1985 4Riggity - The Skin Flute

[Stevesie]

New guy in the neighborhood. This is the evolution and story of my Toyota. Just going to dive right in.

Traded a clapped out Tacoma plus 1000$ for a semi built 1985 Extra Cab.



This was shortly after I got it. Had a lift that was setup all wrong, stock gears, blocks in the rear. Body was fairly mint. I then put 5.29’s and Detroits in it, dual cases, fixed the suspension, and over the years beat the brakes off it then painted it. It evolved over the years. Here’s a few pictures.

 

[Stevesie]

One thing led to another and happy little accidents happen and we had a due date for our first child. So more seats were needed. I then purchased an 85 4runner that didn’t run, had a rusty frame, and was overall a mess. Plan was to cab swap the 4runner body onto my chassis. That was quite the undertaking after realizing the humps in the back of the frame were in different spots and the frame needed to be shortened in the middle.

The 4Runner when I got it^^^
And the process. We’re were committed lol




More story to come…

 

[Stevesie]

It was one hell of an undertaking. Basically got it running and driving again and lost steam finishing up all the loose ends. It has a few bugs to work out and needed more money than I had to be completed. Decided living in my in-laws basement and building a rig wasn’t exactly a good life choice. Sold it to a local guy with big eyes for it and used the money to buy something a little newer. Told him if he ever sold it that I needed to be the first to know. The replacement was a 3rd gen 4runner I proceeded to pour money into anyways.

Enjoyed that for a few years, got some important adult life things accomplished and had a couple more kids. 3years after selling the first gen I started in on bugging the guy to sell it back to me. Every 6 months I’d ask and he would warm up to it a little more every time. He was buying parts left and right for it but not getting anywhere with it. He named his price which was only slightly more than I had sold it to him for. It came with a slew of parts and basically a whole extra trucks worth of parts. This is the day I brought it home about a year ago.

 

[Stevesie]

He basically didn’t do much to it. Replaced the heater core and put a newer style dash in it. Took it out a few times, fried the starter, blew out the steering box, and helped it develop a knock in the motor. He had big aspirations for it but once he bought a SXS he didn’t mess with it. I doubt if he even put 1000 miles on it. Before I sold it to him I put a rebuilt 22RE into it. Not sure if I didn’t break it in correctly or if he put the tach into the ketchup one to many times but I got it back with a knock. It’s only in the higher rpm and between shifting. Under a load it’s non existent. I’ve been just giving it hell until something lets loose. Here it is in its current state…

I rebuilt a front axle for it with all the ballistic fab goodies he had for it and freshened up the leaf springs. Got hydraulic assist installed and working good. Bought 37’s and bead locks, and built a winch mount for it. Shaved the front fenders and some of the excess sheet metal up front.

Next undertaking is addressing the rear fender rust. I’ve been letting the tires self clearance for the most part. There’s a layer of bondo, duct tape, and spray foam back there that is holding it all together. It’s quite comical when a chunk falls off and a piece that’s the size of your hand weighs 5lbs lol

Anyway, it’s getting worked on more than used lately which is a good thing for me. I used to just ride it hard and put it away wet. I guess this is growing up…Here’s the latest video of me actually using it.

https://youtu.be/DzYnJFZezME?si=_wtsvM3kkNnYcr_f