Yotepower's 96 Re-Build

Bought the truck damaged from a friend. Building it back to its former glory and making it my daily driver. This should be interesting.

Picture below taken by the previous owner before it was damaged. It helps to see what I'm working with. I got the truck cheap because my friend was driving down the highway and the balljoints apparently failed and the wheel and tire broke off and stuffed up under the truck. When I picked it up from the Body Shop parking lot a year later it had grass growing up into and around everything. It looked awful and the front passenger side suspension was trashed but this is my 4th Toyota and I have ALWAYS wanted a 95-98 so I went ahead and bought it. I paid $1,800 cash. I have a clear TN title in hand.



The day I brought it home, looking rough but I got a great deal and I see a lot of potential.













Finally ready to start. Getting the truck towed to my house. Let the fun begin. Took some more pictures for before and afters later.





Home Sweet Home


FINALLY FIXED!! Not to bore yall with details but work got busy and I started to doubt whether or not I should have bought this project. Buuuut then I got a new starter and battery and it started on the first crank. That was 1 week ago. Since then I have replaced a mirror, all speakers, put in new inner/outer tie rod ends, sway bar link kit, U & L ball joints, and axle. Also changed fluids, got new wipers, removed all the stickers and cleaned seats and carpets. Honestly I am amazed how well it runs, drives, and looks for what I have in it. Great purchase. Once again I am impressed by my Tacoma. For now it is in drivable condition, well kind of. Problems left: Broken leaf spring, cracked marker light, and lots and lots of paint/body. Then I can start into a lift, new wheels/tires, tint, etc. Until then...Pictures of it now (2-15-13)


Got it running so I had to test it out. Still minus a mirror though


Since the tires stick out past the fender it gets real muddy, real quick.


The second day I had the truck fixed I had to haul this trailer for work plus it was loaded down with rebar for a foundation. I was a nervous wreck but it did fine.


New Mirror...very helpful for driving.



Broken leaf spring making it lean a little.


Had a sticker made to show off my TN state pride

 

Picked up my new Bilstein 5100's, Rough Country AAL from my local shop Top Gun Customz, and some used leaf springs for $100 from a guy off Craigslist...Currently pricing wheel and tire options. Any suggestions?

 

Subbed, should be a good build...

 

Bilsteins are installed along with new leaf springs and AAL...Looks good, rides great, drives amazing. It is truly like a different truck. Since the previous owner was just driving the truck out of alignment the front tires had about 5% tread so I had to replace them. The picture above is when they were being installed. Went with some Bridgestone Dueler's I got from a local used tire shop for temporary replacements since the back tires were still like brand new. Eventually I am going to 33's but for now the 31's are doing just fine. Will add more pictures when I get home this evening. I put it through the riggers this weekend and other than my mechanic forgetting to put the nut back on the UCA everything went smoothly and functioned way better than anticipated.

Coming Soon: Window tint, HID's, Hella offroad lights, hard wiring radar detector and cell phone charger, and minor trim pieces to install.

 

These are some of my old supsension parts to show you the shape of the truck when I bought it.



with lift

 

Updated Pictures


Playing next to our pond

 

Always nice to pick up a project for cheap. Way to keep another Yota from the grave.

 

x2! Looks identical to mine, just I got a tan shell on mine that came with it when I bought it.

 

Makes me miss my old Tacoma! I put that thing through hell, but it was tough haha

 

I have decided I need a winch and better tires. I spent my Easter weekend getting my truck out of this mud hole on one of the trails behind my house. It was a mess. Anyways, does anyone have any suggestions for winch setups? I have never even used one but everyone I have talked to said that I should get one.