The only problem with just finding a different rear is that there are no old junk/salvage yards and it's hard to find such rear ends as most drive Tacoma's here in HI. I will be regearing the axel (12 bolt) with new parts, now the only question is what gears to get and from where. Finally, the only problem with changing to an 8 lug is that a great deal of money with wheels, shipping, etc, maybe in the future I still have a lot of time with this truck.
I will do and report back to you. Any recommendations on what gears to get and where from. I'll be in upstate NY or North Carolina soon enough, but I would have to drive it across country first (Long beach,CA) to either one.
Yes on all accounts except for the tachometer and have not tried the O2 trick, but will get a new exhaust system from heads to the tip in the likes of short or mid length heads to a "High flow" cat and glass packs or some other louder but not obnoxious alternative. While I am not the original owner I bought it from the Department's Mechanic and have been told it is all factory except for the bumpers, trailer hitch, winch, and tire diameter.
Yeah, I saw that when I was researching. They had not put it on the jimmy/blazers since the 80 or 81 models. I still was not certain if HPD (Honolulu Police Department) had just ordered it special since it was part of a batch of 10 or 15 custom blazers/jimmy's that were ordered by the City and County of Honolulu for fire, water utility, and police usage. They all had 12 bolt rears and that is why I do believe that is a factory install along with the dual batteries and different fuse panel (it has the panel of a 1990 k2500).
I will have to wait until at least this time next year before my truck will reach the mainland unfortunately(Long beach, CA then to Syracuse, NY). I will be a freshman at syracuse this fall and will not be able to have a vehicle for my first year. I do plan on keeping this jimmy as long as physically and finically possible as well as it will be my daily driver for the foreseeable future, I also spent a grand getting a Softoper so I want to get my moneys worth($100 shipping alone). I know that most of the major stuff ( engine, tranny,body work, etc) will be cheaper and more accessible on the mainland, but I would like to be able to possibly drive it across the country even if it will be a little impractical.
I have verified the gears in 2 ways, rotating the tire and watching the drive shaft rotations(with both wheels spinning), and the shop that did the pinion seal counted the teeth(per request). There is a possibility that I have some how gotten this all wrong, but I find the unlikely. This is also why I think that the gears may not solve the problem is because most seem to have no trouble at all, and this is not a troublesome hill in the least.
The feeling in the truck when it is bogging is not the feel of the ebrake but rather just a flat spot in the acceleration because it will be pulling then all of the sudden it will lose its pep. I just took it for a drive and I am fairly certain that I do not have second gear; The tranny shifts out of 1st (to I think 3rd) ,but does not shift until overdrive after I lift off the pedal at 50 MPH plus. I live at sea level and the elevation change is not enough to affect the performance that greatly.
Was going to pick up a kit today, but might not have time to do it until later this week.
You could be right that the TC cable was not set right because IT WAS NOT CONNECTED AT ALL!! All this time and the fix could be that simple. Its always the simple things that screw you over. Im going right over the hill right now to see if its solved.
