1KZ surf transformed to Coil SAS club truck

[petefj40]

Looking good there Tim. And looking tidy to. Nice!

[fweddy]

Looking good there Tim. And looking tidy to. Nice!

x2 - good to see the progress

[hosehustler]

A bit more progress, and a few pics.

Finally scored a Prado pitman arm (been a little hard to pick one up), these are a bit shorter than the 70series, the 70 serise pitman has a different size ball joint than Prado, and the Prado pitman arm fits straight onto the 70 series box.


Panhard rod and chassis brace all in, steering all buttoned up which means all fabrication is finished.


Mucked around yesterday with the rear end to get the ride height sorted, I'll be using 80 series standard height rear springs, they give the desired 3-4inches of rear lift, although i'm sticking with 33's, it should be able to take 35's without any further suspension lift. I stuck the 80 series springs in and they are perfect for the job, cheap too will be putting a set of RAW adjustable shocks in the rear as well, but intend to strip down rear end, repaint, disc brakes, 4.88 R&P, and Powertax no-slip locker to install (when it arrives)



Also bought a winch


So heaps left to do, but I think all the tricky stuff is behind me

[MATT4U]

wheres ya breaks Tim?

[Mattman]

Looks good Tim.

Matt.

[hosehustler]

wheres ya breaks Tim?

I'm using IFS hubs and Prado rotors to widen the front end out 70mm to match the rear.......patiently waiting for the spacers/adaptors from Jafa

[MATT4U]

ah fair enough i'll let ya away with that one. looking good though

[SMOKEY]

You have done your self proud there Tim, that looks very professional. What a lot of people don't see with a conversion such as this is the hours that go into not actually building anything, It's the hours that you stare at the ceiling all night sorting out how much angle the steering box needs so that it doesn't foul on anything or how will the suspension fit with out hitting the exhaust, then there is the hours lying under the vehicle holding this here and there, once you have the plan it's simple, you tack it all up only to find that something has been overlooked and it's back to the drawing board and then when you road test it if your lucky you only need a few weeks of re- modification. Tim I have confidence in your build to say that once on the road there may be only a few minor tweaks.

YOU BLOODY BEAUTY,

FITZY

[Bulletproof]

Looks like you are on top of it Tim. At least you are down to small adjustments now.

When is the 1st road test ? I will be interested whether you have any wheel shake with that caster because I have a little with mine.
Looks like it will be ready for xmas this year by the good progress you are making and I will be interested to see it in action.

Cheers Richard

[Steve_t647]

As above have said Good work and it looks factory but what else were we to expect from you

Have you setup bump stops and flexed it at all yet or waiting for the spacers first? Just interested to see how much flex and articulation you are getting as your old truck articulated so well. I realise this is still a family friendly truck and still in development, it would be nice to eventualy see it on the articulation ramp and see what numbers come out compared to the old surf and the other 4wd's (the Prado's) on there.

One final thing having moved from the manual to an auto you will have to report to us after a few downhill's if the advantages in the auto outweigh the different driving requirements downhill, obviously the touring sections the auto is a lot better just seems like everything is going Auto and I was wondering if it is just the auto's are more available or they have got a lot better.

Anyway looks good, hope the ship you have the bits you are waiting on gets a tail wind

[hosehustler]

Thanks all for the good comments, now alas come to a standstill awaiting parts
Think i'll start the rear bumper/protection, that'll give something to grind, weld, and scratch my head over
As for the auto vrsus manual on downhills, I always had an idea in mind and talking to Rick this is what I have planned, apparently 3rd gear onwards have a tourque converter lockup via the computer, this doesn't happen in 1st or 2nd due to following reasons a)stalling the engne, b)burning out the lock up clutch pack, and c) generally the vehicles were never intended to traverse areas like the Bulletproof chasm, course I fully intend to head back there in this truck
So the plan is to fit a missile launcher style switch inside the cab, when it's turned on and vehicle in 1st gear it will trick the computer and lock up the torque converter, it will also be wired via th brake pedal switch, so when the brakes are engaged, the lock up turns off, release the brakes and lockup is back on, from what i've heard it works a treat for steep downhills.
Well that's the plan

[SMOKEY]

Hi Tim, I haven't had much 4WDing experience with Autos but the brake pedal switch system will stop you being able to drive over the brakes and stay locked up, will it not ?????????. eg; Drive with one foot on the brake pedal and the other on the accelerator to maintain better control.

FITZY.

