Box Rocket 1980 Hilux

Love the Vintage Vehicle license plate! What did you use to clean up the axle? Looks clean!

 

your a cool dad

 

Sorry.

 

Thanks. Just a lot of time with a wire wheel and some paint.

 

for a rattle can job that came out really good
awesome truck

 

Thanks. Its not perfect but not terrible either.

 

Been making a bit of progress with the front end. Pulled the original axle out and stripped.


This axle isn't being reused since there is no trussing on this one. I had a bare housing from an '83 with the lower truss and added a LowRange upper truss and got it all cleaned up.




Test fitting the FZJ80 high pinion Elocker.


There are a few studs that need to be relocated. We're in a bit of a time crunch so the low pinion diff may go back in for a bit until I can rework this housing for the high pinion.


Full rebuild with all new bearings and seals. I had new solid rotors (that are on it in the pics) but we'll be swapping those out for some FJ60 vented rotors and IFS calipers. We're also still waiting on high steer parts so the stock J-arm steering is back on it. New Aisin hubs too.






Next up is cutting off the front springs/hangers. Welding in the low profile front spring hanger and getting the 3" TG springs in, Ford shock towers set up, then get working on the high steer and power steering.

 

That is a very cool truck.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, that's one lucky kid

 

Believe me he's not getting it for nothing. He's helping pay for parts and helping with lots of the work. He's gotta learn how to work on it and fix stuff so it's a great way to learn.

 

Since this is a Tacoma forum, maybe I'll add a little Tacoma content. It will be down the road a ways but we're looking into a 5VZ/Auto swap into this truck. We might look at a 3RZ/5speed/dual case setup too, but I'm leaning toward the 5VZ/Auto. Either setup would be a friggin blast in this truck.

 

Still lucky kid to learn all those valuable skills. My grandpa and uncle were like that and I'm sure would've done the same with me with an old muscle car if they were still alive

 

Very nice. I can't wait to see it with reasonable springs on it!

Gonna keep the push/pull steering?

 

Never mind.... just saw high steer mentioned above!

 

Haven't had much time to work on the truck for a few weeks but finally got a couple hours this week to get the front spring hangers welded in and the truck back on all four tires. I'm using the Low Range Offroad low profile front spring hanger which keeps the spring eyes is just about the same location as stock. Still running stock front shackles. 3" Trail Gear front springs. The rear, as you know, is 63" Chevy springs using the LowRange kit with new hangers, shackle hangers and shackles. From everything I had researched the rear Chevy setup would net anywhere between 3-4" of lift so it sounded like a perfect match for the 3" TG front springs.
Well, with the front back on it's own weight I'm sitting about 1.5-2" lower in the rear. I'm sure there will be a little settling of the front springs as they get broken in but I doubt it will be enough to really level things out. So now I'm looking at options for addressing the difference in height front to rear.

Option1: add a 1" rear lift block. Least desirable option. Would require addition of a trackbar.

Option2: Longer rear shackles. They would need to be substantially longer (probably 4" longer than current ones) to get the correct amount of lift. Would likely require relocation of shackle hangers.

Option3: Remove a leaf from the front springs. Unknown result in lift height until it's done and still might not be enough. Will change spring rate (could be good or bad).

Anyone have suggestions?


*yes the steering is not hooked up. Working on power steering and highsteer swap*

 

I would go with option 2, thats a pretty common thing to do.

 

Just read through the thread. Great job!

 

I'd ride it as is for a couple miles. Maybe install an Add-a-leaf to avoid the axle warp from blocks.
How long are your current shackles?

I wouldn't remove leafs from the front. I just installed my hi-steer. You want to have the lift to give your pitman arm plenty of room under driver spring compression.

 

Are you using a drop pitman arm or a flat one?

 

I have a drop pitman and RUF