My Hilux from Australia

[Hilux_Max]

G'day all,

Ive just registered with you guys here and love the work that you guys do to your Toyota Trucks. I thought I'd share my truck with you guys here -

Its a 2003 Toyota Hilux Dual Cab 4x4, 3.4 litre V6 and 5 speed R150 gearbox.

Front Torsion Bars (Tough Dog brand) have been wound almost 2" and rear suspension is a heavy duty setup from Tough Dog aswell and is just over 2".

Sliders have been fitted and were custom made and Ive made some mods to the inner guard liner and front bashplate to stop as much water/mud from getting into the engine bay as possible.

Also have a snorkel fitted for when going through river crossing or deep mud holes.

I have just fitted 265/75x16 Wrangler MTR's. Lightforce 240XGT spotlights on the factory Toyota Bullbar.

Im in the process of making a rear bar that will sit at the back of the tub/tray and I am going to order a carry rack that will sit above the tray over the front rollbar and rear bar for more storage capacity when camping /hunting.

Let me know what you think of the Aussie Hilux :)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/wranglerlux1.jpg

And this is what I plan to do next with the rear bar and rack - you gota excuse the artistry, Im not the best but you get the idea
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/rack.jpg

If ya got any question feel free to ask,
Max

[TEETS]

that truck is sweet!!!:Wow1:

[Scott Brady]

The truck looks great. Thanks for checking in on the forum.

[flyingwil]

:wavey: Greetings Max!

Sweet Truck! Most of us are jealous of what you guys have in Australia, and I am sure that you Australian's are jealous of some of the stuff we can get here in the States. I look forward to sharing overland ideas and solutions with you.

[p1michaud]

Wow, looks like a very cool truck.
Thanks for sharing the pictures and joining the group.
Cheers :beer:,
P

[grouch]

Very cool! I'd love to get a close up pic of the torsion bars and the under carriage of your buggy. I'd like to see just how different the HiLux is from the Tacoma. Nice looking truck.

[Kermit]

Very nice, vey nice...

I always liked the front door window vents on the older Toyotas, wonder why they quit doing that? Was it '84 when they stop doing that over here??

We have them on the VW bus...


Very cool! I'd love to get a close up pic of the torsion bars and the under carriage of your buggy. I'd like to see just how different the HiLux is from the Tacoma.


I would assume it is the same set up as the pre-Tacomas available here in the States.

[mountainpete]

Very nice Hilux! Welcome to ExPo :elkgrin:

[mtnbike28]

My 91 Toyota Pick-up in the US had window vents. Man I still miss that truck... what was I thinking : (

ps Great Hilux

Jay in NY

[Andrew Walcker]

:beer: Sweet Rig!!!:beer:

[kcowyo]

Welcome Max! :beer:

Nice to see another member from Australia. That's a great looking Hilux. Definitely something I wish we'd been offered here.

I'm sure many folks here will be happy to see it's ExPo White. ;)

I look forward to reading about your Aussie adventures!

[Kermit]

My 91 Toyota Pick-up in the US had window vents. Man I still miss that truck... what was I thinking : (


My '92-3? (I can't remember) didn't have them, but, my buddy's '85 had them.

[Schattenjager]

Welcome Mate! You are certainly going to enjoy your time here at ExPo! :victory:


G'day all,

...Lightforce 240XGT spotlights on the factory Toyota Bullbar.


Max
Toyota Bullbar?!? I had no idea there was such a thing! Anyone have any info on these?




.

[toyrunner95]

so can i like send u money and you ship one over here for me? or maybe just the bed?

[Kevinj110]

So awesome I want one so bad.

[Brian894x4]

Very cool! I'd love to get a close up pic of the torsion bars and the under carriage of your buggy. I'd like to see just how different the HiLux is from the Tacoma. Nice looking truck.

The Hilux (pre 2006) uses the same frame, suspension and steering as the U.S. spec 1989-1995 truck. The body is similier to the Tacoma, but with a number of differences.