[albundy]

Only if the missle switch is engaged I think Fitzy.
Al

[hosehustler]

Only if the missle switch is engaged I think Fitzy.
Al

Thats right

[radar21]

looking awsome tim

[wjw]

Hi Tim, I haven't had much 4WDing experience with Autos but the brake pedal switch system will stop you being able to drive over the brakes and stay locked up, will it not ?????????. eg; Drive with one foot on the brake pedal and the other on the accelerator to maintain better control.

FITZY.

If you touch the brake the torque convertor will unlock. Have all the stuff to set this up for my truck... been sitting around for about 6 months now...

[cool__bananas]

Hi Tim, I haven't had much 4WDing experience with Autos but the brake pedal switch system will stop you being able to drive over the brakes and stay locked up, will it not ?????????. eg; Drive with one foot on the brake pedal and the other on the accelerator to maintain better control.

FITZY.

If you touch the brake the torque convertor will unlock. Have all the stuff to set this up for my truck... been sitting around for about 6 months now...

my tourque converter doesnt ever unlock unless your idling and your foot it hard on the brake, it will drive onto the traler without any gas

[Shane]

Thanks all for the good comments, now alas come to a standstill awaiting parts
Think i'll start the rear bumper/protection, that'll give something to grind, weld, and scratch my head over
As for the auto vrsus manual on downhills, I always had an idea in mind and talking to Rick this is what I have planned, apparently 3rd gear onwards have a tourque converter lockup via the computer, this doesn't happen in 1st or 2nd due to following reasons a)stalling the engne, b)burning out the lock up clutch pack, and c) generally the vehicles were never intended to traverse areas like the Bulletproof chasm, course I fully intend to head back there in this truck
So the plan is to fit a missile launcher style switch inside the cab, when it's turned on and vehicle in 1st gear it will trick the computer and lock up the torque converter, it will also be wired via th brake pedal switch, so when the brakes are engaged, the lock up turns off, release the brakes and lockup is back on, from what i've heard it works a treat for steep downhills.
Well that's the plan

Is this a known mod for that auto or something you guys have worked out ???

some auto's wont lock up in 1st gear,even with manual over ride wired in to lock up...they are a great mod though,you well find quite usefull on road as well

Shane

[wjw]

Is this a known mod for that auto or something you guys have worked out ???

some auto's wont lock up in 1st gear,even with manual over ride wired in to lock up...they are a great mod though,you well find quite usefull on road as well

Shane

It seems to be a common mod in the US, but not here. The brake bit is a safety thing first and foremost.. Rick @ 4wd accessories working out the wiring to do all this with the Toyota Auto.

[Engineer]

hey tim,
the 80 series springs did u have to fab up new mounts or do they fit the surfs factory?

cheers ryan.

[hosehustler]

hey tim,
the 80 series springs did u have to fab up new mounts or do they fit the surfs factory?

cheers ryan.

They fit straight in, you have to release the two links on either side when fitting (one side at a time) to get them in.
instant 3-4 inch lift (you will need longer rear shocks)..... just sussing out some 80 series shocks I think those will give the required length too
will make a post in the next few days
cheers
Tim

[Engineer]

wikid im putting bundera front end in my surf now so good to know what works in the rear

[rokhound]

hey tim,
the 80 series springs did u have to fab up new mounts or do they fit the surfs factory?

cheers ryan.

The std front springs from an 80 series give approx 3" of lift to a std coil rear hilux and 90 series prado. If you fit the longer shocks as Tim mentioned, you can get quite adequate artic out of the std rear end. (go on, ask me how I know?)

[hosehustler]

hey tim,
the 80 series springs did u have to fab up new mounts or do they fit the surfs factory?

cheers ryan.

The std front springs from an 80 series give approx 3" of lift to a std coil rear hilux and 90 series prado. If you fit the longer shocks as Tim mentioned, you can get quite adequate artic out of the std rear end. (go on, ask me how I know?)

