Smokys 1st gen build

I went back to a 2000 reg cab 4x4. I missed the simplicity and satisfaction of not blending in with the crowd. I picked this truck up off eBay about two weeks ago. Cleanish, had some issues. Cheap paint job, worn suspension, steering like a bowl of oatmeal. But what it didn’t have was rust. Florida truck it’s whole life. I have had a number of Toyota trucks before: 1999 ext cab pretunner, 2000 tundra both bought new. 2014 t4r. The one I miss is my 87 FJ60 Landcruiser. I restored and brought it back to new shape. That is my goal with this truck. So far I have replaced: front and rear diff fluid, transmission fluid, transfer case fluid, engine oil. Air filter, plugs and wires, suspension (5100s with OME 882) body mount bushings, steering rack bushings, pulled interior out steam cleaned everything and put sound deadener on floor, new weatherstrip for drivers side door inside and out, wiped down whole undercarriage, satori grill mod (still needs work) and 255/85/15 bfg Ko2s on us wheels Still needs to get sway bar bushings, and other misc bushings installed. Engine runs good with 177k but I’m still extra vigilant until I can be sure there’s no issues (2.7l Auto). So enough blabbing here’s some pics

 

Nice truck

 

Very nice! I also miss my fj60

 

Looking like a trekker to me lately

 

So I’m feeling pretty stupid. Ordered center bearing drop kit and my driveshaft does not have a center bearing carrier. I swear I’m going crazy but it is not there.

 

You have a 1 piece driveshaft?

 

You're not crazy, the regular cabs don't have a carrier bearing

 

Alright well. Today was inner and outer tie rods, valve cover gasket and alignment. Ac recharge.

 

I did my inner/outer tie rods last month, was a pretty straightforward job but the inners took some time. What'd you go with, OEM for both? I did OEM outers and 555 inners....the oem inners were too damn pricey for such a small piece of metal

 

I did Moog and hope I don’t regret it long term. They needed doing very badly.

 

Lots of work done, rack, power steering pump, driveshaft lengthened, trans and engine mounts replaced and retro Ironman graphic

 

Some pics from today

 

Why did you have to get the driveshaft lengthened?

 

Vibration after lift. Went with 883’s and got a bit of lift.

 

I feel your pain, I put 880s on my regular cab thinking it would be a mild 1.5" or 1.75" of lift and it would work with the stock UCA's. Instead I got over 2.5" of lift and had to get SPC UCA's to maintain a decent alignment. It’s taken years for the 880's to settle down to about 2.25.” But it eventually worked out, they ride really good now and my truck easily cleared 255/85r16's when I bumped up a tire size. Anyhoo, excellent regular cab you've got there, I love the Ironman stripes.

 

Good to hear. I eventually will do a front bumper. Good to heart there is hope