Hey there All

First post on this forum. Read a little you guys had to say RE: Builds so i thought i would leech some more knowledge as i need it

I have an '81 2x4 Hilux that i am looking make into a "sport truck" i think it is called... That idea is WAAAY off in the distance though.

She is at the stages of being pulled down and stripped. From there i will get whatever body work done that i can, get the rest done when i can get the dollars and... get a coat of paint somewhere near it. The major things that need fixing is the roof (either side of the drip rails), doors, bonnet, firewall and tray. Bonnet and doors i can get "new" so i will save some dollars there, the rest will probably have to be beaten into prettiness.

Rough plan is as follows:

Donk - 1jzgte or N/A 1uzfe with a box to suit.
Suspension - beefing up front end as it is a decent design. Replacing leaf with 4-Link and Notches supported by Coil Overs or some description.
Colour - Something not to "Standy Oty"... undecided about specifics though.
Interior - Keep what is cool, update what ever i can.
Wheels - Got my heart set on a set of Works Rims See how i go with that though.

Maybe the "sport truck" reference makes some sense now. It is not going to be super low, it will be tucked as i can get it while still having practicality. No good having a car you are too scared to drive properly

Anyway, I am open to advice and pointers and retailers/sellers of wares if they're appropriate to the build i am doing.

Nice to "meet" you all. Talk to some of you soon.

OH.. I am from Rockhampton, Aus as well...

 

Welcome to the board! This is a great place to share and learn, sounds like your building a solid truck!

 

thanks dude. I hope it to be, yeah.

Plenty of time and no rush at all.

Hope to do some sharing and learning from the experience on this forum.

 

Welcome welcome!! Cool rig ya got there. Good luck on the build. Lots and lots of pictures are appreciated lol.

 

Hey guys,

Looking to/thinking about upgrading the front suspension as well. Keeping double w/bone but, updating it. Stronger and lighter.

Any ideas as to where i could start looking?? I have looking on a few sites but it is mainly just info about the design.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Stating up front that I am not the traditional builder here (wont lower, want mad fuel capacity and quiet interior), I have had some good success with bushing replacement to u-thane. In general, lighter does not equal stronger for individual parts, but as noted, my build is... divergent.

What transmission do you intend behind the 1jzgte/ N/A 1uzfe? I am toying with going this route, but only if I can find a detailed thread for install with a manual transmission.

Watching your posts with interest.

 

Hey dude,

I think the go to box for the above donks is the w58? The 5sp manual kit out of the supra. From what i understand, there are pretty detailed kits around to change the box on the 1UZ to manual through this road as it doesnt naturally come with that option. There are threads around and, last time i looked into it with some level of enthusiasm, kits for sale.

What do you mean when you say, "not the traditional builder"? You don't flow with the same stream as most?? If that is the case, by reading my plans/ideas, i might be cut from the same cloth.

If i find the info you're chasing, i will PM you with it.

Thanks for the ideas too mate about the bushes. Was thinking about replacing the arms as well... depends on access and cost though.

 

You can get tube control arms for the front, Sway-a-way makes beefier torsion bars or you can use one ton bars. Belltech makes drop spindles and shocks, you can use one ton sway bars, 4runner? bars or belltech also makes sway bars. 89+ 2wd spindles and 4 piston 4wd calipers. Rear is either modified or belltech leafs or custom ladder/4link and coil overs. Panhard rod you can fab easy enough. 1st or 2nd gen supra rear diff with a weir rebuild kit and the disk setup. Hope this helps.

 

Wow...

I would love to have that dash in my 81!!! Nice truck by the way. Keep it up

 

Im right there with ya on the not lowering, i plan on using mine for my buisness. But im going close to the same route as you.

 

You in Aus?? If yes, keep in contact with me and you might get it. depends if i need it or not. If i dont NEED it for RWC/Rego, chances are i wont be using it.

Go with something a lot more modern and easier to muck about with. "AutoMeter" dash kind of deal.

Too low is no good to me and, for the power that i hope to have on tap, not great. Stance is better for me. You say, "close to the same route", what are you doing with yours??

 

An option has been brought to my attention that i HAVE to seriously consider.

A good mate of mine has a MINT 3UZ for sale. He has offered me a damn good deal And, from what i have read, they are a MUCH better block than the 1UZ... or at least have more potential (is that more fair??).

Tossing up what i have, what i need and what i can afford.

4L or 4.3L??

 

Okay, this is the reality (in my much disliked view): Your truck weighs about 1270 kilos, or 2800 lbs. This is about the same as a GEN4 Honda Accord, and much less than a Holden Monaro C Series III at 3616 lbs. This means our trucks are sort of middleweight fighters.

Now, you and I have discussed, and I have considered a lexis v8 swap. I made a different choice than you, but that choice is only for the conditions in my world. I would submit that if you are going to do this, you need to pick what is most available and easiest to get parts for, because you are going to need parts. That should be your driver for engine choice at this level. You are talking about mad horsepower to weight, or....mad horsepower to weight, so it really comes down to how deep your pockets are. Now, your mate with the 3UZ, is selling why? He may (or may not for all I know) have already hit the parts wall, so go down and talk to your local parts vendor. I am not saying the guy is setting you up, but a great engine made of unobtanium is still unobtainium, and once you have made the decision, changing course is going to be expensive. I would also check the local boneyards for ECUs and the like, and what they cost, because you are adding a lot of finicky electronics to the equation, and while solid state stuff is fairly reliable, it does die on occasion.

Whatever you decide, keep up with the posts, I enjoy reading them, and they always make me think. I also hear "We love football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars" when I read them, so well done.

 

Hey again,

All ideas at this stage and as the project is yet to fully get off the ground, there is no money spent. I have been doing exactly that, researching the available parts and costs for each of the two motor options, the 4L is by a long way cheaper and more available.

Regarding my mates reason for selling, that is his business, he lives in Japan full time and is the import/export business. I dont have too many details on the donk at this stage so, cant to into much detail about the life it has had.

At this stage, i am looking at the practicality of the 4L and the obtainium that is is made out of, something pretty ridiculous would have to happen to change my mind.

RE: Football -- Cannot stand it or the mentality of a majority of the knuckle draggers that play it.

Pies -- Good food is good food

Kangaroos -- Yes! They're hardcore!!



and

Holdens -- To each their own but they're not for me

 

Hey mate,

I think i must have just glossed over this post when you posted it, sorry dude. Didnt mean to ignore ya.
Some damn good ideas. I hadn't worked out what diff i was going to use. I was looking to keep the hilux but eh ratios will be all wrong for the 1uz I will look into the supra option now i think. See what is around anyway.

Thanks again mate, appreciate it