G'day.
Been floating around a while but thought I'd finally say a proper hello...
Names James. I'm 22 and work in the RNZAF on aircraft avionics systems up at Base Ohakea (near Palmy North). Home town is Timaru, so I've been around the country a fair bit. Still a true blue Southerner though! Worked on the Air Forces' new Agusta Westland A109 Light Utility Helicopters for 12 months which was very interesting!
Before I joined up, I was three years through a industrial sparky apprenticeship. Always been involved with electrical things since I was an ankle biter as the old man has had his own electrical company for the past 23ish? years.
Love getting out and about whether it be tramping or 4WDing.
Joined the Marlborough 4WD club when I was doing my junior avionics course near Blenheim. Great bunch of people and got to visit some amazing places!
Been meaning to catch up with the Manawatu club but never get round to it...
Right here's my vehicle history...
My first vehicle was a 4WD 2000 Hilux with the 2.7L 3RZ-FE engine. It came with an ECB alloy bullbar, Warn XD9000 winch and a galvanised steel flat deck. From bog stock I installed a custom alloy box for the deck, safari snorkel, EFS elite 50mm rear springs and a 50mm body lift to accommodate my 33x12.5 Wrangler MT/Rs.
IFS sucks and quickly became the Achilles heel to further modifications without spending big bucks on custom suspension work, so a choice had to be made - whether to keep pouring money into this ute or buy something with a bit of work already done.
After browsing round on trademe I saw a ute that I instantly recognised and thought bugger it, It's got pretty much everything I was after in a 4WD and I knew who built it up, so I bought the beast.
It's called the 'Toyhatsu Bitsalux' and was built up by Craig Lintern (Craigs4WD). Seriously, It only looks like a Hilux haha!
Ok enough chat. Here's a breakdown of it!
- 1990 2WD dual cab Hilux body mounted onto an LN130 surf chassis. Paint is a bit shagged.
- Daihatsu 2.8L turbo intercooled diesel from a 1992 Rugger. Goes allright.
- 5 Speed rugger gearbox and transfer case with factory PTO for winch. Pulls like a schoolboy.
- 50mm bodylift.
- Front suspension has a custom coil 4 link with panhard setup. Rear has the factory Surf setup. Flexes pretty good.
- LN106 Hiliux front diff housing with KZJ78 Cruiser 4.3 ratio high pinion diff & CVs which are bigger than Hilux ones.
- IFS front hub swap.
- Surf front seats
- Boost and EGT gauges blah blah UHF radio, snorkel etc. General shit.
- Swapped the shitty tub that came on it for my original flat deck (better setup for me).
- Run my 33" Wranglers still, but have 35x11.5 Silverstones for playtime.
- Black duck canvas seat covers all round. Too bloody good to let go from my old ute!
Anyway, pics!
Mehrts says Hi!
Re: Mehrts says Hi!
Hey Man
Welcome good to see another familiar truck
Hope the north is treating you well
Leigh
Welcome good to see another familiar truck
Hope the north is treating you well
Leigh
Re: Mehrts says Hi!
Cheers for that guys.
Have to travel quite a way to hit any decent tracks around here which is a bugger.
Rivers are boring and chew things out. Beaches I avoid like the plague!
Have to travel quite a way to hit any decent tracks around here which is a bugger.
Rivers are boring and chew things out. Beaches I avoid like the plague!
Toyhatsu Bitsalux
Re: Mehrts says Hi!
good intro! nice green ute.
Did you do all the work on the 2000 hilux yourself?
Was the safari snorkel made for the 3rz or did you adapt it? I've been looking for one for my 3rz RZN185 Surf(1996) but have only found one for a 3rz 90 series prado. Could possibly be adapted, you think?
I live a few km from Ohakea.
Did you do all the work on the 2000 hilux yourself?
Was the safari snorkel made for the 3rz or did you adapt it? I've been looking for one for my 3rz RZN185 Surf(1996) but have only found one for a 3rz 90 series prado. Could possibly be adapted, you think?
I live a few km from Ohakea.
Re: Mehrts says Hi!
Hey Blake!
I did all the work myself except getting the alloy box fabricated (my design though) and putting in the new rear springs.
The snorkel was a genuine Safari unit for the 3RZ Hilux. Fitted up perfectly, although did cost a fair bit. Cheaper than an engine rebuild by far though!
As far as I'm aware, the 185 model Surfs have the same front guards as the Hiluxes of that vintage as well as the 98-05 ones. I know the 130 models match. I would be surprised if a petrol Hilux snorkel doesn't fit up to your truck.
It was a shame having to make the choice to keep the new Hilux or sell it on while it was still really tidy, but I think I made the right decision for both sense and the bank account haha
I did all the work myself except getting the alloy box fabricated (my design though) and putting in the new rear springs.
The snorkel was a genuine Safari unit for the 3RZ Hilux. Fitted up perfectly, although did cost a fair bit. Cheaper than an engine rebuild by far though!
As far as I'm aware, the 185 model Surfs have the same front guards as the Hiluxes of that vintage as well as the 98-05 ones. I know the 130 models match. I would be surprised if a petrol Hilux snorkel doesn't fit up to your truck.
It was a shame having to make the choice to keep the new Hilux or sell it on while it was still really tidy, but I think I made the right decision for both sense and the bank account haha
Toyhatsu Bitsalux