j2custom
08-29-2013, 10:41 PM
Hello gang. I am new to this site but not new to trucks or to D50's. I have had a 1988 2.0 5 speed 2wd for about 8 years. It was given to me by my best friend from high school who bought it brand new in Lancaster, CA. He was stationed there in the Air Force and it was his first new vehicle. After 150000 miles or so and many trips from Cali to MN without a radio or A/C it sat next to his garage for a couple years while he was driving his work truck and making a family. I told him if he ever got rid of it I wanted it. So I got the call and picked it up. I did a quick tune and cleaned it up and it drove and ran fantastically. I freaking loved it. It handled like a go kart. I put 17" Escalade wheels on it and drove it around for a while. I even borrowed it to my brother in Pueblo, CO. When I got it back I really made a bad decision. I decided to cut it up and make it 4 wheel drive with Dana 44 axles front and rear, leafs front and rear, an exo cage and 35" MTR's. It sat this way unfinished, un driven for several years. I even narrowed the front end and went up to 38" Swampers. I lost all motivation and pulled it outside where it sat for 2 years while I built a Toyota pickup. It has now come to the time for me to restore the truck so I can give it to his son who turns 16 next fall. I needed a donor truck, one without any rust and that had a complete body, frame etc. My brother found one in Canon City, CO and I called the owner, explained what I was going to do with it, agreed on a price and had a friend deliver it to me. It arrived today. I am very excited to get this truck ready and restored. I am building the blue truck as it is almost rust free and has a complete stock chassis. The front suspension has all new bushings etc. It will get the stock carbed 2.0 engine and 5 speed out of the silver one, both doors, the drivers side front fender and interior swapped over. It will be flat silver with a semi gloss black hood with 2 red stripes on the drivers side front fender. It is also getting 15" Toyota pickup wheels powdercoated black. I may lower it 2" with spindles and blocks. Here are the pics:6477647864796480 Normally I would put the pics in the story as they fit but this site doesn't seem to allow for that. Maybe it's a setting I am missing. Anyway, any feedback or input is appreciated. I am sure I will have many questions. Thanks