Hilux 4x4 Forum

Boetman wrote:Well done!

thanks. I would have loved to have had the seat re covered but don't have enough time.

decided the tan bumper/grill combo was a bad idea:


filling up tires should be a little faster now:

very good price relative to the power tank set up.

Robb.. the black looks much better. with the tan it looks like you are on your way to Desert Storm.

Tell us more about the CO2 canister? There was a couple of guys in Cape Town that tried (built) a similar product which I tested, but I could never get close to the number of "inflations" they claimed. I had 33"/12.5 x 15's and could only inflate about 5 tyres before it ran out of steam (CO2)..

b4runner wrote:

Boetman wrote:Well done!

thanks. I would have loved to have had the seat re covered but don't have enough time.

decided the tan bumper/grill combo was a bad idea:


filling up tires should be a little faster now:

very good price relative to the power tank set up.

Black bumper and grill looks bad ass.

ThysdJ wrote:Robb.. the black looks much better. with the tan it looks like you are on your way to Desert Storm.

Tell us more about the CO2 canister? There was a couple of guys in Cape Town that tried (built) a similar product which I tested, but I could never get close to the number of "inflations" they claimed. I had 33"/12.5 x 15's and could only inflate about 5 tyres before it ran out of steam (CO2)..

I just got back from a couple of days running in the sand. I aired up and down 3x's. Pressure is still good. The info I had showed I should be able to get about 20 total tires filled from 8 to 25-30psi.
I agree, the entire tan theme was a bit bunch

Spent a little time in the sand. Was able to climb the bowls with a good run at them. Sure could use a few more ponies under the hood. But over all had a great time. The missus tried to get a few pics from the back but was holding on with both hands most of the time :hillbill:


.
Towed a couple of busted quads back



After hitting some of the whoopdidoos my back is telling me it is time to scrap the junk yard seats and pick up some PRP or Corbeau suspension seats. Seats will be down the road though. Going to try to do a thorough fram inspection tomorrrow. I know I have a bent rear main leaf I will need to have a new one made to replace.

I wish I had done this before I headed to the dunes last week.
I installed my power tank mini monster tire deflators today
http://www.powertank.com/products/sfID1 ... ductID/445
Total install for four wheels was a little over an hour.
I was nervous drilling into the wheel



Found the correct 7/16" 1/4" -18npt tap on eBay

Installed

Mounted them opposite of the valve

Went from 30 to 0 psi in about 30

Not a big update but scored some rare trekker spare parts from a trekker that was rolled a few years ago

going to cut down and fill the window frames since the canopy windows I have are just a hair too narrow for the window openings. I figure some 1/4" lexan should do the trick.
Parts like this are getting hard to find since Winnebago only converted about 1200 trucks between 81-83.

pulled the truck into the garage for some front end work.
Went to go pick up a 30mm socket and saw this red hunk of junk drive by

Something about a 308 that I really like:P
Any way it was time to swap out steering boxes, my old one had a little play and a buddy of mine gave me a box off a 2nd Gen 4Runner he picked up to swap bodies on. Turned out having a section of frame made it easier to pull the steering arm off

Swapped the box and noticed a bleeder screw on it and had an aw ha moment
way easier to bleed air out of the system:D
This is the first time I had noticed a bleeder valve on any of my steering boxes.


I had ordered replacement front spring bushings, UPS said they were out on the truck for delivery so I thought might as well take the old ones out in prep..7:30 pm and it still shows out on the truck. .gee thanks..

After 6 years on the truck the old ones were pretty far gone.

Very Interesting read....

MOFASA wrote:Very Interesting read....

Thanks MOFASA.

So my replacement spring bushings finally came it after multiple emails and phone calls...in the meantime I had got side tracked and started prepping my replacement window frames:
my cut down windows have always had a slight leak that I couldn't track down even after attempting to reseal so going back to stock size trekker windows..I should have just reused my original windows. ..would've been the smart move $$wise.
Anyway.
Going from this-

cleaned up the new donor frames out of a rolled trekker

a lot of old sealant and crap came out

enlarged the window opening and test fit the frames

should have time early next week to get the truck back on all fours and the lexan cut and installed in the frames

Got a little time to work on the replacement windows.
made a stencil and cut the lexan

epoxied the frame back together

Going to let it sit overnight before installing it.

