Raisin- the 1st gen shifty boy

I don’t know if this needs its own thread but here it is. May or may not be information in here that could help or not, you decide. I did a horrible job of documenting the process of these things but if you have questions, ask.

So, I picked this up about 2 months ago now. Been needing a trail truck due to my 3rd gen still being down and waiting on parts- see 2018 Tacoma overlanderrrr




Cons-


220k on the clock
31x10.5x15s
Weird diy front bumper
Rusted to hell
Dirty asf, smells like garbage
Beat to poo
Poorly maintained
Probably unsafe for the road

Pros-

96 extended cab 4x4
4cylinder 3rz
Manual trans and hubs
Not stolen, have title in my name now
Will get a lot of tlc
No ac
Window cranks are vice grips





Onto the first adventure, adjusting clutch to get it to actually grab before the firewall.

Removed old fluid from reservoir
Cycled new into it
Adjusted the back of the clutch a bit
Fresh fluid

Wayy better than it was before.


Next up- needed new hood

Found one at a junkyard for $100, score. Swapped out and made it look a ton better. Kinda made one step away from the “raisin” name there but it needed to be done.




Light bar- hood and bumper and rock lights and a reverse bar, cause why not.

jk. (Skip this one)


Maintenance-

-Replaced passenger cv due to boot failure and rust
-Replaced passenger side shock mount at frame, due to rust. Welded in a new one
-replaced plugs and wire with new. Plugs all looked terrible, wires were decent but #1 lead was broken off at the distributor. Plug hole 3 and 4 were coated with oil, 4 being filled up about half way. (Valve cover gaskets and seals needed)





Needed a rear locker something fierce

snagged a detriot locker off eBay for $250. Barely used.

-remove driveshaft
-remove 4 bolts from each hub on rear
-loosen parking brake cables from drums
-slide axles out
-remove 3rd member from axle
-remove diff
-remove bearings (I reused them, just cause)
-remove ring gear
-install bearings on detriot locker
-install removed ring gear
-reinstall diff in 3rd member
-clean and apply new gasket to axle
-slide 3rd member back on
-slide axles back in
-bolt everything back together
*torque everything. *1 ugga dugga= 40lbs, 2 ugga dugga = 80lbs
- test drive. If nothing clanks/ vibrates/ falls off, you’re probably good to go. But make sure to fill the diff back up with fluids before driving









Chevy 63 swap-

You can ask questions about this, too much to list. Take your time, measure 8 times. Tack weld/ check fitment and clearances before burning it all the way in.

I grabbed a set of junkyard 2010 1500 leafs. 2+1. (2 and overload) total cost- $34

Used the kit from low range, purchased from jegs. $250 and it was a breeze with their parts

Extended brake line- must have. Ordered from headstrong. Think it was a 22 or 27”?

Shocks- ones I swapped in, worked just fine. Rough country 0-5.5” lift $100 for the pair

Rear end was jacked up about 6”. Shackle angles are about 40* at ride height. It’s set right where I wanted it, you can adjust yours how you want. Flexed out completely, the shocks were fine, bumps wouldn’t hit, so they need to be made to sit higher.









Front end-

With the rear coming up so high I wanted to see what I could get done on the front, quick.

Ordered a set of replacement struts and a 3” level set. I know it’s cheap it’s coming off again within months, soon as I find an axle.

That didn’t help, only gained about 1/2-3/4” from the old worn out struts and level. Oh well it’s smoother for the time being.


Armor-

Threw on a set of sliders I found on marketplace for $175. Don’t know what they came off of but they were just about long enough, if not perfect. Welded them right on to the frame.

 

As I do more to the truck I will probably post it, don’t count on it though.


As of right now I know it needs-

-Drivers cv, torn boot and rusted internals (not slinging grease yet though

-Drivers side rack boot (already have just haven’t installed yet)

-Antenna. Have this as well but haven’t gotten the broken stud out yet. Radio sucks without it

-Valve cover gasket and seals

-Rear brakes- rusty and crusty

-Radiator- 2” literal hole in it, from what I assume was a tree branch. Doesn’t leak or overheat so it’s staying for a bit. Must focus on the important stuffs

-Tires- these could be decent but it needs 35s. IMHO

-Front locker- lunchbox is the plan. This is more of a trail truck, definitely not a daily. It just going to be going to the trails on the roads

-Bed Bob- just cause

-Solid axle- to fix the lift in the rear issue. Gonna just do leafs for this. Trying to find a wagoner axle to do it with. Patiently waiting for one to pop up.

-Front bumper. Gonna find someone with a tube bender or I’ll get one my self and bend up some sort of stinger one with winch mount. Would like to match the 3rd gens. ***cough cough**

-Wheel bearings in the front. They are shot. A good 1/2” play on the drivers wheel.

-Paint job? I’ve got 2 gallons of plasti dip, might just hit it with that and call it good. I do have the whole setup already, the sprayer and all.

 

Looks like a sweet little beater. Have you considered bedlining it? Pretty good bang for your buck

 

It will definitely be fun, just need to stop working on it so much and go wheel it lol.

I’ve bedlined a few vehicles in the past, I just don’t love it. It’s serves the purpose for sure, but I’ve found spraying on plasti dip is way more satisfying. Plus, I’ve got 2 free gallons just sitting from a project that was never started.

 

Love them winder crankolators

 

in for the turdbox build, my favorite. Good job so far!

 

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where’d you get this pic of me?!

 

turdboxes are life. I’m watching just as close, to see what happens/ changes to it lol

 

gimme some

 

I forgot to mention your favorite part.

Loud af

 

Mine!

 

Made a very crude bed rack to hold the rtt. Ran out of steel, almost melted the side of the bedliner but it’ll be ok.

Have to remove the whole thing and finish weld it all. Rattle can it all and throw it back on.

 

I predict the turd gen gets sold after a few wheeling trips with this and a solid axle. I do recommend a crawler over a solid axle. A 1st gen on 33s with a crawler and no regards for body damage hurts a ton of feelings on the trail.

 

The turd gen is getting a 1UZ put in it

 

Yeah like mentioned above, the 3rd gen is getting a 1uz swap. It will remain with me for a loooong looong time.

This one will eventually get beat on more than the 3rd gen did though. It’s just not built enough yet, lots of regular maintenance to do to it to even keep it trail ready.

 

Can’t really say anything bad about how the truck performed this weekend. Rear locker helped a ton. The 63 swap is well worth it.

just need to figure out the clutch. Thinking it maybe the master. Hard as heck to get into gear now, wants to grind if it does and reverse just doesn’t go in. Have to turn the truck off, put in reverse then start it with the clutch in to get it to go into reverse. Not fun. This was sort of an issue before the trip but I’ll look into it this week.

 

My desire for a shitbox has never been greater until this weekend