Dang ed. I like the cold but I dont think I would like to live somewhere where it snows. I'm too spoiled with the nice CA weather lol. I would like to get a couple of things done this weekend to. Definitely plan to do the inclinometer this weekend.

 

Yeah I'm slowly getting more used to the weather, I kind of like the snow, it's like I either want alot of it or no snow at all, lol... I got a little snowboarding hill halfway down my driveway, there is enough powder that it doesn't hurt if I wipe out, lol.
That's cool you got an inclinometer, that's definately on my wish list along with a SR5 gage cluster!

 

I love snowboarding. I like going up to Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit over here in California. I have yet to go Mountain High, that 1 is supposed to be a much closer to us and a lot more fun. Maybe ill check that one out some day.

as for the inclinometer I've been reading on many threads here on yotatech saying there was a factory clip or input left on the wire harness regardless if you had a meter or not. I want to take off my dash and see if thats true. If it it is then thatll make installing much easier. I also read that underneath the dash there is. already the holes for the bracket for inclinometer. And you just need to drill through the plastic dashboard.

Like I said I plan to confirm if this is true for myself because I havent seen pix or proof of this anywhere. Illlet you know when I find out.

 

Yeah I love snowboarding too, even tho I haven't been up much in the last 10 years, lol. Back in 99'-2000 I lived in San Jose Ca, we went to down to Tahoe, I don't remember the name of where we went, just that one side of the mountain was Nevada and the otherside was Cali, lol. There is alot of places to go in WA, but the funnest trip was when I went to Whistler/Blackcomb in Canada back in the day, that place is AWESOME! Hopefully I will make it back up there someday, but for now it will probably be limited to hitting some little kicker jumps in the back yard, lol.

I'm interested in what you find out about the inclinometer, Are you planning to do a write up as you go along?

 

Nice. Well this is actually one of the reasons I wanna get my Yakima Load Warrior installed ASAP because I wanna go snowboarding soon. And were obviously going in my truck. So I wanna mount the snow boards on the top.

As for doing a write up. Yea ill defibitely do a write up once I find out if there really is a clip or not under the dash in that wiring harness. Because honestly. I havent found a single thread on how to do an inclinometer install. So thatd definitely be helpful for many users.

 

Hey Ed i just installed the inclinometer. I took a few pix for ya to help you out for whenever you do yours. Check out my thread to see the latest update.

 

Thanks Richard! I appreciate the writeup, that will help me out alot when I eventually get around to puttng an inclinometer in my 4runner!

Haven't had much to update on the 4Runner. It's been running good, but the passengerside exhaust manifold cracked in half (just like the driverside one that I already replaced) so I need to get that fixed. Thought I'd throw a few poser pics up of the runner when we took the kids sledding last week.

 

Sweet old smitty built front bumper Ed!!! I liked the look so much of one of your pictures that you took of the front end of your rig, that I went out and bought yellow KC daylighter covers for my rounds, LOL.
Peace.

 

Ed your runner looks awsome good job. I have done a little work on mine just a little.

 

Thank Travis! I finally wired up the lights last week, lol, (they've been on there for months!) I'm still trying to get them aimed correctly, thought they might help me avoid some deer on the way home from work, or at the very least get people to dim their highbeams!

Thanks Chuckar! It's good to hear you've had some time to work on your truck! I've been meaning to ask you how your winch is mounted on your bumper? Is that a factory winch mount, or did you build it? I have a Warn winch that came mounted on my smittybuilt bumper, (that originally came off my 85' parts truck) but I didnt like the way the PO built the winchmount, so I cut it off, lol, just wondering how yours is mounted.

 

Here is another pic of my 83'... I took a few more but thery're taking forever to upload to photobucket, lol. I haven't decided if I should start a build thread on this one or not. So far the plan is to keep it stock. The future plans include DIY roll in bedliner, find a tailgate, and build a rear bumper... although part of me wants to lift it, and put the 33's off the 4runner on it, lol, then I'd have to get some bigger tires for the runner!