So the window refit project has taken me forever...but today it is finally done. Fingers are crossed my leaks are cured.

I don't know :dunno: why I didn't noticed this before but evidently I got pretty close to a tree or rock on a recent trip..rain gutter is tweeked and a good stratch down the l/s of the roof.

got lucky I didn't fubar the fiberglass..
Window in and masked for touch up

Cleaned up and installed


I tinted the lexan with some rustoleum tail light tint as an experiment. .. not sure how I like it but stuck with for now...

I had tried a Drift HD camera but wasn't ever really happy with it. so I sold it on eBay and
a little while ago I got a great deal on a JVC Adixxion camera..got it way cheaper than a Go Pro.
Played with it and it works great with an app that will allow me to control it from my phone..


This one is very user friendly and for $65 (used) I am happy. .may see if I can find another one..

a couple of days ago I went to put in a back up camera today and found I didn't have power to my cigarette lighter...
so that prompted a minor redo of my dash..
here is an older picture of a previous owners hack job on the stereo..

used a fairly decent mildly hacked replacement dash plate.

2 12 volt plugs (one in stock location) and 1 dual USB compliments of Blue Sea..
The switches are for future use and the stereo will be moved to the locking center console.
I do have a uncut replacement metal dash and a good dash pad that will go in sometime over the winter.

here is the result of the rear camera that prompted the mini redo of the dash.
it is nothing fancy a cheap Peak back up camera..i really wish I would have done this years ago. really handy with limited visibility when backing up..


Am thinking it will also be nice on the trail..

deleted--duplicate post

not a big deal but am pretty happy with this deal I got from a guy at work

surface rust but functional...can't complain for $50..
I have a feeling I will be swapping engines sooner than later

Interesting rocket launch button

Thunder02 wrote:Interesting rocket launch button

Just what I need to clear the taxi's in the traffic...

Your truck is coming along nicely!

ThysdJ wrote:

Thunder02 wrote:Interesting rocket launch button

Just what I need to clear the taxi's in the traffic...

I wish it was real. It would make rush hour drive enjoyable

roeland.vlok wrote:Your truck is coming along nicely!

Thank you sir

I have been accumulating parts to do a rear disk brake install on the truck for awhile, finally got some time to get started on axle prep

made a little progress today.
IFS width axle will be going in

After trying the unassisted gravity method I broke down and cut up an old axle housing and booger welded a handle to the spring perch...Low and behold it only took a couple of whacks using the assisted gravity method on each axle.


I have new bearing and bearing cups to go on.

hopefully make some more progress early next week..

Can't wait to see the finished project

been able to do a little bit more on the truck.
I got the new bearings pressed on:



Decided to experiment with a roll cage mounted defroster:



Just the light bar-

Ordered several weeks ago. Took forever to come from overseas but price was decent.
Not sure if it will stay mounted there or get moved. I have an idea for a shield to help eliminate glare on the inside. The lighting output would probably be more efficient mounted on the front bumper.

Did a little prep work this afternoon:
No more zip tied license mounts--






My back ordered Christmas present the missus got for me finally came in after about 7 weeks:

I will need to do a rework of the core support to get enough room, when I mounted the Trail Gear winch tray about 6 years ago I didn't know that they needed to be spaced out about 1/2" when mounting them on 79-83 Toyota trucks.

