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Flooded 1981 Toyota Pickup Revival

the_white_shadow

the_white_shadow

Well-known member
Joined
May 27, 2020
Member Number
1565
Messages
404
Im bored, so I figured i would throw together a build thread for my next shitbox in the fleet. Some back story on this '81. This truck was someone's baby at one point. So many nice 80s touches throughout, i.e aftermarket lights everywhere, wooden cup holders, ladder bars, some stiff lift, etc. At some point 15+ years ago it was flooded over the roof and sat as a parts truck ever since until i picked it up. Truck has rust on the body in the usual place around the windshield, floors, bed, etc. Frame is solid though. Build will be using parts i have laying around including the drivetrain from an 88 Dolphin RV i picked up from the same gentleman.

On to the build plan. I am breaking this up into two phases.

Phase 1:
22re swap (In and running)
5-speed L52 (from original truck)
4.7 Geared t-case with twin sticks
Get it wired using the complete 22re harness from the dolphin
Get the AC to work (Truck was original AC truck)
Dual diaphragm brake booster from the RV.
2nd Gen 4runner gas tank swap from 1992 4runner
IFS hub swap
IFS rear axle swap.
4.37s (what came in the truck)
36" TSLs
Rebuild the warn winch just to see if i can.

Phase 2:
Complete suspension redo
RUF up front
57" ford rears
Spring under
Converting the Dolphin RV full float dually axle to single wheel using FJ80 FF hubs. (~63" WMS)
Thinking FJ80 front with leafs sprung under
Some type of crossover steering with IFS box and power steering.
05+ Tacoma bigger brakes front/rear
Maybe 37s on FJC steelies
Maybe some 5.29s and detroits from a buddy

Some pics of all the junk i have acquired so far. I bought a total of 5 toyotas from the same local gentleman. His wife made him clean up some of his yard. Sold two (The 87/85) already and trying to sell the third (92 4runner). Parted out the Dolphin RV and am building the 81.

First up is the '81 as it sat when i picked it up.
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Also picked up these two, an 87 4wd and 85 2wd as well.
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The red one cleaned up and i got it to run the 1st day. A little shine job and sold it.
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Also picked up a 92 4runner 4wd with factory 4.88s. Could never get it to run. For sale currently.
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Onto the donor for the drivetrain. 97k 22re/auto equipped dually dolphin RV, minus the RV. Kept the 22re, full wiring harness, rear axle and am selling/scrapping the rest.
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Im also keeping the floor out of the dolphin to use as patch panels for the 81 floor. Its in perfect shape.
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to be continued....
 
The 97k mile 22re. Took a little bit of marvel mystery oil and some prybar action but i got it to free up and eventually run pretty dang well. Smokes some but the smoke is less and less every time i run it. The rings are starting to heal some.
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The 81 22r engine has seen better days.
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Rolled the 81 into the shop.
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22re sitting in and 3" body lift removed. The aluminum body lift pucks fused themselves to the steel bolts so a sawzall was used to chop them all out. That wasnt fun.
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Craigslist rebuilt the L52. Internal condition unknown. Installed new output seal, clutch, resurfaced flywheel, slave/master cylinder. Fun fact, a 93/94 22re has a ~1/2" larger diameter clutch and flywheel than earlier versions.
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22re installed. I couldnt fit the factory AFM air cleaner box so i deleted it and added 10hp with an open air filter i had on the shelf with a cheap amazon adapter. Even the factory 81 radiator overflow and washer resi fits.
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82/83 cluster that i had on the shelf that im using.
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Some of the wiring diagrams i used to wire in the cluster. These are the outputs from a 83 cluster.
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For the 88-ish cluster harness plugs:
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Final plug pinout.
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Completed 22re swap. Used the RV radiator, RV booster, RV coil/igniter. Used the 4runner master cylinder.
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1st gen tacoma seat sitting on the rotted out floor.
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Twin sticks and an old school Longfield shift knob round out the shifters. Ill need to bend the L52 shifter some to clear the twin sticks.
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Finally found a use for the inclinometer i picked up from a buddy.
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Fun fact is that a 2005 VW Jetta TDI downpipe and resonator are a perfect fit for this truck.
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Took for its first test drive yesterday without any working brakes. Also put a grey scotchbrite pad and some water to it and boy did it clean it up real nice. 36" TSLs and some 15x10 micky thompson wheels give it that classic look.
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Thats it for now. Its runs and drives. T-case wont shift into 4wd. i think the shift rails hit the back of the transmission. The L52 doesnt have a huge pocket for the rails if they extend past the face of the t-case. Ill pull it later on when i get to phase two of the build.

