Toysafari project

[shortylux]

I don't have any of the answers you want, but it's not just a case of chopping tue guards.
The plenum on them is crazy tall, so sit your cab high or chop the bonnet. Things like the steering shaft can be tricky, might have to space your steer box etc.

On paper I think its a good motor and I'm not unhappy to have it. The starter is in a good place (not in the valley), they have a timing chain and they are coil on plug. But those 5.3 Chev's mentioned earlier might get into a similar price range and the after market support is crazy good.

Are you planning to have your radiator under the bonnet? If so think carefully about your cab height and where you put it on the chassis other wise your rad becomes a funny shape quickly.

[3VILC]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/nissan/8 ... -vh45.html
Wrong forum I know, but a local truck and probably has a build thread on this site somewhere too but I couldn't find it. Looks like has to be converted to rear sump.

[new2zukes]

I don't have any of the answers you want, but it's not just a case of chopping tue guards.
The plenum on them is crazy tall, so sit your cab high or chop the bonnet. Things like the steering shaft can be tricky, might have to space your steer box etc.

On paper I think its a good motor and I'm not unhappy to have it. The starter is in a good place (not in the valley), they have a timing chain and they are coil on plug. But those 5.3 Chev's mentioned earlier might get into a similar price range and the after market support is crazy good.

Are you planning to have your radiator under the bonnet? If so think carefully about your cab height and where you put it on the chassis other wise your rad becomes a funny shape quickly.

thanks for that makes me think alot harder now at how it will plan out, will have to have a measure up before i go and jump into it. radiator will be rear mounted. if an ls1 comes up for the right price then it would be the best option but will see how we go.

[new2zukes]

old project just got out of the shed

new project just put into the shed

[shortylux]

All good. I kinda want you to use a VH because I will be interested to see your version of how it should be. Mine is basically going how I imagined, but with less free space.

[new2zukes]

did a bit on the build today as ive hardly touched it since i got it i have lengthened the chassis a little and at the same time i have made the suspension arms longer. all up it is sitting at 2680mm wheelbase. have also been thinking about the motor side of things and was looking at an xr6 turbo motor specs. they are putting out more hp and more torque than all the v8s that i have looked at and will fit far better in the engine bay. just dont know how reliable they are.
pics of the chassis, not finished yet but its in the right place. needs gussets and the arms need to be lengthened properly with a new length of pipe.

[new2zukes]

well got a little done recently but seems as if im starting at the end and making my way back. i am waiting to collect my motor and body so i can go further in the build. so i decided if rebuild the 8274 winch thats going on. i had 3 to choose from to rebuild brought them all for $700. i didnt replace any bits as they all seemed in good condition just needed a clean up. i also made an end cap for the end of the brake shaft, made from 2 bits of pipe and a welder, for such a small job it took me about 2 hours. had one made up about a year ago and it looks far nicer than mine but mine cost $60 less. also fitted the brake lines fuel lines and the vacuum lines for the rear locker.

[suzukisport]

Nice going. So have you made up your mind what motor you are going to be running?

I may be heading up your way this weekend to pick up another vehicle.

[darinz]

Go with an LS. The VH is good in theory but they are huge! Seriously they are even bigger than the dimensions what lead you to believe.

If I was starting from scratch I wouldn't use the VH again. Sure the power I have is huge and really controllable but the fact that EVERYTHING is custom built is a bit of a pain. I know you can make it all yourself but still......

Come and have a look at mine whenever want as you're still considering a VH as I think that'll put you off. (just have a look at the engine bay of mine) Power wise mine will be tuned again soon and then will be sitting at about 300rwkw (about 600hp) as that will be nice and reliable and far more economical than it currently is.

I seriously considered an XR6t motor in mine but the price at the time put them out of the equation. Seriously strong motor and huge power potential. Think RB26 power and reliability but 4.0 size.

Whatever you do you want the power to be controllable so if boosted you want low boost. This why I staying with a 4.0 + motor. Outright power isn't as important as how it is delivered. You want a nice big power band (4000ish) revs and a flat power curve. (FYI mine is a straight line ie 45* angle)

Give me a call if you want to toss ideas around and will most likely be up your way in the next few weeks so could call in if you want.

[new2zukes]

Go with an LS. The VH is good in theory but they are huge! Seriously they are even bigger than the dimensions what lead you to believe.

If I was starting from scratch I wouldn't use the VH again. Sure the power I have is huge and really controllable but the fact that EVERYTHING is custom built is a bit of a pain. I know you can make it all yourself but still......

Come and have a look at mine whenever want as you're still considering a VH as I think that'll put you off. (just have a look at the engine bay of mine) Power wise mine will be tuned again soon and then will be sitting at about 300rwkw (about 600hp) as that will be nice and reliable and far more economical than it currently is.

