Hilux 4x4 Forum

Good evening all, as this is my first time posting, I hope that I have done it correctly.

This is now my 1981 Hilux 4x4 that we have brought back after my father sold it 20 years ago. It was used for very hard labor for 16 years, and has been stationary for 4 years due to engine problems. This is the Hilux that my father started his 4x4 career in, and he tought me 4x4ing in this Hilux, and now my daughter will be the 3rd generation to learn 4x4ing in this Hilux named "Kolle" I shall post updates as we progress on him.

Welcome Stefan!

The story and the restoration process should make for some interesting reading. Will be watching this thread.

Welcome Stefan. Will be following your project, so please post updates as you continue.

Welcome Stephan, looking forward to seeing this build.

Welkom Stephan. Kan nie wag om die stories te hoor nie.

Welcome to e forum l the best with the restore.

Welcome Stefan!

Any pics of the interior, back and underside? It could be useful for "before and after" purposes.

Also, what is the mileage?

Good luck with the project.

Thank you all for such a kind reception.

Kolle has done over 500 000km and will be taken back to white which was his original colour, and I shall post more pictures from now and 20 years ago at Rust De Winter when my dad drove him.

I just need to trade in some glass bottles first to fund the next part of the restoration haha.

Interior is taken out and dents must follow as well as the spray work.

Had one myself years ago, amazing how tough they are...get a kidney-belt...!!

Wow , what a beauty. Mine was a 84 model, R18 engine. Will keep an eye on your post.

Thanks guys, luckally he has still got the full Old Man Emu suspension and that really makes a huge difference in ride quality, had that in my 91 Hilux as well. Just saving up a bit to to the spray work.

Hi everyone, more than a year later saving up and taking some steps back due to Covid-19, but In July we took the Hilux to the panel beater to remove the cab and load box and I got the chassis and this is what this looked like. Pictures attached

I then Started on the chassis and rebuilding the diffs and changing the bellhousing and cleaning this dirty chassis.

some work in progress pictures below.

It's a big bite that you've taken there, but the chewing has started and the chassis cleaned up nicely considering the age of the vehicle.

Best of luck! Keep posting as you progress.

Yep, also following this thread with interest! Goes to show, all the Hilux needed was a good clean-up and a fresh coat of paint, all is then good as new

OK, not quite, but you know what I mean


-F_D

Stefan, my old man re-routed the exhaust out the side, got another identical single cab 85L (?) fuel tank and installed it opposite the original tank to get a decent range. The old 2.2 4y had one very small silencer which allowed for the re-routing. I would imagine this motor may be similar. If you want, and whilst you have the vehicle apart, do the same, remove the current aftermarket tank and put the spare wheel in its rightful place. A vet tekkie under that aftermarket tank will hang very low. The aftermarket tanks are still quite sought after, I have recently sold two for approx. R1000 apiece.

Also don't like the "spare wheel tanks" .... better to put a spare back in it's place and increase the capacity of the tank itself. The side by side tanks are problematic, especially with filling (air-locks). One should have a breather pipe linking the tanks at the top and a reasonable diameter pipe linking the bottoms for cross flow of fuel. That bottom pipe is the bugger because of the drive-shaft and it's exposed ... can get snagged too easily. The other way around is to have a couple transfer pumps but again, filling is slow. You also need another fuel gauge.

Enlarging the existing tank is by far the better option, no filling problems, no air locks, no delivery problems and no additional gauge required.

To enlarge your existing tank with the rounded edges can be challenging but if you can get hold of a model '95 to '98 tank, it's easy because it's got squared edges. That tank should fit without modification and it's already got a bigger capacity.

Look here how I modified / enlarged mine ...... viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15977&p=487393&hili ... ux#p487393 (look near the top of page 2 in that thread).

I also had a spare wheel tank but took it out, takes ages to fill

I recall dad only had the tanks connected with a 'Y' at the filler cap. You could direct the fuel pump nozzle into either. Each tank had its own fuel take-off and sender unit. A single hand operated fuel valve coupled to a simple electronic sender line switch behind the seat allowed you to flip from one tank to the other when the first emptied. It was very effective not having the tanks connected as it stopped the fuel flowing over to the tank without the fuel take-off tube when on side slopes.

Im looking to buy this toyota 1981 .
Engine is a ford V6
Needs minor mechanical tlc and major interior tlc .
Runs 100% , also missing a tailgate.

Is paying R50000 for this reasonable, or what would you suggest is a reasonable offer i can put in.?

Offer 43-5k to start.
It is a classic with increasing recognition, especially in America etc.
You hardly see them on our roads.
A slow restoration could result in good value long term.
I don't think you can go wrong in this price range, at minimum get your money back.

I always thought FJ40 hubcaps looked great on these.