Smiley's 1989 Slow Paced Build (Gator)

How I came to buy it: I totalled my 2014 (build), wanted a beater, bought this.
Could be a longer story but I don't feel like it lol. When I bought it, I just wanted to get an older toyota pickup, had to be 4x4, had to have a little room in it, so I wanted the extended cab, and it had to run. So, I found a few on craigslist, and bought this one.

I bought it and I was happy with it. I was told when I bought it, there is a small oil leak somewhere in the engine bay, and that there had been some head gasket work done, but they don't have the receipt, they don't remember what was done, and don't remember who did it. First thing I did was take off the purple tint. Next up was a tune up. Changed the plugs, wires, distributor cap and distributor wires. Next thing I did was change the oil. Somewhere around here picked up some used super swamper 33s and put those on. After a few weeks of driving, the engine started over heating, and the radiator hose blew, so I went to autozone and bought a new one. After that... it kept on overheating, so I replaced the thermostat and changed the coolant. The steering isn't quite as nice as I'd like, so I put on new tie rods and a steering stabilizer. Helped a little bit, but not enough so I bought a pitman arm and idler arm, but haven't put it on yet. Now here's where everything went downhill. A couple months ago, the battery, starter and alternator went out all at the same time as well as starting to overheat. So I got a new battery and a starter right away and had already ordered an alternator, just was waiting on it to get there. The starter was a PITA to change, but I finally got it on after a few days of working on it for a little at a time. So then I drove it from where it was, at my buddies house, back to the barracks. Everything was normal on the drive over. Parked it. Went to sleep, woke up the next day, went to start it... nothin. What the heck. Tinkering with it... nothin. Couple weeks go by and my buddy says, hey man, lemme drive your truck. I say its not workin, he says lets go look. Apparently I took off the air filter hose, or it wiggled itself off at some point, so he puts it back on and boom, starts right up. Well, thats awesome! Drive it a couple days, go out on some trails with some friends, doin pretty good. While out on the trails, there's a part you get to that has 3 mud holes, then you're on a peninsula in the middle of a lake, and it looks really cool. Go through the mud holes with ease(had to pull out my buddies dakota, that was fun), get to the peninsula, start fishin and shootin a lil bit. One buddy goes, hey lemme shoot your truck! idk... maybe... meh, screw it, just dont hit anything bad. The round goes through the very back of the bed. Not too big a deal, if I bob the bed, i can take that part out. Little while later, somebodys coming out to meet us and they need directions. So I go out to meet em, and when I get to the mud hole, step on the gas. Come out of the mud hole, and somethings wrong. I've got my foot on the accelerator and the throttle feels like it catches, and releases, catches, releases over and over again. Completely normal with foot off the accelerator. Limp it all the way back to the barracks.... Hasn't moved since then. I have looked up the code, found out the code it's running is for the knock sensor, apparently that goes bad pretty often. I have ordered the parts, just need time to work on it.
SO if anybody knows whats going on.. I'd love your input.
Now that you know Gator's life story, I can say that I'll be moving forward very shortly and making it an awesome truck. Not looking to making it a trail vehicle, most likely a good truck with some pretty good off road capabilities.
That being said: Pictures!!!!!
Day after I bought it.

Put the super swampers on, took off brushguard, changed the door


Painted the bumper black, got a new grill, and bought an FRS....


Seeing how a 52" looks... haha


Pulled the Dakota out


GSW


Changed the door back, finally got all components, just need to fix the lock connection.


Found a ridiculous rats nest under the steering wheel

And decided to check the rest of the wiring to see what I could do. Can't do much... but I'll try to work with it.



SO! Now's the time when I'll be hitting it hard, and trying to get everything in order. First things first, gotta get it running right, then I can start with upgrades

 

Want/Need

https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Rock_...r_/i_0_0_3176/_120189-1-KIT.aspx#.VZwzqxtViko

https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Rear_...s_/i_0_0_3177/_120110-1-KIT.aspx#.VZwzzxtViko



Bed liner
SOS sliders
SOS Bed Rack
RTT
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Front-Extd-Length-gas-Shocks-86-95-Pick-Up86-95-4RUN_p_259.html
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Rear-Extd-Lgth-Gas-Shocks-955-04-Taco86-95-P-Up_p_256.html
Chevy leafs (2.5in wide)
Spidertrax
5vze swap?
magnaflow?

 

ISSUES:
1. While out on some trails, there's a part you get to that has 3 mud holes, then you're on a peninsula in the middle of a lake, and it looks really cool. Go through the mud holes with ease(had to pull out my buddies dakota, that was fun), get to the peninsula, start fishin and shootin a lil bit. Little while later, somebodys coming out to meet us and they need directions. So I go out to meet em, and when I get to the mud hole, step on the gas. Come out of the mud hole, and somethings wrong. I've got my foot on the accelerator and the throttle feels like it catches, and releases, catches, releases over and over again. Completely normal with foot off the accelerator. Limp it all the way back to the barracks.... Hasn't moved since then. I have looked up the code, found out the code it's running is for the knock sensor, apparently that goes bad pretty often. I have ordered the parts, just need time to work on it.
If anybody has any knowledge on the throttle response issue, It'd be greatly appreciated.

One of the issues is vacuum leaks, so I'll be replacing most of the vacuum lines

2. Since the day I bought it, the gauge cluster lights haven't turned on. I don't think it's the fuse cause the tail lights run off the same fuse, and they work. I'm thinking that in the rat nest of wiring under the steering wheel, one of the previous owners snipped it on accident, and didn't know which one it was. Basically have to figure out which wire is the gauge cluster, and make it work again. (the CEL and all other warning lights still work)

 

Good links

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/what-everyone-should-know-about-their-truck-3vze-187741/

 

Sub'd

 

Nice truck

 

Not yet. You just love it for the color

 

They would look nice together in a picture lol. Time to bring her out on the next trip.

 

Once I get it runnin! lol

 

This thread is boring






Can't wait to see this thing get built.. anyone?

 

Sit down and read my novel, it aint that boring lol

 

I got three sentences down and scrolled to the pics

 

I'm almost positive the air/fuel ratio is off somewhere... I just don't know where...

 

Order the right part for the knock sensor! Let's get this ready for windrock!

 

Not only was it ordered but it was delivered to my buddies house yesterday! Gonna start taking pictures of the engine tonight and labeling as much as possible so I can disassemble some of the engine. Or I'll just leave it how it is till you get here lol

 

Nice. Good luck with it. I replaced my '10 Taco with the '90 I have now. Love this truck!

 

I need an ohmmeter, compression tester, and a whole lot of experience.

 

When are we working? I got a multi-meter, and can grab Derek's vacuum Guage.

 

Let's go with this weekend!

 

Lookin good OP!