My latest project is a 1989 SR5 extra cab with a V6 and a 5 speed. Someone in the past has added a suspention lift, shocks and unfortunately a body lift. My plans for this truck are to make it into a functioning long travel desert truck. For now Im just trying to make it run good and safe to drive. The night I bought it (for $500!) I had to drive it 25 miles home with NO BRAKES! I made it home only using the parking brake. It had a bed off of an earlier model and the inside was just trashed.
So far Ive made it run good and stop good and replaced almost everything on the interior. Im also working on doing a quickie paint job because being a body man I hate driving a truck with primer and dents.
Here are some pics Ive taken along the way so far...


The night I first brought it home...


With a little body work and the correct bed its waiting for some paint...


Replacing the dash and heater issues...


The bedsides were removed for the fiberglass sides...


Prepping the cab for some touch up paint...


The base coat sprayed on, waiting for clear...


Painting the bedsides...


The new bedsides painted and waiting to be installed...

 

I have lots of plans for this truck. I would really appreciate any input you guys may have from your own builds. Thanks!!!

 

Really looking forward to progress on this build! Subscribed

 

Good luck, nice project truck

 

scribed

 

Thanks guys! Today I didnt get much work done. I did manage to clear the back of the cab. I am still debating on keeping it plain white or painting graphics. One design I really like is the red, orange and yellow that Toyota used on its race trucks from this era. I may still add them later. For now Ive got a lot of clean up and put together.

 

The red, orange, and yellow graphics would look sick on this truck! I'd definitely go for that look if I was you.

 

I was even considering that paint scheme if/when I prerunner my 2wd. its classic

 

Where did you get those bedsides?

 

The bedsides are from Hanneman Fiberglass.

 

Here is a little update on what I did today.
I cleaned up the frame and sprayed on some fresh undercoating. Since the wheel openings are so much bigger you will be able to see a lot of the frame and I wanted it to look good.
Somehow I was also able to finish the bed and get both bedsides mounted. With the fiberglass sides I dont see a way to run a tailgate without some major fab work, so Im going to build a rear bumper/spare tire rack and leave the tailgate off.

Here is the frame after cleaning it up...


Here is annother look with it pulled outside in the sun...


My little helper, who usually gets in the way more than he helps. One bedside was mounted and getting ready to do the other one...


Setting the bed in place to make sure everything would line up...


The bed sitting in place...


I pulled it outside to turn it around so I can work on the front end and took a couple of pics. The bed is not bolted down, its just sitting there. Thats why the body lines dont line up...


The rear view looks tough already! Im really starting to love the way this thing is turning out...

 

Here is the paint scheme I want to do on my project...

 

Lookin slick! Love the paint scheme.

 

That paint scheme is gonna look sick! Is the paint in the near future or further down the line?

 

pretty............

 

After a day off I got a few things put back together. With the front fenders off I spent some time cleaning up the inner fenders and prepped them for a fresh coat of undercoating. Then I assembled the front end except for the bumper. Ive got to drive across town and pick up a new/used one since mine is pretty beat up.

Here is my little helper inspecting my work...


The inner fenders were old and nasty looking...


With fresh undercoating things are starting to look new again...


The front fenders went on with quite a bit of work...


Here it is out in the sun...

 

I need to add some more pics on here. I got it to the point where I can drive it and kinda stopped.
More updates coming soon!

 

looks great! why did you decide to keep the body lift?

 

For now Im leaving it in. My plans are for a real long travel front end, not just cranked up torsion bars (what it has now). Once I put in the Total Chaos, or some other brand front end the body lift will probably come out. The body lift helps get the look until I have the budget for the expensive stuff. Have you priced the long travel kits? LOL They cost more than the truck is worth! But so worth it to drive!

 

Ya the 2wd long travel kits are really awesome. I will own one again someday...