Tiyote High Luxe

[imthatguy]

I started this build back in 2011, but nothing of any real progress was made until earlier this year. Realized I hadn't started a build thread here. Enjoy!

Seeing n00b's 'yota up close last weekend in Ohio made me want to get another one underway. I really like these old toyotas and needed to do it right this time around.

Starting with an OG Bruiser chassis. Faux powder coated and looking very clean. Rummy modded Bruiser axles that will get a splash of paint and the whole underside will get weathered with Sophisticated Finishes rust kit.




Some nice 1.9 CAC beadlock's with 1.55 Rock Stompers stretched on them.


I'll be running an axial tranny up front and some kind of electric motor. Got a body lined up, as well as the only drop bed people should be using, direct from pardonmn00b.

[imthatguy]

I pulled the chassis apart and replaced a number of brass bushings with new bearings, greased the axles and put everything back together with thread lock.

I had to figure out a good mounting point for the motor and transmission. Luckily, there's two holes that line up perfectly for the axial trans mounts. A couple spacers later, and things got fitted. Depending on how torquey things get, I might fab up a little extra mounting plate that I'll braze to the frame.



I thought the servo might be able to fit in beside the trans, and it still might, but alternately I'll mount it underneath.



Roller.



Fancy wheel nut thingies from Rogue Elements.



I started test-painting a few areas with the sophisticated finishes rust system. I think it will look quite nice for an old busted Tiyote.

[imthatguy]

Check it out, it's a rusty heap!



I meant to get a lot more done tonight, but I was up till 3am last night painting the EXO. I'll get more done tomorrow, but I did want to show you how the rust looks after leaving it for a few weeks. I really like the effect. Old and busted.

[imthatguy]

So here's a little more driveline progress. The ever handy GCM transfer case mounted beautifully with a couple of spacers and lock nuts.



You can see how little room it takes up and lies nearly flush, allowing for a proper floorpan. Nice!





I started auditioning shocks. Still need to do up a mount for the front and drill a couple holes for the rear. I picked up the dremel drill press accessory and I'm happy I did. It makes nice holes in things.



T-Top for the win.



There, done!

[imthatguy]

Oops, hood fell off.



Cab back installed.



Pardonmyn00b hooked me up with one of his lovely drop bed kits. It's quite lovely. It goes together nicely.

[imthatguy]

Work has been strange busy, not work work, but more administrative. I love being a boss (meh).

First things first, added a fuel door a la n00b.



My jig came loose and the lines got a little out of square. I'm going to go with it.



I said it earlier, T-Top for the win. I can't say I've seen this before, and I think it looks pretty boss. Like me.



To make everything sit level, I had to take off the front bumper and trim a bit from the front clip. No biggie, and this way I get to use the wicked stinger. It's used, and looks perfect on this hunk of junk.



Lots of room for an interior.



Lots of room for electronic thingies.



Real Toyongas don't have metal fenders on the bed. They're plastic. I was reminded of this while watching DJ Medic "weather" his TF2 body. Not truly scale and it made me a little crazy. That said, I felt it necessary to add a scribe line between the bed and the fender to show that they're separate pieces.



Looks more like a nice turk now.

[imthatguy]

The letters fell off the bed.



Good time for me to add some of the old-school letters.



I think I spelled it wrong.

[mgputer]

Looking good so far. I like the T tops, something I have never seen on a yota

[STANG KILLA SS]

T-TOPS! hell yeah!
in a world of over the counter hilux's this thing is gonna stand out!
man i love those T-Tops!

[JHTreyIII]

How permanent is the sophistcated finishes rust? I've used rustall some and it seems to come off when you use a cleaner to wash you're rig. I have to do clear coat over it to make it permanent and who wants glossy rust? That frame looks fantastic!

[Modbug]

My brother had a 79 TransAm with T-Tops, that was cool.
He also had a 84 Toyota with 44's on it, after the TransAm, but with no T-Tops.

Cool build.

[pardonmyn00b]

HAHAagagagagha Wuts a tiyote ur like dum or sumthin?a





This build is so cool I have to leave a comment on every forum.

[calikingcrawler]

Originally Posted by JHTreyIII

How permanent is the sophistcated finishes rust? I've used rustall some and it seems to come off when you use a cleaner to wash you're rig. I have to do clear coat over it to make it permanent and who wants glossy rust? That frame looks fantastic!

They make flat and satin clear.

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by mgputer

Looking good so far. I like the T tops, something I have never seen on a yota

Thanks, lots to do still. Need to decide if I'm going to build inserts or leave it open.

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

T-TOPS! hell yeah!
in a world of over the counter hilux's this thing is gonna stand out!
man i love those T-Tops!

Thanks for the compliments. Standing out is key these days.

Originally Posted by JHTreyIII

How permanent is the sophistcated finishes rust? I've used rustall some and it seems to come off when you use a cleaner to wash you're rig. I have to do clear coat over it to make it permanent and who wants glossy rust? That frame looks fantastic!

It seems quite permanent. I've got a bit more weathering to do still, it does not come off very easily but it will still get hit with flat clear at the end to retard the rusting process further.

Originally Posted by Modbug

My brother had a 79 TransAm with T-Tops, that was cool.
He also had a 84 Toyota with 44's on it, after the TransAm, but with no T-Tops.

Cool build.

Thanks, I like T-Tops.

Originally Posted by pardonmyn00b

HAHAagagagagha Wuts a tiyote ur like dum or sumthin?a





This build is so cool I have to leave a comment on every forum.

Yes I'm dum. Keep the comments coming!

[SlickRockSpider]

2 bolts to hold the transfer case ?


Evan

[Shinjari]

Originally Posted by imthatguy

There, done!

Man that looks amazing! Wish mine looked that good when I was done with it =)

Does the bent bed help with articulation?

[brianw]

Originally Posted by Shinjari

Does the bent bed help with articulation?

No, but it does help with readin' an ritin'!

[Die-Laughing]

cool trukc! I liek it a lot!

[Desert Rc]

The chassis is sweet, I was speculative of the rust on such a nice chassis but it works. Looking good.

I have the same rust kit but have yet to have the nerve to get at it.

[Desert Rc]

Oooo just noticed your lettering on the tailgate...diggin it.