little blue truck - 1985

[Wulf]

I picked this truck up from my good buddy who has owned it for many years. Now I have something to wheel while I hoard parts and cut up my Tacoma for tons. I'm pretty excited about this truck (If it isn't clear I am not Aaron and did not build this truck).

It's an 1985 with the 22R on propane with Hooker header.
37" Creepy Crawlers on beadlocks
Dual cases - 4.7s in one, transfer case e brake
Front axle: trussed with hydro assist, 5th stud, RCVs, 5.29s, and a Detroit. Bastard leaf pack
Rear axle: Welded 5.29s. Chevy 63s

An easy shakedown run determined that I needed to bumpstop the front to keep the ram and oil pan from playing too hard. I also need new front axle seals and to chase down engine oil and power steering leaks.

 

[Wulf]

First order of business last night was to raid the scrap bin and see what I could come up with to bump stop the driver side. I flexed the truck out with my engine crane and found out that the front DS leaf inverts so I based the bumpstop placement off of that so they don't self-destruct so quickly. I still had more up travel before the ram would hit the pan.

I decided to place the bump over the truss near the oil pan on the driver side. I found some 3/16 pieces to make work.

 

[Aisin]

Pussy. On my last truck I used the tie rod and drag link for bump stops. Saves fab time.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Step 1: buy some degreaser and pressure wash the shit out of that thing.

 

[Wulf]

Step 1: buy some degreaser and pressure wash the shit out of that thing.

I can't even look in it's direction without getting covered in oil and grease Sounds like a good plan to me.

The power steering pump and ram are leaking on the front and I think the half moon seal on the back is leaking. Back of head is very wet. I have both on the shelf with a rebuild kit to make this pump a spare but haven't gotten there yet.


It steers pretty well when it has fluid in it

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[Stephen Wilson]

I consider my 3.0 oil leaks a plus, at least I know the front portion of the frame won't rust away from NJ winters. !

 

[Slander]

Pussy. On my last truck I used the tie rod and drag link for bump stops. Saves fab time.

It looks like this one actually leaves the pavement, and isnt used only to troll for ass down at the local truck stop

 

[Rowdy]

"No Step"

 

[Wulf]

Took the truck out to play on Saturday despite not having done a whole bunch to it. I did the valve cover and half moons so it would stop leaking oil all over the damn place. I have yet to build a bump mount on the pass side or replace the steering pump and ram.

When I went to load up the truck the steering was realllly funky and felt like it was binding in a couple spots. After checking to make sure that everything looked good and there was no binding or contact with the tie rod, drag link, and ram I sprayed the hell out of the u joints in the shaft between the column and the box and it cleared up. Aside from that issue and the steering intermittently feeling weak the truck did great and is a blast to drive.

 

[Wulf]

Tore into things this past week so I could get to the leaky steering pump and ram.

After pulling the ram off I realized that the one sitting on the shelf won't work in this application because the body OD is larger and it's an 8" ram vs the 6" on the truck. decide to put the old one back on because it seems to have stopped leaking out the wiper seal anyways. I guess the little bit of 5W30 I had to add to the system when I ran out of PS fluid on the trail had a good seal conditioner in it

I drilled out the flow restrictor on the new pump and can't really tell a difference at idle but at 1000 RPM it seems to move a little quicker.

After 30 minutes of cranking the wheel back and forth I stopped seeing bubbles in the fluid and figured it was good to go. I shut off the engine and it puked fluid out of the reservoir... Then the new pump started whining when I backed it out of the garage.

I drilled out the flow restrictor on the new pump and can't really tell a difference at idle but at 1000 RPM it seems to move a little quicker. Not very happy with the steering effort, even with the hydro assist it seems to require more effort than my Tacoma on 35s but I'm not seeing any binding issues
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[Aisin]

It looks like this one actually leaves the pavement, and isnt used only to troll for ass down at the local truck stop

Just saw this comment. His truck looks mint. Mine was a wadded up raisin. I used the bed sides to pivot around trees.

 

[Slander]

Just saw this comment. His truck looks mint. Mine was a wadded up raisin. I used the bed sides to pivot around trees.

You ever going to make a build thread for this mythical truck?

 

[Aisin]

You ever going to make a build thread for this mythical truck?

Busy buying silencers right now. This was the shitbox I was referring to.

 

[MT-TOY]

I like this thing. If you get around to it, post up some rear end/bed photos. I'm curious about the bedsides and tube underneath.

Need to name that thing the Screecher in ode to blue haired screechers. Everybody wants to flog one.

 

[Wulf]

I like this thing. If you get around to it, post up some rear end/bed photos. I'm curious about the bedsides and tube underneath.

Need to name that thing the Screecher in ode to blue haired screechers. Everybody wants to flog one.

Is there anything specific you'd like to see?

 

[MT-TOY]

Is there anything specific you'd like to see?

Thanks, man. Just wanted to see the layout. You posted what I wanted to see. My flatbed is built already, but like seeing other's beds. Looks very simple and clean. I dig it.

 

[Wulf]

Thanks, man. Just wanted to see the layout. You posted what I wanted to see. My flatbed is built already, but like seeing other's beds. Looks very simple and clean. I dig it.

I'm thinking shuffling things around to make the tool box more accessible and shove a spare and cooler mount in there too. Just not sure how I want to do it

 

[Wulf]

Ran Chinaman Gulch today.

The few aspens up there are turning already. The obstacles are getting pretty dug out and I spent some time helping a family in a Square body suburban on 33s make it through the chute. That spot is gnarly. My buddy got caught up there in his CC Tacoma last time we went out and he's on 37s locked front and rear.

