KC’s 85 ST Build

[KCs720]

Here’s some pics of my 85 ST that I wanted to share, I’ve posted about this truck before but wanted to start a build thread for it. 

I’ve had this truck for about a year but after driving it around town a bunch this summer I’ve decided to give it some love.

I bought the truck in Central Oregon and it has very little rust thanks to a thick undercoating, and spending some time in the high desert. It has (reportedly) been towed behind a motorhome for most of its life. At 230,000 miles I’m not sure how many of those the engine was running for, but judging by the Tesoro Alaska gas stamp booklet from the early 90’s I found under the seat, this truck has been all over.

So far I’ve put new plugs and wires in it, new shocks and new fluids. On the outside I wire wheeled the only serious rust spots near the rear wheel wells, then coated the bed with Por 15 and a coat of bed liner. Loving this truck, looking forward to getting more parts in it!

 

 

[Charlie69]

Great find truck looks clean, especially for a 4x4.

[KCs720]

Thanks Charlie, it’s had some responsible previous owners for sure. I drive like a grandpa, and intend to maintain it like one, so it’s a good thing I didn’t find it 10 years ago ?

[Charlie69]

Being an ST does it have power windows and door locks?

 

Does it have the sun roof?

 

Does it have the variable speed intermittent wipers?

 

Why is the drivers side rear quarter window taped up?

Edited October 8, 2018 by Charlie69

[KCs720]

It does not have power windows and locks or the sunroof.

As for the tape I’m not sure what you mean, the rubber seal has shrunk and come unseated on the rear quarter window, there is also a sun faded spot right behind it, could either of those be what your lookin at?

I’ll post some better pictures when I get home in a couple days, and some interior photos also.

The interior is missing a few pieces I’d like to try and find and/or try find solutions for replacing.

There are few spots where the clear coat is sun faded and a few spots where the paint has peeled, (one major spot on the tailgate I have to decide what to do with) and a couple spots where the paint has been rubbed down, mostly on the top of the bed rails and the tailgate, the bed liner has covered... some of em.

I’ll have to look into the intermittent wipers, I’m honestly not sure.

[datzenmike]

 

This truck was maintained!! Regular oil and filter changes will do this.

 

If giving it love be sure to re-torque the head bolts. The Z24 has a nasty habit of blowing the head gasket every 100K. It's very simple. On a cold engine loosen one bolt at a time and right away tighten to 60 ft lbs. Then do the next one. You can do this in any order you like as long as only one bolt is loose at a time. Once a year or every tune up is plenty. This keeps the head securely clamped down on the compressed gasket.

 

The Z24 is a good engine but just not a barn burner for performance. I'm not at all surprised it almost has a 1/4 million miles on it.

[KCs720]

Awesome, thanks for the info mike! Finally sprung for some decent 1/2 sockets, a bigger breaker bar and a halfway decent torque wrench, (even though I’m still a little scared to pop those head bolts loose, tried to do it with my 3/8 breaker bar and felt like I was gonna break or deform the little bugger) the head bolts retorque and a valve lash adjustment will be next on my list.

 

Should I be putting the head bolts back in dry or with grease?

 

I found an 84 FSM I plan on picking up next week, is there any reason to not pick up the 84 FSM for my 85? It’s a good deal if it’s still available by the time I can get up with the guy.

 

Not really worried about the performance, this thing putts around just fine. I just moved out of the city so this truck is perfect for cruising country roads. I still couldn’t resist buying a Weber 32/36 kit however!

[captain720]

Just FYI those automatic locking hubs work alright until they don't, but they always kind of suck so if you see a set of locking ones grab them they are rare

[Charlie69]

On 10/8/2018 at 6:58 AM, KCs720 said:

It does not have power windows and locks or the sunroof.

As for the tape I’m not sure what you mean, the rubber seal has shrunk and come unseated on the rear quarter window, there is also a sun faded spot right behind it, could either of those be what your lookin at?

I’ll post some better pictures when I get home in a couple days, and some interior photos also.

The interior is missing a few pieces I’d like to try and find and/or try find solutions for replacing.

There are few spots where the clear coat is sun faded and a few spots where the paint has peeled, (one major spot on the tailgate I have to decide what to do with) and a couple spots where the paint has been rubbed down, mostly on the top of the bed rails and the tailgate, the bed liner has covered... some of em.

I’ll have to look into the intermittent wipers, I’m honestly not sure.

I enlarged the photo and realized what I thought was tape is actually the interior.  Those are some clean windows. 

 

My windows have an old poorly done sunscreen on them.  When I get the power doors installed I will have all the window tint redone.  I also will have to replace the back glass as it is eyched on the outside by what looks to be some type of acid.