1981/83 Pickup build

My name is Rob, and I have a problem........

I have had the itch for a while to get my hands on an early 80's pickup. I found one in Ga after searching for a while, and decided to go have a look. Against my better judgement I decided to buy it, loaded it up and brought it home: 03/13/15



Here it sits in my driveway:



20R motor 4 speed L43 trans. 32x10.50R15 Super Swamper TSL radials.
It runs and drives. 4WD works really well, and the frame is in good shape. The L43 trans needs some help, hopefully I can get some of the play out of it with a shifter bushing kit, until it gets replaced.

After going over it at the house more and more, I found that it will take a bunch more work than I had intended to get it back on the road.

So I bring in number two now: 03/28/15




Found this little gem not far from the house. Made the guy an offer and we made a pretty good deal. This cab is an 83' and in very good shape:








The dash is complete with original tape deck and all climate controls, everything is still attached to the firewall, and the wiring harness and ECU are still in one piece and not all hacked up. The head liner cleaned up nicely.

The plan is to swap out the cabs, and bring this back to life as a DD. It may take a while, but I will update progress as I go. I have always wanted to do something like this. I may be in over my head, but I will enjoy learning as I go. I know it is an older truck and nowhere near perfect but I plan to make it mine. I may ask for some help along the way, after all its my first time restoring something.

 

I am so Drop a carb'd Buick V6 in that sob.

 

for fRaNkEnToY

 

fRaNkEnToY might stick to this one. It will be one of those trucks with all different colored body parts. Started to take the bed off tonight but ran out of time. Hopefully if it's not raining too bad on Thursday I will try again and work on getting the rear end of the frame prepped up a bit. Plan on hitting it with a wire wheel to get the loose stuff off it, then maybe a light sanding and a rust prep. Anyone have good experience with any kind of rust preventer? I know there are many out there.

 

Subbed! Looking forward to this build

 

Got some work done last week. Bed is off, and the rear frame has been cleaned and coated for the most part. As time is available more will come.

 

What are the major plans for it?

 

Well, the original plan is to bring it back to what it used to be. The more I tear into it and play with it, the more I think about building it up. I wanted to make it a DD for work. A smaller truck than mine, that would keep the everyday miles off my 06.

I guess I'm still undecided. I have a bit of work left ahead of me before I need to really decide I believe. Once I pull the 81' cab off and go for the swap I think I'll know more.

I am open to advice and suggestions.

 

I understand I'm currently daily driving my 1980 yota for the same reason but I think your right, if once you take off the cab and looks like to much work to restore then build it up, I'm gathering parts for my truck as well. Good luck looking forward to it

 

POR 15, followed by Monstaliner finish.

Or Monstaliners own rust inhibitor, either left 'as is' or followed with the product.

Look over their site. You might decide to do the whole rig in that stuff. I would, in a heartbeat (as you'll see many others have)

Looks fun!

 

I know of the monsta liner. I was going to do my TJ with it. I didn't know they had a rust inhibitor coating though, thanks for the heads up.

 

That is my dilemma. I have a cab from a 1983 that is in really good shape. I bought that because the 81' cab has pretty much been gutted. The 83' cab still has the tape deck in it, haha.

You have a build or anything for your 1980? Hang out on Yotatech at all?

 

Looks like you'll have a solid cab to build on then, I wish my truck was a alot more preserved but unfortunately everything needs replacing but that's fine with me I have lots of plans to make it my own

I don't have a build just yet but I'll put one up here I don't really go on any other forums other than TW and marlincrawler

 

Subd for my buddy's build

 

mother of god..

 

sweet! I am doing the same. Rolled my 81 a while back. Got an 83, cab is shitty so i got another cab!

I may be able to help if yuo have questions I have messed with tons of old yota's

Good luck! Looks pretty good!

 

Awesome. I was going to swap cabs today, but it rained all day.


I am soooooo ready to drive my old Yota.

 

Any late model 4cyl 5spd like a w56 or g52 will be worlds better for ya. Those 4 spds suck!

Also don't was money on an l52 5speed they suck too.

Otherwise driving the first gens is the most fun out of all. Something about them you just have to love