The 86/96 Build

[Boomtacoma01]

Apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. I wanted to get a run around truck to help keep some mileage off of the tow rig. I found a pristine 86 Xtra Cab body a while back and a deal on a 96 Tacoma 3RZ 4x4. It has a slight CO lift, AALs in the rear, a set of new 31s, new radiator, plugs, wires and runs like a top. I'm going to use the Taco drivetrain and transplant the interior, gauges, steering column, dash and electronics into the 86 cab. Planning on running a set of Skinny 35" Interco SX2s on some Tacoma wheels that I had left over from my 02 Tacoma. Ill be picking up the 35/10/16 SX2s on the way back from the project I'm currently on. Should be a fairly straightforward swap (to an extent). I will more than likely freshen up the motor a bit while I have access to it easily. The Tacoma has working AC and Heat which is a plus. I may end up replicating the boost setup I'm currently building for the 2Rz for the Red Truck. We'll see..

I found some frame dimension drawings for the 2nd gen truck and 1st gen regular cab. The front 4 mounts line up just about perfectly. The width between the frame may need to be adjusted outward a tad. I will have to figure out the frame extensions at the end after the body swap is done. It's only approximately 8-10 inches of frame extension in round numbers. Or, I will just build a custom bed depending on where the rear axle CL ends up. It may be a bit too close to the rear of the cab.

On to the pics...

 

[tx_shooter]

This should be fun. Looking forward to encouraging you to spend some cash.

 

[Taco Loco]

Nice project you have started there!!

 

[Boomtacoma01]

Started chopping up the 86 and disassembling the Tacoma. No turning back now. I have way too many tires in my garage.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

Upon further disassembly, the whole front end is being rebuilt. Always fun opening up Pandora’s box. New parts galore. Rotors, pads, CVs, lower ball joints. Lower control arms, upper ball joints, coilovers, and upper ball joints. I’m having to relearn all this ifs stuff. New parts are budget minded to get it going again: Mevotec, Detroit axle and Moog.

 

[Silverback]

You should just SAS this thing.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

Nope, not yet at least. I’d wanna wheel it

 

[tx_shooter]

Watch out on the LBJ parts. The aftermarket stuff does not hold up near as well as the Toyota parts. A failure can be real bad. Ask @balakay

 

[balakay]

Watch out on the LBJ parts. The aftermarket stuff does not hold up near as well as the Toyota parts. A failure can be real bad. Ask @balakay

Mine weren't aftermarket. They were OEM. My problem was reusing the existing bolts and going off of ugga duggas instead of finding the proper torque spec. Two of the bolts backed out and then the other two sheared.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

Oh I remember well. Took a day and a half to get him off that trail. This won’t be a wheeling rig at all. Just a putt around hunting truck.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

Back to roller status. Got the 35s mounted on the refinished wheels. Replaced a ton of parts. Almost ready to pull the bed and cab.

 

[Taco Loco]

Keep at it, this is gonna be a badass truck.

 

[tex]

Now I feel like I need 35x10 swampers on my regular cab truck.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

They were 178 on the interco blem page. Only down fall is that they are 10 ply. My be a little rough on the street.

 

[Silverback]

I always liked the 34x9 Swampers as well. Those skinny 35's are cool!

 

[tx_shooter]

They were 178 on the interco blem page. Only down fall is that they are 10 ply. My be a little rough on the street.

Just run them at 2-3 psi.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

Got a few steps closer over the weekend.
Pulled the bed, knocked out another 10 lbs of dried mud, repaired and re-loomed the rear wiring harness and clearanced the cab on the 86 for the gas tank.

 

[Boomtacoma01]

 

[tex]

There is an 8.4 axle with 4.88 gears and ARB locker in Denver ready to bolt in if you want it. Could probably figure out a pony express to get it home this summer. I want to say the seller was asking $1400

 

[Boomtacoma01]

I have 456s already. It will get me through for a bit.