Offroad-Express

I have some question about my new Hilux

1. In this photo of my Gearbox (Transfer Case?), the black bit with four bolts in it, is that a PTO gear cover? 2. My front leaf springs seems to bend down instead of up; I presume they are shot yeah?

I went and saw a bloke about Hilux parts today and he answered my questions.

1. Yes.

2. Yes; he recommended getting two short leaf springs from a hilux rear leafs and add them into the front.

I'll add to that.

1) Yes, but don't go trying to find a PTO to bolt to it or a gear to go inside the box to drive said PTO. Toyota don't seem to know anything about them, there is a PTO company in Italy who make one that will bolt on, not sure about the gear for inside. I guess some type of Toyota some where at some time came with one, but they seem to be a thing of legend. Some one will say they have seen one, but ask for details and it gets hazy. That was my experience chasing them anyway. Hopefully I'm wrong and you'll find one (if you are even looking for one).

2) Yes, but even new standard one aren't much past flat.

thanks for that; i hadn't considéred the gear for it may not be behind cover. I found that italian site and also a thailand site selling the attachment but no prices and they each have different gear shapes. I may look into this further when i get to a stage of getting a winch.

A few links for others who may want to look into this:

Italian PTO attachment http://www.omfb.it/web_eng/catalogo/sch ... lingua=ENG
Thailand PTO attachment http://www.sskpower.co.th/en/product/PE ... 9%E0%B8%A7
(thailand site seems to fall off web occasionally)

Some local PTO posts
LN106 PTO Winch viewtopic.php?f=13&t=29628
Finally some progress on the lux viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1171&p=7718&hilit=g52#p7718

And a yankee post
Hilux build in New Zealand http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-t ... nd-13.html

The yank post, you are talking about, is a guy Jaffa on here. Don't know him, but he has done a nice build, and some real good tech. Haven't bothered to search post, but remember cause I was interested in this to, pretty sure that he said was impossible to deal with the Italians. Not sure if he is still active, or somebody else will know him - mid north island I think, on here. He may be able to help ya.
Think there will be lots of interest in this, If you can figure it out.