Not sure if South Africa has to worry about passing Emissions or Smog, but here it can be a challenge.
I adjusted the valves, timing and ran some fuel system cleaner through the carb and passed with flying colors.
Free to roam the streets and trails for a couple more years

I am running 35" Goodyear Kevlar MTR's, the first set I had I returned after a couple of hundred miles and having them balanced 3 times. They just would not balance at all. The 2nd set is better but still not perfect. I checked the front wheel bearings (ok), Trunnion bearings (ok) had the alignment checked (fine), replaced the steering box and front spring bushings. All much tighter but still got some vibrations so I decided to try adding some air soft bb's

Like most of my projects...This stuff has been on the shelf for over a year...decided it was time
Hoping 8 ounces per tire will help even things out
hem in through the hole for the mini monster deflators

Refilled in 30 seconds

so far it has helped vibrations up front quite a bit, I am good up to 75 mph, not that I would want to go much faster than that in this old truck anyway..


added an LED to come on with the dome light, should help keep my neighbor from almost hitting me when i am parked on the street. Also added a door pocket out of a 94 4Runnner:


Traded in my Old Dodge 20073/4 ton Mega Cab Turbo Diesel. I would have loved to keep it but the payments were a little steep and it took up a ton of room at the house.

New one is a still a dodge, but gas 5.7l V8, 2003 half ton truck, way easier to get around in and will be paid off in a year or so

Very nice looking truck, congrats on the new Dodge

Stunning Truck.!!!!!!!!!

4x4BEES wrote:Very nice looking truck, congrats on the new Dodge

swartvark wrote:Stunning Truck.!!!!!!!!!

thank you sirs..i am really liking it..

played around with some additional lights up front, mounted temporarily. trying to decide if i like them or not..

Did the BB trick work??? I also have vibration issues on my 33's that balancing cant sort out...

Hangover wrote:Did the BB trick work??? I also have vibration issues on my 33's that balancing cant sort out...

yes, it has made a big difference with my tires..


i saw some cool flush mounted 16w LED's that were similar to some i had laying around

so I thought what the heck, use the stuff I have around and save a few bucks. I used a couple of dead amber lights I was about to toss:

removed one of the extra brake lights i had mounted in the back, moved the turn signal to the inside and mounted the LED's to use as back up lights:

Night shot:

Now you can mow your lawn at night... ;)


-F_D

Finally got my lighting selection down to what I want to use.
Lower bumper 2 24w floods with removeable filters and a 90W light bar



with the upper light bar



i did end up evening up the mounts for the smaller flood lights, they looked cock eyed when these pics were taken


One thing that has bugged me about this truck is how when Winnebago designed the rear part of the bed where a normal tailgate would be is that they made it with about a 4.5 inch tall lip. It is a real pain getting stuff in an out of the bed, especially a spare tire.
So yesterday I stared at it and measured a bunch and went to town with the sawzall and cut 4" out of the tailgate area



With the cure time of the fiberglass, work and life in general I hope to have this project completed in the next 2-3 weeks.
working 12 hour shifts stinks some times...

got some time to start the fiberglass work

will also get the wiring cleaned up

since i was playing with fiberglass i thought it would be a good time to experiment with fixing a cracked dash, having a dash frame out of a wrecked truck makes it easier


rough sanded after a couple of layers of fiberglass

Getting a little closer.
I used a 6" wide piece of HDPE for the brake lights/signals mounts

I lost some room to put the 16W led back up lights so I ended up using some 10w LED flood light pods, for a compact package they put out quite a bit of light.

body work is a bit rougher than I would prefer but needed to get the truck back together for some planned upcoming trail runs.

Top is off for the summer, hopefully till at least September

Here is what prompted lowering the lip of the bed
Traded some parts for a jeep storage drawer unit.
Has room for a ton of stuff and keeps it secure.

Cool addition! - even if it came off a Jeep

Mud Dog wrote:Cool addition! - even if it came off a Jeep

Thanks, it holds quite a bit of stuff.

Picked up a couple of little 5 liter NATO gas cans in a parts trade. Figure I would use them for fuel for my trail chain saw.
Cleaned up pretty good after a few minutes with a wire wheel


did a seal test, laid them on their side, no leaks

Threw the spare up top to see how it would work (i know it raised the COG) and to see how the rear visibility would be (always going to be a challenge on this thing.
Not sure if i like it or not.
Before

after

still fits in the garage:

need to make a rear swing out tire carrier again sometime.

A rear swing-arm is probably going to be your best bet if you want to keep the bin free and for when you fit the canopy again.

you are correct about the swing out. hopefully in a month or two I will have some cash to make the new swing out.
i came out this morning and decided i didn't like it up there, so back to its original place on top of the storage box

Seems like I break a mirror ever time I hit the trail. Got this idea off a thread om Marlin.
Cut down a set of **cough** h33p quick release mirrors.