Fronts??
c'mon then grant how do you know

[U-BOAT]

the plan is to fit a missile launcher style switch inside the cab, when it's turned on and vehicle in 1st gear it will trick the computer and lock up the torque converter, it will also be wired via th brake pedal switch, so when the brakes are engaged, the lock up turns off, release the brakes and lockup is back on, from what i've heard it works a treat for steep downhills.

tim, the valve body for the auto wil have to be modified for this to work. i have spoke to a few auto places in chch and they could't understand why i wanted lock up in 1st gear mainly due to the reasons you've come up with. i have the same drivetrain as you that i've fitted to my 84 doublecab. wiring, gearbox, motor, radiator, crossmember, dash, you name its been swapped over (apart from the IFS ) . i also spoke to a transmission specialist about 6months ago in australia who deals with modifiying autos and the valve bodys and was told that for the surf/prado A343F's that nothing has been done for them yet but they were working on a version to suit the 4.7 V8 powered A343F cruisers. I've done quite a few trips here with flag and richard and all i've ever done is try to ride the brakes and if the truck takes off, which it has several times just hang on. Manual lock up in 1st can be brought for 80 series and safari's. maybe someone out there has done it for our transmissions, i do know that bruce hughes runs an A343F from a prado in his winch truck and he has tricked it up but as yet i haven't been able to find someone that has done this mod.

[rokhound]

Fronts??
c'mon then grant how do you know

Yep, the fronts. Gen 3 hiluxs and 90 series prado's on built on the same platform, (live 4 link rear and double A-arm coil over front with r&p steering rack).
I have been trolling around as many sites as I could find on modding 90s Prado's, and the std height, front 80s coils are the go in the back. With std 80s shocks, some of these guys are getting artic that I would have not thought possible out of a link setup that has such short arms. Lots of walk under though (not good).
But still, My playdoh has now gone 5" skyward, and is running on 285/75/16 (33") DD tyres, and the 36" swampers also fit.
(I was bored last weekend ) Just making up some side and rear bars for protection, and then it will be time to see how it goes.

PS looking for some real cheap arb lockers part number RD132 and RD90 if anyone has some

[rowinz]

Hi guys,
This is one of the things I'd like to get sorted on my Prado too, and have been searching for info on electronic control of the lockup. I found this link http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1503081 for a Camry, but I assumed the same would apply for any Toyota auto, as all the reading I have done suggests they generally all have the same control theory. My concern was the ECU error-ing out if it didn't see the correct response from the trans. The resistors should over come that. I have no idea if this'll work as I haven't yet found a 15W 25 Ohm resistor (haven't looked too hard yet mind). This wouldn't have the safety feature of the brake switch, but I was after descent lockup control mainly. Anyone know of an auto sparky (perhaps) that might have that size resistor? I'd like to give this a try.
Based on U-Boats comments, there isn't a 'simple' electronic solution. Has anyone tried such a thing (on an A343F)?

the plan is to fit a missile launcher style switch inside the cab, when it's turned on and vehicle in 1st gear it will trick the computer and lock up the torque converter, it will also be wired via th brake pedal switch, so when the brakes are engaged, the lock up turns off, release the brakes and lockup is back on, from what i've heard it works a treat for steep downhills.

tim, the valve body for the auto wil have to be modified for this to work. i have spoke to a few auto places in chch and they could't understand why i wanted lock up in 1st gear mainly due to the reasons you've come up with. i have the same drivetrain as you that i've fitted to my 84 doublecab. wiring, gearbox, motor, radiator, crossmember, dash, you name its been swapped over (apart from the IFS ) . i also spoke to a transmission specialist about 6months ago in australia who deals with modifiying autos and the valve bodys and was told that for the surf/prado A343F's that nothing has been done for them yet but they were working on a version to suit the 4.7 V8 powered A343F cruisers. I've done quite a few trips here with flag and richard and all i've ever done is try to ride the brakes and if the truck takes off, which it has several times just hang on. Manual lock up in 1st can be brought for 80 series and safari's. maybe someone out there has done it for our transmissions, i do know that bruce hughes runs an A343F from a prado in his winch truck and he has tricked it up but as yet i haven't been able to find someone that has done this mod.

[Jafa]

how about this?

http://awshifting.com/

[Engineer]

hey tim,
the 80 series springs did u have to fab up new mounts or do they fit the surfs factory?

cheers ryan.

The std front springs from an 80 series give approx 3" of lift to a std coil rear hilux and 90 series prado. If you fit the longer shocks as Tim mentioned, you can get quite adequate artic out of the std rear end. (go on, ask me how I know?)

thats good to know.
factory rear 80springs in a surf still flex ok??

[kiwipete]

Hi guys, I have no idea if this'll work as I haven't yet found a 15W 25 Ohm resistor (haven't looked too hard yet mind). This wouldn't have the safety feature of the brake switch, but I was after descent lockup control mainly. Anyone know of an auto sparky (perhaps) that might have that size resistor?

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=65766;keywords=15%20ohm%2025%20watt%20resistor

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=TBH25P15R0JE-ND