The Dreaded Rust Monster

[Daytranno]

Hi guys,

I'm just getting back into the Toyota scene after falling out of it back in 92 (showing my age). I currently have a 1985 Toyota SR5 Xtra-Cab with the 22RE Motor in it. The motor has about 140,000 miles or so. I am the second owner of this rig and have owned it since 1990. I have 35" Tires, 4" Suspension, 2" Body lift. I just replaced the 4:10 gears with 5:29 gears and everything is basically back to stock power levels more or less. Even the speedometer is correct once again. I pulled out the crappy auto-locking hubs (That break constantly) and put in Warn manual ones and they seem to be holding.

The problem I face now is the dreaded rust monster. The bed is rotting out (just starting to get bad) and there is rust a few places on the cab itself (right under the Xtra-cab windows to be exact). My question is, what would be the best way to replace the bed? Are there any fairly inexpensive bed kits out there I can buy and replace the bed entirely?

I plan to replace the hood, fenders, bumpers, door skins, valance, tail gate, etc etc with aftermarket parts and just have them painted. That should cost about $1000 (not to mention not having to worry about rust), leaving only the bed and cab remaining. Any suggestion on how to deal with the rust that is starting to show up on the cab and bed would be well appreciated.

Thanks so much.

-- Daytranno

P.S. This site rules for old dudes like me.

[hillbilyfire14]

You could just get rid of the bed and build a simple flatbed or you could get start getting fancy and customize your own flatbed. ie, roll bars, tool boxes, anything you want.

[fourwd1]

Like your truck, just about all mid-80's Toyotas were equipped with the factory rust package (those bound for the southwest US being the exception).

Before you go all out attacking the sheetmetal you'd be wise to thoroughly inspect the frame. Here is where Toyota supplied an unexpected bonus. The frames rust from the inside out, and by the time you see it, it's frequently too late.

Take a small hammer and go over it thoroughly, especially anywhere it transitions upward or downward from the horizontal. Check both sides of each rail, and also where the fuel tank sits against the frame (a notorious spot for rust).

[Hoodlum]

my dad's '82 w/custom flatbed the frame was rotted out and only had 53,000 miles on it It was beyond repair so we stripped it and parted it out if your frame is ok you might consider using a fiberglass body kit a complete hood fenders and bed start at about $1000 as far as the cab your gonna have to sand/grind away and cut out and replace the real bad stuff and Iagree w/hillbillyfire14 build to suit your needs custom flatbed

[Daytranno]

Thanks guys for the heads up. I'll strip it off and look at the frame and see what I find. Hopefully its not rusted too badly. The bed isn't really really bad yet, its just got a couple of bad spots (it's had a bed liner over it since '92).

Does anyone know where I can get one of these custom fiberglass kits? I know Downey makes fiberglass fenders, but they don't do anything with the bed. If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it.

-- Daytranno

[Hoodlum]

Glassworks unlimited they are the best that I've seen so far just my .02 they are who I'm going with when I get that far I'm building a low end baja truck

[Daytranno]

Excellent with the Glassworks Unlimited Hoodlum, I appreciate it. That will take care of the Front Fenders, the hood, and the rear fenders (bed skins), that only leaves me with needing to source the bed box itself? I'd rather stick with stock/aftermarket rather than custom. Does anyone have any suggestion where I might be able to soure the bed itself minus skins?

Thanks a lot!


-- Daytranno

[Mike Kelly]

Check these out...

BG Fiberglass: www.bgfiberglassusa.com/
Toyota Fiberglass: www.toyotafiberglass.com/

BTW, these were at www.ToyotaOffRoad.com/links/links.asp

Good luck!

[Hoodlum]

Hey mike the toyota fiberglass is now glassworks unlimited I had toyota fiberglass in my quick ref and sometime over the last few months they changed names

[slacker]

wrong ... toyotafiberglass.com is still going strong and is a seperate company .

and they do have complete beds ... fenders , hoods .. tons of stuff .

it might be because of the new site ... they re-did their site adding a ton of new pieces .

[lal357]

definately check the frame i just got a 82 parts truck dropped off saturday and the frame is gone cab aint much better (cab is sitting on the frame body mounts rusted thru) .
i was going to make it a trailer rig but now i'm just gonna take what i might need for my 80 yota and sell the rest

[Hoodlum]

if they re-did their site how am i wrong if you could look at my list it says toyotafiberglas.com but when I enter the site it comes up glassworks unlimited ? read the post I even said over the last few months they changed names

[Mike Kelly]

When I click my link above, I get ToyotaFiberglass.com

Dunno... either way - they have beds.

[Hoodlum]

exactly ;D

[erik]

i used rust doctor on my rust spots. i took the bed completely off, sanded, grinded and cut off as much rust as i could. put the rust doctor on everything still left. it's worked pretty well. there are a couple of spots i got a little sloppy on that are rusting now, but it's a huge improvement. as for the holes i used bondo.
word of advice though...if you bondo any holes that go around the seam on the side of the bed, make sure to use some sort of caulk to absorb vibrations or the setup will crack after a while.
www.therustdoctor.com

[slacker]

Just to let you know ... toyotafiberglass.com is a seperate company .. and running strong . i have owned 2 of thier beds now (great for resale) .. and may be going for a 3RD .. NEW 2WD PROJECT . a pic....

I bought a hood and the smoothie cowl .
PS
thier in my home town ... luckey me