Build my truck up or?

hey guys, I recently came across what looks like a nice project. I was planning on doing a long travel set up on my 4 banger 4x4 before i came across a 87 regular cab 4x4 pick-up with no engine, the tranny and everything else is there,looks pretty original, straight body and there is a tittle. the guy owns an auto repair/body shop and he wants 400. Now im debating whether to leave my truck the way it is and just drop an engine in this one and build it up. the 400 i was planning on spending on some LCE headers for my truck lol.

Pros:
No worrys on injuring my dd

Cons:
i leave this may for 6 months for a job with the forest service 450 miles from home and my dad is pretty anal about me leaving my hobbies at his shop.

I really need to hear some input please! What would you long travel?

 

the 87 in that pic isnt the truck, just what it looks like.

 

anybody?

 

I would go LT on your truck you have if you have the opportunity.

 

That would also be pretty sweet

 

Well it all really depends if your dad will let you leave your truck there.

Where did you get a job with the FS and doin what?

 

antelope lake, gs3 fire technician, it's my first year.

 

I'll talk to the old man and see if he will let me keep it there for a while LOL

 

I'd go with the older one. You can have alot of fun with building it: bob the bed, cut fenders, etc. and not care about how it looks or if you can drive it to work the next day. Plus it won't be 'your baby' so no big deal if you tip it on the trail or use the door for a pivot point on a rock.

If you get the old one, no weak stuff... it's gotta be flexy and at least on 35's. Have fun with it and make it super gnarly.

 

True that, throw in a rebuilt 22re and got me a nice weekend toy!

 

As long as you can register the 87 and or tow it out to where you can use it, than the pick-up would be a good choice. It's a good starter project to work on instead of tearing into your nice new truck. As long as you get the OK with your pops the 87 is a good idea and with it missing a motor, you're open to the v8 opportunities. The only down side to the 4x4's is their cross member; even LT can't help it from digging, but it's alright they're plenty of fun, I had one too:

 

That's a sweet rig bro! Anybody know how much I'll have to invest into the 87 vs my 05?

 

i'd long travel the old truck. good fun truck and you wont mind too much when you beat it up, dent it and break shit

http://www.chaosfab.com/95000UB.html

 

Ok guys I convinced my pops to let me keep the truck at his shop, tomorrow I'm going to check and see what the tittle status is, hopefully it's a non op

 

Do Both

 

good luck man!

 

money dont grow on tress, son!

(i wish it did)

 

And this long travel game ain't cheap LOL

 

Man its a hard choice, but i would do the old one, because if your going long travel and plan on driving it like its suppose to be driven, 9 time out of 10 you will roll at some point, and do you really want to take the chance of rolling you nice tacoma. Im right now in the same boat, i would be able to go lt next year or i could buy an older one with some suspension done to it.

 

I would also have a shorter wheelbase on the old one, not really sure how much of a difference that makes.