Recent content by walrusmt

270 on my 96 SR% I just bought this one for $2k. 270000 miles. 5 speed manual SR5 v6 with the factory e-locker in the back. Sunroof and lots of goodies. Runs like a top. Getting ready to swap out the timing belt for the 3RD TIME! Bought it from a friend who's parent bought it new!

I've power washed before and had good luck. Worth noting that you can buy the whole passenger area carpet new on ebay for 140-160. The cargo area takes the price up but I just painted the cargo with black duplicolor to match new carpet and layed a cargo mat in there.

Honestly that rust isn't so bad. I bought a 95 last year with less than 94K on it and the rust was twice that bad (Indiana - 2nd only to Ohio for rust damage!). You can probably improve a lot with replacing running board bracket and wire wheeling the rust. Frame swap sounds cool though.

The silverstar let me down until I started installing my bulbs with dielectric grease. It keeps moisture out of the socket and the bulbs last me years now. Literally - I swapped all my vehicles out in 2007 and they are all going strong - Chevy venture, chevy truck, VW Passat, two 4runners and a...

Bought my 96 sr5 today with 3.4, electric locker in back and the rare 5spd. Love it ! Spent 2k

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics Here is the replacement tailgate on the truck. I'll finish the trim later today. Funny that the tailgate is now on it's third vehicle - It was originally green, then installed on another truck and painted blue (poorly). After that It was sold to...

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics - broken removed Here is what was left. There is a push into the body that I'll address in the next big write up. Also you can see the wiring harness that was pulled out of the tailgate. I didn't throw away any of the damaged parts until I...

tail gate removal There are three screws on each side holding the upper hinges. underneath there are 3 bolts on each side. IMPORTANT: have someone holding the tailgate when you disconnect. Should seem obvious but wanted to mention it. I don't want anyone getting mashed!

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics Here are the 5 wires I had to cut to disconnect the final wiring between the body and the tailgate.

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics - internal pics The back interior panel pops off. After that I disconnected as much of the wiring as possible. The wiring comes into the tailgate and was left attached to the vehicle when I removed the tailgate. Ultimately I still had to cut 5...

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics Here is what was left of the rear bumper supports after the bumper was removed. one was so badly rusted it fell off, the other is pictured. Both of these were replaced with NOS parts via ebay. FYI - EBAY was the way to go for this repair. I was...

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics Here is what's left after the side bumpers were removed. Body on side actually looked good, rear bumper was still trashed underneath the molding. I saved all the bolts and nuts that came out and marked them. All were rusty and some were damaged...

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics Here is the damage. The second and third pics show the level of rust apart from the obvious damage. Decision was made to remove and recycle the metal and not replace the mud flaps.

Rear body damage on 2nd gen 95 Update with pics Ok folks, after much trouble I got the rear end repaired on this truck. The delay was a result of working out the damage caused by UPS with the seller of the replacement tailgate I bought. Also the fact that I work out of state and Indiana winters...

Post some pics and we'll see what it needs. Most likely you'll have to cut the bad steel off and use your auto body experience to weld a new piece in. Pics will help.