And finally where we left off last night until today. I didnt get any after I was done (it was dark by then). But tomorrow I need to run by the parts store to get a couple of parts, get the break in oil at the engine shop and button up the last couple of items. Then I can start it for the first time. I hope to drive it by the end of the week as I still have to mount the new bed, replace the rear end gasket, and put the 4" beefy taco blocks I got from dgrfan55. But its almost there and a I cant wait. I havent driven it in almost 3 months.

 

So today, I started it and it sounds good!!!!!! Just need to adjust the valves and take it for a spin. I was kind of nervous when I turned the key. But once It started I was very happy.

 

well after almost 4 months it is back on the road. I got the bed put together and the taillights mounted (they are there temp untill I find a home for them). I had not properly adjusted the throttle linkage or bolted it down all the way so I had weak throttle response. After adjusting it is nice and quick. Its like having a new truck.

 

Here is a couple more views.

 

The truck looks great man. What's goin into paint after those tail lights?

 

Man for all that work on the motor should have just turned it into the 22RTE. Still good work and glad you did it all the right way. You will have a motor that will last a long time.

 

Thanks. Going to hold off on paint untill next year, but going to paint it close to the stock dark blue color. For now my brother wants to go through it and do a patina type paint job on it.

 

That never crossed my mind. I did higher performance in its earlier life and I think it lead to its earlier demise. This time I just wanted a nice "stockish" engine that wouldn't cost alot to drive.

 

I also removed the gauges from the pass side of the dash, which left two holes. So I went old school and wrapped the upper dash, a pillars and column surround with tweed. I still have to do the door panels and maybe I will attempt the lower dash, but all those curves kinda scare me. I also added the 4runner cluster (although I cant get the tach to work) and the 4runner dome.

 

Love tweed got in my interior durable material them corners can be stubborn

 

Dang bro your truck is looking good. Its came a long way since i seen it on that cruise. Keep up the good work

 

Thanks. Still not sure how much I like the bed. I can live with no tailgate but If I keep it the top is going to get cut off and either a shell or tonneau is going back on.

 

Well its been a while since I updated this. I ended up getting rid of the shaved bed and traded it for a stock one. I liked it being shaved, but it wasn't practical as I had to borrow a truck to go get stuff (tires, axles, etc) for my suburban. Not to mention it was really heavy (didn't realize it was till a stock bed was on, no more constant bottoming out). So on this new one I will be shaving the handle and adding a roll pan and then paint!! I also picked up a set of 4wd fenders. I found a shell on the dezert site I frequent and traded a tire and wheel from my suburban for it (just need to find a back window). And then I added some led tails, and man are they bright and make the truck look good.

 

looks good....i think i saw u today at the junk yard miliken 1

 

So its been a while since I have updated this. I haven't driven the truck since april as I cracked the head. So while It has been down I have done the following:

-replaced the everything In the front suspension (ball joints, tie rods, Idler and centerlink)
-installed bell tech drop spindles
-I picked up a tilt column with intermittant wipers
-billet steering wheel with BAD billet adapter that I found on ebay
-power windows and with billet switches
-I wrapped the factory panels with matching tweed
-sr5 cluster with tach (actually got it adusted this time)
-a new matching (from same truck) 4wd fenders and hood
-and today I found a shaved tailgate on craigslist that I scored for $50

Im also in the process of filling holes in the shell from a rack that was added and probably will fill the holes on the bottom from the moulding. Overall the truck is slowly getting there and once I shave a couple more items (antenna, hood, gas door and rock gaurds) and get a roll pan It will be ready for paint.

 

Well it's been a while, but a few months ago I traded my bed for a fully shaved one. Then today I got a call at work from my gf telling me a tree fell, and my truck caught it. In the process it destroyed my bed, shell and cab. So time to rebuild again. Who knows I may just cut the roof off and make it a convertible. I will find out how bad it is this weekend when I begin tear down.

 

Damn that is sh!tty! Sorry about your luck man. Will insurance help with that or no

 

Damn i wish you where closer. I have a whole parts truck i would let go cheap. Hope you fix it and make it even better.

 

Thanks. I actually picked up a new cab the weekend after it happened. Today I began taking it apart to see how bad it is. It was quite fun to take a sawzall to the shell to throw it away. It appears as the bed took the brunt of the tree and saved the frame from damage. So now that I can see where I'm at, I will probably redo a bunch of stuff. Maybe do the dash swap I've been contemplating, redo my doors, maybe body drop it, put it on air, who knows. But other than if we move, it won't be moving for a while.

 

More from today