XD Talk

TRIGRHAPPY · 12-28-2009, 09:07 PM

Well, I first mentioned that I'd be looking for an 89 to 95 Toyota Pickup (Extended Cab, 4WD of course) many months ago.

Good things come to those who wait.

I got a 1993 Extended Cab 4WD Toyota Pickup. It has the 4 banger with manual transmission. Exactly what I wanted. The best part of all was the price......... Free.

I'm not going to say how I acquired it for that price, but lets just say it's nice to have a family rich with rednecks and coonasses.

It even came equipped with a 10ft whip and Cobra 40 Channel Radio. Clear title and all that.... Running great. In fact, it was completely rebuilt less than 4,000 miles ago. With that said, it does have a few issues worth mentioning......

Speedometer doesn't work. Easy fix.....memorized the speeds I'm at (according to GPS) at certain RPMs/Gears. I'll get it fixed eventually.....but it's pretty far down on the list.

Has a tree-busting front bumper (literally...they used it to bust hunting trails through the woods with). Its great and all but I don't need the 400 or 500 extra pounds it weighs lowering my MPG during my bugout/daily commute. They mounted it just under the stock bumper (they removed the valence). I'll be ordering a new valence shortly.......along with a push-bar with brush guards.

One of the corner markers (drivers side) are missing and the grill itself is broken (busting trails can have that effect). I've already ordered a replacement grill and corner marker.

Vacuum leak. It has a vacuum leak. I suspect it is either in the vacuum line from the brake booster or in the brake booster itself. The reason for my suspicion is that when I'm holding the brakes down, my idle fluctuates between 900 and 1200 rpm...but when I let off the brakes, it idles fine. I'll be buying one of those smoke bomb fireworks (easy, since new years is coming up) to find where it is exactly. The hose itself seems fine, but its a long one and routed accordingly. Either way, the brakes work fine and the idle is only a minor issue.

Front windshield severely cracked. The nice lady I spoke to at the glass place asked me how big the crack was (since maybe they could repair it for less). Rather than describe the various cracks/nicks/etc I simply said "Roughly the same size as the windshield". She laughed and set me up for an appointment tomorrow.

Dents and scratches throughout. Like I said, they used it to bust hunting trails through small trees and brush. The truck looks like it's been through a lot, but it has been mechanically maintained to perfection (like I said, rednecks are great).

Now, with all that said, I am simply amazed by the mileage this thing gets. I drove from Mississippi to Florida (picking it up and coming back). The trip was just under 380 miles and I made it on 1 tank of gas (about an 8th to spare). With a 17 gallon tank that worked out to an MPG of about 24. That's amazing considering the size of the tires, the extra weight from that hideous front bumper, and the fact that I was doing 70mph the whole way.

All in all, I'm ecstatic.

Pics to follow (during the day tomorrow hopefully).

lobster_roboto · 12-28-2009, 10:01 PM

NEATO

Can't wait for the pics!

I opted for the I4 in my 08 Ranger. Getting 24-25 mpg a tank (HWY/City combined) is great.

It's been in some pretty rough spots it's a 2X4 but haven't been stuck yet.

john_bud · 12-28-2009, 11:19 PM

Now all you have to do is get side saddle fuel cells installed and you'll have some real range. If it's a real bug out SHTF truck, you may want to add a engine mounted air compressor and an under bed mounted air tank. As large as possible so you can run air tools with it as well as inflate tires, air mattresses, etc. Then also add a generator on the engine for 120v. There are some cheap effective mods showing how to do these on the off road forums. Price is cheap if you scrounge parts and have a handy background.

Then add safe storage for long guns and pistols plus 1000 rounds of each. Make a slide in bed storage that is pre-loaded with clothes, food, water, shelter, etc. When the SHTF, just back up, slide it in and bug out.

TRIGRHAPPY · 12-29-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_bud

Now all you have to do is get side saddle fuel cells installed and you'll have some real range. If it's a real bug out SHTF truck, you may want to add a engine mounted air compressor and an under bed mounted air tank. As large as possible so you can run air tools with it as well as inflate tires, air mattresses, etc. Then also add a generator on the engine for 120v. There are some cheap effective mods showing how to do these on the off road forums. Price is cheap if you scrounge parts and have a handy background.

Then add safe storage for long guns and pistols plus 1000 rounds of each. Make a slide in bed storage that is pre-loaded with clothes, food, water, shelter, etc. When the SHTF, just back up, slide it in and bug out.

As I stated in my original post months ago, the plan now is to get a topper and outfit the back with a couple fold down cots. Also, since its the extended cab, there are plenty of storage compartments in it already. Two large ones under the back seats and two smaller ones (perfect for pistols + ammo) in the back where speakers normally go. It's not speakerbox conversions either, they come stock with storage compartments instead of speakers as if Toyota was designing it just for me.

Chapie+ · 12-29-2009, 10:18 AM

Trigrhappy,

Congrats on the truck!

Sounds like you found just what you wanted, and it will be just that much better after a little bit of work and a little bit of modification. Can't wait to see the pics! I like the topper idea too, maybe one of those camper toppers?

The front bumper sounds like it could prove handy in a SHTF when pushing through debris, but otherwise a pain for gas economy. I wonder if another modification would be an alarm. I only say that as once you get your rig all set up for what you want it might draw attention from others seeking to break in and take guns. Maybe one of those alarms that come with a pager to alert you that someone is breaking into your vehicle?

Congrats again.

John_bud,

Great ideas on modifications - those sound very useful!

What about one of those high mounted exhausts for driving through water?

And a winch?

Chapie+

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_bud

Now all you have to do is get side saddle fuel cells installed and you'll have some real range. If it's a real bug out SHTF truck, you may want to add a engine mounted air compressor and an under bed mounted air tank. As large as possible so you can run air tools with it as well as inflate tires, air mattresses, etc. Then also add a generator on the engine for 120v. There are some cheap effective mods showing how to do these on the off road forums. Price is cheap if you scrounge parts and have a handy background.

Then add safe storage for long guns and pistols plus 1000 rounds of each. Make a slide in bed storage that is pre-loaded with clothes, food, water, shelter, etc. When the SHTF, just back up, slide it in and bug out.

rjacobs · 12-29-2009, 12:02 PM

Paint it with Rhino-Liner.

blownf150 · 12-29-2009, 01:36 PM

Plus 1 on the air compressor I have one on my truck. It comes in very useful. I also have a underhood welder and don't forget to buy a couple small solar panels at walmart. They can be used to keep up the battery for extended periords or run stuff like a laptop or phone. I have a laptop in the truck hooked to my gps for mapping software but somthing like google earth would come in very handy in a shtf sitiuation. Not to mention but it could keep the young ones busy for a while playing games and such.
Also look into a fridge freezer arb is making one now my favorite is the engel. I have one mounted in my adventure trailer. That is another good investment if you do any backwoods stuff. We would be going to a very remote place if we have to leave. We also know the area very well since we fourwheel on it all the time.
You could also think about some slide tracks and a false floor for storage and then you could put a air mattress in the back. It could also be made lockable for your long guns. Also they are making roof racks for camper tops. Mine has been used alot on long trips for stuff like shovels, axes, a extra spare tire, tents ,fuel and water.