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Post by trevorthetrekker on May 24, 2012 23:37:49 GMT -8
My 1982 Toyota Trekker when we rolled her in the yard in early 2009. What the funk have I gotten myself into this time? Before me it was owned by my good friend who bought it around 2000 in Fresno, CA for $500. Neither the seller or my friend knew what it was, like most people. One day around 2004 it wouldn't start, so he just let it sit there. Here I come in 2009. I open up the air cleaner, to find half an old sandwich. Apparently someone was working on it after a few beers, and kinda forgot something. Under the valve cover, the valves were completely covered in a white gooey protein-like substance. The 22R wouldn't turn over with a 36" breaker bar on the crankshaft. Apparently the head gasket blew and allowed water and oil to mix. After that, it sat for 5 years. Yeah, that's not getting rebuilt. First thing I did was rip off the single front off-road light and the hideous 60 lb. steel roof rack on the fragile fiberglass shell. There are very small stress cracks coming from the mounting holes. I don't want them to get any worse. There is rust throughout the cab, including holes in the floor pan and the cab supports are basically non-existent. The passenger floor pan hole was repaired with a license plate and expanding insulation foam. Yes, seriously. I am a certified aircraft mechanic, so stuff like this makes my brain hurt a little bit. However, after working on the Trekker for the last 3 years has made me more accepting of these fixes. I would like everything to be perfectly aligned with no holes and no leaks, but ya know what? So what? It works. It is a vehicle that moves and is paid off (just sold the last vehicle I will ever finance, what a relief!). Plus I love fixing things, and the Trekker breaks all the time! Anyway, so I cover up the existing holes in the rust and Great Stuff TM with more Great Stuff TM. Still 2009. I finally realize how much work the Trekker needs. She waits...
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Post by trevorthetrekker on May 24, 2012 23:57:56 GMT -8
In Summer 2011 I finally gathered the cash to put into the Trekker. Also, I had access to an engine hoist and two engine stands, so I knew it was time. It was a California truck so I immediately ripped out all of the emissions. I cut out all wires which were emissions related. I ended up scrapping all the wires and got about $10 in copper! The radiator was thrashed, took that out. Hired a few friends with some beers, and ripped the poor ol' 272,000 mile 22R from it's host in a few hours. Probably would have only taken an hour or less, but beer was involved. Is it possible to work on a Toyota without beer? Hey! Bought a rebuilt 22R long block from B&M Engine Service on SE 77th and Foster in Portland, OR. I had never bought from them but I heard they had a good reputation. Hired the same friends using, unfortunately, the same quantity of beer as during the removal. It didn't help we started at like 6:30pm, so by the time the engine was aligned with the transmission it was pitch black. My friends decided to puss out, but I kept going with my headlamp, and got all of the mounting bolts in and tightened. Many celebratory beers ensued. The day after we dropped the engine in is the first day I met TrekkerPaul! We had met through Craigslist since I was selling all the old parts I didn't need. I still need to get over to your house one of these days! I have more spare time again, so hopefully sometime soon. My other friends with 4 cylinder Datsuns and Toyotas all said: WEBER. I did my research, saw the Weber 38 DGAS, and was immediately in love. No fancy progressive linkages, instead, two beefy synchronous gears. Best of all - manual choke. I feel like I'm in an aircraft again! Opted for a new exhaust manifold since they are less prone to leakage and usually better for low end torque than headers. I had the original intake manifold media blasted to clean it up, since I would be using Redline adaptor plates ( more on these later ) to mount the Weber. While the engine was being swapped I took off the grill, bumper, and bezels to give them all a quick spray of paint. Well it's getting late so that is all for tonight. Tomorrow I will post another post with recent projects, problems, and new pictures! Trevor
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Post by Slacker on May 25, 2012 6:23:23 GMT -8
welcome aboard another one saved .. yeah!!!!
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Post by 83trekker on May 25, 2012 9:37:12 GMT -8
The picture of you in it, what the heck is that silver thing sticking out behinbd the drivers door? Loks like a trailer ball or a door knob.
