89 Toyota Pickup - Cali -> Alaska -> Cali

[osi4]

BFG makes a 33X10.50 in the AT or MT. You want the strongest tire you can get. Like everyone said the trucks are super strong. Check for leaks, check the valve cover gaskets very common for leaking. Clean the throttle body and egr. Check for vacume leaks. change the oil, trans fluid, xfercase, diffs,coolent and go for it.
There are some easy power mods for the 3.0s. The ISR mod( check yotatech), exhaust, throttle body porting, supra AFM mod.
Good luck

Right now, I'm thinking of grabbing some 16" Tacoma take-offs and putting 235/85 KO2s on them. Anyone run these?

I'll look into your suggestions. Thanks!

 

[surlydiesel]

Ran those on my 01 tacoma for 65,000 miles. No complaints at all. Currently have that size on my 06, in a CT traction style tire from Mastercraft. Love em. The size is just right.

-jorge

 

[osi4]

Picked up the truck today, and took it for a long drive. Pretty encouraging, but definitely some things to work on. Here's a couple pics.



Needs new springs, brakes, radiator, and there's a minor clutch fluid leak. No other surprises, but I'll try to get it to a mechanic next week.

 

[deadbeat son]

Holy cripes, that thing is beautiful!

 

[Thoryota]

That thing is sharp. I haven't seen one that nice in a long time.

 

[toastyjosh]

where Is the clutch leaking? I have had clutch master issues before, the suck and can be hard to trace. You can replace the whole system for less than 200 bucks. Go with the good stuff.
https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics/steel-braided-clutch-line-kit

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...cement-clutch-master-and-slave-cylinders.html

https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics/clutch-slave-cylinder

https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics/clutch-master-cylinder

Along with that replacing the shifter bushings will make it shift way better
https://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-seats

https://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-sockets

also drain and fill the trans with redline GL-4 shifts like butter

 

[osi4]

Holy cripes, that thing is beautiful!

That thing is sharp. I haven't seen one that nice in a long time.

Thanks. It's pretty incredible. No frame or body rust to be found. Amazing for a "salt state" like Utah.

 

[osi4]

where Is the clutch leaking? I have had clutch master issues before, the suck and can be hard to trace. You can replace the whole system for less than 200 bucks. Go with the good stuff.
https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics/steel-braided-clutch-line-kit

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...cement-clutch-master-and-slave-cylinders.html

https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics/clutch-slave-cylinder

https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics/clutch-master-cylinder

Along with that replacing the shifter bushings will make it shift way better
https://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-seats

https://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-sockets

also drain and fill the trans with redline GL-4 shifts like butter

Thanks for the tips and links. The only leak I've found is the rubber hose section along the firewall (poor pic below). Fluid looks decent, considering the age. There's not much engagement until the bottom of the pedal stroke (shifts are clean, however), so I'll re-evaluate after the hose replacement, fluid flush, and pedal adjustment.

I have some GL-4 Redline in the mail. All the fluids/oils are pretty old... so I'm looking forward to addressing them all this week. :beer:

 

[toastyjosh]

This is what fix's the rubber line

https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics/steel-braided-clutch-line-kit

 

[osi4]

Some progress

Some updates...

Replaced/upgrades:
Fluids (wow, some were old...)
Stereo (my tape selection from the 80s just wasn't going to cut it... )
Clutch (preventative)
Clutch hydraulic hose (leaking)
Antenna (broken by a car wash)
Front and rear brakes (spent)
Radiator & thermostat (leaking)
Rear u-joint (on its last leg)
Belts (old)
Some hoses (some old, some leaking)
Fuel filter (way old)

Adjusted/Checked:
Valves
PCV
EGR
Wheel bearings
Throttle body
Timing


Put on the new wheels and tires today

235/85/16 BFG KO2 on some 16x7 aftermarket steelies ( Unique 42 ). I had picked up some 2nd-gen Tacoma wheels, but with a 30mm offset they were tucked too far under the body. These Uniques have a 0mm offset, and keep nearly the same track as stock. I've only driven a few miles through the neighborhood so far, so I'll post back up when I've formed an opinion of this setup.

Stuff on order or waiting for somewhere to mount it:
Maxtrax
CVT Mt Shasta RTT
4gal Rotopax

Up next...

New distributor cap (cracked) and plugs. Also, I picked up the an OME suspension kit from Cruiser Outfitters here in SLC. Seems like a decent shop to work with. I have the torsion bars, dampener, bushings, and CS019R rear leafs and D6XL insert. I'm not looking for a lift, but don't want to be sagged again with a load. With topper/RTT/fuel/water/gear/etc I figure I'm going to be right on the edge (maybe above) between the stated ideal loads of the "medium" and "heavy." Any opinions or experience with this setup?

Also... I'm trying to decide on a roof-rack solution. Something to support the RTT and 4gal of fuel. I was thinking about building something like DeskToGlory has done... but.. any opinions on shell mounted versus bed mounted? I have an old Century shell that has approximately a 3" over-cab roofline. Looks like Kargo Master makes a contractor rack that might work, but it's a spendy piece of kit.

Thanks for reading.

Travis

 

[toastyjosh]

the new shoes look killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had really good luck with the NGK plug wires as well as plugs.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

That thing looks great!
And you're right about Cruiser Outfitters- great choice on buying from Kurt, he's top-notch and a great resource for info.
All-Pro Offroad makes some bed-racks, though it doesn't look like they have an off the shelf solution for your '89.
https://www.allprooffroad.com/tech-info-mainmenu-63/pack-rack

 

[osi4]

OME rear springs and shocks installed. I decided to leave out the extra "HD" leaf, and see how the CS019R pack settles in.



Overall, I'm pleased so far. Did some light offroad travel, and it definitely takes the abuse better than the old sagged-out springs. I'm experiencing some vibration around 20 mph, so I need to chase down whether it's related to the new pinion angle, the tires, alignment... or..

Also... started working on the bed storage and sleeping setup. The idea is to have a 39" wide platform to support an optional bed, and a supplementary 18" wide platform that is removable to accommodate large items (mountain bike, etc). As much as I want a drawer setup... available tools, skills, and costs (heavy-duty slides) have made me decide to stay with the slide-in storage bins I've used before.

 

[rickashay]

Awesome build and purpose for the build. What a clean old truck... really liking this thread!

 

[calicamper]

I always really liked this body style. I had a 91 4runner for several years. Really liked the truck, but three full 3L V6 ground up rebuilds by toyota I had to dump it.
Windage was a issue on long trips and big head winds. If I were you I would try to keep the roof line as clean as possible.
You'll thank me later. Out side of that, great truck.