Offroad-Express

Hi guys,

Im new to this site and have just bought my first 4 wheel drive, a 1988 Toyota Hilux double cab 2.4D.

I am keen to do a little bit of off roading, and am also looking for a bit of advice about how to make my truck better.

Anyway I thought I would add a photo and if anyone has any tips or advice then that would be much appreciated

Cheers

Welcome good to see another hilux around, make sure its well locked up, maybe think about some good security for it. as a few go missing down these ways.

1st Mod is rated recovery hooks and some recovery gear.
2nd Mod is more and more seat/driving time.
3rd Is my recommendation of diff lockers.

As soon as it entered the family it attained it's position locked up in the garage we've got a double garage and 5 cars to fight over it so I figure i'm doing pretty well. I plan to get an alarm/immobiliser some day soon.

When I bought it, it came with a brand new winch, never even been put on the truck. I don't know alot about winches but its an EWP-7000 and I suspect it's made in china. Does anybody know if these are any good or whether it's better to sell it and get another one? If so how much is it worth? I cant seem to find any information on the internet about it.

Thanks for your advice

It is a Chinese winch 7000Lb rating, Potentially a bit small for a Hilux but may be ok if you only do a bit of light 4wding, only worth a few hundred to sell so if I was you, I'd keep it and use it until it dies, A replacement winch will have same mounting set up so easy as later on.

paddychambo wrote:As soon as it entered the family it attained it's position locked up in the garage we've got a double garage and 5 cars to fight over it so I figure i'm doing pretty well. I plan to get an alarm/immobiliser some day soon.

Personally i would invest in some more physical security than an alarm like a proper gear lock that locks the transfer as well, sure alarms make noise but these hiluxs need about 3 wires bridged to start them(immobiliser will help but not that much).

How ever a gps tracker is a rather good idea and not overly expensive.

paddychambo wrote:When I bought it, it came with a brand new winch, never even been put on the truck. I don't know alot about winches but its an EWP-7000 and I suspect it's made in china. Does anybody know if these are any good or whether it's better to sell it and get another one? If so how much is it worth? I cant seem to find any information on the internet about it.

Thanks for your advice

As smurf said run it till it dies, its a little on the light side, then look at something 9500lb like a runva which a pretty good value.

Build a winch bar/housing that incorporates some rated tow hooks that face up the right way and use all the available captive nuts on the front of the chassis for more strength.

Get yourself a snatch block, a winch extension strap, tree trunk protector, some rated shackles and a winch dampener.

With the block that 7000lb winch will give you a 14000 pull (minus friction). Will be at half the speed and pull distance but that's where the extension comes in.

And then maybe upgrade once you've spent some time in the seat and worked out what forms of offroading suits you.

Happy wheeling.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have got a steering wheel lock I'll be using which must be a bit of a deterrent for thieves.

Sounds like I need to go shopping for some recovery gear!!

Im looking at buying a towbar something like this http://i46.tinypic.com/wjj5lv.jpg

Anyone have any ideas about where I might find one?

paddychambo wrote:Im looking at buying a towbar something like this http://i46.tinypic.com/wjj5lv.jpg

Anyone have any ideas about where I might find one?

If your feeling wealthy and want a awesome bar, go see Toms Off road and customs he does a awesome job. He has a thread on here and hes on facebook.

Otherwise keep a eye on trademe for a rear tow bar and consider getting it strengthened. Flick me a pm if you need something welded/strengthened i may have some spare time over summer break.

Try blackwell loadmaster on Blenheim road they'll do a pin type bar Like that pic but stronger

Campbell.s wrote:Try blackwell loadmaster on Blenheim road they'll do a pin type bar Like that pic but stronger

Or uniweld just round corner, wont hurt wallet as much

Thanks for the advice guys.

Another question, is this hook good enough to tow or snatch off? It seems to have a bolt missing... But if I got another bolt for it. The bolt there has the number 10 on it and the hook itself doesn't appear to have any writing or markings on it.

paddychambo wrote:Thanks for the advice guys.

Another question, is this hook good enough to tow or snatch off? It seems to have a bolt missing... But if I got another bolt for it. The bolt there has the number 10 on it and the hook itself doesn't appear to have any writing or markings on it.

Clubs will not accept an unrated hook or bolts that dont meet the spec (neither will i for that matter i wont snatch anyone with substandard gear). Since it has no markings you cant be sure what it is.

Rated hooks are pretty cheap so i would go buy some more, i would also suggest making use of at least the 3 bolts that the hilux has on each side of the chassis. There has been times where the hook and abit of the chassis has been ripped out under snatching and that creates a dangerous missile.

This involves making a bit of bar that bolts to the three and then you bolt the hook to the bar, it also gives you hooks that are up the right way. Have a look at the below pic, this is mine its a bit more complex as braces both sides with a cross brace as well. Im talking about the bits on either side.

If you want to come have a look at mine for ideas your more than welcome to.

I have pretty much the same bracket on the front of my Surf, just a bit simpler, pick up on as many mounts as possible and gets your hooks up the right way too which is a bonus

Will my RAW Nitro shocks be sufficient for a 2" leaf spring lift?

paddychambo wrote:Will my RAW Nitro shocks be sufficient for a 2" leaf spring lift?

Its not which brand will work mate its whether they have enough travel or not, you have to cycle the suspension with no shocks or one end disconnected so you can measure the amount of compression and extension your shocks need and them compare that to the shocks you have got, if you use shocks that don't have enough compression or extension you'll only end up fcuking them especially if you don't have enough compression and they bottom out

derk wrote:

paddychambo wrote:Will my RAW Nitro shocks be sufficient for a 2" leaf spring lift?

Its not which brand will work mate its whether they have enough travel or not, you have to cycle the suspension with no shocks or one end disconnected so you can measure the amount of compression and extension your shocks need and them compare that to the shocks you have got, if you use shocks that don't have enough compression or extension you'll only end up fcuking them especially if you don't have enough compression and they bottom out

Thanks for the tips!! I thought I would just ask in regard to my particular shock in case someone knew off hand. Off to the garage to do some measuring!!