82 Toyota Pu

For now, the plan is to make it driveable. Reckon I'm a glutton for punishment and somehow always seem to choose the worst candidates to rehabilitate.









3 hours of the pressure washer revealed some nuggets of rust I couldn't see previously....

The frame completely gave out when I backed off the trailer without the ramps. (I never use them unless I absolutely have to.)

Of course, the rear of the frame is rotted out in sections. On one hand, I think the best course of action is to chop it off and start over with 2x3 but I know ~16ft of 2x3 is going to be pricey. I'm on the fence really. The majority of it is fine and has scale but no rot.

Floor pans need some minor love. Nothing too crazy though.

 

Just need to find some frame rails in a wrecking yard that are "close enough".

 

Looks like a good project.
On my 81, the frame was in good shape though. I power washed and wire brushed the frame, treated it with the Metal Ready or whatever POR 15 treatment cleaner and painted it with POR 15.
Cleaned out the fuel tank and used Red Kote treatment.
http://damonq.com/Red-Kote.html
Thinking maybe you can clean and "Box in" those sections over what's there. They really are great trucks. There is a company that makes a killer fiberglass pickup bed I may look at when it is running again.
Reviews on a fiberglass bed for that truck are on the web also.
http://www.toyotafiberglass.com/Truck.htm
Ton of tech write ups and information on the forum:
https://www.yotatech.com/
If I get mine road worthy again I plan to add ARB's.
I want do the dual transfer case since I have an extra transmission.
Great project.
I did away with the smog equipment and added the Weber Carb from:
https://www.lceperformance.com/
When I stab in the distributor and try to crank it, I'll let you know how it works.
Keep getting pulled off on other projects.
Enjoy working on that truck. I know it will be worth it in the end.
They are off road beasts and super dependable. Really built "Bullet Proof"
Keep us posted on your progress.

Dave

 

To each his own. Anything is possible. But I'm thinking the same amount of time and money could be put into something with a better foundation, and that would be a better investment. Good luck, regardless.

 

Love those early Toyotas. Go to a toyota dealer and ask if you can get an old tacoma frame from the frame swap program. The back section is really close to the older frames.

 

Started on the frame. I'll be picking up material tomorrow and replacing the spring eye bushings and bolts while in there.

 

I agree with you but these trucks are fairly expensive and hard to find around here. It'll be a good challenge for me and something to hone my skillz.

 

Bluetooth framerails! What will they think of next?

 

Have fun!

 

Jeeezus that made me laugh harder than it should haha..

 

Go for it.....poor little orphan just needs a "little "love.............

 

Was waiting on parts before I did anything else.

Picked up a 24x24x3/16 and ~9ft 2x4x1/4 $100



This is what I've come up with so far. Still have to prep the frame and such for welding.

 

Did some welding this evening. I was happy with the welds and then I ground them down in preparation for fish plates.
I jumped up and down on the rear bumper and it didn't break so I got that going for me.
Can't say this is the correct way to solve the frame issue but I'd like to think it's better than trying to plate the old rusted out frame. The driver side is actually worse since I'll be replacing the same section as the passenger side and from the shock tube back.
OE frame is around 3/16" thick fwiw

 

I think those are way cool. I've liked them since high school.

 

Driver side mid frame done. I took more time to knock the mill scale off.

 

Nice job!

 

x2

 

Hey there , '73 '
I see what your see'n . What a great rescue & great start on a Great little truck I did one very similar for our Boys..... 25 years ago. They drove the snot outta that truck .
....... & I believe, that those characters over in the Middle East are envious as all git out, too