UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEW STUFF:

 Soon, I will be taking the plunge and heading to the DARK SIDE. Yes, I am swapping a 1983 Toyota solid front axle into my truck. It is something that I have debated over the past few years and after considerable thought, I have decided to go for it. Hopefully I will have the swap done in time to be able to make a few summer trail rides. Here is a brief list of some of the features of my swap:
 

• All Pro Off-Road front spring hanger kit
• All Pro Off-Road Hy-Steer
• Front springs: Rancho RS44044. These are 2.5" lift springs for a Jeep Wagoneer.
• Vented Land Cruiser FJ40 rotors, larger V6 calipers and 1" bore Land Cruiser FZJ80 master cylinder
• Ford F-250 front shock mounts
• Rear Springs: Skyjacker FR34. These are a 4" Ford Ranger lift spring. They are the same length as a Mazda spring but offer more lift (and just as much flex) but eliminate the need for a traction bar.
• Rancho RS9012 shocks front and rear
• Downey LSD, 4.88 differential up front, Detroit Soft-Locker, 4.88 in back
• 35x12.50/15 BFG Mud Terrian T/As
• U-bolt flip from Rockstomper
• Drivelines??? Still up in the air

Look for before and after pictures soon...

My truck is a 1986 "Standard Bed 4WD." Basically, it was the least expensive 4WD truck available from Toyota at the time. I bought the truck new in April of 1986. It has a 2.4 liter, SOHC, 4 cylinder engine with a carburetor (22R). The transmission is a G52, 5 speed which is mated to the stock two speed Aisin transfer case. 1986 was the first year for independent front suspension (IFS) on Toyota 4WD trucks. The truck now has over 150k miles on it and has gone through many changes and modifications to increase off-road performance and driver/passenger comfort.

MODIFICATIONS

Engine/Powertrain

• 22R - Stock block, ported cylinder head, performance 3-angle valve job
• Downey Camshaft
• Downey Super Clutch and Centerforce 30lb. flywheel
• 4.88 ring and pinions
• Downey Limited Slip Differential, rear, Detroit/Tractech EZ Locker front
• K&N Air Filter
• HD 3-Row Modine Radiator
• Optima battery (800U)

• B.F. Goodrich Radial Mud-Terrian Tires, 33x12.50/15 on American Racing 15x7" steel rims
• Front Sway bar discarded
• KYB Gas-A-Just in front, Rancho RS9143 shocks in rear
• Energy Suspension Ultra Low-Profile Bumpstops (Under upper control arms for more "Droop").

• 2.5" Downey "Rubicon" un-braced rear shackles
• Stock Rear Springs with Rancho Soft Add-A-Leaf
• Old Man Emu steering stabilizer
• Downey IFS idler truss
• Con-Ferr IFS crossmember/splash pan skid plates

• Hella Vision Plus headlights
• SR-5 Instrument Cluster with tachometer, fuel, temp., amp. & oil pressure gauges
• Carpeting, passenger and driver grab handles (in stock locations), halogen map lights

• Dual-note Hella horns from 1998 Volkswagen Golf GTI
• Stockland Fiberglass campershell, color-matched to factory paint code and insulated roof

• ARB winch-mount bull bar
• Warn HS9500 winch
• Stout Equipment rear bumper/tire carrier in rear
• Stull Square-Tube grille (Original Toyota grille was cracked and trail damaged)
• All Pro Off-Road rock sliders
• All Pro Off-Road low profile transfer case crossmember

FUTURE MODIFICATIONS

• Stock Toyota SR-5 Bucket Seats
• Advance Adpaters 4.1 "Trail Tamer" transfer case gearset--Coming Soon!
• LC Engineering header
• Factory Air Conditioning
• Rear Disc Brakes
• Dual Optima batteries
• Dual Transfer Case?