List of shit to do now:
Finish wiring inside
install new to me heater/blower unit as mine is rusted and trashed.
Test AC and hope it works.
Rust repair on floor.
Install front winch bumper
Install rear plate bumper.
Buy and install new shocks.
Get brakes to work.
Install IFS rear and IFS front hubs with FJ60 brake rotors and IFS calipers.
Enjoy it for a while while i collect parts for phase two.
 
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does this mean the Tundra is for sale? :dustin::lance:

looking forward to this build.
 
Anyone ever seen this stripe package? Best i can tell its three stripes with two running the length of the truck and top one stopping at the door handle.
 
Awesome. I like your builds from the buggys to the basic low buck Toyotas :smokin:

Also, last time I put together a set of dual cases for an L52, I had to cut the shift rail flush with the t-case.
 
J.Cole said:
Awesome. I like your builds from the buggys to the basic low buck Toyotas :smokin:

Also, last time I put together a set of dual cases for an L52, I had to cut the shift rail flush with the t-case.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I like tinkering with shit. Keeps me busy. Ive never done a spring under build before so this is the perfect candidate.

Good to know. I cut them down some, but not completely flush. My mistake.
 
Fucked with the brakes this weekend. Had to disconnect every brake line connected and blow brake clean through them to clear them out. Finally got fluid to reach each end. Installed new(er) SS brake hoses and tried to bleed them. Got good pedal, but really only the front right caliper is trying to do something. Ill need new calipers as these are more than likely stuck from sitting and rusting for all these years. Now the debate is to spend money on this axle knowing ill be swapping in a FJ80 front, or just waiting. Ill have to check my parts stash to see if i have some decent SA calipers or try and work these to see if i can get the pistons unstuck.

Also pulled the dually axle into the shop. Just need some FZJ80 rear hubs to convert it over to 6x5.5. The housing appears to be beef in comparison to the stock axle.
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Im picking up a FJ80 front axle today from a buddy thats missing the hubs, but its a good start.
 
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I too enjoy all your builds. Wish I had the extra time to build stuff like you do. Barely keep my one shitbox rolling lol...
 
Picked up some goodies for a couple projects yesterday. The 3UZ is for a flooded SC430 i picked up at auction a couple weeks ago. The engine had a hole in the block after the last hurricane.

The FJ80 front is for this truck. Its missing the wheel hubs, calipers, etc, but is an e-locker. Score.
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Nice score on the axle. Are you going to keep the axle on coils or change to leafs or coilovers?
 
Picked up the final piece of the puzzle for the dually 8" rear axle, a FJZ80 9.5" full float rear axle. I plan on using the hubs and brakes off the 80 axle for the dually axle. This should put me around 63" wide to match the front. I do realize the 9.5" axle is stronger, but i dont want to deal with the offset diff and/or move the gas tank. I think the 8" should be plenty strong for 37s.

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the_white_shadow said:
Picked up some goodies for a couple projects yesterday. The 3UZ is for a flooded SC430 i picked up at auction a couple weeks ago. The engine had a hole in the block after the last hurricane.

The FJ80 front is for this truck. Its missing the wheel hubs, calipers, etc, but is an e-locker. Score.
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Click to expand...
Obvious answer is 3UZ pickup and 22R LS430 :flipoff2::flipoff2:
 
Scored another parts vehicle over the weekend. 85 4runner that is a tad bit rusty. Has some good parts to it. LC brake upgrades up front, 22re, W56, top shit t-case, 4.88s, PS, AC, good top, etc. Also included was a bunch of suspension upgrades for the 81. It has a full marlin kit with leaves f/r, 5150 bilsteins, new IFS box, a disassembled front axle, and a bunch or stuff this guy bought new and never installed.

The RE is locked up solid in the 4runner. Apparently has a blown headgasket. Ill try (not hard) to see if i can get the engine unstuck. I plan on using the rear marlin springs up front along with the shocks, hangers, etc that came with the kit. Ill also swap in the w56 in place of the L50/52. I have to pull the t-case anyways.

As i picked it up.
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Super crusty
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It was a sharp looking runner before the rust and neglect took over. Love me some BFG KM1 tires. I did get them to hold air to roll it off the trailer.
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So many parts included.
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Thats it for now. im going to be offshore with work for the next 5ish weeks. Maybe ill end up getting some Hellfire or FROR 80 knuckles for the front of this thing.
 
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