Installed a new JVC KD-X250BT head unit (bluetooth with no CD player) and a pair of 6.5" components in the rear side storage pockets.
I finally have bass!!! Only having 3.5" dash speakers was killing me. I'm probably going to put a compact sub box behind the driver's seat with an amp in the spring. This will do for now.

 

Today I finished installing all four ball joints and inner tie rod ends on my toy. I've been running with shot ball joints for too long. thanks to my financial aid money I was able to buy new joints

 

SD, don't worry dude...it'll buff out but seriously, I cous probably fix the gate and under the tail light without paint. Duct tape covered hammer and dolly and some shop towels.

 

Not today, but the other day, I took my 17s off and put my stock 14s back on. While I was doing that I wanted to test for my pair of 1960s casting Crager SS rims. They are 14x7 with about 2" backspace, or roughly -45mm offset. On my 78, they stuck about 2" outside the bed. So I started rolling the bed. Couldn't get enough stretch to cover them so I ran the steelies out back. But I think if I can make them tuck, it would look pretty slick. Here's a pic. As you can see, the bed sat on the tread and isn't even all the way down. It should have tucked half the upper sidewall.

 

They almost fit. I actually ended up popping the spot welds from the bedside to the wheel tub and floor loose on the back half. Not on purpose either lol. I'm thinking I may use that tactic to flare the whole bedside a bit as well as roll the lips. Or finish modding my 82-85 supra flares to fit. For those interested, that requires lots of fiberglass work and some metal work. Plus drilling holes in the truck and trimming the existing wheel arch away a few inches to let the tire sit in the flare. Think of how dually flares are added to beds, but only 4" wide not 12". Anyways, here's a side shot.

 

Shorter tire would help too. Looks like a great start

 

They are 225/60/14 or 235/60/14s. Shorter isn't an option. Tiny circles look dumb and my gearing would get even worse with the 4.10s.

 

Well started by putting gas then my regular Sunday hair cut...went to Walmart to get oil castrol is what I use...oil change followed by washing my engine and trans...put my mesh wheels back on

 

I got my 78 tore apart today. Used my tow truck to lift the bed off. Made an x with ratchet straps. One broke and the thing fell. Good thing I have a bunch, the one that broke had a cut. Not overloading the strap rating.

Got the fuel pump out and the pre strainer screen was destroyed. Not sure what got into my tank, but it ruined the pump. 90 bucks later I have a new pump and screen. They're going in tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't sputter and act like I'm outta gas anymore. If it happens again, I'm going fuel cell and aftermarket pump. The replacement parts for the older trucks are just garbage china crap these days. I just put this pump and screen in last year. The stock one lasted 34 years. Go figure. Here's a few pics.

 

Here's another pic.

 

Here's one showing my exhaust routing. I used 2 45* bends after the muffler. It's all parts store slip and clamp parts to build it. Works great, sounds better

 

speaking of exhaust....... wonder what these here fit...?

 

Did someone say exhaust??


Loaded up all my exhaust parts, hangers and the brand new Lincoln sp140c welder I picked up yesterday into my truck. Dropping the truck off at my brothers place while we're in the area for turkey at moms. He's got a 2 post lift in his shop so doing the exhaust on my auto x truck and my wifes 4runner will be much easier.

 

Copycats

 

New passenger fender and a new steering wheel.

 

I'm ok with that.


Headed up first thing in the am to get started. Finally going to get rid of the annoying drone from the exhaust going straight into the rear axle. I'll gain an annoying drone right behind the cab with the exhaust coming out of the side of the bed.


The hole was already there for whatever reason so I'm just using what I've got

 

not really though.... i got headers, not mufflers.

 

shouldnt drone so long as it exits out from under the truck...

 

I'm going to run it through that hole at a down and back angle. It'll probably be loud but it's not my dd so I'm good with that.


I had the exhaust on my old wheeler ran the same way and it got annoying listening to it all day wheeling but the truck didn't have a roof... Or a good part of the cab for that matter.

 

I have a header too. Lol. It's been there for almost the whole time I've owned it. You just got your truck. You can keep copying me. I don't get offended