Trent's Hardbody

[handsoff]

Hey guys, been lurking for a LONG time, finally posting something.

I bought an '86.5 Hardbody in 2002, I was a jr. in high school. It has progressed like so:

Stock, bought it this way other than the tires.

AC SL, stock flares, 33x10.5s

Took the flares off, different wheels, swapped in an H233b with a LockRight.

Homemade sliders, dents, remanufactured Z24i, several crap Napa clutches

Bought some fun parts

Calmini kit, Rancho 44044s SUA, 33x10.5 TSLs.

Ended up having to redo the shackle bushing and hack and extend the Calmini hanger as well. Sold the narrow 33s and bought some 34" TrXus

Regeared to 4.88/4.9, open up front. NissanNut steering and front driveshaft, Ruff Stuff diff cover, rear AALs from a Wagoneer, blah blah blah.

Right now it's sitting on the cement pad by my garage, leaking out it's front diff fluid and waiting on a Frontier 1-piece driveshaft. Once the summer is over I hope to have it back to 100% and DD it as well as use it as a weekend warrior. Camping, hunting, and wheeling seasons are ahead and I hope it works well as a sort of cross-trainer.

Thanks for having me
Trent

 

[Creek]

nice rig! I'm thinking about picking one up. I have a D60 & 14-bolt here as well as a 350SBC/700r4/Lomax np205 combo sitting here and I'm thinking it would be killer to put it all into an old hardbody.

 

[handsoff]

I thought that was the drivetrain for the Ptroll?

I got a killer deal on a set of '79 Ford 60s that I considered using briefly but sold them to help finance this build.

 

[Creek]

it was for the Patrol. I'm not sure I'm up for making a one off Patrol body on a Chevy frame. Plus, the chevy frame is tweaked here and there. I figure it'd be easier to just pick up a hardbody and go from there.

 

[mcm4090]

Nice truck man.

 

[Rev]

Nothing poser about that truck!

 

[Silver dude]

Sup Trent good to see your still working on your Hardbody. I sold mine I while back. Been along time since I was on AC or MSN. I love that stance though, nice and low. Everybody else seems to go to the sky with the amount of lift when they SAS.

 

[Co-opski]

:ylsmoke:
cool

 

[4Rescue]

Nice mate. I almost NEVER see the X-Cab versions of those trucks around anymore. Glad to see an old beauty still on the road and in the hands of someone who cares for her.

Cheers

Dave

 

[handsoff]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

And cool to see you around Ben, what are you up to with the X?

The truck really isn't as straight as it looks, that faded tan paint and all the dirt just camouflage the dents.

I don't get to come around too often and when I do I'll probably lurk but it's cool to see how you all are modifying your trucks for overland travel.:beer:

 

[handsoff]

It's been awhile!

I did some snow wheeling last winter

and haven't done much to it this year other than drive the wheels off of it. It was my only rig for awhile while I bought a house and got settled in, now I have a 2wd DD and am getting the Nissan ready for another Northwest winter.

I kinked a belt in one of the 34s doing this

and drove it for way too long with a terrible vibration.

Bought some tires from a buddy (forgive the phone pic)

Trimmed the rear fenders and put them on

They're 37x12.5x16 Parnelli Jones Dirt Grips, I got 6. They came with Jeep wheels but I found some cheap Isuzu 16s at a junkyard in Ontario and threw them on there. The truck does alright but should have a little more gear to run tires this big. The best part is though, that the truck is REALLY low for being solid axle'd with 37s.
:victory: