86 pickup sitting outside for 30+ years. Where to start?

These trucks typically don't sit unless there was something catastrophic, like a busted gear, or an engine problem. Maybe ask your FIL if he recalls any problem before parking it. Put it up on jacks and spin the wheels in neutral to see if the gears are good.

Here's an unverified link to the FSM on Yotatech. Seems to work fine https://ether3al.com/FSM/93fsm-mobile/

If you'd like some tips, check out the will-it-run videos on vice grip garage. GL!

 

Awesome. Looks like a good website. Didn’t see an address for their store, do they have a brick and mortar or is it just online? Washington isn’t far from where I’ll be.

Thats probably right along the lines of what I will do. I’ll have to write it all down so that I can have something to hold me accountable and stay on track.

The reason it sat for so long is because his priorities changed once he started a family. Gears are mismatched though so I won’t be able to use 4x4 until that gets addressed. Thanks for that link…I’m going to try to get familiar before ripping anything apart.

 

Added a few more pictures. It’s going to need some love for sure

 

Really don't understand not replacing the rear glass, but not even doing a tape job or covering it with a tarp boggles my mind. Anyway, good luck with it.

 

Better make sure the engine even turns over first.

 

Watching this guys channel right now and it’s pure gold. I know what I’ll be watching during my free time now. Thanks!

 

Quick update.
Replaced the fuel tank. Previous one had a pinhole leak.
replaced the fuel filter.
Flushing out the engine oil and coolant tomorrow.
Engine will start with fuel sprayed in carb but will not stay running. No fuel getting to butterfly valve/window and called it quits after that.
rear window is back in but I accidentally installed it inside out I’m going to pressure wash the outside and undercarriage tomorrow so I can have a cleaner workspace. Any and all recommendations are welcome. Here’s a quick video.
https://youtube.com/shorts/lEyE6tQdvIU?feature=share

 

If you get a chance, can you send any pictures for troubleshooting no fuel to carb? I’m going to rip the carb out and try to clean it up today after I do a quick wash of the exterior.

 

Is the fuel pump working? Carb should be full of crap and sludge. Clean or rebuild.
While doing the interior, check up under the dashboard for rust and holes around the windshield. This vintage truck notorious for rust problems there, leaking water around the fuse box.

 

Just be careful with the structural moss!

 

A couple progress pictures.

 

Sure, I’ll send it a little later

 

So cool seeing this truck coming back to life!

 

Drained the oil and threw a new oil filter on there. Then lost half a quart because I forgot to put the drain plug back in…Tore the carb apart and blasted everything with carb cleaner. Float was definitely stuck. The springs all moved freely after I was done cleaning them.
Is there an easy was to test the float while I have it assembled but not installed??
I pressure washed the seats. Hopefully the smell and moss is completely gone. the carpet was not salvageable and I’m still debating on the vinyl.
headliner is probably going to have to go eventually too.

https://youtube.com/shorts/B2QrCNPn8M0?feature=share

 

I pulled my headliner and put sound deadener up instead.

 

Threw the carb back on today and flushed the coolant. There was no sludge or grime present.

Ended up having to replace the fuel pump because the original one was leaking through a weep hole? Not sure if that’s a common issue or just happened as a result of it sitting for that long.

I picked up some NGK spark plugs but I think I’m going to hold off on installing them until I get some more time to properly clean the surrounding area.

Clean air filter went on and the engine finally started and stayed running on its own. I’m not getting an accurate reading from the temp gauge because it didn’t move after running the engine for about 35-40 min. Any ideas?

I ripped out all of the old wiring that was unnecessary and installed the driver seat.

I need to find a temporary way to open the door besides reaching through the window because the previous method (electric motor activated by lock on fender) is no longer functional.

Engine also bogs down if I rev it too fast so there’s still a little more fine tuning I need to do.

 

@BoomBam are you close to PDX? I'm happy to help turn a wrench if you are close... Feel free to send me a pm if you can use a extra hand!

 

I would replace the thermostat and the plugs, both inexpensive, pop the distributor cap and see how the contacts look, you could check the timing as well. The EGR valve on these motors are known to clog but I doubt with the mileage on it that it would be clogged.

The doors are a drag, I would personally want to change them back but if they did work the way they are I would probably get them working until you get the parts you need to convert them back

 

I picked up a few more items today.
Thermostat
Radiator hoses
Distributor cap and rotor
Spark plug wire set
Wiper blades

The drums were a little stiff after sitting for so long and I think it’s finally starting to break completely free after driving it a few miles. I threw an extra set of wheels and tires on there to get it off of the dry rotted ones as well.