Winter project: '84 Toyota PU: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Nov. 3, 2009 12:49 p.m. stan SuperDork

So after NOT finding a new project, I've just decided to work on the Toyota PU I've had and used over the summer. It's 2wd and, apparently, a base model with the 22r/ 5 speed. I always thought it was sorta fun to drive though and since it's bought and paid for, I'll just mess with it over the next few months in an attempt to make it nicer and more fun for next year. It was certainly a work horse hauling a skid of bricks, a load of sand, gravel (twice) , and mulch with no complaint.

Or at least none that I noticed.

Anyway......I have Pirate4X4, ToyotaNation and YotaTech as forums/ reference sites and was just wondering if I'm missing one of two really good sites for my truck questions and information.

thanks, Stan
Nov. 3, 2009 12:53 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

Ask your questions here too, as there's a bunch of us with them or that had them. I have a engnbldr torquer cam in my 86, and I megasquirted it. I redid the seats with a whole hide of Spanish leather and my grandmother's hand crank Singer. I think I have a thread here on that somewhere.
Nov. 3, 2009 12:59 p.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork

YotaTech makes me feel dumber after reading some of things people write. There's some good tech there but lots of dumb people too. You could also check out TTORA and IH8MUD. They're geared more towards later models and Land Cruisers, respectively but they both have pickup sections.
Nov. 3, 2009 1:15 p.m. Gearheadotaku Reader

Pre-runner or low rider?
Nov. 3, 2009 2:58 p.m. stan SuperDork

Dr. Hess wrote:

Ask your questions here too, as there's a bunch of us with them or that had them. I have a engnbldr torquer cam in my 86, and I megasquirted it. I redid the seats with a whole hide of Spanish leather and my grandmother's hand crank Singer. I think I have a thread here on that somewhere.

That seat sounds great! I thought this place would be a great resource (of course!), but didn't want to abuse you people...

As for pre-runner/low rider: more stock-ish with a bit of lowering or something to fill the wheel wells a bit more. Any good ideas on stock wheels that are out there (I know they're the 5X4.5 so the selection should be pretty good.

Stan
Nov. 3, 2009 3:12 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

We're here for your abuse. It's complicated.

Here's a pic:

The hide was $230 delivered. Just take the old seat apart completely, trace the pieces to the hyde, cut it out, sew the pieces back together with upholstery thread. Pretty simple, just tedious. It took about a week of evenings and a weekend. New carpet off of amazon.com.
Nov. 3, 2009 4:01 p.m. JetMech New Reader

stan wrote:

It's 2wd and, apparently, a base model with the 22r/ 5 speed.

The 22R was the only engine for 1984. The 22R-E didn't come along until 1985, and then only as an option.

I had a 1992 Toyota pickup with the 22R-E and a 5-speed. Bulletproof until it encountered a distracted 19-year-old driving in the wrong lane. Loved it, miss it.
Nov. 3, 2009 4:19 p.m. Karl La Follette HalfDork

I had to sacrifice my 4x4 toyo for a land deal I made . Allways lookin for an extra cab to use for huntin camp , until then I am riding a mitsubishee truck I got from a dui /sheriffs deal which wont quit . You cannot go wrong with these trucks.
Nov. 3, 2009 4:20 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

stan wrote:

Dr. Hess wrote:

Ask your questions here too, as there's a bunch of us with them or that had them. I have a engnbldr torquer cam in my 86, and I megasquirted it. I redid the seats with a whole hide of Spanish leather and my grandmother's hand crank Singer. I think I have a thread here on that somewhere.

That seat sounds great! I thought this place would be a great resource (of course!), but didn't want to abuse you people...

As for pre-runner/low rider: more stock-ish with a bit of lowering or something to fill the wheel wells a bit more. Any good ideas on stock wheels that are out there (I know they're the 5X4.5 so the selection should be pretty good.

Stan

Run Mk2 Supra 14x7 wheels. Totally killer 80's styling to match the truck, and they bolt right up.
Nov. 3, 2009 4:45 p.m. ReverendDexter HalfDork

SlickDizzy wrote:

Run Mk2 Supra 14x7 wheels. Totally killer 80's styling to match the truck, and they bolt right up.

Urm, are you sure? Mk II Supras use the same 4-lug bolt pattern as RWD Celicas and Corollas, namely 4x114.3 (4x4.5 for us SAE folks) All the 2WD 'yota pickups I've seen (including the one I owned) used 5x4.5, a pattern that's shared with Mustangs (amongst a lot of other stuff).
Nov. 3, 2009 5:47 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

Oops! I misread, thought it was 4x4.5, and always thought the 2WD Yoda trucks were 4-lug, my mistake!

Although for what it's worth, that means Starion wheels should fit...
Nov. 4, 2009 5:59 a.m. foxtrapper UltraDork

Yep. Many of us have had and some still have Toyota trucks of that vintage. You can certainly make them do interesting things. I tarted one of mine up with a locker differential, sway bars, big wheels, etc. Still had a stock 22RE engine, so I was slow as molassis, but it cornered remarkably well.

For forums, I'd suggest 4x4wire. The folks there are knowledgeable and laid back. Unlike Pirate and ToyotaNation. The one is a flame fest by testosterone queens, the other is littered with trolls and zombies.
Nov. 4, 2009 8:54 a.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

Anyone know where to get the plastic bezel for the inside door latch for an RN Truck? Is there someone that specializes in these odd pieces? I have a feeling they are unobtainium from Toyota after 23 years, but I haven't tried. They did have the freon tube that goes between the receiver and the coil, but I had to bring my BIG debit card.
Nov. 4, 2009 9:25 a.m. foxtrapper UltraDork

Dr. Hess,

Ebay. By the bucket load.