HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Here we discuss Hiluxes in general. Your view of the Hilux. For other general discussions please see "open Discussions" under the "Around the Campfire" heading.
Post Reply
User avatar
Agteros
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 678
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:09 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: Toyota FJ Cruiser
Real Name: Hugo

HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Agteros »

I am playing with the thought of converting the "White Rice Bowl" from 4Y to 1UZ now for many years...the reason I cannot make up my mind is that I have not met a "converter" that I have sufficient confidence in to do the job for me. Go read on this forum for some (horror) stories with regards to this. :shock2:

My question(s): Even if I am willing to spent R80K on such a conversion is it worth the effort considering:
1. Still no aircon in the Hilux
2. Still sitting with a 30-year old vehicle that is worth only about R70K (even after the R80K conversion
3. All the teething problems sorting out the conversion
4. Can I have sufficient confidence in the vehicle to take it on a Namib trip after the conversion?

Is it not perhaps better (provided I can afford it) to sell the "White Rice bowl" as is for R70K as is and buy a new LC 79DC for R512K?
Advantages:
1. Brand new vehicle with aircon
2. Vehicle to last at least another 30years
3. Reliable vehicle to take on any conditions

Is converting the 4Y to Lexus throwing good money after bad??
2020 FJ Cruiser
1986 Hilux DC 4x4. Sold to the Boss :cooldude:
User avatar
4x4BEES
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 3447
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:13 am
Town: Brackenfell
Vehicle: Hilux 4.0V6
Real Name: Kevin

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by 4x4BEES »

If I could afford it, I'd go for the LC.

But I would look at a second hand one and keep the SFA to play with.
User avatar
ChrisF
Top Web Wheeler
Top Web Wheeler
Posts: 8188
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:56 pm
Town: inniedorp
Vehicle: Toy
Real Name: Chris

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by ChrisF »

Hugo my buurman is deur die oefening - die deel om te bsluit of dit die geld werd is ....

Uiteindelik het hy sy ou wa verkoop, daai 80k bygesit en n nuwer wa gekoop.


Hy het nou die betroubaarheid en vertroue vir lang trips.

en n boring D-4D ..... so lekker en betroubaar soos n D-4D is (en ek het self een), daar is darem NIKS so lekker vir die siel soos daai brul van n V8 ......



Dus glo ek dis n emosionele besluit die. Geen manier wat mens met logika daai 80k kan regverdig nie ... en tog GEEN manier wat enige iets anders jou SO lekker gaan laat voel nie .....



voorspoed met die besluit.



dalk maar n 4 V6 ......
User avatar
Hangover
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
Posts: 1374
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:55 am
Town: Deneysville
Vehicle: '76 FJ45 , '13 3.0 D4D Hilux
Real Name: Stef

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Hangover »

Personally i have done the 1UZ conversion on my 45 but after a few years of thinking i now think that it would have been a hell of a lot better to just EFI the 3F motor and use the extra cash for ARB lockers front and rear as well as a duel transfer case...
I like the lexus power a lot but i still wonder every time if i'm going to make it home(there is a few "teething" problems that made me lose confidence...)
All in all i have been problem free(part from a rear propshaft i turned off) for the last 2 years or so so it is going good i would say.
Will i go over the same process again i would definitely say no...(I would rater go for EFI 3F or a mechanical diesel motor thus less electrickery to fail and all the low rpm torque)
Hangover(A.K.A die speelding)
1976 FJ45 4x4
1UZ-FE 4.0vvti
2" OME Suspension lift
1.5" Shackle lift
35" Geo MT's
Custom Bullbar
Lockright Locked rear
York OBA
20" LED bar
Nighthawk 100W spots

Dakar
2013 3.0D-4D 4x4 Hilux Dakar
User avatar
ChrisF
Top Web Wheeler
Top Web Wheeler
Posts: 8188
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:56 pm
Town: inniedorp
Vehicle: Toy
Real Name: Chris

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by ChrisF »

Hangover wrote:Personally i have done the 1UZ conversion on my 45 but after a few years of thinking i now think that it would have been a hell of a lot better to just EFI the 3F motor and use the extra cash for ARB lockers front and rear as well as a duel transfer case...
I like the lexus power a lot but i still wonder every time if i'm going to make it home(there is a few "teething" problems that made me lose confidence...)
All in all i have been problem free(part from a rear propshaft i turned off) for the last 2 years or so so it is going good i would say.
Will i go over the same process again i would definitely say no...(I would rater go for EFI 3F or a mechanical diesel motor thus less electrickery to fail and all the low rpm torque)
the problem with the low rpm torque motors are they suck in the dunes .... excellent for trail driving though.
User avatar
Agteros
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 678
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:09 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: Toyota FJ Cruiser
Real Name: Hugo

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Agteros »

