where to start

luxtoy · Post by **luxtoy** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:45 pm

its an 84 hilux, been in the shed for 3 years waiting for me to do something with it. Where do i start to bild a capable truck thats not going to cost to much. Theres a small bit of rust in the chassis behind the cab, though i would cut and shorten the chassis. whats next. suspension ?? how any idears. Can i put power stering in it.

lilpigzuk · Post by **lilpigzuk** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:24 pm

Welcome luxtoy

How longs a piece of string???!!!

Depends on budget/mechanical experience etc. Supra Surf whose just done a rangie front end conversion to his surf would be a contact to bounce some ideas off. We have had a couple of shortened hiluxs through our club (manukau). Usually repowered from 3.5 rover V8's to 350 chevs.
Is it going to be road legal or just a trailered bush truck?? Ive only had experience in zuks so far (getting into Rangies - which has been going on for a year!) so cant offer to much info on the hilux side of things. Im lucky enough to have a mate get me a subscription to the Australian 4wd monthly magazine which has some awesome write ups on all sorts of vehicles which we use over here, from budget bush trucks to winch challenge winning vehicles. Where abouts are you??

cheers
Rex
76 Rangie (parts)
81 Rangie ute (5 year project - no time!!!!)
81 Rangie (complete - parts now)
83 SJ410 GTi (bush truck)
91 Disco V8 (daily driver)

Anyone need Rangie parts??? Panels/running gear

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 9:10 am

As lilpigzuk said 1st work out what you want it to do, It will cost, but if you just want a fun truck I would recommend tires and suspension.
If you go chopping the chassi and still want it road legal it is going to cost you the price of a chassi engineer to do/check the job plus the price of getting it certified.
I started the big chop with the idea of keeping the price down and in the end gave up counting (and I did all the work myself)

Rat

suzukisam · Post by **suzukisam** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:58 am

Yeah I always suggest trying to fit some big tyres on, that usually requires a bit of suspension or body lift.

I've seen an early hilux in tauranga with 35x12.5 BFG Mudders on it, looked like a bit of guard trimming and maybe a bit of spring lift had got them fitted in.

Don't let the spring guys talk you into stiffer springs, that just gets you less distance up a track.

usual progression is tyres-suspension-gearing-biggermotor-etc.etc.

If you want to get places, long travel soft suspension is the way to go...

cheers lester