Over the past few weeks I have been working on the SR5 project truck’s axles. Both needed attention. Even just sitting in the garage over the past few years the rust has taken over like a plague. The truck was due for service anyway; the pads and shoes were thin and the seals have failed allowing water to enter the steering knuckles. Water mixed in with the grease and attacked the knuckle bearings. Those will need to be replaced.

Disassembly of the axles is quite simple following the steps outlined in the 1981 factory repair manual. Each part was then individually cleaned and painted. Worn and damaged parts, bearings, and hardware were replaced with new. Then again following the steps outlined in the repair manual the axles were put back together again.

In general the factory parts for this project are still available from Toyota. To save time I will list some of the common part numbers: Here are some of the parts and prices you might need to restore your front axle:

Felt ball seal set: 43204-60020 approx $21.68 each side

New Bolts for seal set: 91651-40612 approx $0.62 (8) per side

Rotor: 43512-60060 approx $47.16 each side

Pads: 04465-YZZC0 approx $46.21 set

Inner axle seals: 90311-33085 approx $4.96 each side

Outer Axle Seals: 90311-62001 approx $11.70 each side

Knuckle Bearing: 90366-17001 approx $24.18 (2) per side

Gasket Spindle: 43435-60011 approx $1.46 each side

Seal Spindle: 90313-93011 approx $28.05 each side

Next on the list: disassemble everything again, sandblast and paint the axle housing; then finally put it back together for good!

Just a quick post on the project truck- I’ve been working on restoring a 22R for the 1981 pickup. The original motor was gone before I got the truck and I picked up an ‘81 2wd SR5 a few years back with a good motor. However it was 2wd and an automatic so there have been some differences. I thought it was quite a difference looking back at 134,000 miles of grime and grease. Three weeks later it’s beginning to look more like an original.

Let’s face it- even with its infamous reliability, your Toyota truck will require repair and maintenance from time to time. Many of the first gen and previous model trucks now have reached antique status. Its always better to work on your Toyota inside a nice warm, dry, secure garage. Many home garages now have an air compressor, tool box full of wrenches, and even a wire feed welder. More and more enthusiasts are equipping the workspace with a new or used automotive hoist. As the economy worsens, many automotive based companies are closing their doors- and liquidating their assets.  Keeping a watchful eye on Ebay, Craigslist, and the rest of the Internet can net a hoist at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. After many years of searching, I was able to realize just such an opportunity. (more…)

1970 Toyota Hilux Pickup One Owner on Ebay!

Here is a rare 1970 Hilux for sale on Ebay. I doubt you could find a nicer example for the money. The center picture below is a similar truck that was restored- just for comparison. Click the link above for more info or to bid on this truck before it goes to someone else! From the auction listing:

INTERIOR: Original seat cover and dash pad need replacing. It has the original floor mat that is in pretty good shape. It has an aftermarket stereo in the stock location since the early 70’s. It is an AM radio and it still works. Door panels are in good shape. Windows roll up and down and doors lock with the original key from when the truck was new. It is missing the rear view mirror as the owner took it off since he had a shell on the back and lost it. Heater and fan work fine.

EXTERIOR: The owner who is now 80 years old saw that his paint was getting thin in places and so he brushed on white house paint over many areas of the truck (that is the white you see in the pics) to protect the metal. While it did protect the metal, it looked awful. I wet sanded most of it off, but I figure whoever buys this is most likely going to restore it so I didn’t get it all off. If I was selling the truck for $10K I would have had it all off, but for $500….Anyway all the panels are straight with one dent on the top of the right front fender which is easily fixable. For the most part, everything on this truck is usable for restoration. Any rust you see on the truck is surface rust only except the lower rear of the front fenders. You will need small patch panels for the lower front fenders, but other that that the body is extremely straight and would be an easy job to prep for paint. The front windshield has a chip in it but could still be used, but needs new weatherstripping around it. The door weatherstripping has pretty much deteriorated as well and needs to be replaced. The wheels and hubcaps are original. As mentioned earlier, the bed is probably the closest to mint that you will ever find in this vintage.

MECHANICAL: The engine starts right up and drives and shifts fine. The brakes need adjusting and may just need to be bled as the pedal is very soft. Tires are in great shape and nearly new. The original owner told me that the engine was rebuilt in 2003 and hardly has any miles on it as the truck mainly set for the last five years. I wouldn’t recommend driving this truck any great distance due to the brakes. Mechanically the truck seems very sound.

1983 Toyota pickup truck Mojave Edition on Ebay!

Here is a nice original condition Toyota Mojave for sale on Ebay.The partial auction listing states: The miles are original, the paint and interior is original. The paint has flaws, scratches, dings, but never in any accidents and rust free except for some of the chips. Everything on the truck works even the original Toyota am/fm stereo w/ factory speakers in the door panels, no cuts anywhere. The options are p/s, pdb, a/c ( still blows cold ) , cruise control, tilt wheel, full gauges, bucket seats with center console, tinted windows, left and right rear view mirrors, full carpeting, chrome package w/ rear chrome step bumper and place for trailer hitch ball ( never used ) ,  sport steering wheel, factory alloy wheels. Recent work includes complete timing chain job, clutch job, starter, full 120k major service with all fluids and valve adjustment, 4 wheel alignment. New rear red clearance lights. There are no oil leaks, all the lights work, all original glass including windshield,  and brakes are all 50% or better, Bridgestone tires have 5-6/32 tread remaining with even wear. All parts used were factory Japanese parts, Denso , Toyota etc… NO Kragen or Pep Boys stuff.  The interior is clean clean with no smells or major stains, virgin headliner, vinyl seats which have covers have some flaws. The known flaws are the paint which is thin in places and dings here and there. Poor tint job on solid rear window. The dash pad has 3 small cracks about 1/2 inch long. One of the front t/s lens is cracked. The plastic trim behind the seat is cracking/brittle. The choke mechanism may need replacement or adjustment as it does not seem to go into fast idle after start up, although starts fine w/ no stalling etc. Passed stringent CA smog testing. The motor is a 22r carburetor version w/ 5 speed transmission. Always California rust free vehicle.

Click the link at the top of the page to bid or get more info!

(No this isn’t my truck. I’d like to buy it, but one Mojave in the garage is probably enough)