85 SR5 LWB 4x4

[Arctic Taco]

Howdy all,
Just got a new-to me anyway- toy.
The truck is in pretty good condition, a bit of rust on the bed and a few small cosmetic dents but pretty clean beyond that.
Plans include a flat bed, ARB front bumper, some type of rear pipe or sq tubing rear bumper, a 2-3" lift, maybe pro Comp K5058b for that along with a long aal, and a new exhaust system.
I have a pacesetter header for an 83, which might work out pretty good.
Anyone know of an good source for parts and accessories for something of this vintage?
Not looking for real radical mods just some functional one.

Thanks fellas, this is gonna be a good thingi'll post some photo when I can
thanks

 

[tanglefoot]

Nice find!

Parts availability is excellent for these. There are many, many sources of replacement and aftermarket parts.

Just to name a few:

All Pro: https://www.allprooffroad.com/
NWOR (Northwest Off-road) http://www.northwestoffroad.com/about/about.php
Marlin Crawler: http://www.marlincrawler.com/
Auto parts stores are usually well-stocked for these generations--I've never had trouble walking in and finding what I need for the '85.

ARB's Old Man Emu suspension works very nicely on these leaf-sprung rigs to greatly civilize the ride and add flexibility and support. Most of the suspension on my '85 is OME. I ordered the suspension components individually from Rocky Road--that's the most affordable way I've found to get them. http://www.rocky-road.com/toyota.html

Be careful with most aftermarket springs--they often reduce articulation and make the ride even more unforgiving. I'd be reluctant to put Pro-Comp spring packs on it. Long AALs on the back usually work well though--that's what I'm using, in combination with the OME front springs and shocks. The OMEs really help absorb the bumps--they completely change the character of the vehicle for the better.

Please do consider keeping it as stock-looking as possible. As the earlier ones get more and more rare, the clean, virtually-unmodified examples attract the most attention.

 

[Sam Huynh]

Post some pics up! I love this gen of Toyotas, I just recently picked up an 89 4runner to go along with my 84 pickup. Anyhow I agree the OME suspension is the way to go! I have those on my 84 pickup and they ride great.

Heres a lil run down list that sell aftermarket yota stuff:
Marlin Crawler
Wab-fab
low range offroad
trail gear

Body armor and fab stuff:
addicted offroad
4xinnovations

 

[dorton]

Cool deal. I love the long wheelbase trucks. I had an 85' and wish I still owned it today. You said you don't want to get too radical, but flatbed sounds fairly radical to me. Post up pics when you get a chance.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Arctic Taco]

Thanks all, I will post some pics when I get some computer access, or even 4G!
I am really excited about this project. I like OME as well, might go that way up front. I have a set of reworked springs of the rear of a 79 3/4 ton SR5 2wd that might work for the rear. The flatbed is for a couple reasons rust spots through the fenders and it is and it is a d /d work rig as well. But the intent is to stay as close to stock as possible in appearance. Never really got into rock crawling.
I appreciate the help and references, input is always welcome

 

[tanglefoot]

Using 2wd springs on a 4wd would likely give you more lift than you bargained for, as the 2wd springs are spring-under and 4wds are spring-over.

Tossing an AAL into the original rear packs is easy and effective, and it levels pretty well with some 50mm OME front spring packs.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Well it has been awhile, but finally made some progress. I rebuilt the old springs using the aforementioned 2wd leaf pack from the 79, turned out it had 2 AAL per side. basically new U bolts and added 3-4 leaves aft and 2 forward. went with some skyjacker shocks, but the rear was still way to stiff even with 40 gallons of water along with the normal 200# + of tools, food and other crap I haul out to work every shift, so I pulled one of the AALs from the rear smoothed it out some. OME is definitely in the future but the budget is tight with 3 slow builds going on at the same time.
Bonus I did pick up a donor 85 ext cab rust bucket- for bumper and driveline bits. Next up dropping a long block in it this summer.
Here is a link to the suspension build I posted on Tacoma World- need to get some consistent internet and update all of my builds LOL
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/85-suspension-revisted.338615/#post-13105483

 

[Arctic Taco]

Well it has been awhile, but finally made some progress. I rebuilt the old springs using the aforementioned 2wd leaf pack from the 79, turned out it had 2 AAL per side. basically new U bolts and added 3-4 leaves aft and 2 forward. went with some skyjacker shocks, but the rear was still way to stiff even with 40 gallons of water along with the normal 200# + of tools, food and other crap I haul out to work every shift, so I pulled one of the AALs from the rear smoothed it out some. OME is definitely in the future but the budget is tight with 3 slow builds going on at the same time.
Bonus I did pick up a donor 85 ext cab rust bucket- for bumper and driveline bits. Hauling it up north along with a long block for the 85, and radiator and other bits for the Taco.
Next up dropping a long block in the 85 this summer.
Here is a link to the suspension build I posted on Tacoma World- need to get some consistent internet and update all of my builds LOL
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/85-suspension-revisted.338615/#post-13105483