The Tacoma uses an entirely different frame (made by Dana), suspension, axles, diffs and even body. Basically shares nothing with the Hilux, except for the 3.4 V-6 and in some early model Hiluxes, the 2.7.

Very nice rig by the way.

[Hilux_Max]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didnt expect such a response, will post more pics as they come along including trips and scenery of places Ive been and places I will go to.

Yeah, the IFS torsion bar setup is the same as your pre-Taco trucks.

It just sucks that they make it difficult to go anywhere near the extend of modification you guys do in the states on your Taco's, unless we want to be classified as unroadworthy, even thou we may not be, but just a technicality if you know what I mean so the law can drill your backside.

If you guys got any questions bout Toyota trucks in OZ, dont hesitate, I'll do my best to respond.

Thanks again.
Max.

[Martinjmpr]

When I was in Afghanistan we used both Hiluxes and Tacomas. When they were side by side the differences were immediately apparent - the Tacomas were physically larger in almost every dimension.

All of our Hiluxes were RHD, also. That took a little getting used to! I assume they were imported from India or possibly directly from Japan, as people drive on the left in both countries.

Although I assume "Hilux" is a contraction of "high luxury", most of the GIs pronounced it "Helix."

[SuperCamperos]

Has anyone looked into importing or driving back a Hilux from Central America? They are all over down there and the steering wheel is on the LHS. Just wondering what restrictions and/or taxes there are. The drive home through Mexico sounds more fun to me than swapping a diesel into a Tacoma.

[Kermit]

Has anyone looked into importing or driving back a Hilux from Central America? They are all over down there and the steering wheel is on the LHS. Just wondering what restrictions and/or taxes there are. The drive home through Mexico sounds more fun to me than swapping a diesel into a Tacoma.

From what I understand, is that the foreign vehicle has to be 25 years or older. ( Silly Red Tape) So we have a wee bit of a wait for the late model HiLuxes...other wise. I would sell my Tacoma and do just that. That trip sounds fun.

[highlux]

Sweet rig there Max! Whitewalls out....I love it! Factory headache rack and also tie downs on the outside of the bedrail, best cargo holstering devices on a pickup ever IMHO, except the hooks just above the tailight...if I crank a ratchet strap too tight on these ones my tailgate gets kinda sandwiched, hehe. I also love the fender mounted turn signals, mine are integrated into the parking lights.

I noticed that little white sticker on your rear axle, you must have an LSD in the rear? And are those factory manual hubs up front?

And for the record, if my eyes serve me well, the front door shells are identical to first gen Taco DCs. And for those really in the know, that tailgate is identical to the one on my '89 Hilux and I've seen them on early 80s NA trucks too. Here's a pic...a little small but you get a funny road sign with it!

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/pretaco/Day1018.jpg

[Hilux_Max]

G'day there,

Thanks for the comments guys, I didnt expect so many !

Yeah my hilux has rear LSD as factory and factory manual front hubs.

Works a treat.

somebody mentioned something that they were surprised about factory Toyota Bullbars....well almost every truck sold here gets them put on.

The newer ones look absolutely gay thou so you'd go ARB or someone else.

Heres some pics of what she used to look like after I got here. Some guy had a big bullbar and side steps/rails on his Hilux so when he went out hunting he wouldnt damage his truck when hitting animals, so I bought them off him, thou they were very heavy and I saw it on my fuel consumption.(one of the reasons I got rid of the barwork)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/deeefae3.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/a6defa55.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/2da3d2ce.jpg

and heres some pics of my last trip to the Otways Rainforest here in Victoria.
Guess you guys would have to check a map if ya interested where that is LOL :) )
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/2007otwaystrip308.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/2007otwaystrip528.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/2007otwaystrip303.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/2007otwaystrip293.jpg

Another quick 4x4'ing trip planned next week so hopefully in another weeks time I'll catch up again here to post some more pics.

thanks
Max

P.S Do any of you guys have pics of trucks like mine or similar with custom rear wheel carriers? Im thinking of getting one in the future but love the "custom tube" designs sort of thing. Kinda reduces abit of weight, protects the lower quarter of the tub/bed and then have a slightly higher positioned wheel carrier so my departure angles aren't sacrificed. Any pics/designs for ideas would be appreciated.

