Paul's '93 "Blue Myself" - Daily Driver Restoration

[WPG93]

Paul's '93 "Blue Myself"

The truck:

Year: 1993
Transmission: Automatic
Engine: 3VZE V6 3.0L
Odometer (miles): 159k
Tires: 235/75R15 BF Goodrich

Background: This truck comes to me as the third owner. It was originally owned by an older gentleman who had it for 25 years. According to an oil change sticker I found under the hood the truck has only been driven about 10k miles in the last ten years. After him, a young man bought it and started building it for a work truck with play potential. He decided to get a diesel instead for towing power. He swapped the rusted out original tailgate and put in a 3" spacer lift as well as brand new tires. Probably other work went into it as well. I decided to spend a few extra bucks and get this truck compared to the other gen 2s available because it has very little rust underneath and came with a safety certificate so could be registered right out the gate. I think it is very clean as far as body and frame goes. My wheel well body panels are rusty and there's a hole through the rear bumper but overall very little rust for the year up here.

Goals: The ultimate goal is to restore it to be a good daily driver that I feel comfortable taking on road trips. Here are my initial plans:

1. Determine the health of the engine; do I want to swap? Rebuild?
2. Restore fuel economy; what can we do to bring it back to normal?
3. Remove the spacer lift kit; Consider a shorter lift, get an alignment.
4. Acquire and mount a spare tire carrier system; Do I go for one off an early model? Aftermarket?
5. Service rear window; Lube up the system and determine why rear defrost isn't working.
6. Diagnose windshield washer pump dysfunction.
7. Repair rust on body panels.

 

[WPG93]

:lookout:

 

[HanginInUtah]

Congrats on finding a good 2nd Gen!
My memory is that around town in my manual trans '95 I was getting around 10-12 and up in the 16's on the highway. That engine isn't terrible, but it isn't going to rock the 1/4 mile drags, either. Especially with an automatic, as they tend to suck more power out of it. Watch your coolant and your temps. If it hasn't lost the head gasket on the right side, you either have a gem or it will in the near future. I've done the heads on both of my projects, and once you know them it isn't too bad. If you do have to play with it, the newer gaskets have a larger opening in one of the coolant passages near the rear of the head, and I've heard wrapping the exhaust in that area may help with the heat.
Spare tire... you can get the stock carrier off of a '91 ('90?) but it may be better to go aftermarket bumper with a swing out carrier. That said, you'll find that aftermarket parts for the 2nd gens are not easy to find. And I would bet that your rear defrost is a connection inside the tailgate. Any time you run into issues with power windows, power mirrors, power locks, look at the wiring where it comes through the door jamb. The wires there get old, crack, and cause an open in the circuit. I've found more problems in the wire vs. switches or motors.

Good luck with the project! I'll probably be getting another one this upcoming spring. I miss having one to play with.

 

[Redthies]

Paul's '93 "Blue Myself"

It’s good you got this out of the way early!

Your truck is very similar in history to my new to me ‘89, with the exception that the second owner had mine for 11 years. I’d ditch the spacers and look at a 2-3” proper lift from OME or similar. 2nd Gen lifts are not my forte.

How’s the ‘Peg treating you this winter? Seen 40 below yet??