What should i start off with modifying on my Ln106

[Phil_LN106]

At the start of the year i brought a 1998 Ln106 solid font axle hilux. Im wanting to modify it into a capable offroad vehicle but am studying this year and don't have a lot of money to be spending on it. I've already put a second hand safari snorkel on and it came with a TJM front bullbar and a rear bar. To me and a few mates it looks as if its been lifted before from standard but i am wanting to know what i could do that is cheap and would make it perform well offroad? I've got good access to tools so doing things myself is not a problem. Also if anyone has a cheap set of 33s or 35s please leave a comment. Will post pics tonight

Thanks

[86-surf]

from what everyone here says, the best mod to do that will get you the furthest standard, is to put a locker in the back.
If i was a smart cookie i would of done this.

i have herd that quite a few people weld the front diff up(way cheaper then putting a locker in), but if you do this you will be struggling to turn the steering wheel, unless you leave one hub unlocked until you come to a hard part.

next best thing to do would probly be tires, a good set of tires will get you far!.

[Swamped]

Stick up where your from
Is it actually a 98 hilux with solid front?? I drive a patrol so what do i know haha. Do you want to keep it roadworthy as a daily driver or what??

[rangimotors]

You probably want to get some hooks and recovery gear for a start
then a 2 inch lift, either spring lift with new shocks or a 2 inch body lift (body lifts are very cheap and easy but needs cert) or both.
That will allow you to run some 33 muds, keep an eye on trademe there are some really good deals on near new tyres from time to time.
Snorkel is good you will also want to make some diff breathers which will pretty much only cost time
Hve a look at your axle code on your fire wall which will tell you what diff ratio it is and also if it has a rear lsd.
Diff lockers are great and help alot, I would suggest after a lift and some tyres just to get out and do some driving so you can work out whats holding you back but yes if you want to be really cheap you can weld the diff, stay right away from welding the front though caus you will hate it, if you go down this track and have a rear lsd you can put this up front.
Or just wait untill you have a bit more coin and buy some auto lockers they are cheap and work really well.

I would suggest that that would be plenty of truck to play with for a year or so untill you have a bit more money and driving experiance and want to rip it apart and go bigger. A hilux on 33's makes a really good club truck without spending heaps of coin and without loosing much on road manners.

For anything above 33's you really need to move the front axle forward usually by putting rear springs in the front which gives a decent lift, and good flex, you will then need a high steer setup and probably want to do something with your rear suspension like coon springs or coils.

Best advice i can give is improve your truck as you improve your driving, don't feel you have to go straight out and build a monster truck, i remember starting with a stock truck and finding holes and sections of track that i couldn't beat, i don't think there is anything more satasifying that coming back to those sections with more mods and experiance and driving them.

Oh yea, which part of the country are you in?

[Dace]

You probably want to get some hooks and recovery gear for a start
then a 2 inch lift, either spring lift with new shocks or a 2 inch body lift (body lifts are very cheap and easy but needs cert) or both.
That will allow you to run some 33 muds, keep an eye on trademe there are some really good deals on near new tyres from time to time.
Snorkel is good you will also want to make some diff breathers which will pretty much only cost time
Hve a look at your axle code on your fire wall which will tell you what diff ratio it is and also if it has a rear lsd.
Diff lockers are great and help alot, I would suggest after a lift and some tyres just to get out and do some driving so you can work out whats holding you back but yes if you want to be really cheap you can weld the diff, stay right away from welding the front though caus you will hate it, if you go down this track and have a rear lsd you can put this up front.
Or just wait untill you have a bit more coin and buy some auto lockers they are cheap and work really well.

I would suggest that that would be plenty of truck to play with for a year or so untill you have a bit more money and driving experiance and want to rip it apart and go bigger. A hilux on 33's makes a really good club truck without spending heaps of coin and without loosing much on road manners.

For anything above 33's you really need to move the front axle forward usually by putting rear springs in the front which gives a decent lift, and good flex, you will then need a high steer setup and probably want to do something with your rear suspension like coon springs or coils.

Best advice i can give is improve your truck as you improve your driving, don't feel you have to go straight out and build a monster truck, i remember starting with a stock truck and finding holes and sections of track that i couldn't beat, i don't think there is anything more satasifying that coming back to those sections with more mods and experiance and driving them.

Oh yea, which part of the country are you in?

I agree with all the above

except....

DON'T WELD THE REAR DIFF

It will not get a WOF and can get you in big trouble on sidelings

[Jafa]

Everything Rangi said is good advice
Start squirreling away every spare cent you have for an ARB Airlocker for the back, then once you have that, start saving again for the front one
Cut out the ciggies, halve ya booze intake, and ya'll have the airlocker in no time!