Twist the knob and swing them out of the way

Nifty!

Mud Dog wrote:Nifty!

Thank you sir.

Upgraded my lower light bar to a 32" 180w curved light bar

picked up some black clip on covers to keep the law off my back


i will probably scuff them up a little bit and paint it with flat black

With the end of summer fast approaching i figured it was time to start extending my existing hatch using a donor hatch from a rolled SKy's Off Road Trekker


A little piece of Trekker History- Winnebago dated the fiberglass body pieces, my hatch was produced in june of 1981. The donor hatch was made in July of 1981.


It looks like either a different adhesive was used on the two hatches or a different shift made them- one has a ton of glue, the other not so much


got a little fiberglass done this afternoon. hope to block sand it tonight and get a full piece on the hatch tonight


two layers on both sides of the hatch. it feels fairly stout.



I am thinking about building a fold down tire carrier similar to these pics (pics from google, not my truck)






A swing out style would be better than a fold down style but I am thinking in the long term that this style would allow me to transfer the tire mount to another truck down the road instead of spending the money twice on materials and time.

Looking good with the hatch, Robb!

I have to wonder about two things - with the light-bar mounted like that directly in front of the grille (although it looks good) you must be loosing a significant amount of air-flow for the radiator.
The other thing is that drop-down arm for the spare - they were available but never popular here. The reason is that they are heavy and the wife would battle to let it down easy or lift it for access to the hatch (or change a tyre). The other factor is that they shake and vibrate like hell because of the flex from only one mounting point.

Mud Dog wrote:Looking good with the hatch, Robb!

I have to wonder about two things - with the light-bar mounted like that directly in front of the grille (although it looks good) you must be loosing a significant amount of air-flow for the radiator.
The other thing is that drop-down arm for the spare - they were available but never popular here. The reason is that they are heavy and the wife would battle to let it down easy or lift it for access to the hatch (or change a tyre). The other factor is that they shake and vibrate like hell because of the flex from only one mounting point.

Mud Dog- good points on both the light and drop down spare holder.
I was just talking with a friend at work about the light and air flow. It would especially become a factor when I finally add my winch. So far with it being in the 80-90*F during the day I have not noticed the truck experiencing any cooling issues yet.

I would love to go to a swing out tire carrier but I am at the point in the trucks life that I am contemplating a newer truck, just not sure when (or if) that will happen, hence why the fold down is an option for me. My wife doesn't drive the truck at all. It has been kind of a fun truck but it is getting old, I don't use it as a rock crawler like I did when i first built it One option is to get an 89-95.5 Extended cab and use the axles, suspension and transfer cases from the 81.
The US did not get the double cabs until 2001. A 2001-2004 DC tacoma would be my first choice.

I added a 42" light bar up top. I wanted to keep it as low possible


added covers

made it an extra two weeks running around topless. it was great having nice weather the last two weeks but the rain rolled back in this morning.


was doing the usual end of summer stuff like putting the full doors back on and getting the top ready to go on.
I was staring at my rear bumper, thinking I had bent it on a trail run banging it on something or tweeked it getting pulled out or something. Was going to pull it but than looking at the mounts found something else.
it looks bent down on the p/s or bent up on the d/s

passenger side rear mount is straight:

Driver side is bent down


will probably have to unbolt the cage so I can somehow bend this thing back up and throw some new pucks or something in there with some rubber body mount cushions. 33 years have taken a toll on the truck

traded some small parts for a 7" GPS


hope to have my winch mounted for snow wheeling this winter. With the roller fairlead mounted i lost my front receiver as recovery point. Swapped it to a hawse fairlead and got my recovery point back

Really like that fairlead, very neat!

Mud Dog wrote:Really like that fairlead, very neat!

Thanks! Hopefully I will get the winch mounted soon. I want to reinforce the mount from behind, that will involve pulling the radiator and having friend of mine with better welding skills than I have get the welds done.