I seriously considered an XR6t motor in mine but the price at the time put them out of the equation. Seriously strong motor and huge power potential. Think RB26 power and reliability but 4.0 size.

Whatever you do you want the power to be controllable so if boosted you want low boost. This why I staying with a 4.0 + motor. Outright power isn't as important as how it is delivered. You want a nice big power band (4000ish) revs and a flat power curve. (FYI mine is a straight line ie 45* angle)

I was on my way to tauranga to get my motor but safari only made it to whangarei then had to turn back due to bad vibrations and rattles (far more than a safari rattle/vibration) its something to do with the t/case but will look at it when i get back from borrowing my dads truck to get the car. motor of choice was a 2004 xr6t bought the whole car for 3k with running motor but a blown turbo. will post reply when i get back.
Give me a call if you want to toss ideas around and will most likely be up your way in the next few weeks so could call in if you want

[darinz]

Good choice (IMO). I assume you're going to run factory ecu etc? When you replace the turbo don't go to big trying for lots of power. I'd stay with a reasonable size, low boost and go for efficiency. I didn't look at many turbo maps for the XR6t motor but if you can stretch the budget to a ball bearing turbo then you can go bigger with less lag which will overall be better.

The T04z in mine will pump enough air for 850hp but due to the dual ball bearing design it spins up quick. So due to the bigger size (and therefore lower rpm for given airflow) it produces less heat. It's a fine line as go too big and you get lag.

The key to boost is remembering that what you're trying to achieve is more O2 into the engine. So if you can get the same amount of O2 in with lower boost then you'll get better performance but the same overall peak hp.

Don't get caught up with peak hp / lots of boost as that doesn't achieve what you need for what we do.

Might have to make a day trip and come and see what you're up to.

PS. I have a spare tcase if you're stuck.

[ln100matt]

Hey Mate, I'm looking at starting the same conversion over xmas but keeping the hilux chassis and coiling it front and rear. I'll be running stock ecu and will be keeping the motor stock for now. I think I've sussed out most of what i need to get it running in the lux so let me know if you want to throw a few ideas around.

Motors are pretty easy to get power out of and the factory turbos are the ball bearing garrets gt3540s which are good for up to around 350 rwkw on the falcons, with modified wastegates, so will be plenty big enough for what I want to do.

[new2zukes]

thanks for replys would like to have a chat with you darin about a few things so if your up this way pop round for a coffee. i will be running stock ecu i was also planning on making the xr6t dash fit into the hilux with a bit of a chop here and there. i was looking at getting a factory turbo recond center, they are about $1200 that was it is ball bearing.
as for t/case thanks darin but i have one sitting here that was going into my project. but still haven't decided whether it is that or not. its a pain of a noise.talking of that i should be in the shed trying to fix it.

[new2zukes]

I think I've sussed out most of what i need to get it running in the lux so let me know if you want to throw a few ideas around.

.

throw all the ideas around you like as i still dont have a set plan as to how im going to adapt mine. i was going to get a shaft made up from a safari gearbox tail shaft and the factory rear output from the xr6t gearbox

[ln100matt]

I think I'm probably going to use a manual toyota r151 and make an adapter to fit it to a falcon bellhousing. Will be using a stand alone loom that will run the motor and get the ecu reflashed to suit the manual and to remove the security. Will use a pedal and position sensor out of a falcon to run the fly by wire throttle setup.

The BA/BF sumps were another problem I found as they have a front pan which could get in the way but the FG falcons have a rear sump that are interchangeable apparently. Or could just cut the BA one up and make it into a rear pan.

[new2zukes]

I think I'm probably going to use a manual toyota r151 and make an adapter to fit it to a falcon bellhousing. Will be using a stand alone loom that will run the motor and get the ecu reflashed to suit the manual and to remove the security. Will use a pedal and position sensor out of a falcon to run the fly by wire throttle setup.

The BA/BF sumps were another problem I found as they have a front pan which could get in the way but the FG falcons have a rear sump that are interchangeable apparently. Or could just cut the BA one up and make it into a rear pan.

Only problem i see with changing a front to rear sump is the sumps are alloy so will need to get someone to change it as i have no gear to weld alloy. But will try track down a fg sump as i have heard the same thing

[darinz]

I think I've sussed out most of what i need to get it running in the lux so let me know if you want to throw a few ideas around.

.

throw all the ideas around you like as i still dont have a set plan as to how im going to adapt mine. i was going to get a shaft made up from a safari gearbox tail shaft and the factory rear output from the xr6t gearbox

So do you mean the Safari t-case and Falcon gearbox? and manual?
If you I'd look hard at a manual shift auto as will suit the turbo better and gives you a bit of trans slip which helps keep traction.

Factory 3540 turbo being rebuilt sounds like the best option. The 3540 was one of the turbo's I considered before going a bit bigger (but my motor is bigger and revs higher too)

Going to be catching up with John so will sort out when that is and let you know.