[Steve_t647]

Hve a look at your axle code on your fire wall which will tell you what diff ratio it is and also if it has a rear lsd.
Diff lockers are great and help alot, I would suggest after a lift and some tyres just to get out and do some driving so you can work out whats holding you back

If you do have a rear LSD they are not the most impressive units or design but better than nothing I run mine in the front locked rear.

I would suggest that that would be plenty of truck to play with for a year or so until you have a bit more money and driving experience and want to rip it apart and go bigger. A hilux on 33's makes a really good club truck without spending heaps of coin and without loosing much on road manners.

You can get a Hilux onto 33" tyres standard and if you think it is slightly over standard you should be fine, Have a look on the inside back of the wheel well and you will see a seam, use a BFH (big friendly hammer) to "massage" that flat and you will have a little rubbing but nothing that will cut.

if you get a locker (of any type selectable or auto unlocking) you can put that into the front diff pumpkin and swap the front and rear pumpkin (lsd up front, locker in the back). An Auto unlocker has some bad driving habits to get used to but they are worse in a shorter wheel base and a couple of weeks you will know the noises and effects.

For anything above 33's you really need to move the front axle forward usually by putting rear springs in the front which gives a decent lift, and good flex, you will then need a high steer setup and probably want to do something with your rear suspension like coon springs or coils.

Best advice i can give is improve your truck as you improve your driving, don't feel you have to go straight out and build a monster truck, i remember starting with a stock truck and finding holes and sections of track that i couldn't beat, i don't think there is anything more satasifying that coming back to those sections with more mods and experiance and driving them.

You can also re-drill the spring perches to move the diff forward but still have steering issues to certify, if you have the right tow hooks, a tow strop, a shovel (it really will get you unstuck) and ropes there is not a lot stopping you and when you do no problem for those getting you out, one thing not yet mentioned is in the center of the Hilux you have a gearbox crossmember, getting a 10mm plate version sucks in the lux belly and slides a lot better.

[Phil_LN106]

Thanks for the advice, I'm in CHCH btw. I’m not too keen on welding diffs as the ute will mostly be used around town and will only be going off road in the weekend. But a diff locker sounds good once I've got my tyres, suspension lift and body lift sorted. I’m sorting out recovery gear at the moment I've got 2x 10,000lbs tow hooks to put on and there is one already on from when I purchased it. I'm going to put another on the front and then mount the second one on the rear somewhere, just need a suitable spot. I want to keep the ute in roadworthy warrantable condition because it is my only source of transport.

A few questions

Is there a good thread on diff breathers and how to install them?

Can anybody get cheap suspension and body lifts?

Where is the axel code located on the firewall?

Can you buy the 10mm plate version of the cross member or do you have to custom make one? Does anyone have one for sale?

Thanks again.....

Here are some pics of the ute

1st day i got it still with mud flaps, tyres are 225/75s
http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?MemberId=8678839508&PhotoAlbumId=10110419352&PhotoId=10110413176

Mudflaps off, safari snorkel on
http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?PageNbr=1&MemberId=8678839508&PhotoAlbumId=10110419352&PhotoId=10110413279

TJM Front Bull Bar
http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?PageNbr=1&MemberId=8678839508&PhotoAlbumId=10110419352&PhotoId=10110437471

Speedy Wheels Desert Rat - Black Steel 15x8. the set of rims that will be on it as soon as I get tyres
http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?PageNbr=1&MemberId=8678839508&PhotoAlbumId=10110419352&PhotoId=10110437609

Changed from factory bench seat to Ln107 interior
http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?PageNbr=1&MemberId=8678839508&PhotoAlbumId=10110419352&PhotoId=10110777017

[rangimotors]

axle codes
http://www.rsmotorsport.com.au/technical/files/Identifying_Toyota_Hilux.pdf

diff breathers are very simple, they pretty much involve removing the little connectors/one way valve thingys from the top of the diff and i replace them with push in air fittings and then run 8mm (i think) air hose up into the cab or air box (pretty much any dry place) some also put a small filter on the end of them. If you have a hunt around im sure there will be pics on here, if you have no luck one of us local guys can show ya.

i may no of a low profile cross member like the one below thats forsale (just not sure if its used already) ill ask and get back to ya


as for suspension lifts it all depends what you can do your self, first time around i found a guy on trademe selling maxitrac new 50mm lifted springs, he was selling them cheaper then one of the local nz dealers could buy them for, and just get matching shocks. If your looking for some better advice try 4wd accessories on montrial street they are pretty helpful. And also sell body lifts (easy to make your own but the kits are cheapish and if nothing else having a look at one will let you no what you need).

[Phil_LN106]

Checked my axle code and its G52. 3.7:1 open diff. GAY...

[rangimotors]

i wouldn't get to worried, the lsd's aren't great and you can put a locker into an lsd, so it just means at some stage you may want to look at buying an auto locker or similar. What engine does your truck have?

