Toy Story

Maverick26 · Sep 9, 2013

Well, been surfing CL for a while now and finally found the truck I have been wanting. This will not be a wheeler at all, going to restore it over time to be as close to factory as I can with maybe a few common upgrades like cross over power steering and IFS brakes. I want it for a dd/mountain hunting truck.

Everything seems to work on the truck, motor is just off a fresh rebuild and looks and runs very nice. Body is in very nice shape with very small bits of surface rust in some small areas. Interior is factory untouched as is most of the truck. Still has factory jack and all the handles in factory toyota bag. Im a sucker for **** like that. It will need a tranny rebuild/replace.

Im going to call on all you toyota guys to help with this in the tech area, I have lots of questions on the steering and tranny stuff, what are my options ext....

Right now, im excited cause this thing rocks! Ill get more pics soon.

zukkev · Sep 9, 2013

Sweet find!:awesomework: What yr???

Maverick26 · Sep 9, 2013

It's an 81 kev. Really clean.

zukkev · Sep 9, 2013

I used to have a really nice burnt orange 81 SR5...Miss that truck bad.
Might be getting another tho! :redneck:

Maverick26 · Sep 9, 2013

zukkev said:
I used to have a really nice burnt orange 81 SR5...Miss that truck bad.
Might be getting another tho! :redneck:

These little trucks are getting harder to find in good shape, lots of guys wheel them or part them out or whatever so it makes them a bit more rare. I cant wait to get this one all shined up and finish all the loose ends on it. For the most part it is in very good shape and working order. I have a soft spot for these trucks for sure.

dvdswan · Sep 9, 2013

nice score, it even has "4 eel D " :redneck:

should be a fun build/restore.

with any luck you'll have it nicer than this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983...2?ViewItem=&item=300940846232&forcev4exp=true

Maverick26 · Sep 9, 2013

Man 16k for a 1st gen is a pipe dream at best, one really slick looking little rig tho. Not sure if anyone seen this one in Spokane, its also a little gem.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4028352803.html

lethe · Sep 9, 2013

Nice. I saw this thing listed on CL a few days ago. I just picked up another yota again a few days ago. Im not sure if im going to build a wheeler or just keep it stock for a dd.

Maverick26 · Sep 10, 2013

I need to get the tranny reliable in this thing soon so I can drive it a little more then I can now. Its got the 4 speed in it now that feels quite like junk to me and sounds like its crushing rocks. Can I replace the entire unit with a 5 speed? If so, what am I looking for? W56? G52? Does it matter? whats best?

YotaDude1997 · Sep 10, 2013

Looks good!:awesomework:

Mark m. · Sep 10, 2013

Maverick26 said:
I need to get the tranny reliable in this thing soon so I can drive it a little more then I can now. Its got the 4 speed in it now that feels quite like junk to me and sounds like its crushing rocks. Can I replace the entire unit with a 5 speed? If so, what am I looking for? W56? G52? Does it matter? whats best?

If you want to just bolt it in a 81 to 83 5 speed bolts right in. If you want to use a W56 or a G52 they are 4" longer which requires longer front d-line and shorter rear d-lines and moving the crossmember back. If your interested I have both W56 and G52 5 speeds but no first gen 5 speeds.

"S"-box · Sep 10, 2013

dvdswan said:
nice score, it even has "4 eel D " :redneck:

should be a fun build/restore.

with any luck you'll have it nicer than this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983...2?ViewItem=&item=300940846232&forcev4exp=true

This pic makes me miss my first gen "trailblazer"! Good looking rig.:awesomework:

skinny_pedal · Sep 10, 2013

So happy to see someone doing this. I regret ever messing with my last 79. Good luck, I love 1st gen trucks. I believe they will be sought after like FJ40's soon

CHOP SHOP · Sep 10, 2013

I have three nice first gens. These trucks are getting scarce. There is going to be a big market for repop resto parts for them real quick I think.

Nice truck, make it nicer!:awesomework: I have a bit of parts for them also if ya need. :cool:

Maverick26 · Sep 10, 2013

Mark m. said:
If you want to just bolt it in a 81 to 83 5 speed bolts right in. If you want to use a W56 or a G52 they are 4" longer which requires longer front d-line and shorter rear d-lines and moving the crossmember back. If your interested I have both W56 and G52 5 speeds but no first gen 5 speeds.

Ok, thanks for the info mark. other then Dlines does anything change? Shifter location? I wont have to cut any of the floor out?

CHOP SHOP said:
I have three nice first gens. These trucks are getting scarce. There is going to be a big market for repop resto parts for them real quick I think.

Nice truck, make it nicer!:awesomework: I have a bit of parts for them also if ya need. :cool:

Thats the plan Brad. You, Mark and Mike are on my list of folks to talk to about getting this thing done up right. I like the idea of a stock truck but I also like the idea of power steering and better brakes and things like that. Help in those departments would be good.

