Muttle
Observer
This is my 1992 2wd Pickup build. It might be a slow build or it might, not only time will tell.
I purchased this truck after I had broken the frame on my previously SAS's 87 pickup. Coming from a 22re powered Regular cab on 37's, I decided a more street-able truck would suit DD/ weekend wheeling duties a bit better,considering the terrain closest to me. I've wanted a low solid axle truck for some time now and the IFS 4x4 frames make it really difficult to tuck everything under the frame rails with reasonable up travel. I'm not a huge fan of swapping frames, especially being in the rust belt with mid 80's Toyota's. The most logical choice was to go with a 2wd for three reasons. Around here they seem to be less prone to serious frame rust, they have a more pronounced kick up in the front section of the frame like a older solid axle truck and last but not least, they are cheap.
I scored this little 22RE powered gem off the second owner with 132 000km's (82 000 miles)
This is a picture of it the day before I bought it.
After driving it around for a year and only putting a LCE header and exhaust on it, I decided it was time for it to go under the knife.
I tossed it up on stands and grabbed some scrap tires from work to get an idea of what it would look like once complete.
after parting out my SAS'd '87 I had kept very little. One of the few things I had was the front axle housing. I had previously trussed the axle, but at this new ride height I did not want the truss to come into contact with the oil pan. So off it came.
I eventually got around to chopping off the front suspension and removing the rusted out 2wd front fenders.
To make things easier to clean up, I removed the engine.
Sadly the truck fell on the back burner and sat like that for about 8 months. Once I had some motivation again I grabbed the sand paper and spray paint and went to town on the engine bay.
Washed and sanded.
In primer
Painted with stuff migrating back in the engine bay
I also got around to grinding out the rust spots on the inner fenders, painting and undercoating.
After a nasty Canadian winter my LCE header was starting to get some surface rust on it so out came more sand paper and high temp paint.
While waiting for paint to dry I busted out the JB weld to smooth over my pitted knuckle balls.
I grabbed a rear axle from a 86 4runner off a local forum member and just tossed it underneath so I could move the truck around easier.
I decided I would like a little lift in the truck so I ordered up some OME heavies for the front so I could get started on mocking everything up.
Ended up that I had to wait about 3 months for some back ordered items to show. In that time I had my IFS front hubs machined down to fit 3rd Gen 4 runner brake rotors, and installed extended studs.
After not welding anything for 2 years I decided to start small and boxed the steering stops on the axle
Cut some holes in the frame for shackle tubes
I eventually became bored from the back order. Tossed part of the front end together, rolled some 33"s under it and sat behind the steering wheel making engine noises.
Finally my front springs showed up.
This past weekend I welded the passenger side frame brace in and mocked up the axle and springs.
Currently the front hanger needs to be moved back to get a slightly better shackle angle but over the next couple days I will drop the engine back in to get an idea how much clearance I have. As of right now between the top of the spring at the center pin and bottom of frame I have 10 inches of clearance. YAY 2wd frames.
Hope I can keep this momentum up.
I purchased this truck after I had broken the frame on my previously SAS's 87 pickup. Coming from a 22re powered Regular cab on 37's, I decided a more street-able truck would suit DD/ weekend wheeling duties a bit better,considering the terrain closest to me. I've wanted a low solid axle truck for some time now and the IFS 4x4 frames make it really difficult to tuck everything under the frame rails with reasonable up travel. I'm not a huge fan of swapping frames, especially being in the rust belt with mid 80's Toyota's. The most logical choice was to go with a 2wd for three reasons. Around here they seem to be less prone to serious frame rust, they have a more pronounced kick up in the front section of the frame like a older solid axle truck and last but not least, they are cheap.
I scored this little 22RE powered gem off the second owner with 132 000km's (82 000 miles)
This is a picture of it the day before I bought it.
After driving it around for a year and only putting a LCE header and exhaust on it, I decided it was time for it to go under the knife.
I tossed it up on stands and grabbed some scrap tires from work to get an idea of what it would look like once complete.
after parting out my SAS'd '87 I had kept very little. One of the few things I had was the front axle housing. I had previously trussed the axle, but at this new ride height I did not want the truss to come into contact with the oil pan. So off it came.
I eventually got around to chopping off the front suspension and removing the rusted out 2wd front fenders.
To make things easier to clean up, I removed the engine.
Sadly the truck fell on the back burner and sat like that for about 8 months. Once I had some motivation again I grabbed the sand paper and spray paint and went to town on the engine bay.
Washed and sanded.
In primer
Painted with stuff migrating back in the engine bay
I also got around to grinding out the rust spots on the inner fenders, painting and undercoating.
After a nasty Canadian winter my LCE header was starting to get some surface rust on it so out came more sand paper and high temp paint.
While waiting for paint to dry I busted out the JB weld to smooth over my pitted knuckle balls.
I grabbed a rear axle from a 86 4runner off a local forum member and just tossed it underneath so I could move the truck around easier.
I decided I would like a little lift in the truck so I ordered up some OME heavies for the front so I could get started on mocking everything up.
Ended up that I had to wait about 3 months for some back ordered items to show. In that time I had my IFS front hubs machined down to fit 3rd Gen 4 runner brake rotors, and installed extended studs.
After not welding anything for 2 years I decided to start small and boxed the steering stops on the axle
Cut some holes in the frame for shackle tubes
I eventually became bored from the back order. Tossed part of the front end together, rolled some 33"s under it and sat behind the steering wheel making engine noises.
Finally my front springs showed up.
This past weekend I welded the passenger side frame brace in and mocked up the axle and springs.
Currently the front hanger needs to be moved back to get a slightly better shackle angle but over the next couple days I will drop the engine back in to get an idea how much clearance I have. As of right now between the top of the spring at the center pin and bottom of frame I have 10 inches of clearance. YAY 2wd frames.
Hope I can keep this momentum up.
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