It begins…

This is going to be a picture heavy post that will detail the attempt to resurrect this nearly dead 97 Tacoma.

 

As you can tell, this truck is rough around the edges. It has been hit in the left front but not too bad.(Note the not quite matched paint) Some of the interior will either have to be fixed, modified or manufactured. The body is mostly rust free, except for the very rear of the pickup bed. (Pictures will be forth coming)

 

This is the interior removed. Carpet is trash and is being replaced. I will most likely not be reinstalling the worthless rear folding “seats” or rear cup holder.

 

Looks like a lot of work. Good luck!

 

I love following along on these projects.
Did you just buy this truck?

 

Yes, about 3 weeks ago.

 

Removed more of the interior. HVAC box is next. Found an old water leak at the corner of the windshield. The windshield has been replaced but I suspect they waited a while before they did it. Notice the ground point that has corrosion on it. That’s how you end up with funky electrical problems. That section will be cleaned and inspected. If it can’t be cleaned up, it’ll be cut out.

 

That looks like quite the project, I wish I had the time and resources to do that kind of restoration to my 84 F-250.

 

So far, I’m not into it much. This is just to get it road worthy and smell better… lol

 

Ah ok, I thought you were doing a full restoration.
Mine is in pretty good shape but the paint and interior trim is getting pretty deteriorated. Unfortunately it has the wood grain interior and there are absolutely no replacement parts to be had anymore, I managed to track down a decent used steering wheel pad a couple years ago but it's very rare to come across any good used interior parts for it.

 

Wonderful project following along with great interest. I gutted the inside of mine and put new carpet etc. I learned a lot in the process and the truck is much more enjoyable. Good luck!

 

That’s what I’m running into with this lowboy Tacoma. There is nearly no aftermarket support for the interior (except for carpet). We’ll see how creative I can be….(southern engineering)

 

Thanks, I’ll keep everyone posted…

 

Here’s an update…
As you can see the evaporator is nearly completely clogged and the amount of dirt and grime is pretty bad. The foam in the HVAC box is just nearly ash. The only solution to this was to pull body plugs and high pressure wash the inside of the truck.

 

Yep definitely needed a good cleaning, looks like some of the evaporators I pull out of farm/ranch trucks around here.

 

After the cleaning…






The smell is gone. Nothing but the aroma of simple green….

 

It’s too far gone. It gets replaced, along with the heater core.

 

I went ahead and checked the valve clearance and it was still within spec., so it gets a new valve cover gasket and tube seals, new spark plugs, new wires and distributor cap and rotor.

 

That’s a nice truck. Must have some options because I’m assuming most of these would have a bench or 60/40. Plus an automatic that would make for a good cruiser. Good luck and take your time I’m sure with new carpet and rebuilt seats it’ll look amazing inside.

 

Yea we just replace them at work too, they are usually so plugged with crap that they aren't worth cleaning.