Maverick26 · Sep 10, 2013

Also, Crash if you read this... I kinda wouldn't mind paying you for some help on getting the electrical system finished and up to speed and reliable. The engine bay just looks a little hecktic. The motor got pulled and rebuild and im not sure if everything is hooked up correctly. It has a Webber carb on it also that needs some tuning. Wondering if your up for something like that? The truck runs and most everything seems to work ok but I see some electical tape connectors and **** like that.

Maverick26 · Sep 11, 2013

gonna maybe do the brakes tonight, If I go and swap in 86+ rotors and calipers do they need to be V6 or 4cyl parts? any difference?

Mark m. · Sep 11, 2013

Maverick26 said:
gonna maybe do the brakes tonight, If I go and swap in 86+ rotors and calipers do they need to be V6 or 4cyl parts? any difference?

I used 1981 FJ40 rotors Some use FJ80 and IFS calipers. The V6 calipers are bigger and may rub your rims but if they do you can grind them down. I think after about 91 all were V6 calipers.

Maverick26 · Sep 11, 2013

Mark m. said:
I used 1981 FJ40 rotors Some use FJ80 and IFS calipers. The V6 calipers are bigger and may rub your rims but if they do you can grind them down. I think after about 91 all were V6 calipers.

Was reading about a guy that used '88 pickup IFS rotors, calipers and Master but didnt say if it was V6 or not. Everything just bolted on his '81 truck tho. I guess the question is, is there a difference between 88 4cyl and V6 calipers and rotors. I know the master is from a V6 cause thats what Marlin sells.

Mark m. · Sep 11, 2013

Maverick26 said:
Was reading about a guy that used '88 pickup IFS rotors, calipers and Master but didnt say if it was V6 or not. Everything just bolted on his '81 truck tho. I guess the question is, is there a difference between 88 4cyl and V6 calipers and rotors. I know the master is from a V6 cause thats what Marlin sells.

I guess I only know what worked for me. I'm sure there are lots of other combo's that work. I used a master cyl. from a 90 V6 truck. There are steel and aluminum ones and I used the steel one.

CHOP SHOP · Sep 11, 2013

Maverick26 said:
Was reading about a guy that used '88 pickup IFS rotors, calipers and Master but didnt say if it was V6 or not. Everything just bolted on his '81 truck tho. I guess the question is, is there a difference between 88 4cyl and V6 calipers and rotors. I know the master is from a V6 cause thats what Marlin sells.

fj80 rotors are solid axle like your truck, but vented and share the same thickness as the ifs rotors/calipers. the ifs rotors are NOT going to workl for you.

You dont need to upgrade the master, yours will work fine. Your brakes just warp to easily so the rotors need upgraded.

Just call me. I got the recipe.:cool:

Mark m. · Sep 12, 2013

The only reason I used the V6 MC is because I did rear disc.

Maverick26 · Sep 12, 2013

Ok sounds good guys, Chop... ill call you today some time. I got a list of things to get at Napa on my way home from work and I would like to get the brakes replaced in the front at least then take a look at the rears later. The fronts feel like my tires are square when coming to a stop.

rchrd989 · Sep 12, 2013

So, this doesnt look like your buggy at all? :stirpot:

Maverick26 · Sep 16, 2013

Im changing all the fluids in the truck, I dont have a manual yet. Any advise on what kind of oil to put in diffs, tranny and tcase? anything other then 80w-90 that I have already? I drained them and only the tranny smelled like 90w. Not sure.

CHOP SHOP · Sep 16, 2013

Just 80/90 for christs sake. :eeek:

Are you looking for someone to tell ya to buy some miracle oil? Cuz these rigs dont believe in miracles! Just keeping them FULL is more than 90 percent of the owners can manage.

The ONLY thing worth giving fancy sauce to is the power steering. ROYAL PURPLE only for the steering. It will run much cooler and quieter.

zukkev · Sep 16, 2013

GL4 is spec'd for the trans, helps the syncros move more freely when cold...GL5 80w/90 is fine for the rest of the boxes...

Maverick26 · Sep 16, 2013

CHOP SHOP said:
Just 80/90 for christs sake. :eeek:

Are you looking for someone to tell ya to buy some miracle oil? Cuz these rigs dont believe in miracles! Just keeping them FULL is more than 90 percent of the owners can manage.

The ONLY thing worth giving fancy sauce to is the power steering. ROYAL PURPLE only for the steering. It will run much cooler and quieter.

Easy tiger, I was just making sure. When I get me some power steering Ill give it the purple juice!

Maverick26 · Sep 18, 2013

I got turn signal issues on this thing. When I got the truck the front bumper and front signals were mia so I ordered some and got them yesterday. Thinking the reason my signals didnt work was the missing lights I plugged everything in and still inop. Hazards work fine tho. Im thinking flasher/relay for the signals is funky but have not done anything with it.