Shorty Highlander: Too Stock

[mitchell72]

If your under fifty and really like custom builds, this may not be for you, just move on. I bought this truck when I was fifteen, it was on my rather long, rural bus route. I saw it every day and it was the highlight of my day (perhaps this explains my grades). Nonetheless, I wanted it. Then, one day it was gone. I did not know what to do, I thought i had lost it. Then, one day on the ride home I saw it on the side of the highway for sale. So I emptied my bank account, and on a Sunday my dad and I bought it. It some rust, a cut out radio, cut out speaker holes ( all are my pet peeves) not too much rust, and a rotted out wood bed. It had Cheyenne badges, but the SPID said custom deluxe, so we were able to knock down the price some. It was when I contacted member SS Tim to ask him some questions when he told me the truck was a Highlander. I was excited to have a swb highlander, an odd truck, so after some coaxing, I Decided to bring it back to stock, or 98%+ we will see when we get there.
enjoy guys, enjoy your comments.
P.S, I listen to Waylon, Willie, and the boys.

[mitchell72]

Here is the SPID. I enjoy this truck, not that its rare, its just a little odd. Highlander, Shortbed, Leaf Springs, and a Wood Bed. So with this combination, I want to bring it back to stock.

[mitchell72]

O yeah, SS Tim also explained that the 458 White and Red Orange Paint is a killer 2 tone hugger orange.

next is a picture of a a body bolt that pretty much tells the full story. It was orange, then green, then an pos red color.

[re1]

Looks Good !
I'll be watching for updates.

[mitchell72]

Because the truck came with white bumpers from the factory, I bought a front and rear paint grade bumpers, one from LMC, and the other from Ecklers. Both came with minor dings. I guess the kamikaze's who flew that crap over hit some turbulence.

Other than this I rebuilt the front end, all Moog. inners, outers, uppers and lowers, rotors, bearings, and Wagner pads of course.

Lately, I replaced the headboard, the original was rotted out. Unfortunately, being a re-poop, it didn't fit. Only the three lower bolts went in. the Philips style body screws, only one went in. When its time for body work I will need to solve this issue. Taiwan!!!

[mitchell72]

OK, so here is where I am now. But I'm working on getting the wheels and bumpers painted. So for now (since I don't like rally's) I took the beauty rings off and put some PO1's on. Please forgive me.

The hub caps below, i picked up on ebay, then painted the Bowie using a board recommendation, krylon true blue. worked great.

[mitchell72]

EDIT: I should have mentioned. When painting the bowties, do not use the green 3m tape as pictured. Because the edges of the bow tie are beveled, the tape allowed the paint to bled. I went back to the paint shop and got the higher end 3m tape, which is blue. This worked flawlessly. IMHO

[TheCougarine]

I really like the direction it sounds like you're going in. I also love painted bumpers and white hubcaps so its nice seeing you going back to that rather than all the chrome a lot of people go with.

[68bowtie]

subscribed! and i'm only 33...

[zicc1835]

im following this i am definitely over 50 and counting ...... subscribed

[RatPwrd72]

34 years old and I dig it, about time somebody does one that's not an LS and the same 20" wheels the last guy used.

[mitchell72]

Here are some interior pictures. I'm going to bring the door panels back to parchment, (sorry to say, years ago I sprayed black vinyl paint over them), I have parchment seat belts on the way ( which I look forward to cleaning, pics to come).

[mitchell72]

Yeah that hurts, I hate to see 6x9 holes in a door. Mainly for two reasons. First, its a molestation of these beautiful doors. Lastly, a door is a speaker in and of its self, the poor speaker is forced to compete with road noise. Just use kick panels.
Sorry, I will get off my soap box, But seriously, at some point I will have to weld up those holes.

[mitchell72]

P.S, who paints that color over hugger orange.

Anyways, another pet peeve, (AND THIS ONE IS UP THERE WITH MY BEER BEING LEFT IN THE FREEZER TOO LONG)..... The cut out CD player.

Thanks to member 396ci, I bought this dash piece and will make the repair.

[mitchell72]

You see that black seat cover, well, its not a Highlander seat, needless to say I will order a orange plaid seat from member Truckseats (Tim) in the not to distant future!!!

Next up, I will be pulling the block, have it hot tanked, honed, install cam bearings, main bearings, freeze plugs, fuel pump, water pump, oil pump, transmission seals, u-Joints and the rest.

[steelhorse]

Can't wait to see this one done. "Though I do like rallies"

[aggie91]

Hey, I'm a bit under 50 and still like this kind of build. Especially since the truck is an oddity of sorts from the factory. Since most of my builds are modified and custom, I generally find the cheaper low level trucks since they are so special. If I was to ever get one like this it would be a resto-mod with only bolt-on changes that can be reversed if needed.

Carry on with this one, looks like you got a good start. BTW, how long have you had this truck?

[mitchell72]

Ive had it since I was 14. So 12 years. After that long I better have my act together.

[mitchell72]

Here is what I did today. In attempt to clean my parchment stat-belts, I first soaked them in simple green. Then used an electric toothbrush and this did quite a number on the belts.
After this I rinsed the belts and a large amount of dirt and nasty brown water went down the drain. But, at this point, I was not completely happy.
So my dad walks in and says, "you need to use a 100% simple green." So I took his advise and soaked them in a heavy mix. Well, the belts were pretty green even after soaking. So I took them to the car wash and pressure washed them. There were still somewhat green, so then I soaked them in bleach. Unfortunately, this produced an overly white effect.
Now, I put a couple of tea bags in a Tupperware to try to darken them. This worked somewhat, but it was not all together t he correct color. So the came the coffee. It turned out ok, but remember they are parchment, and 40+ years old.

[mitchell72]

Compared to the original, not too bad i guess.

[mitchell72]

OK, status update. I got the engine out, disassembled, and off to the machine shop for a hot tank job, cam bearings, and a hone job. Then I am going to clean up the pistons, they are in good shape, I have fresh OE style heads, cam bearings rings, basically everything new.

I bought an Edelbrock truck/RV cam, this will be perfect for my build, and to top the heads off, some full roller rockers that I had from a previous build.

I will stay on this project but I am moving to southern California soon. Which, as you may guess, will severely dampen my project for the meanwhile. But, I figure if I can get the engine assembled and running, my job will have been accomplished. So, we will see. -Mitchell.

[TheCougarine]

It's going to look killer on white wheels. I recently put a set on mine and I just think it looks so right on these trucks.

[mitchell72]

Yeah, my thoughts exactly.

But now I am trying to decide on 225/75r/15's or 215/75r/15s?

We will see, but I think the 215 in white walls would be great!

Any input would be great..

[mcbassin]

Nice looking project. I'm gonna follow along too.

[TheCougarine]

I thought I saw someone on here somewhere say 215/75/15 was the closest match to the stock size tires. I'm not 100% on that but if so I'm sure that would look good.