1st mod. suggestions for newbie. help.

[Frank300]

Hey guys, as you may have seen previously, I have just entered the 4x4 truck arena with the purchase of an '84 standard cab. I am looking at keeping this struck streetable for a daily driver but would also like to do some mild to moderate wheeling. What modifications should I consider first? Right now I am looking at of course tires, spring conversions and lift. Can you guys help me out here so that I dont WASTE too much money? Where can I find detailed info in "laymans" terms on the lift and springs? Your help and suggestions are much appreciated.

[ewarnerusa]

for "mild to moderate wheeling", your truck should be fine as is. It's a 4x4, right? But good tires are definitely the place to start.

[Frank300]

will I be able to run 31" tires with no lift at all? Right now the truck has some 235 tires the old man had on there for highway driving. Any other suggestions/help will be greatly appreciated.

[Frank300]

I'll try 85runner, still a little new to the forums. Truck is pretty generic but a good deal and in good shape for an Eastcoaster. Minimal rust, previous owner did replace the bed with an '83 bed, looks fine for me. Would like to replace the seat (posted a question in General Chat section) with something a little better looking and with more "tail" protection. Was wondering if a Ranger, s-10, Nissan bench style seat will work? I could go with a 60-40 split as long as I have shifter room. That's where you guys come into play. Sharing the knowledge you have already obtained is priceless and saves many headaches and $$'s.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

why not a 2 inch body lift with some 33s and toss in a rear locker.

Drew

[WildYoats]

Do some research-

Here is a great article from a famous author:D on building a Toyota for the newbie! I think a lot of people forget that Wild Yoats is more than just a Bulletin Board, there's a awesome website too!

http://www.wildyoats.com/toyota_4x4_building_101.htm

[robrocketanski]

i almost offerd my .02 but realized there are too many combos and too many different orders to do stuff in. i guess it depends on what you want. 31's and a locker will probably make the biggest difference off-road, might be all you ever need. but your truck will look stock, if you want it to look alittle 'cooler' than a 3" body lift and 33's might be the first thing to do.

[Frank300]

well, let me try again. She's not much but with a little help and education she will slowly be transformed.

[Frank300]

Another

[robrocketanski]

thats a good looking truck:D and i guess i did offer my .02 :p

[robrocketanski]

isnt that an 84-88 "japanese style" bed as opposed to a 79-83?

[Frank300]

You guys tell me, I dont have the slightest idea. I am new to Toyota's and the 4x4 area. I did know that I wanted the solid front axle and a couple of "cruiser" buddies advised this was a good buy. Spent most of my time prior with 4x4 4-wheelers in some heckish places.

[WildYoats]

Yes, I do beleive it is. Most US version beds for that year are smooth all the way up, no lip and no hooks. Cool! Looks very clean. Great starter for a build up!!

Good luck man.

[Frank300]

There is nothing to be concerned about with this bed is there?

[robrocketanski]

not at all. i think they may actually be beter b/c they dont have the seam that the others have (it usually rusts)

[pipefitter]

I would start by getting some greasable shackles . A set of good shocks and tires . And go from there . When I bought mine it was just a spare truck and a toy to play with . So I got stuid with mine . It cost me alot of money that I did not need to spend . So here are a few don't . First don't buy a cheap lift kit . Very bad . Don't go crazy with a sawall . Buy a good set of tires the first time . The best thing would be check the seals , bearrings , and all the basic stuff . Good luck .:D

[TDtoy]

Frank I would love to help but you will first have to help me to give you good input


Like what type of wheeling are you going to be doing

1- Sand

2- Fireroads

3- Mud

4- Rocks



Now we can give you a lot better input after you post some info


Travis





.

[Frank300]

being here on the eastcoast, most of my trial riding will be rutted out fireroads and rocky terrain. My goal is to be able to take the truck to Tellico and tackle some of the moderate trails there with no worry. I am not concerned or targeting my truck for mud riding. I would also prefer to keep it streetable as a daily driver.

[fourwd1]

Originally posted by robrocketanski
isnt that an 84-88 "japanese style" bed as opposed to a 79-83?

Yes, because the "flare" is square shaped and molded into the fender. 1st gen beds had a round, molded rubber add-on flare.

It's the bed rails on that bed that make it look 1st gen.