[Phil_LN106]

I've got a 3L motor. 2.8l diesel. goes alright for what it is and the 300 thousand kms its done. It used to be a mining ute so the kms racked up quickly. would it be worth my while looking round for two 4.8:1 diffs to run big tyres on? how well would big tyres go on my 3.7:1 at the moment? also im guessing that both diffs are 3.7:1 ratio is that right?

thanks

[Steve_t647]

You may find the Hilux is a bit of a slug with the 3.7's and bigger tyres, if you can find 4.88's go for them but they are getting harder to track down alternativley you can buy ring and pinions to change the current diffs but want someone to do that for you as there is black magic in getting them right and even the specialist diff shop can bugger it up. Aparently diffs don't need the oil slinger it was in there when I gave it to them!

Anyway Jaffa has cheap ring and pinion sets or you can go to the better quality ones as the price difference with the NZDollar is so low and the other sets are stronger (well the American's rate them and have less breakages) but with the 2.8 you are not likley to break much.

Personally I would save up and go on the hunt for 4.88 diff's fit them and larger tyres and massage the firewall, if you can get a crossmember made (4wd Accessories can get them made) or Rangi Motor's one (pretty much the exact same thing) and then join some trips, you will have the same diff clearance on 33's as a Safari on 35's and a good belly height even tho you are long.

With suspension I would get a locker first unless you are getting hung up on stuff a lot and I would do rears up front again on a Hilux, not the cheapest option as you change the whole steering, front driveshaft, shocks, U bolt flip, rear springs, front shakles, move brake lines and suspension towers all in one go so you want to be sure it is the 4wd you want, I have done this to mine and it is a good truck but there are alternatives.

My Ideal truck would be close to what Hosehussler has done and my brother will be doing shortly, put a coiled front axle under a 1kz surf, Great engine, Great comfort, Great strength, and good articulation on coil springs for good (not kidney shaking) ride.

[rangimotors]

yea look at changing ratio, 4.8's are good, 4.5's would do the job. You are correct in thinking both diffs are the same ratio and need to stay that way.

[Phil_LN106]

by Steve_t647 on 17 Feb 2009 12:05

With suspension I would get a locker first unless you are getting hung up on stuff a lot and I would do rears up front again on a Hilux, not the cheapest option as you change the whole steering, front driveshaft, shocks, U bolt flip, rear springs, front shakles, move brake lines and suspension towers all in one go so you want to be sure it is the 4wd you want, I have done this to mine and it is a good truck but there are alternatives.

How much time did this take you and at what cost?. When you say change the whole steering what do you mean?

[Steve_t647]

currently you push and pull the front drivers wheel to turn the truck, so as the drivers wheel goes up you turn as it goes down you turn, there is also a tortion bar on the top of the diff that will limit flex, this is there because of the steering and without it you would under braking diff moves forward you drive into parked cars.

I have gone to crossover steering, this means an IFS power steering box (and chassis strengthening brackets) for it
I went for a flat Pitman arm to try keep the height down a little
This is Jaffa's build I am just recycling the pic's

These are the arms (Highsteer over the top of the springs


IFS Power Steering box on chassis and the way they bolt up




Note how now the LHS wheel turns the car this means the movement in the diff does not affect driving as the steering arm is accross the diff and as the diff rolls forward and back will change the steering so little to be not noticed.

Time is as much as it need's, cost depends on how well and who you get to do it, there is a lot of work and there would be a good 6 to 10 hours cutting all the rubbish off the chassis and cleaning it up them mocking up making sure you have all the clearances and bump stops setup. A second one would be easier as you have a good idea not a lot I would change on mine.

You can get a kit from http://www.trail-gear.com
For the front these are the instructions for the kit http://www.trail-gear.com/pdf/110041-1.pdf

[Phil_LN106]

Brought a set of Kumho Kl71 off trademe second hand but got them really cheap and they still have heaps of tread left. The rub really bad around corners so have hammered the inside of the guard back alot. Also purchased a 50ml body lift which all going well will be in tomorrow afternoon. Sold my TJM front bullbar to a mate and will use the money I got from that to by a suspension lift. Then I'll be saving for shocks. The trucks looking sweet at the moment will try get pics up soon

[Steve_t647]

When you go to put that spring lift in with a standard steering setup under a hilux you have the torque rod on the front of the diff to deal with, I found swapping in the drivers side first was the easiest and using a tie down attached to the front of the ute and around the diff to pull the passenger side forward (or back). The additional leverage allowed the spring locators to get everything in place, the first one I did I pulled both sides out and attached the passengers side first and getting the drivers side to locate in the spring took a good hours worth of swearing

The front springs in some kits have a drivers and passengers side usualy an L or R on them, get it wrong and you will have a bit of a lean on the truck to the passengers side.

[Phil_LN106]

HOW ITS LOOKING AT THE MOMENT

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?P ... 0421789665

[J_Dub]

nice, looking like its made for the mud now

[vvega]

looking good