• 3/02 - Whoa!   Major change in direction!   I sold the 85 frame, and bought a 1966 FJ40.     It's complete, but not completely assembled at this point.  The only serious rust is in the rear channel.   I plan to do a frame off restoration, as well as a build up on it.  I've already got a considerable amount of the parts I need for the buildup...  now I just need free time   :-)    With any luck I'll have it on the road in late 2003.   PHOTO 1       PHOTO 2

    • 10/01 - Fabulous!  I just got the R151F tranny and 23-spline transfercase I was looking for, and to top it off, Marlin Crawler just rebuilt the tranny a few weeks ago!    Next I'll probably be buying components to start building up the axles, and setup the 3rd members...  ARBs, steering, gear setup kits, etc.

    • 9/01 - Wow, I actually turned a wrench on the 85 frame today.   I made a set of u-bolt plates so I could mount up the Turbo rear axle, and be able to roll the thing around again.    I also ground off the welds holding the Smittybuilt bars to the frame.  I think this week I may find time to start cleaning up the frame.  Its got 16 years of grime on it.

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    • 8/01 - I got a great deal on a set of 4.88 high-pinion gears, so I guess that makes up my mind whether or not I'm running a HP in the front axle on the next truck.

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    • 7/01 - Wow it's been a long time since I've messed with this web page.  I've been working on different parts of my house, and actually accomplished quite a lot.  Most recently I put in a 200A main panel... with a 125A sub panel in the garage.  Which means... I can FINALLY  weld again!   Wow, I might just have to finally start on that next truck!


      • This weekend we removed the totalled 4Runner body from the 85 frame and disposed of it.  Now I can finally start cleaning up the frame.

      I'm also still keeping an eye out for a clean Xtra Cab (1989 or newer) to drop onto my 1985 frame, so if you see one, let me know!
       

    • 12/00 - I'm back in the Toyota game again, sooner than expected!  A close friend suddenly had a 85 4Runner chassis on his hands, which I was more than happy to releive him of.   I expect it will be spring/summer before I have time to start wrenching on it.   In the future I'll be looking for a 89-95 Xtra cab (no bed) to drop onto this frame.  Let me know if you learn of one that is both straight and cheap!

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    • 9/00 - The 4Runner is SOLD!!!   For the next little bit I'll be concentrating on the remodeling projects I've got going on in the house, and of course our October wedding.  I will be building another truck, but probably not for a little while.

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      Mark Bailey of Colorado now owns the 4Runner.  His web page is HERE .  Be sure to visit and see how the truck progresses!
       

    • 8/00 - The latest accessory I bought for the truck is a 2-car garage.  Oh, there happens to be a house next to it :-)   Jenn and I will be married in less than three months now, so I'm very busy preparing for the wedding, and working on the house.