[jberling]

pleeeeaaaaase take those mirrored side stickers off the cab.

[4xfred]

AMEN!!! I second that!. Good lookin' starter other than the shiny crap on the side. Later...

[Runner-Man]

Frank300, you've got a nice, civilized truck there. You don't really need to go crazy to get started. For first mods for the Southeast, I would suggest the following:

1. Tires. Go with 31x10.5 AT's (I suggest BFG) if your truck spends most of its time on the road, and you want nice on-road manners with mild off-road ability. Go with 31x10.5 MT's if you want more aggressive off-road capability, and don't mind a little 'hum' on the pavement. I've heard that Goodyear MTRs are pretty good. I would start with 31's, because you don't want to have to re-gear yet, and this will give you medium off-road ability without too much committment, and no lift. You can always go bigger later after these wear out.

2. Good bumpers with strong towhook mounting points. You can either build or buy new bumpers, or just make sure you've got good tow hook points on the frame. Make sure they are solid, because you don't want them flying off and killing someone. Good, solid rock sliders, similar to nerf bars, are nice too, but not required. But, your sheetmetal is straight right now, you probably want to keep it that way.

3. Buy recovery gear. I'd suggest a couple of 3/8 link diameter chains, and a pull strap. Don't get one with hooks on the end, get one with loops sewn into the ends, with a 20,000 lb breaking strength. Also, if you want to, you can buy a 'Power Puller', which is basically a 4,000 lb come-a-long with 40' of cable, for about $125. Cheaper than a winch, but harder to work, too. You could also buy a Hi-Lift jack for less than $70 that can do double duty as a come-a-long with the chain.

This would really get you started, with a dead stock suspension. Later on, if you'd like, you can add the following:

1. Winch
2. Lockers
3. Lift kit, bigger tires, lower gears, Chevy Springs, etc.
4. Roll Cage, interior or exterior
5. 2nd transfer case
6. Engine swap

In the mean time, just 'run what you brung', and enjoy.

[Frank300]

Thanks runner-man. Looking for tires as we speak but was hoping I could find a decent deal on some used. I was looking at 31x10.5x15 as suggested but sure hate to pay $100 or more per tire.

Right now I have figured on tires and suspension mods, mainly doing the chevy rear spring with shocks and moving the rear leafs to the front with shocks. I figure that and tires will be o.k. for me to get a decent start. I am also considering the p/s conversion as bigger tires will make that thing a beast on the trails to turn.

[TDtoy]

Runner Man just gave some good input most of all YOU MUST have recovery gear straps ect and a few places to hook up to or if you get stuck someone will be pissed at you if you don't when they try to help.

But think through how soon you will want to be running bigger tires because you will see that it would not cost much more the first time to get 33's or 35's And you can find a spool for cheap and some chevy's and not be into it for a boat load of $$$

[Frank300]

well as my budget calls, my plan for right now is to keep the truck as my daily driver and moderate trail truck. The 31's will be my street tires and when duty calls I would like to opt with 33's or 35's depending on how things go. That's the plan anyway. I would like to see how the stock gears ratios work before switching to the 4.88's or 5.29's. If I have to switch, that will just about kill the truck as far as my daily driver due to the fact that I drive about 35 miles one way on the highway everyday.

[4xJedi]

I think your bed is off a 2wd truck, the flare would have more of a bulge if it were a 4x bed. Look for some pics of 2wd trucks online. Nothing wrong with it at all. It probably replaced a rusted bed.
Nice truck, good starting place.

First off get recovery gear.
Second get a buddie in a second truck and go wheeling and have fun. The more you wheel, the more you'll see what you need to modify according to your wheeling style and the type of wheeling that you do. Just be sure to have a second truck there. It sure beats a long walk home :D .

Welcome to the sport and lifestyle,
mike

[Kyron]

The two main questions that havent been asked is how much $$ you want to spend and how "road worthy" you'd like it to be?

[Frank300]

Thanks guys. This truck will need to be road worthy as much as possible for the time being. I do not want to invest in another truck and trailer to haul this rig with, or a dolley either. My plans for the near future are springs and shocks along with tires. No larger than 33's at the present. After my experiences with this set up, I will then see if gears and any other mods are in the books. I do need some suggestions on rock sliders and some type of protection for the gas tank. Looks like it is pretty vulnerable to damage.