Hilux 4x4 Forum

Well, After a number of years and a couple of Platcars, I decided that enough is enough, I want a functional, long lasting reliable vehicle that will suit my needs.

Let me explain, I am a 27yr old guy, I have always had a keen interest in offroad, adventure, camping and the general outdoors (Oh, And I love flyfishing). My old man had a 2005 LC 105 4.5EFI and wow what a capable vehicle. Beautiful to drive, just not so beautiful to fill up. Sadly he passed away a year later in a motor vehicle accident (Not in the cruiser or he would probably still be around – this was my 1st car, a 1987 Toyota Corolla 1.8GLS Auto) From there the Cruiser was sold and my Mum bought a Prado. Also, what a vehicle. It was at this point in our lives that the family halted most of the camping, adventuring etc as my old man was the driving force and organiser for all of these trips. So, almost 10 years on, and I am slowly but surely getting back into it! (Man this lifestyle can be expensive! Haha)

I have had dealings with other forums and their members (Some of you I see on here), and being jealous and excited about the developments that you guys make to your vehicles, the places you see and the stories you tell! At a couple of gatherings of the LCCSA and 4x4 Comm I saw some of your vehicles and drooled. My X’s father also has a significant collection of LC’s kitted out to the T, this also did not help my salivation issue! And my passion for this kind of thing grew, however, the bank balance didn’t get the memo and did not grow in conjunction. ;)

So, Last week Friday, I finally took delivery of a Pristine 2011, Hilux Legend 40 3.0D4D RB DC Auto. They gave me a *a* price for my Elantra (Man those things depreciate fast) and I just bit the bullet and R290k Later, I am driving away with a smile from ear to ear in my new Bakkie! I did get them to fit a light bar, and two “Bike Spots” on my nudge bar where the bash plate was removed, just to fill the gap.

My Review of the Bakkie in the last week
- Turning circle is similar to that of an A380
- Engine doesn’t purr, it Roars!
- My complex-life parking space does not quite accommodate the length of this vehicle! (And my neighbours have to make a 23-point-turn just to fit in next to me (I make about a 58-point-turn just to get into mine, so they got it easy!)
- Shopping Complexes just got more complex to navigate
- If I fit a roof rack, I will not be able to park at work (Good excuse not to come in!)
- My Girlfriend “Loves” the height (Note: sarcasm is off the charts) – Nah, sensationalism, she doesn’t mind it too much, I open the door for her at least.
- The audio system sucks – Maybe I can find some help on here!!? :D
- Why is the steering wheel’s max adjustable height still too low???? (and the front seats don’t adjust lower???)
- I have no clue where my car starts and ends as I cannot see either (See 3rd Point...)
- I feel like a vindg@t when I park on sand, Sjoe the torque and the RWD...
- Turbo Lag – Read up on the chips, Think it might be std for a while still...
- Getting my bike (trials motorcycle) in the back requires a crane
- Where do I put my shopping when there are more than 2 people in the back, Experimented with that yesterday, DO NOT put Pick n Pay Shopping in the Back if you have even the slightest turn on your way home.... Turned into a treasure hunt when I got home...
- Drum brakes on the rear? Huh? I thought we had progressed...
- Overtaking is not too lekker.
- 4 speed box in 2nd sounds like it never ends...will take some getting used to
- People move out of my way on the highway! :D :D :D
- I can park almost anywhere (Except in normal parking bays, see point 3...)

So that’s basically my views so far, But I do LOVE the way it drives, I love the feeling I get climbing into a car that I WANT to drive! I love looking at it and seeing where I can Personalise it.

This is what I want to do to the vehicle in the next 6-9 months (Cashflow)
- Replace window tint (Booked in for Monday! :D) R1368
- Replace Radio (Guys, please if you have one of those touch screen OEM radio’s lying around because you fitted something else, please let me know) R????
- Fit a Roof Console for the next point (ONCS Sells for R4k+ L)
- Fit a Mobile VHF (I only have 2 portables atm) R3500.00
- Replace Speakers R1500
- Get a decent GPS (Anyone wanna throw away their 276C? ) – R????
- Get seat and Dash Covers (Caracal – Armaand) - Hmmm???

So I am in the JHB North area, if anyone has advice on places, people, bargains, Please let me know, I will appreciate it immensely!!!!

Kind Regards

Stuart Baak

I love writing essays! Haha

Speak to Thunder02 (Neil) re the seat covers.

Obelix and Dogmatix wrote:Speak to Thunder02 (Neil) re the seat covers.

You called

Neil Guthrie?

Hehe speaking now, what would a set of seat covers and dash organiser cost for the DC hilux? ;)

Thanks,

Stuart Baak wrote:Neil Guthrie?

Hehe speaking now, what would a set of seat covers and dash organiser cost for the DC hilux? ;)

Thanks,

I have sent you a PM
Thanks

Oh, here are some Sexy pics hehe

A couple of more pics with what this bakkie has been used for the last 7 days

Okay so the tint has been Redone, Motorsonic in Edenvale did it for me for R1254.00 incl stripping of The old rubbish tint. Originally had it booked in at "Fourways car security" but they messed me around. So called Motorsonic, they could accommodate me immediately, great service and cheaper than others I priced.

Nice looking truck there Stuart, and welcome here. I'll perhaps add a good set of offroad tyres to your already long list of things to get if I were you... Hope you have many happy mileages [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

Thanks a mil! Yes a new set of shoes will be in the pipeline but that is long term. Still Alot of tread left on the current boots!

