New Body for Single Cab SFA Hilux

[patrickr]

Good day Hilux mense,

First and foremost........... Thank Goodness It's Friday !!! Hope everyone had a great week and has an even greater weekend.

Now, down to the nitty gritty

I am at the planning stage of a complete restoration of my '87 SFA Toyota Hilux 4x4. Yip, nuts and bolts, everything that needs doing gets done. Read about it more at my blog http://patrickrimbaults87hiluxrestoration.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My question/s today for the Hilux community are regarding the replacement of a (my) Hilux's body and load bin. Both are in very poor condition at the moment w.r.t. rust and general appearance (see my blog for details).

I therefore, ideally, would like to replace my current Hilux body and loadbin with a used, "biscuit" coloured, rust-free body.

I have the vision (and the money) for what I want done, but I am not 100% sure on how to get there.

My questions therefore are as follows:

(a) how much should I expect to pay for a single cab, hood, fenders, doors, loadbin and tailgate? (emphasis on rust-free and absolute minimal bodywork required)

(b) where should I look for the above items?

(c) who should I contact for the above items?

(d) what is the legal process for changing the body of your vehicle?

(e) do you know of anybody wanting to sell any of their body (Hilux body please ) parts?

I'd really like as MUCH input as possible here because as you can probably tell by my questions, I'm a bit of a greenhorn.

Regards,
Patrick

[Mars]

I think you are going to struggle to get a 26 year old cab etc. in good condition. Your best bet would probably be a fibreglass body from Mboza. Fortunately they are in your neck of the woods.

[patrickr]

Hi Marnus,

Thanks for your reply.

I had considered getting a fibreglass body in the past, but simply never got around to finding out any more information on them. I think they're a great option because they will never rust, but there might be a few negatives attached.

Let me list the advantages and disadvantages that I can think of;

Advantages:

1. Never rust (big for coastal areas like Durbs)
2. Brand spanking new body
3. Can easily get replacement parts from Mboza (hopefully they stick around for a while!)
4. Possibly comparable in price to a used, metal body

Disadvantages:

1. It's fibreglass... Never as cool as the original metal body
2. Unsure about finish quality (i.e. paint finish and surface finish)
3. Need to alter wiring loom to add in "earthing" points

If anybody can think of any more to add to the above lists, PLEASE do so

There are a few questions I have for the guys at Mboza, mainly w.r.t. to finish (#2 of disadvantages) of the body. Therefore, I am plannig on paying them a visit this weekend, just to check everything out. I'll report back on my findings here.

I still think 1st prize would be a used metal body in good nick, but a fibreglass one is very very close behind in second.

Perhaps a few of you guys have a point of two to add, so please, don't hold back

[Thabogrobler]

Oh, times has changed!!

A student that has vision AND money?? In my days vision was the easy part!

Get in contact with Barrie from Ultimate 4x4 and let him source you a nice second hand body.

[Thabogrobler]

Oh,

To change the body has no legal implications, AFAIK.

[Mars]

Yes that's correct. No implications on the body.

[patrickr]

Hi guys,

Thanks for clearing that up for me. At least that's one less obstacle I need to overcome!

Thabo, yup, I'll drop the guys at Ultimate 4x4 a line. I'm really hoping to get a body from the highveld (JHB or PTA area) because to my mind there is less chance of serious rust

Just a quick note, the bottle jack and the associated crank (to lower the spare wheel) from the Vigo Hilux model fits into the SFA perfectly My originals have long since left the building, so luckily I can get them replaced veeeerry easily.

[Thabogrobler]

Hi guys,

Thanks for clearing that up for me. At least that's one less obstacle I need to overcome!

Thabo, yup, I'll drop the guys at Ultimate 4x4 a line. I'm really hoping to get a body from the highveld (JHB or PTA area) because to my mind there is less chance of serious rust

Just a quick note, the bottle jack and the associated crank (to lower the spare wheel) from the Vigo Hilux model fits into the SFA perfectly My originals have long since left the building, so luckily I can get them replaced veeeerry easily.

A body from somewhere mid-Karoo-ish would have the best chance of being rust free. Maybe see if you can find a scrapyard in the Gramadoelas?

I'm glad if the Vigo crank handle will work - I was wondering where I will find one!

[patrickr]

Hmmmmm, does anybody have any more guys I can call to ask for a body? Especially from the Karoo area :)

Also, I have been in contact with Steve from Mboza. I am going up to his workshop on Saturday morning to have a chat to him. I'll let you guys know what the outcome was.

Does anybody have any questions they'd like me to ask him, considering I'll be there ;)

[TOYODA]

If I only had a SWB 4x4 chassis....

They have bodies that looks like the old L/C FJ40.

[patrickr]

Aaaaahhh those are shaweeet hey Tiaan!!

I think after the SFA, my absolute favorite is the old Land Cruiser

Actually, in all honesty, I'd rather go for an old Land Cruiser if I had the deeeeeepp pockets to fix it up

But I've got the SFA and really dig it

[patrickr]

Hi guys, just a quick report back and update.

I went to see Steve at Mboza yesterday. He very kindly took time out of his Saturday to see me. He took me around his workshop and answered every question that I asked him. He has a great business that gives life back to many rusted old vehicles.

However, I don't think it is for me. Regrettably, the finish on some of the panels is not 100%.

Make no mistake, if this was a farm vehicle or a real hard working vehicle, I'd jump at the Mboza without a moments hesitation.

I mean think about it;

1. It will never rust
2. It is super tough
3. Steve can easily fix it for you
4. You get a new cab for your old vehicle

But I also want my Hilux to look really good, and so Steve's product is just not for me. Please, if you are considering one, give him a call or go and visit him. He's really friendly and really knows the in's and out's of his business.... But it's just not for me

Here's another POA that I'm considering:- to buy a complete SFA Hilux with a body in good condition, and to fix that up a bit. It seems nigh on impossible to find a body that has been separated from the chassis, so why waste time trying to find a body on it's own.

What do you guys think of that?

Now the hunt begins......

[AM Racing]

For the amount of work you envision it is sometimes cheaper to look for a clean rust free-ish to start off with. As for the fibreglass body: I have rebuilt a Suzuki SJ410 with one of those bodies and it was awful (to put it nicely). The fit of the doors was the worst issue! Goodluck with your build!

[patrickr]

Hi guys,

Turns out y'all are dead right, veeeerry difficult to find a SFA Body that has been separated from it's chassis

So, like you guys said, plan B would be (pun unintended) to find a Hilux with a body and loadbin in good nick, and to swop the body and loadbin to my chassis.... I guess plan C would be to find a Single Cab 4x4 in good condition, and save myself some time in the workshop (but alas, can't find one ATM).

Anyways, my question is; does the Single Cab 2x4 (i.e. LWB or SWB) fit onto a 4x4 chassis. Basically, could I buy a 2x4 Hilux and swop that body over onto my 4x4 chassis?