 

Awesome pix dude. Seeing your SAS'd 4runner and occasionally my neighbors gives me more motivation to get this SFA installed on mine.

For your manifold. You dont have any junk yards out by where you live? Maybe u could find one.

Damn 2 projects. Must be expensive lol. Thats why I chose to pass up the deal on that 2000 tacoma. Not even done with the runner and already starting a new one. Oooo man wallet already hurts hahs

 

Ed I ordered it from Smitty Built with the the mount If you want I can get a pic of it, the winch is off right now so I will get you a pic.



This is what I got done this weekened welded these on

 

How much did you get that 83 for? Nice find, I love the way they look. Id like to get one in the future.

 

Thanks man, yeah I can't wait to see your 4runner SAS'ed too!

We don't have any local wrecking yards, there was one, but the owner died and as far as I know it's closed. The closest one for me is in Spokane Wa, and that's like 75 miles away, lol. I might have a lead on one from a guy at work, otherwise I've seen manifolds on e-bay between $45 and $80 that I could get.

I know what your saying about 2 projects and the $$$ involved in them, that's why the sensible side of me says to keep the 83' stock, It's the gearhead in me that I'm trying to ignore, the one that's never satisfied until something is modified lol! But in the end I would rather put the money into the 4Runner, so I will most likely (for now) keep the 83' as is, and use if for a DD.

 

Thanks Chuckar, if it's not to much hassel I'd appreciate a pic without the winch. THose rock sliders look sweet on there!!! Those are on my wishlist for the runner someday!



Thanks SMOKEJUMPER. I'm buying the 83' from my dad, (payment plan, lol) He gave me a real good deal for $800. I'll try to get some more pics up, the interior is in pretty good shape, just missing the steering column cover. And I was surprised that all the lights (blinkers and running/sidemarker lights) were intact and working, the lenses are usually broken or missing.

 

Great looking little first gen and since you are getting it from your dad and the length of time he had it, probably something special. I would say start a build thread on it. It is always nice to go back some year or years later and see what you started with and where it is at. You will be surprised at what you will have done to it and a good reference for it.

I always have 1 1/2 projects going on and plan on always having one that way unless I find some other hobby. Where I use bodywork to stay on a project, you have the ability to substitute that with fab work. It may look like I spend alot on projects, but if you look at mine. Alot of it is just cleaning and body work. A gallon of bondo, I have done 3 trucks with and I get sand paper at discount stores.

I allow about $25 a week for materials and when I dont spend it on a week I save it for the next week. That is kind of the fun of it as to seeing what you can do without breaking the bank. Staying stock is one reason I have been able to do so many different projects. You have the abiltiy of sliders,bumpers, and other things. Keep an eye out for scrap metal and other sources that wil pop up if you keep an ear open.

Being a daily driver, there are bound to be things that will come up and you have to take care of them issues and in itself will be some what of a build or improvement. Stay on one project and look for the freebies that can be done while waiting on parts for the main project. It can be hard to do though, but I have learned to do it. I have been wanting to jump into the 85 for quite some time but I kept focused on the 86 and it is nearing completion for awhile.

Those are some great looking pics of your runner out snow wheeling.

 

Good score, I love the way the front end looks.

All stubby and little. I like smaller sized vehicles, always have.


I want to rebuild a 77 Honda Civic one day. Make it a sweet little sleeper, mostly stock looking great.

 

Ed!!!! ..... That's it , just seeing sup! Lol

 

Hello Terry. Thank you for the advise, I think I will start a build thread on the 83' like you said it's nice to go back and see the progress over the years. I also think I'm going to keep it stock, this will save me money that I can put towards the 4runner, and keep the costs down to just fixing the little things it's missing and maintaining the 83'.

I had to get rid of a bunch of my scrap metal when we moved, but I think I have enough to build a rear bumper out of some 2"x3" tubing, that will save me some $$$. Then I need to find a tailgate and steering column cover, but there is no hurry on that. I'd eventually like to match the paint of the cab for the bed, that's where I wish I had your skills!!!