The new power steering pump is already whining but with the drilled restrictor and Amsoil tractor fluid the steering performed well. It did not boil over all day unlike the conventional power steering fluid in the same setup. I have a reservoir that is approximately 2x as large as stock that I need to build a mount for and install and I should probably run a cooler as well... That said I am content with how it ran today :)

There's an illegal bypass on the initial portion of the trail before the split between Chinaman and Carnage and even has a posted sign. Someone ahead of me had driven through it and broken the tree limbs used to supplement the posted signage as well. That shit makes me mad. On my way out I stopped and drug some more timber out to mark it again.

 

[Alex123456]

Good times, I want to get out and wheel colorado next year

 

[Wulf]

Good times, I want to get out and wheel colorado next year

There are some very pretty spots out here. With COVID more people have been coming here and wheeling so the trails have been crowded this summer. That has kept me from wanting to go out too much. I'm glad I pushed through and went this past weekend, though

 

[Wulf]

Pulled out the clean set of smoker vent doors my buddy included with the truck to see what it would take to fit on the passenger side. It would be nice to have glass for winter wheelin. I'm not really sure I have the skills to pull the cab corner out enough to get it to latch. Even if I do pull it some it seems like I'd have to use a piece of flat strap to move the strike catch outwards. Gonna let it marinate for a bit.

Another buddy gave away a cleaner cab last year and I should have grabbed it

 

[Wulf]

Ran the Independence trail system for the first time this weekend. Hit both Liberty and Patriot

 

[Wulf]

 

[Shitboxtoyota]

I dig this thing! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

 

[Wulf]

I blew a hydro assist line close to the fitting on top of the power steering box weekend before last while loading up. I'm lucky it happened in the driveway on not on the trail because I didn't have a spare.

The local NAPA hydraulic shop couldn't recreate the lines so I opted for some TrailGear replacements. Interestingly the old lines are printed 5/8 but I think that was a mistake (surprise, TG) because they the same dimensions as the 5/16" replacements.

I got the hoses in and then realized I want to pull one and reroute it so I have a bit more slack. I think I'm going to cut and extend the reservoir too, I'm tired of it puking fluid into the engine bay. I'm attaching some pics from the old site that I'm thinking I'll copy. I have a section of stainless 3.5" exhaust left over from putting a muffler on my buddy's car which should be OK.

yes, I know it needs a bath in Simple Green once everything is put together

 

[Pitbullcruiser]

Nice truck! I live in Longmont, we should put together a wheeling trip sometime.

 

[Wulf]

Nice truck! I live in Longmont, we should put together a wheeling trip sometime.

Thanks! I'm always down for a good wheelin trip when life isn't busy getting in the way

 

[Wulf]

I blew a hydro assist line close to the fitting on top of the power steering box weekend before last while loading up. I'm lucky it happened in the driveway on not on the trail because I didn't have a spare.

The local NAPA hydraulic shop couldn't recreate the lines so I opted for some TrailGear replacements. Interestingly the old lines are printed 5/8 but I think that was a mistake (surprise, TG) because they the same dimensions as the 5/16" replacements.

I got the hoses in and then realized I want to pull one and reroute it so I have a bit more slack. I think I'm going to cut and extend the reservoir too, I'm tired of it puking fluid into the engine bay. I'm attaching some pics from the old site that I'm thinking I'll copy. I have a section of stainless 3.5" exhaust left over from putting a muffler on my buddy's car which should be OK.

yes, I know it needs a bath in Simple Green once everything is put together

So, I ordered a baffled steering reservoir but by the time it arrived I had decided to jump on a new house that a friend of a friend was selling. It has a detached shop with enough room for a lift and off street parking for all my shit boxes so I will be in good shape.

With the new hydro lines and factory reservoir I bled the steering and it's like a whole new truck. I didn't drive it more than around the block but it doesn't seem to be aerating or puking fluid like it was before nor does it have a hard pull to one side. I always assumed the pull was an alignment/tire/bent axle issue. I'm guessing the old hydro line had a pinhole leak that would puke or pull air depending on the direction the wheel was turned....time will tell.

I might send this res back and keep the stock one to see if it has the same issues now.

Nice truck! I live in Longmont, we should put together a wheeling trip sometime.

Which part? Funny enough I happened into a place within walking distance of Main and it looks like I'll be moving up in the next month

 

[Pitbullcruiser]

So, I ordered a baffled steering reservoir but by the time it arrived I had decided to jump on a new house that a friend of a friend was selling. It has a detached shop with enough room for a lift and off street parking for all my shit boxes so I will be in good shape.

With the new hydro lines and factory reservoir I bled the steering and it's like a whole new truck. I didn't drive it more than around the block but it doesn't seem to be aerating or puking fluid like it was before nor does it have a hard pull to one side. I always assumed the pull was an alignment/tire/bent axle issue. I'm guessing the old hydro line had a pinhole leak that would puke or pull air depending on the direction the wheel was turned....time will tell.

I might send this res back and keep the stock one to see if it has the same issues now.




Which part? Funny enough I happened into a place within walking distance of Main and it looks like I'll be moving up in the next month

Wow, I live right by Roosevelt Park.

 

[Wulf]

Had a lot of personal stuff going on and then a back injury getting in my way of working on the truck so I haven't done much at all since moving.

I rebuilt they hydro cylinder and built a mount for the new res. Steering is quiet for the first time and seems to work great driving around the neighborhood.

The knuckles have been leaking gear oil soup so I thought I'd replace the axle seals and repack the birfs. I pulled the pass side apart this afternoon and I think the housing is bent. The birf is rubbing on the knuckle ball on the bottom side. Unsurprising the birf itself takes a lot of effort to move in some directions due to said gear oil glitter soup