[flyingwil]

Do any of you guys have pics of trucks like mine or similar with custom rear wheel carriers? Im thinking of getting one in the future but love the "custom tube" designs sort of thing. Kinda reduces abit of weight, protects the lower quarter of the tub/bed and then have a slightly higher positioned wheel carrier so my departure angles aren't sacrificed. Any pics/designs for ideas would be appreciated.

Max-

This might help you out some:
http://www.geocities.com/flyingwil/bumper1.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/flyingwil/bumper4.jpg

These are Mark's you can see more here: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=941

Here is a couple of other links...
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/tacoma/DO_rear_bumper.html
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1230

[BajaTaco]

Max, I dig it! The perfect color! Keep the pics coming, post some up after your trip. Welcome to ExPo

[big sky trapper]

Hey that sign is not to far from me...I was just there yesterday!!!! ahhahaa

A sweet aus yoda !!!!

[imagodave]

Nice rig, are you from OZ or just the truck? Welcome to the forum!:sunny:

[Hilux_Max]

Nice rig, are you from OZ or just the truck? Welcome to the forum!:sunny:

Yeah, Im from OZ, Melbourne, Victoria to be precise.

Damn dry down here, but they're expecting storms during the week, hopefully we get some rain with it, and if so, could be a very muddy and extremely fun weekend. I havent taken out the hilux on the new tyres yet, so I canr wait to test them out offroad.

Flyingwil,

I saw that rear bar whilst surfing thr forum recently. I fell in love with it straight away. I only wish I had the know how to make up something like that. Getting a pro to make that up would cost a bundle.

Anyway, My dad and me began making a rear rack/rollbar or whatever you want to call it that sits at the back of the tub, and when done, I'll spray it black and replace the front one with a custom made one too. We're making it out of 50mm square galvanised steel tubing.

Cant wait to get both the front and back one done, then place the rack ontop.

Damn the rear bar is nice. dont suppose he's got some measurements/plans to go by so I can get the steel meself and have a go at it?

Thanks for your comments guys, great to be onboard :)

[Brian894x4]

I just have to say again....very nice rig and thanks for sharing the pics!

[ArchaeoTaco]

Thanks for sharing your photos - that rig looks great! I miss the Hilux's we drove in an expedition in Jordan. They were indestructible!

[Hilux_Max]

G'day Fella's,

Thought I'd report on my trip last weekend. Went to Lake Eildon here in Vic, not much of a lake anymore but some awesome 4x4'ing where the lake used to be.

Had bout 7 fourbies go, and at one stage had 5 of them stuck on the lake bottom, where the dry and cracked lake bed caught us out coz it was wet and crumbly underneath.

Anyway, before going, I thought I'd remove the swaybar off my IFS luxie to see how she'd go....and you know what, it went bloody terrific. So much so that I dont think I'll be putting the swaybar back in her anymore. Heaps more articulation achievable out the front end, and much more comfortable driving on the road.

Here's some articulation shots of her from the weekend -

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/19052007012.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/19052007011.jpg

Here's one of me getting pulled pulled out of creek bed -
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/goffsbaypics059.jpg
Almost lost my tray/tub there because the 60series pulling me out didnt stop pulling in time wedged me hard against the river bank...the towbar saved my arse end

Heres a couple more of the trip-
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/19052007013.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/19052007009.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/19052007008.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/mmaaxx1977/19052007007.jpg

After the hell I put here through, she went great and on the way home a ****ty little stone put a whole in my radiator on the freeway. What a hassle!

[D4Dave]

Nice rig mate, is that the one I've seen on Exploroz before??

[Hilux_Max]

Nice rig mate, is that the one I've seen on Exploroz before??
Yeah, mate,

I was thinking bout selling it ages ago, but Im glad I didnt end up doing that.