Toyotafan03
New member
Gutted, and nothing but solid floor pans
1988 First gen resto-mod
- Thread starter Toyotafan03
- Start date
Gutted, and nothing but solid floor pans
Toyotafan03
New member
Ok so I've been looking around trying to decide what wheels I want on this first gen... Just not a fan of the bullet holes that are on the truck. Going to throw an idea out there and hope to have some honest opinions because I just can't decide. What do you guys think about taking a set of factory Toyota aluminum wheels and powder coating them flat black? I am thinking it would give it a nice classic look. Just can't find any wheels that I think would match the classic body lines of this truck!! Been looking at Steath Custom Series but I don't thing they have that classic look I'm looking for. Honest opinions welcomed!!
Wheels I would be powder coating:
Wheels I would be powder coating:
mholme
Member
I picked up a set of the factory 15's that had been powder coated grayish. I like the subtle details and they show well in this color and are of course, factory correct wheels. I don't know how well the finish shows, but here's a picture.
My truck is white and I didn't want any dark factory wheel since the detail would be missed, in my opinion.
My truck is white and I didn't want any dark factory wheel since the detail would be missed, in my opinion.
Toyotafan03
New member
I like that color too! That's my thing with powder coating them dark, it is hard to see all the detail of the wheel unless your in certain light. And your light great color is very nice! Just not sure what would like best on my dark grey one?
Chuckles89
New member
I love those wheels! If I could fit 15's on my 3rd gen, I would have them and they would be black...
Toyotafan03
New member
Sorry nothing exciting going on lately... Waiting for my carpet kit to get here and trying to track down a 2001 -2004 center console to swap in. My project for this weekend is replacing the rear main seal and putting in a new clutch while I'm in there. Will be my first time taking out a transmission myself. We'll see how it goes!
Toyotafan03
New member
Well I got some of the sound deadening material in, but progress on that stopped when I started trying to fix the Heater controls on my dash. PO screwed it up big time. BTW, the dash removal is a huge PITA!
But on the bright side my carpet kit came in, and I have a new clutch and rear main seal to put in. Going to try to get to that this weekend!
Also got in my shifter rebuild bearings, no more sloppy shift for this runner!
But on the bright side my carpet kit came in, and I have a new clutch and rear main seal to put in. Going to try to get to that this weekend!
Also got in my shifter rebuild bearings, no more sloppy shift for this runner!
89yodaruner
New member
I was stationed in clarksville for a while i wheeled with clarksville off road club,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarksvillecrawlers/ good group of people. they may know a specific person or shop to install gears.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarksvillecrawlers/ good group of people. they may know a specific person or shop to install gears.
Toyotafan03
New member
Toyotafan03
New member
I ordered an entire replacement carpet kit from mine. AUTO CUSTOM CARPETS is a great company. Have used them before and they have fast shipping and the quality is close to OEM
Toyotafan03
New member
Yeah I screwed up and threw my carpet away before I got this one in to trim it and make holes for everything. That's gonna be my project this weekend lol
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Nice Resto job!
I like those rims. Got them for my first-gen, too.
Slightly wider stance than stock first-gens but not too wide. I prefer classic looking 5-spokes but it looks good for now.
Wheels I would be powder coating:
I like those rims. Got them for my first-gen, too.
Slightly wider stance than stock first-gens but not too wide. I prefer classic looking 5-spokes but it looks good for now.
Toyotafan03
New member
I'm gonna use the factory ones, just can't decide whether to leave them factory color or powder cost them. I'm gonna put the Mickey thompsons that are on it now on my '90 4 cyl 5 speed single cab that I just bought. Still trying to work out the bugs in the motor for the pickup. Not a good idea having two trucks tore apart at the same time! Lol
Toyotafan03
New member
Sorry for the LONG lack of updates. Been trying to fight with the dash and Heater controls for a while. Between school and work every day of the week it's hard to find time to get anything done. But I'm getting close to having the interior wrapped up! Got the dash back together and heater controls working as well as Got all the sound deadener laid out and I'm ready to put in some carpet! Made a lot of head way in the past week or so. Plan to keep this build thread up to date from now on to keep my motivated to finish it lol.
Toyotafan03
New member
Also about to re-gear for bigger tires. What I would like to run is 35x12.50R15 on stock Toyota aluminum wheels. I've read countless threads on here about people debating which is best to run. Ive decided on either:
33x12.50R15 with 4.88 gears
Or 35x12.50R15 with 5.29 gears.
I'm going to be mostly driving on backroad and highways. Occasionally on the interstate. And do most of my wheeling on the weekends. Wanting 35s is honestly just for looks for me. I love big meaty tires on a mild lift. My question is will it really make a difference which tire and gear combo I do? I've heard some say that 5.29s and 35s is too low for interstate and highway driving but then I've heard other people say they drive intestate every day with that combo.
33x12.50R15 with 4.88 gears
Or 35x12.50R15 with 5.29 gears.
I'm going to be mostly driving on backroad and highways. Occasionally on the interstate. And do most of my wheeling on the weekends. Wanting 35s is honestly just for looks for me. I love big meaty tires on a mild lift. My question is will it really make a difference which tire and gear combo I do? I've heard some say that 5.29s and 35s is too low for interstate and highway driving but then I've heard other people say they drive intestate every day with that combo.
