1992 Toyota Pickup Build

[BMAC96GT]

Well, I never started a build thread for the mustang and I regretted it, so I figured I better start one for the truck. I had been looking for a late 80s-early 90s pickup for about a year and I finally got one. I bought a one-owner, all original, low mileage 1992 Toyota Pickup. It was driven by a woman and never taken off road. The body/paint isn't in great shape, but the interior is spotless and the truck is mechanically sound. General plans for the truck in the near future are 4.88 gears, 2" lift, and 33x12.50 BFG All-terrains.

Picture from the craigslist add.

Pictures from the day I picked it up. Guy in the pic is my buddy that went to northern va with me to pick it up. Im from south western va by the NC/VA state line

First step was to remove all of the grandpa add-ons which consisted of bed cover, stickers, rusted rear bumper, step rails, and mud flaps. Much cleaner after all that was removed.

 

[white95]

That generation of Toyota truck was my favorite.

subscribing

 

[DavidBoren]

Alright, I'm looking forward to seeing you install a '85 solid front axle, and a 1uz V8. Trucks need V8's and solid axles (plural).

But don't listen to me. It's really easy for ME to spend YOUR money.

 

[BMAC96GT]

Alright, I'm looking forward to seeing you install a '85 solid front axle, and a 1uz V8. Trucks need V8's and solid axles (plural).

But don't listen to me. It's really easy for ME to spend YOUR money.

Yeah I think a SAS conversion is in my future, but right now, IFS and a mild body lift will suffice

 

[BMAC96GT]

First up, gears. The truck came with 4.30 gears, but I'm going with 4.88s so theyll match 33" tires perfectly. The easiest way to regear a toyota pickup to 4.88s is to get them out of a 4runner. 4 runners with 31" tires, v6, and a towing package came with 4.88s. I got lucky and found a set on craigslist for $350. They also came with ADD (automatic disconnecting differential) which is basically push button 4wd where my truck has manual hubs. I basically took the ADD system off the 4.88s and switched my manual hub axle tubes onto the differential. The rear center chunk is a direct swap.




4.88 front differential with ADD

Pulled my 4.30 front differential out of the truck and test fit the new 33" BFG A/T's

Started disassembling the 4.30 diff to swap everything over to the 4.88s

Then disassembled the 4.88s to swap over my manual hub axles

Then assembled everything

Pulled the bed to prep for paint and clean

Pulled the rear rusty center chunk out of the diff housing

Cleaned the housing and mating surface

New studs

And installed the new center chunk

This entire time I was also sanding/wire wheeling/cleaning the frame, leaf springs, axle housing etc. So I then painted everything satin black

 

[DavidBoren]

Would it be possible to steal the entire push-button 4wd system from a 4runner? Wouldn't that be better than having to lock your hubs manually? Great work on cleaning and painting the frame & bits.

 

[BMAC96GT]

[MENTION=20078]DavidBoren[/MENTION] you could make the switch if you really wanted to, you would just have to wire the button up to the cab. I kept manual hubs for two reasons. First, the add system makes the axle in two pieces so that 4wd can be engaged and disengaged where as the manual hubs use a stronger solid axle running into the diff. Second, when add is NOT engaged, the axles and cv's still turn even though the front driveshaft isn't which wears out the cv's and front diff components quicker. Where as with manual hubs, when they are set to free, literally nothing is turning but the wheels

 

[DavidBoren]

Thanks for the detailed response. That makes perfect sense. I have been out of the 4wd game for a couple years (moved out of Montana), and have been focusing my efforts on learning road racing/pro-touring suspension design.

Cool conversion, though. I like what you are doing. I've always really liked Toyota pickups.

 

[Tony]

nice yota!! frame came out nice man

 

[BMAC96GT]

[MENTION=17070]Tony[/MENTION] thanks man! Still working on the Jeep or is the car taking up all the time/money? lol

 

[Tony]

Tony thanks man! Still working on the Jeep or is the car taking up all the time/money? lol

lol pretty much. i need to rebuild the rear end. not looking forward to it at all.

 

[DKblue98GT]

Nice work! The frame and axles look great. It's great to start with a truck that's not rusty. I still need to swap 4.88's into my truck. More projects than time and money right now...

David, Part of the beauty of 2nd and 3rd gen Toyota is the simplicity which is why most go with manual hubs.

 

[BMAC96GT]

Didn't get lots of pictures of the lift install. I got a 2" body lift from 4crawler with upgraded blocks and grade 8 hardware. I also don't have pics of my shifter installs, but I added a short shifter from LCEngineering and a transfer case shifter from 4crawler. Love the way everything came out. The stance is perfect in my opinion. Ill also get some interior shots asap.

 

[DKblue98GT]

A 1UZ swap would be pretty awesome. My truck will eventually get a 5VZE when the 3VZE dies, it's a pretty easy swap. I highly recommend the 4Crawler body lifts, I have used them on a few of my trucks and 4runners and been very happy with the quality.

Installing the body lift is also a good time to install Energy Suspension poly body mount bushings. The old rubber bushing compress after 20+ years and the poly ones make the truck a lot quieter and tighter.

 

[BMAC96GT]

A 1UZ swap would be pretty awesome. My truck will eventually get a 5VZE when the 3VZE dies, it's a pretty easy swap. I highly recommend the 4Crawler body lifts, I have used them on a few of my trucks and 4runners and been very happy with the quality.

Installing the body lift is also a good time to install Energy Suspension poly body mount bushings. The old rubber bushing compress after 20+ years and the poly ones make the truck a lot quieter and tighter.

I do regret not replacing the body mount bushings when I was in there. The truck only has 150,000 miles so they were still in decent shape

And I plan on a 5vze swap as well when the 3vze dies. What all is involved in that swap? I have't done much research on it

 

[DKblue98GT]

Didn't get lots of pictures of the lift install. I got a 2" body lift from 4crawler with upgraded blocks and grade 8 hardware. I also don't have pics of my shifter installs, but I added a short shifter from LCEngineering and a transfer case shifter from 4crawler. Love the way everything came out. The stance is perfect in my opinion. Ill also get some interior shots asap.

That looks great! Short shifter is a great addition, I have the Marlin Crawler one. Nice work.

 

[CC'S95GT]

Good looking truck. I have a 89 yota 4x4 reg cab, 22re. It currently has 340,000 miles but the origional engine burnt a vlv a 310k and it was the same price to buy a used engine off c/l vs rebuilding the head. It's a great truck but I really wish it was an extended cab like yours.

 

[lutter94]

Love the tires, fender flares?

 

[DKblue98GT]

I do regret not replacing the body mount bushings when I was in there. The truck only has 150,000 miles so they were still in decent shape

And I plan on a 5vze swap as well when the 3vze dies. What all is involved in that swap? I have't done much research on it

You have to change the exhaust crossover behind the motor and re pin a lot of the engine harness. There is a whole section with lots of info over on Yotatech.com.

Also check out www.toyonlyswaps and www.offroadsolutions.

 

[Tony]

looks awesome man especially for a body lift. not that there is anything wrong with body lifts typically but i've seen some bad ones lol.