4x4Maniac wrote:Nice looking truck there Stuart, and welcome here. I'll perhaps add a good set of offroad tyres to your already long list of things to get if I were you... Hope you have many happy mileages [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

So... New shoes [tick]

Okay now I know nobody really reads the 4x2 forums but it's nice for me to document stuffs.

I have now found a bargain mobile radio, which should be arriving in the next week or so. Notified ORRA etc etc. So, now it seems I need some place to put it. Have mailed Thunder02 enquiring about his project for the Vigo, hopefully the waiting list is not too long...

Soon I hope, I will have a mobile radio hanging in my bakkie. Much excitement.

Looking good Stuart

Dankie dankie!

I know it's just a 4x2,but it's MY 4x2 and I Love it!!!

I read somewhere on the forum or FB page that the 4x2's are quite capable in the right hands.

Something in the line of 2 4x4's getting stuck when they tried to do a recovery. Then a 4x2
came to the rescue and pulled them out one after the other. All vehicles were Hilux's.

4x4BEES wrote:I read somewhere on the forum or FB page that the 4x2's are quite capable in the right hands.

Something in the line of 2 4x4's getting stuck when they tried to do a recovery. Then a 4x2
came to the rescue and pulled them out one after the other. All vehicles were Hilux's.

I would say that could make sense if it were a manual 4x2. But my auto... Hmm it either goes or it doesn't. Not much feel for the wheel grip. I am very keen to go on a 4x4 trip with the guys from this club and see how it performs. Was sad to miss the last one at Heidelberg. Need some 4x4s to help should I find myself in the dwang :roll:

Your time will come young grasshopper

Ask enough times and they will join you for a trip.

Haha thanks Kevin. I won't ask, I'll just join...

Stuart Baak wrote:Okay now I know nobody really reads the 4x2 forums but it's nice for me to document stuffs.

I have now found a bargain mobile radio, which should be arriving in the next week or so. Notified ORRA etc etc. So, now it seems I need some place to put it. Have mailed Thunder02 enquiring about his project for the Vigo, hopefully the waiting list is not too long...

Soon I hope, I will have a mobile radio hanging in my bakkie. Much excitement.

Stuart, you still need the Hilux Channel - only for Hilux Club members, no charge! ;)


-F_D

hi Stuart
1st of all take that nudge bar off. it really limits the approach angle. i left mine on for a while. eventually damaged the bumper and pushed the bumper so far back that i took it off. its lying in the garage ready to be donated to anybody who wants it.
2nd tell us more about the red scooby in the drive way !! been my most favoured car since i was about 10 !!
when i'm big and old or old and big depends which comes 1st then ...................

Rigardt saw that scooby about 30secs before me....

haha you know it Mickey !!
bugger the corsa and merc and mini in the driveway.
nice hilux Stuart but the Scooby now that is 4X4 and you do know this is a 4X4 forum..... so obviously we want to know more !!!!!

Haha that Scrooby wrx 4x4 is my best mates car... Done the skid pan, what a beast! Jealous much! But he can't take speed bumps for s##t! Haha

Okay so due to public request, here is my mates Scoobie

Okay so next step after the vhf radio will be the front spacers to level the truck's nose. Will book it in with Darrell next week hopefully if I get some time off.

cool !!
thanks for the pic ! damn that Scooby looks nice !
you actually don't see a lot of red ones around.
okay okay back to your hilux. let us know what that spacers and job costs. I would really like to do that to mine as well. I don't know why some noses are lower than others. my boss got a 2011 2x4 single cab 2.5 d4d and it sits level compared to mine which also sags at the front.

Well Mickem said about R1400 incl vat. A 40 min job to level the lux. :D ya apparently only 7 of those scoobs in SA. Ya mine sags quite a bit. But the levelling kit should make it much better! I don't want the nose in the air when laiden, but I don't want the rhino digging up the grass when it's not...

don't forget the before and after pics ! and maybe some in between as well.

Haha will do! I wanna install my own Vhf as well, so will post of that too. Radio arriving tomorrow.

So, today was eventful, went to a radio dude in Wynberg, to sort out my trimming on my antenna and check my installation (everything was perfect ), then went to mikem and did my front raise and rear extended shackles with rear bilstein shocks! A big THANK YOU to Darren, wow what service and awesome guy! Before and after pics below:

welcome stuart to the hilux club i also drive a4x2 yes i have shown sum people that a 4x2 is like you said in the right hands it can go just about any welcome again

Sooo, light upgrade. Got replacement spots for my light bar that kept cracking from the supplier. (no real cost)

Pencil beams led spots. Looks very cool

Very pragtig

Ya blinding time!

So yesterday I took my legend to Toyota and sold it.

Sad to see it go, but buying an Fj instead!

An FJ is awesome, congrats boet

Thanks boet! I'm gonna miss the lux but I'm sick and tired of 2x4. Should have bought a 4x4 in the first place. At least now I can participate in gatherings! Basically a straight swap for my lux. R10k difference between what I got and what I paid for the FJ!

That does not sound bad at all.

So, when is the delivery date?

Hopefully tomorrow afternoon :D

So had my cruiser almost a week now. She is thirsty, powerful and a downright dream to drive!

Now just to save for mods and fuel

Alot I want to still do!

Pic!

STUNNING