85 pickup parts reliability

[dda140]

Hey guys,
I've got the 5.7 sbc waiting in the garage for a warm weather install into my 91 ext cab, and I'm considering the SAS conversion while it's all apart. Possible donor for sale close to home is an 85 toy pickup 22-R being parted out due to a roll over. Wondering about the axles (strength) and also the T-case in the 85. I have the chain-drive t-case in my 91 and I think I will want to upgrade to the gear-drive in the 85 but I don`t know anything about the strength of them, and if I should be looking for one out of the turbo`d 4 bangers or not? Any ideas? coments on the durability of the 85 equip? Are there better axles without breaking the bank (I'm only turning 33's X 12.5, not an extreme rock crawler either, just a trail/tow machine). Any advice on what yr toy would be better to part-out would be great!

Dave
91 Toy Pickup ext, 3.0L V6
3" body, 33x12.5 BFG A/T

[DeadlyPeace]

The T-case is the strongest part of the Toyota drive train. I use to have one with a V6 and I know a few other people that still have V6's and the T-case seems to do just fine. So I would think it would do ok if you're not an extreme rock crawler or pounding the pedal through the floor with the V8.

The axle I think would be ok also, but I would at least up grade the 3rd member from a V6 and possibly Longfields.
Myself I would swap the axles from a full size. Chevy or Jeep (Dana 44 and/or 60). Haven't used one, but the Ford 9" rear seems to be a good one too. Sometimes you can get them at the bone yard for a good price.

[dda140]

I was just re-reading your post. Are you suggesting the chain drive t-case (Currently bolted to my 3vze) can take the V8 power or should I drop in the unit from the 85 pickup?

[Hoodlum]

One of my older set-ups was a 85 with a built SBC with over 400HP at the wheels.I ran 38x16.5 Swampers with stock toyota t-case and stock axles no lockers never had any issues at all.If you have a gear driven t-case use that it will hold up just fine it's one of the toughest t-cases out there.If your going to run locker(s) then I would suggest upgrading to Bobby Long axles for they will hold up to the added abuse from the lockers.

[fourwd1]

Feb 10, 2009 11:39:26 GMT -5 dda140 said:

I was just re-reading your post. Are you suggesting the chain drive t-case (Currently bolted to my 3vze) can take the V8 power or should I drop in the unit from the 85 pickup?

I think he means the V6 case, but I would go with the 4 cyl gear driven case. I think it is stronger, plus there is a lot more you can do with it (such as crawler gears, dual cases). Plus there are adapters to mate a GM auto or manual trans to the 4 cyl case,

[speedy]

You should hold on to both transfercases. Use the chain driven case in the front and the gear driven case in the back. Unless you are drag racing the truck, I am sure the chain driven case will work with the v-8. Add a 23 spline input on the rear case and an adapter. Lower gears are better for everyone, even if you aren't rock crawling. Regardless, if you want to use the gear driven case out of the 85, I believe you will have to put a 23 spline input on it to attach it to your tranny. It won't just bolt right on.

[dda140]

I'll be sticking to a single t-case, I rarely use the low gears... and when I do, parts break (add hubs :shootme: )... I'm doing the v8 swap for towing in the mountains... mostly . I will be bolting the t-case up to a 2001 4L60E so I'll be getting a trany output shaft from Advance Adapters, I think they have a few spline combinations. Should I go with the input 23 spline on the '85 t-case, I don't even know what's in it now, but will the 21 hold up if that's what's in there?

[fourwd1]

Yes, the 85 is 21 spline, and should hold up, but if you're worried you can change it to 23 spline.