[new2zukes]

I think I've sussed out most of what i need to get it running in the lux so let me know if you want to throw a few ideas around.

.

throw all the ideas around you like as i still dont have a set plan as to how im going to adapt mine. i was going to get a shaft made up from a safari gearbox tail shaft and the factory rear output from the xr6t gearbox

So do you mean the Safari t-case and Falcon gearbox? and manual?
If you I'd look hard at a manual shift auto as will suit the turbo better and gives you a bit of trans slip which helps keep traction.

Factory 3540 turbo being rebuilt sounds like the best option. The 3540 was one of the turbo's I considered before going a bit bigger (but my motor is bigger and revs higher too)


Going to be catching up with John so will sort out when that is and let you know.

im going to use a safari transfercase onto the factory xr6t trans (as it has just had 2k spent on this by previous owner) but will try and adapt the 2 boxes in a way i havent worked out yet as i havent seen what the 2 surfaces are like that need mating. if that makes sense.

[new2zukes]

well got a little done on stripping the xr6t ready for ripping motor out. this is what i started with 2004 xr6 turbo.

and this is the power plant which is actually really big, about 850mm square will only just fit between the factory shock mounts on the safari. and will take up all the space in the engine bay length ways.

got the dashboard out which was a total mission, had to cut the odd thing as i was getting a little frustrated. but have found the computer that blue thing in the picture, (motor wont start without it as i found out but it will still run with all the other dash plugs unplugged. you dont realize how much plastic the modern cars have in them till you start dismantling one.

[Mattman]

Dash swaps/replacements can be a mission. I did a replacement in a Mercedes the other day.

I see you had to use a crow bar

[new2zukes]

I see you had to use a crow bar

well spotted didnt want that in the photo but ah well, yes i had to give it some gentle persuasion.

[ChurchurDan]

That blue thing is the body control module it has the security system built into it so that is why it doesnt run without it. The engine ECU is on the left front inner guard in the engine bay. You might have to find someone to re flash it to remove the immobiliser or run the bcm and and ford ignition switch and keys and most of the loom.

[new2zukes]

That blue thing is the body control module it has the security system built into it so that is why it doesnt run without it. The engine ECU is on the left front inner guard in the engine bay. You might have to find someone to re flash it to remove the immobiliser or run the bcm and and ford ignition switch and keys and most of the loom.

sweet thanks for the info, i was told there was 3 computers in these things? cant find any others other than what looks like an amp in the boot as it says audio on it. anyone know if there are any other computers that need plugging in?

[new2zukes]

well finally got the engine out and all the wiring labeled so i know how to put it all back together. its a little tight fitting in places so cant imagine what the vh45 would have been like.
this picture shows the turbo very close to the steering box input shaft, i was either going to mount the engine 20mm off center to the passengers side or pack the steering box out, in the other photo it shows the alternator very close to the steering box so either way 20mm will give me what i need.

this photo of the front.

and if it will stop raining today i will detach the t/case off the safari gearbox ready for mocking up the adapter.

[new2zukes]

pulled the turbo off today to find it has been buggered for a long time, it has worn part of the housing away as the bearings were so nackered, i have also found 2 cracks in the exhaust casting, both go across the face of the wastegate ( where the wastegate flap closes onto.) should i look at getting a complete turbo to bolt back on or will a re core be suitable. my guess is that i should throw this turbo over my shoulder and forget about it but thought id ask others of their opinion. thanks.

martin

[ChurchurDan]

The turbo should be a garrett GT35r with internal waste gate. They are a good turbo but not worth rebuilding if the housings are damaged. New they used to be about 2k, well they were last time I looked.

[new2zukes]

The turbo should be a garrett GT35r with internal waste gate. They are a good turbo but not worth rebuilding if the housings are damaged. New they used to be about 2k, well they were last time I looked.

thanks for that, might look at getting another suited BB turbo and making it work on the manifold i have i should really top mount the turbo as i dont have much room where it is sitting at the moment, would be nice to have it about 100mm higher than its current location.

[new2zukes]

well not had much time to do much on the build recently but i have raised the rear suspension mounts up 50mm. ive ordered my rear joints to make my A arm for the rear suspension. im now wondering about the body, the hilux body ive been offered is missing a few panels (1 door 2 front guards and the other door has some rust) so i was thinking it was going to be a costly exercise to get all the parts together. so i have also got offered an isuzu mu body, was just after peoples opinions on this, whether i go mu or lux? any feedback would be appreciated.

[shortylux]

Easy. Do you hate yourself? If so, go with the MU.

On a more serious note, how much rust is in the lux body? and what generation?

[Petemcc]

look up steve murch motorsport on facebook. He has done a few turbos for these motors and would have some good options for you.