Also you listed it as 1984, Trekkers were only made up intill 83 and in 84 Toyota went to a whole new body style.
Nice work so far!
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Post by trevorthetrekker on May 25, 2012 10:17:44 GMT -8
Slacker - Thanks! I will be taking new pictures today and I'll send in the picture of my Winnebago dash sticker too.
Paul - I am glad myself, I have been meaning to start documenting the process. Before I've just been in too much of a hurry, just worrying about getting her on the road. Life has been crazy, and it still is, but now I am devoting more time to the Trekker.
The plan for right now is to get it airworthy enough to drive to New Jersey in August. Yeah, I know, right? Hopefully I will meet my deadline, and I hope to be documenting the whole trek.
83trekker - The silver knoby behind the driver's door is a CB antenna mount. I took it off, and there was seriously about 50 feet of antenna wire just shoved in the little pocket, then came out of the vents on the inside, to the CB which was mounted no more than 6 inches from the mount. No wonder they never got good reception...
Apologies for saying this was the one and only 84 Trekker, I was up super late, and had a few beers in me. This is definitely an 1982, and I edited my original post. Sorry about that.
Off to take some good pictures for y'all!
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Post by trevorthetrekker on May 25, 2012 14:39:52 GMT -8
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Post by trevorthetrekker on May 25, 2012 14:41:00 GMT -8
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Post by trevorthetrekker on May 25, 2012 14:44:41 GMT -8
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Post by Slacker on May 25, 2012 16:08:49 GMT -8
you have a PM
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Post by trevorthetrekker on Nov 18, 2012 13:42:12 GMT -8
A quick bit of sanding, a roll of painter's tape, and 13 cans of Rustoleum Universal later... Also thanks to TrekkerPaul for swapping his slider windows for my solids! Next up: T100 front brakes, Zuk mod (add coil springs to rear suspension)
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Post by Slacker on Nov 18, 2012 17:46:22 GMT -8
dude .. thats looking awesome !!
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Post by whirlybird on Jan 8, 2013 12:21:07 GMT -8
Dude agreed...that looks GREAT! My Trekker is SUPER rough and i was debating going w/ a white exterior bc I have a complete blue interior to swap in. You may have me convinced!
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Post by whirlybird on Jan 8, 2013 12:22:08 GMT -8
and LOVE how you kept the "doorknob" too
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Post by trevorthetrekker on Jan 31, 2013 15:38:20 GMT -8
haha thanks guys.
Yeah I'd rather have the doorknob antenna mount than a hole in my body! Although I still have a hole where my real antenna goes, haha. I should probably get an antenna for that.
In December I turned my rotors, installed new calipers, pads and shoes and repacked bearings. Then the day before I had to drive 300 miles I found water dripping from my fuse box, so I had to get a new windshield and gasket. Was surprised to not find much rust around the mounting flange, only one tiny spot in a place where it WASN'T leaking, which cost me a leak warranty, but whatever.
I also built a platform for the rear from 2x4's, 4x4's, and a piece of 3/4" subfloor to get stuff off the floor, since the rear windows leak like there aren't any windows.
AH, also I finally found a new vacuum advance for my distributor, since the one before it was the wrong one, so the nipples were basically rubbing on my belts, so I could only have one vacuum line hooked up. I was getting maybe 10mpg, now I'm getting at least 15mpg. Which, I feel is not bad for a Weber 38.
Hmm, that's all I can think of for now. Apologies for not having any new pictures, my camera finally took a poo. Hopefully once tax returns come in I'll get a new one.
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Post by trevorthetrekker on Feb 8, 2013 15:28:05 GMT -8
Today the Trekker received a Zuk mod using Black Magic 035-012 5" x 11" 125 lb rate soil springs, which slipped over the bump mounts almost too easily. Should have gone with 12", but this will do until I get new leafs. Also threw on some Gabriel Ultra rear shocks at the same time. The bump stops used to be less than 1" apart; now they are almost 4" apart. 3" lift for $60, yes please! I'm sure they will settle over time, but over time I plan to install a whole new suspension anyway.
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