Hi guys thanks for your valuable input - I think I am getting a clear message. Will now put the V8 out of my head for good...thx :thumbup:
2020 FJ Cruiser
1986 Hilux DC 4x4. Sold to the Boss :cooldude:
User avatar
george
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 6565
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 11:16 am
Town: Velddrif
Vehicle: Triton 3.5l V6
Real Name: George
Club VHF Licence: HC107
Location: Velddrif
Contact:

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by george »

Hi Hugo. Hoop dit gaan goed. Jy het seker gesien ek en Pieter het nou n Surf met die V8 in. Ons het al baie met die idee gespeel om so conversion te doen op ons bakkies. Toe die surf opkom het ons besluit om eerder hom te kry en kyk hoe is n voertuig met so 'n ombouing. Ons is nog besig om alles in plek te kry sodat ons hom goed kan toets.

My opienie is as jy rerig n toervoertuig soek dan sal ek persoonlik nie vir so iets gaan nie. Dan is n standaard voertuig altyd beter. Maar ook as alles reg loop kan ek nie sien hoekom nie.Maar as jy eers begin vergelyk met n LC vir toer voertuig dan val baie voertuie uit die bus.Maar jy het mos a FJ vir daai doel.

Maar kyk as jy daai V8 opstart in die oggend.Sjoe daai klank doen iets.
Chris het dit baie goed opgesom
"Dus glo ek dis n emosionele besluit die. Geen manier wat mens met logika daai 80k kan regverdig nie ... en tog GEEN manier wat enige iets anders jou SO lekker gaan laat voel nie ....."

Wat ek ook kan byse. As jy dit doen en dit kom reguit.Dan ry jy nie maklik in n ander kar as die "White Rice bowl"
"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.-Saint Augustine"
User avatar
Agteros
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 678
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:09 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: Toyota FJ Cruiser
Real Name: Hugo

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Agteros »

Dankie George vir jou insette ook - waardeer. Ja die Hilux met die V8 was nog altyd vir my 'n droom..maar as die droom skeefloop sit jy met basies amper 'n waardelose voertuig - so die risiko is groot...
2020 FJ Cruiser
1986 Hilux DC 4x4. Sold to the Boss :cooldude:
User avatar
JohanM
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 4047
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:33 pm
Town: Meyerton
Vehicle: Prado 120 4.0 V6
Real Name: Johan
Club VHF Licence: HC126
Location: Gauteng
Contact:

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by JohanM »

Agteros wrote:Is converting the 4Y to Lexus throwing good money after bad??
Hugo, in my opinie ja dit is geld mors as jy jou Hilux as n betroubare toervoertuig wil behou.. Nog nie een Lexus ombouing gehoor van wat nie issues het nie. Ek het my 4Y moes ry as n daily runner vir 6 jaar ry en selfs met die brospeed was dit maar n gesukkel. ek het die EFI op gesit en dit het beter gegaan. Ek het talle kere gekyk na om die EFI verder te vat met of n turbo of supercharger... Beide het sy eie lys issues gehad wat by gekom het. So ek het vrede gemaak daarmee dat ek 120 kon ry en meer as dit was hy maar steeds dors efi op of nie.

Instant power upgrades is maklik ja maar soos jy se dan sit jy met jou SFA wat 140000+ moet werd wees na die ombouing maar in werklinkheid verloor jy hands down al die pad.

Daai klank ja dit is iets anders, maar ek kan baie mooi V8 high defnition movie clips kyk vir R70000-00... Dalk nie dieselfde as om te ry nie, maar as ek n V8 wil hoor moet hy darem laag wees op die pad en rear wheel drive wees. 4WD V8 conversions is deesdae soos vliee, orals te kry en baie uninspring in my view. Almal doen dieselfde.

Enjin uit, lexus in. As jy so iets doen, sal ek kyk na die VVTi 4.3 V8 in te bou en dit soos n factory fit in te sit sodat hy eenmaal regwerk, maar dit gaan nader kos aan 80+K en Naas het daai uitstappie gehad met sy Luxi. So die bewyse is daarso, dit kan gedoen word, maar hoeveel is jy bereid om onder die brug deur te laat verlore gaan en nooit weer te sien nie.

