudflaps on. My new Duratracs made a huge difference in ride quality. And the most important thing showed up: new stereo and speakers. Just need to install and rewire everything.

All in all, I'm happy with the progress. I am getting the parts together to do the timing belt - all drive belts, timing belt, tensioner, idler, tensioner spring, water pump, thermostat, cam seals, front main seal and gaskets for everything. Will be putting a new radiator in as well as a fan shroud. Also will start doing the paint prep and whatnot here real soon. Replacing various trim pieces due to age or just faded in general - chrome door handles, new door locks (passenger side doesn't even work), front bumper ends, new front valance, and new tail gate handle are all on the way. Also picked up some new mirrors for the doors since the old ones were pretty thrashed. I would like to try and find the chrome trim for the doors (the gutter/rail thing above the window) however I have no idea where to even find that.

And this might be crazy to say, but I'm selling my car (2001 BMW 540i) and driving the Yota full time. I enjoy driving the truck FAR more than the car...but I'm probably nuts

I will be posting more pictures of this project now that it is picking up momentum. And not slacking on this post so much.

 

Got bored over the 4th of July weekend and decided to finally paint. I did the Rustoleum roll on job and it came out pretty good. Still need to wet sand and buff. Mud flaps got some paint on them but I plan on refurbishing them so wasn't too concerned. For some reason I was too lazy to take them off.



I didn't have any good pictures of the windshield before, but the thing was cracked all the way across and was looking pretty haggard. I had a new one installed and also had the slider window removed and a solid window installed. The slider leaked and I just don't like them in general. I can see again!



Will get some interior pictures this weekend. That has changed a bit since the last pictures. All in all, truck is coming along. Have all the parts for the timing belt replacement, just need to find time. Ordered some new rear brakes (drums, shoes, etc) since they are making some noise. I have the valance for the truck, just haven't gotten around to painting that either. Also installed the stereo and 4 new speakers finally. Forgot how much of a difference music makes while driving.

Not sure if anyone actually looks at this, but if you do, is there a way to remove what looks to be spray paint from the chrome trim around the windshield? A previous owner sprayed it black and now I'm not sure what to do with it. Don't really feel like spending $300 for some cheapy chrome stuff from the dealer. Any assistance would be appreciated!

Will be updating more soon!

 

To remove the paint from the trim tape off the body around the trim and pick up some "aircraft paint remover" I THINK its made by clean strip mAybe klean strip. I haven't bought it in years.
They make a aerosol or the can o liquid. Wipe (or spray on) then wipe off.
This stuff is very strong so be careful. You could possibly remove the chrome if left on for too long

 

rustoleum paint job? i would like to know more about this process. kinda tight on money but would love to do my 88 pickup. thanks in advance!

 

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