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woody

eternal noobie
Staff member
Oct 12, 2010
1,848
56
Toquerville UT
Subject: 1985 Xcab Toyota minitruck, Hendrix Formula4 chassis, first completed around 2007

22R on propane
5 speed trans
2.7 case, 4.7 case
39" BFG Red Labels on Walker Evans beadlocks (w/ full size spare)
Diamond rear axle, Tacoma width, discs, alloys
85 front axle, spacers to 89" WTW, ARP's, Longfields
PRP front seats, Hunsacker rear seats
Trail Gear hydro assist
AllPro 4" springs
ARB lockers, 5.29 gears

Lots of spare stuff, including a spool and an ARB/case

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The first projects were simple enough....fix the loose propane/carb mount (vacuum leak, wouldn't idle), clean up the stickers (mostly) and tighten up a handful of bolts.

Finding a fair amount of welding that needs to be finished...funny, since my "previous" life rigs were all in the same nearly-done condition...guess my age is showing :D
 
Rear suspension was WAY TOO stiff...linking is on the list, but two less leaves will help for now....

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Also adding some front end personality... :)

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Wiring cleanup today....all the lighting wires were run inside the tubes....then welded on...and burnt....with NO fuses....so those are pulled...switches and all...

And this is a prime example of the rest....yes, this is the main wire from the alt to the battery... :coffee:

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Today's project : the two front verticals were installed wrong....or off...either way, in order to install my new WARN M8000s winch, they needed to be even....so the left upright is removed and ready for a new one, 1/2" outboard from where it was

#measuretwice
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Winch tray complete...open center for a future winch-to-axle connection, and the back edge is braced to the 2x2 angle that runs rail to rail below the radiator. All out of 1/4" angle or flat steel.

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KISS'd the ignition tonight...one master switch, one switch to power up, and pushbutton start....

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And a new starter, since melted wiring let out the magic smoke :eek: ....a fuse block is ordered, since the PO didn't believe it was needed....

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Installed a SWEET new J.E. Reel Driveline front driveshaft earlier this week....so much bling! SO much nicer than the square tube jobbie that was in there...
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And of course, broke it in right yesterday...
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After yesterdays successful run on Frong Range (8), we bumped up to Nasty Half (9) today....and this happened...
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Simply, the front bound hard and the front diff studs either sheared (2) or stripped the nuts (balance)....AND tweaked the mounting surface....my desire to install a front Diamond housing to match the rear just increased by 1000%!!
 
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Front hubs had ARP studs installed...but do you see the issue?!? :sigh:

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Also time to upgrade the hub gears to RCVs....i prefer their one piece design versus a jigsaw puzzle...
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Red labels will bring out the week points in all your vehicles. You might as well upgrade everything you can or you will be towed back to camp too often!!! Might be time to go DANA?
 
Red labels will bring out the week points in all your vehicles. You might as well upgrade everything you can or you will be towed back to camp too often!!! Might be time to go DANA?
The rear axle is built, the front contains a number of weak points....the current Toyota stuff has no issue keeping up with sticki's, I just need to un-do all the PO's shortcuts to get them handled.
 
The PO saga continues....this is a pic of the motor mounts...yes, they are effectively NOT welded in at all...ordered up new mounts from RuffStuff http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com and will work on that later this week.
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Talked with Brian from Diamond Axle http://www.diamondaxle.com and am thinking his minitruck front housing with a 64" WMS will compliment the 60" rear Diamond nicely. Going to keep it leaf up front, but swap out the current '85 mini stock pack for OME/Dakar CS019R mini rear packs....3" longer....might even get the front shocks to use their full stroke :)

Pin offset is identical, just need to address the shackle mount/sleeve.
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Do you plan on plating the empty space for storage area?
Propane tanks will relocate there, plus the battery, fluids and tools/etc. Upper (removable) rack above the tanks for camping trips and gear....or just hauling event junk ;) Not positiveon floor material, maybe something dimpled and blingy...

Front seats will relocate back about 5" or so (need to check melon clearance on the B pillar) and that lets me move the pedals back 3.5" to keep my clutch foot off the tire. :doh:

Going with the Artec Ind B-style 4-link kit in the rear (eventually) and longer leaf packs in front with a new AllPro hanger/shackle setup. Rear links should be 39" or so eye2eye and keep the 110"ish wheelbase.

Diamond front housing being ordered today....rear is 60" WMS, front will be 64.

Current pic:

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As of 5p today....little more cleanup on the passenger side, and then a day of grinding....oh joy

Will be SO nice to start with a fairly clean slate!!
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Wow, you are really getting after it!
Easiest to start with a cleanish slate :)

@SMTYBLT and I finished up nearly all the grindering work this aft/eve, and are set to get some tubes positioned on Sunday. Still working thru the final plan, but shouldn't be too tough now that the garbage is removed.
 

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