So I am gonna start a build thread for the 74 hilux my cousin picked up a few weeks ago. Its painted green, so he named it Pickle. His 78 was Biscuit. No idea why he names them all after snacks

Its a hodge podge of parts. He got it from some farmer who was probably old when the truck got built Its a bit of a mess but we have sorted out most of the details. It has a 20r and a 5 speed. Engine bay tag says 18r and automatic. Seems like he ran a 75-78 bed and gas tank too. Lots of things on it puzzle us. Has 76 style valance and hood with a 74 grille. It has a ladder rack which I'm trying to get him to keep. We plan to lift it 3" with added leafs and coil spring spacers. I will post pics in a few mins.

We already replaced the fuel pump in the tank, and had to rewire it. He put an external on the back of the cab. Figured out some other little issues. Got the stock carb tuned in fairly closely. This one should be getting pretty slick over the summer. Keep an eye out for updates.

If anybody has ideas or suggestions on wheels for a 31" tire or so let me know. We haven't made a choice yet. 3" lift should clear those. May also add fender flares, and we don't mind cutting the arches open a bit for larger flares. So suggestions there help too. Was thinking 2nd gen supra or Mk2/3 VW flares.

 

Here is the first picture he sent when he got it home. Already has snazzy tube bumpers and cool little mirrors.


Me, my cousin Blayde, and Jordan's 78. He bought Biscuit. We went for a cruise after the hilux cruise a couple weeks ago.



We added Lexus badges to the sides and grille. Heated and bent the tabs over on the grille thru his mesh. Fenders we cut off the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th stubs from the left. They matched some existing fender holes. Opened them up a hair with a phillips screw driver (it was handy lol) and then used the lexus plastic inserts they badge pops into. They haven't fallen off yet.



It has some awesome old school custom door panels. I don't know how attached he is to them, so if somebody wants them make an offer. The rest of the interior is pretty stock. We will add a tach some place. Put a cool shift knob from a 70s SR5 truck. Need a chrome car shifter arm. I gave him a 2 spoke steering wheel from my 78 to replace his 3 spoke. That little one was stupid lol.

 

I forgot about the tail lights. The farmer made a metal insert for the bed, then put 6" oval universal lights in those. I kinda like the concept, but think it should go inside the plastic housing rings. I have spares. Then just add a round orange one for the blinkers. We need to swap the bed markers for stock types to replace the trailer lights. But for 800 bucks he is happy. It runs like a champ.

Heres pics of the back, and one of the pass side.

 

For those who skimmed, the blue truck is his old 78 Biscuit. Spent 2 years building it. Did a cab swap for one with a new windshield, perfect wiring and a sunroof. Swapped the entire front and rear suspensions. Swapped gas tanks. Most the front sheet metal. Its bomb canned some metallic blue that was kinda spendy per can. Jordan wants me to lower it. He bought it to keep it in the crowd

 

Very nice. Is that a 'handbrake' behind Biscuit's rear tyre?

 

Yup. The back brakes need shoes so there is too much slack in the ebrake cable to pull tight. I told him leave the ebrake cable alone and put shoes. Then it'll all be adjusted right again. I use wood. Looks classier.

 

On Pickle, it has the best rock chip repair I have ever seen in my life. He sold his 78 truck to buy this 74. Right in front of the drivers view dead center is a rock chip. The old farmed used epoxy and a 1978 nickle to keep it from spreading. I think its been there for decades. I call it the Pickle Nickle Blindspot