Got a few things done today.
Project Extend-a-hatch is mounted. Not exactly perfect. I think I can adjust it slightly with the hinges.

when I swapped the fairlead I didn't like the way i ended up with the license off to the driver's side


I don't know why I didn't think of this before, centered the license and counter sunk some cap bolts into the winch mount and tacked them into place...five minute job

Cool! Looks better!

Your truck is looking awesome... Respect

CasKru wrote:Your truck is looking awesome... Respect

Thanks!

Mud Dog wrote:Cool! Looks better!

Thanks!



last summer I started to redo a dash pad i picked up awhile ago.






old vs. the new



Not perfect but did this with stuff left over from other projects. Biggest pain was unbolting the cage and pulling it back six inches to get the new dash pad back in. No more looking at holes

Got a great deal on a set of suspension seats, my back feels a lot better



I had an issue with my Truck Lite LED headlights a few weeks ago, my passenger side headlight high beam was flickering on an off by itself when I was using only the low beams. It was driving the other traffic crazy, luckily I was only a few miles from home.
I was prepare to chase down a wiring gremlin but discovered moisture inside the passenger side housing. I pull the light, swapped it to the driver's side and it did the same same thing. Put on old headlight in the passenger side, no flickering. Root cause was the moisture:

One thing that really attracted me to the Truck Lite LED's was their 3 year warranty. This issue showed up at the two year mark. I tried multiple emails to various customer service address was not getting any results over the course of 2-3 weeks. I searched their company on Facebook, posted a comment about my issue and had a response in a few hours. They shipped two new headlights to me. Social Media appears to be the way to get things done now.

got them installed and no issues,

Thanks for the update Robb! Always nice to hear from you and be kept abreast of your modifications and 'tweakings'!

Your winter season should be almost over now, so you'll be able to get out and 'play' a bit more often again - time to put those crawler gears back into action.

Mud Dog wrote:Thanks for the update Robb! Always nice to hear from you and be kept abreast of your modifications and 'tweakings'!

Your winter season should be almost over now, so you'll be able to get out and 'play' a bit more often again - time to put those crawler gears back into action.

Thanks Andy. I will be heading over to the high desert at the end of the month for a weekend and will actually post some pictures of this thing out on the trail instead of in the garage

That'd be great! looking forward to it.

This truck just keeps looking better and better!! Well done Robb!!

b4runner wrote:Thanks Andy. I will be heading over to the high desert at the end of the month for a weekend and will actually post some pictures of this thing out on the trail instead of in the garage

That'll be awesome, can't wait to see it in action

I already stole a few ideas! nice build!

Finally got to head across the mountains to the high desert for some trail running with some friends



Some of the views were just plain awesome

A friend's FJ Cruiser got a little sideways



The Toyotas were stalking the Jeep

My Carb was not really enjoying the altitude




We had an International sales Rep from Warn Winch with us. He was a very nice guy who has been all over the world. I would love to own his D-90



We ran into a few of these guys, i thought it would be too early in spring for them

Overall it was a great time







It really stunk to have to come back to civilization

We had a total of 15 different trucks from FJ Cruisers, a 4Runner, 2 Rovers and a few jeeps.
I think my truck was the only one with manual hubs, it was definitely the oldest

looks like a awesome trip ,your bakkie the best looking there

Martin

Great pics, thanks for sharing Rob! Glad you were able to get out and enjoy yourself after the winter season.

Mud Dog wrote:Great pics, thanks for sharing Rob! Glad you were able to get out and enjoy yourself after the winter season.

Thanks Mud Dog - it had been way too long. I have 2-3 more trips planned this year. I am taking most of july off so hope to do a week long trip before I take the truck down for a much needed engine swap.
Truck is getting a rebuilt 22R unless I can find a good deal on a 3RZ to put in the truck.

mcw wrote:looks like a awesome trip ,your bakkie the best looking there

Martin

Thank you Martin It was a lot of fun.

A friend sent a couple more pictures:



One thing I found was that my pedals were a little slick, kind of would like an automatic transmission some day.

so I found some scrap diamond plate, in about 30 minutes:

I had these made: