1st Gen Build

So after having my old 1981 Toyota pickup for about a year, I got envious of my friends '89 4runner and all the space he had. Also I couldnt wait to get rid of that crappy carb and go to EFI. So I sold that truck and bought my '85 4runner from an old lady in South Carolina who was the original owner. For all you FJ people. '85 was the only year Toyota offered the Solid Front Axle and EFI, so it was a must have. Then I caught the bug and started planning all of the things I wanted to do to it.

Here is my old truck.


Here is the baby when I first got her.


So first off, it came with an automatic which sucked a lot driving anywhere and made it feel like it had no power. So out that came for a 5-speed swap.

Nothing like some Budbuilt bling.


Next was the brakes because stopping my massive tires was real hard with solid rotors.


So next I bought a welder, and well that just made my bank account shrink more because I had to buy stuff to put on the truck. So once I felt confident enough in my welding I decided to buy myself a lift.

Pile o Parts.


Of course nothing is ever easy as just placing the part there and welding it up. I spent hours and hours grinding and fitting every part until I felt that it was just right.

Front axle.


Steering Box.


Shock hoops.


Gettin ma to help with cleaning


Rear Axle all purdy.



Then after fixing about every leak that I had on the truck and replacing the steering box 3 times because none of them worked I finally got to Uwharrie and was suprised how well it worked.


Then I bought a locker. Yukon grizzy set up by ECGS


And a rear bumper about to go in.


So now I finally got time to go wheellin!

Rear bumper is sweet, well lets see how the turd does at Uwharrie on the 17th

Looking good so far. Looks like the rig was pretty much in great shape when you got it too, that is great!!

A couple observations from a guy that fabricates metal daily..........

Wear gloves while welding, leather, no nylon (it melts)

Shorts and shoes like in the pic is just asking for spatter to get down in your shoes and believe me you will not enjoy that. Long sleeves and long pants will also prevent welders burn. Much like a nasty sun burn.



Stan

man u lucked out getting an EFI solid axle...very very hard to find ...looks great with all the improvements...are u gonna lock the front or leave it open?

again looks awesome man

Yes i know about the welding. I burnt the hell out of my hands and legs. My only remark was that it was over 100 most of the days I was working on it. And I need to find some better gloves that give better feel.

Im savin up for some axles, most likely longfields, then i'm gonna re-gear the transfer case. Then hopefully some more goodies like a front locker and a cage. And my brother has a 3rz that I plan on swapping in whenever my 22re kicks the dust.

Nice write up Tyler! Awesome rig! You and Casey are very talented guys!

plus 1 on the write up.....ready to read/see more

Me and 4running are goin to uwharrie the 17th so hopefully more pictures after that.

you guys still gonna come on the 14th run?

Very nice looking rig. The oldies but goodies always look like so much fun to play with.

Chad we are down there on the 17th. Can't miss school unfortunately.

Very nice, I love seeing 1st Gens!

Had some free time today so I got my bumper mounted up and my diff armor on.

Show us the diff armor you dork

I would but it's dark and I'm at a party with jay Leno. So it ain't gonna happen.

Hang on I am on the phone with Abraham Lincoln.






I can make stuff up too captain

i love a 1st gen...really wish i had another one...but getting hard to find and well pricey...but you really have a great truck and the start to some great improvements...keep it up ..

Tell us about that sweet '85 Caravan you are rocking in your avatar!!!!!

Oh wow your brother must have picked up another sweet Dodge! Did he let you have it?

Haha i dont know how my avatar got like that but I might as well leave it. I mean it is the same color at least. And I do have a picture of Jay you queer.

Haha I love it

Well lets just say the tree snuck up on me.

Stuck too

You are still smiling .......I think.

uhhh, where did your mirror go??? dang Tyler....Casey said at least there were no broken windows....body damage bad?