New (old) truck - 1986 Toyota Hulix 4x4 - Build thread

[ps2fixer]

Haha yea I figured they were really similar to my dad's Mazda, or even better . One of the spare engines has a pretty new looking clutch assembly with tons of pad left, so that might come in handy some day .

I don't expect to have the trucks done super fast or anything, I don't have anywhere to really work on them over the winter, so once snow flys the project might get put on hold .

[elhigh]

If I recall correctly the Toy one-ton had six lugs on the hubs. I don't remember the axle ratio though. And the ones I saw on the lot when I was a lot boy, they were available as both singles and duallies, so what you wind up with can be stock either way.

I don't reckon I need to warn you away from trucks modified with dually "kits." That way lies trashed bearings.

[ps2fixer]

Yea it is kind of odd it is 5 lug, but all 4 tires are the same so it seems it must be factory, it is 2wd as well, both of the 4x4 ones are 6 lug.

I don't really see a real point in duals on a small truck, I don't think it would benefit much unless you were already overloading the truck and needed a little extra support. Not like the stopping power is any better unless you upgraded the brakes lol.

Know of any tricks to get the door to open up, I can't really tell exactly what is going on, but everything moves like normal, door handle is free, inner handle works fine, lock I can pull up and it seems to go up all the way, but when I pull one of the door handles it pulls back down. The key even works, but on the unlock side it is a bit restrictive, I worked with it for a few mins and didn't seem to get any progress on it. I guess I should probably just pull the panel off, lube it all up and work with it more.

[Jasen]

Originally Posted by ps2fixer

Know of any tricks to get the door to open up, I can't really tell exactly what is going on, but everything moves like normal, door handle is free, inner handle works fine, lock I can pull up and it seems to go up all the way, but when I pull one of the door handles it pulls back down. The key even works, but on the unlock side it is a bit restrictive, I worked with it for a few mins and didn't seem to get any progress on it. I guess I should probably just pull the panel off, lube it all up and work with it more.

You might have a broken handle or a rod popped off. You may have to roll the window down and go at the mechanism with a coat hanger to get it open.

[elhigh]

^^
It can be damned hard but not impossible to get that door panel off from the inside without opening the door. I think there's a hidden screw or two under the armrest on the door and at least one more in the latch pull. My recommendation is that you leave the window up, remove the door panel and go at the mechanism that way, laid bare. It's possibly slower than going after the mechanism through the window slot, but you're going to need to pull the panel anyway, to set things right.

[ps2fixer]

Finally figured out that the blue 4x4 is an 85, so both 4x4s are the independent suspension style of front axle. Nice for the fact that they are the same lol.

Starting my shift at work so progress is going to be slow, maybe on the next off days i'll get the driver's door open lol!

I like the trick of going though the window slot, but I'm sure I'll need to pull the panel off, it is already in pretty bad shape since the window was left down slightly and sat 15 years that way -_-.

[Jasen]

Well if the door panels already toast, no loss then

[ps2fixer]

Well... small update, have not touched the 2wd one yet, still need to find out what year... because I picked up ANOTHER! lol. This is starting to turn into an addiction. This one has the body + frame to be a good FE truck, after the seller signed the title over, I got it all loaded up etc, THEN he tells me he has a 4x4 in better shape with a little front end damage and he thinks he has the parts to fix it O.o.

Anyway, quick specs on this one, which most likely will be my FE truck, and the 4x4 v6 one will be the work truck for larger loads. 1986 1/2 ton Cream colored (same as the other 2wd truck I have) 22r (old style) carbed, 5 speed stick. Has only 1 rust hole in the driver's cab corner, rest is solid but has a little surface rust starting. Been in MI since 1999, drove only 2 years here then sat. He uses it every once in a while to drive to his bother's house a couple of miles away, so it still got used a bit, but not much. Body had 265k miles, engine has around 120k.

Problems are fairly simple stuff, water pump bad, carb running rich, tail gate linkages are hanging up a little, door seals need put together right, dash cracked (have replacement too ), tires before too long (dry rot). While hulling it 2.5 hours going around 60mph the axles got fairly hot which transferred to the rims. No sizzling like the 4x4 one, but I suspect the axle bearings need replaced at least. Pumpkin and transmission were fine for temp.

I'm not sure if I'll drive it this winter or not, I need to do the body work on it and repaint it before the MI cancer (rust) gets to it and the body is junk lol.

Now for the photos... sorry they were a bit late at night, sun was setting.





I just noticed, my front tires are missing the hub caps. They look nice and areo of what I can tell, probably should try to source the missing ones, maybe try them on my corolla and see if they fit . Might be a fair option instead of pizza pans if you don't mind the toyota logo on them.

[elhigh]

Your new cream ride is very similar to mine, I don't have the Xtra cab, wish I did. Wish I had the Xtra cab/long bed combo, rare as hen's teeth but there are a few out there.

Get in front of that rust, pronto. That body seam on the bed is a known starting point for rot. And pry up that bed liner and see what's going on with the bed, I left my liner alone too damn long and now have extra ventilation in my bed.

[ps2fixer]

Yep, plans are to repaint the whole thing, at least touch up the bottom and repaint the visible areas and bedliner/undercoat the bottom of the body.

I understand the bed sides are 2 part, and where to 2 parts go together isn't painted, just joint sealer. I'm planning to take it apart, sand / repaint and reseal the joint up and reattach it. Probably rivets or small bolts since I think it is spot welded.