1982 Sleeper Setup

THIS ’82 THIRD GENERATION TOYOTA HILUX BELONGS TO JESSE BASIUK AND IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING AN ABSOLUTELY KILLER BUILD. When Jesse found the diesel pickup the truck was missing a whole host of parts and featured a spraybomb paint job that covered a collection of dings, dents and rust spots. The 450,000km already on the odometer was just the icing on the cake.

Electing to spend his time on performance rather than tackling bodywork right away, Jesse quickly stripped the gray paint and clear-coated over what lay beneath. Turning his attention to the suspension, the Toyota now features a Detroit Truetrac differential from a later-model Toyota 4Runner 4x4, giving the pickup a needed boost. The ’82 now features Michigan Metal Works flat stock control arms in the front coupled with Toyota drop spindles modified to fit.

In the rear, an Nfamus universal wishbone 3-link with ’bag-on-bar setup takes residence to even out the ride. Slam Specialties SS-5 ’bags cover the front and rear of the Toyota’s suspension with an Accuair e-level for custom control. More minor modifications include a custom rear disc brake setup with custom-made caliber brackets, Cadillac Deville calipers, Jeep Wrangler rotors with machined inserts and a master cylinder swapped from a Toyota Land Cruiser.

The whole of the suspension setup sits pretty on factory Dodge Charger 17x7-inch steelies painted in Chrysler Tequila Sunrise with bullet center caps.

The engine in place currently breathes out of stainless dual exhausts through the box before the wheels, though Jesse has future plans to swap in a TDI motor out of a VW. The ’82 also features a fuel cell gas tank with a modified factory sending unit.

Having done all of the fabrication, paint, body and mechanical work to date, Jesse has shown through his ’82 Toyota just how far hard work can take a build.