My V6 Prado klink mooi genoeg as ek hom start so ek is happy en my platkar kan jy deur die uitlaat met die venster oop die turbo hoor dump in die uitlaat af as ek sy oor draai. So ek sal daai 70000 by jou vat en n jaarlank gaan toer met die prado dan kan jy darem saam ry en dit geniet. :thumbup:
Johan Marais
User avatar
george
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 6565
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 11:16 am
Town: Velddrif
Vehicle: Triton 3.5l V6
Real Name: George
Club VHF Licence: HC107
Location: Velddrif
Contact:

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by george »

hi Hugo. Ek dink jy straf jouself verniet. Jy het die prefekte toervoertuig. Jou FJ. Ek sal met hom om die wereld toer. Ek weet ook jy het al ontsaglik baie navorsing oor die lexus ombouing gedoen. As ek daar in julle wereld was so my sfa al lankal by Louis Zanolli gewees het. Ek het ook n 4y gehad en het geld spandeer om te EFI. Ek moes liewer die geld spandeer het op n 1UZ. Dit bly seker n gambel,maar either wees tevrede met jou bakkie soos hy is of gaan groot.
"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.-Saint Augustine"
User avatar
swartvark
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 2051
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:03 pm
Town: Gordons Bay
Vehicle: SFA HiLEX V8; Suzuki GSF1200s Bandit
Real Name: Tiaan
Location: Western Cape

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by swartvark »

Ek's mal oor my Swartvark en ruil hom vir NIKS.

Hy is nou baie meer betroubaar as wat hy was toe hy nog 4y met 490 000kms op die clock was.
My laaste trip met die 4Y was alliepad uit Gordonsbaai deur die Rightersveld en terug. Ek het gesukkel met die Carb en die centre bearing het gegaaan op die trip. Ek het al die pad soontoe en terug gestres............Die bakkie het op die teerpad gesukkel om in 2de rat bulte uit te ry en het dit ruk ruk tot by die huis gemaak.

Nou ja ..........dit was 'n ou bakkie en my keuse was om hom van voor tot agter deur te gaan en alles weer oorspronklik en mooi standaard uit te sort, sodat ek 'n netjiese en hopelik meer betroubare Bokwa het.........................OF om eerder allie ou goed met nuwer, beter, sterker, LEKKERDER kompinente te vervang.

Dit het my in 2010 R60k gekos vir Lexus V8, Solid Propshafts, Groter Petrol tenk, Landcruiser Briek Discs upgrade, Lekker Exhausts.........

Al hicups wat daar was, was dat die appy vergeet het om die battery terminal vas te draai en die petrol tenk se set up was nie van die begin af 100% nie.
IMG_151914966269601.jpeg
IMG_151914966269601.jpeg (30.41 KiB) Viewed 3156 times
Image
MUD........GLORIOUS MUD!!!!!


Your friendly VW salesperson......(with a passion for SFA Hiluxes)

NEED A CAR?
talk2tiaan@gmail.com
0829294028
gompie
Low Range 4WD
Low Range 4WD
Posts: 230
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:56 pm
Town: louis trichardt
Vehicle: sfa hilux s/c, Fortuner d4d 4x4(ma sin)
Real Name: dirk

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by gompie »

:subscribed: nou begin ek ook wonder of dit die moeite werd is, my 4y loop darem nog heel oraait, swaar op sous maar that's all. hy start, hy word nie warm nie en hy kry nie water in nie(of hoe George)mmmm
Image
User avatar
Johan Kriel
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 623
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:41 pm
Town: Okahandja
Vehicle: 2.5 SC 4x4
Real Name: Johan kriel
Location: Okahandja

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Johan Kriel »

Miskien nie relevant nie, maar ek het n willys jeep C2 chasis, en die ratkas, met n waganeer transfer case, hilux aste, en n 1C toyota engine gekombineer. Hy loop al 10 jaar sonder so dag se moeilikhied. Ok ek ry nou nie ver distanses en raak ook nie windgat deur gate en slote met dit nie, maar gebruik hom elke naweek.

Wat is n std voertuig, iets wat iemand gebou het, so hoekom kan jy dit nie verander nie. :D: Die trick is net jy moet hoe om dit reg te doen. En moenie vir my vra nie ek weet ook nie. :lmao:
Johan Kriel

Legend 50
Thabogrobler
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 5266
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:43 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '02 'Lux KZ
Real Name: Thabo
Club VHF Licence: x223
Location: Garsfontein
Contact:

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Thabogrobler »

Krap rond op gumtrer en junkmail. Jy kan daar 'n kompleet bakkie met 'n V8 kry vir minder as die prys van 'n nuwe ombouing.
'02 KZ 'Lux. Cooled. Chipped. Onca'd. Cherished!

If you are a diesel fan, raise your hand.
If you aren't raising your hand, raise your standards!

A 4x4 is merely a machine that enables you to get stuck further away from civilization.
User avatar
Knuppel
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 553
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2015 2:11 pm
Town: Somewhere in Africa
Vehicle: '87 SFA HILUX D/CAB
Real Name: Marius

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Knuppel »

As jy dit doen dan koop jy anderman se probleem.
Die ou wat sy Lexus ombouing vir tussen 120 en 140 duisend verkoop is seker dat hy dit reg gedoen het en vra dan sy prys. Dit is ook dan die ombouing waarvan jy niks gehoor het nie! Daar was nie gekners van tande nie en klaag liedere oor probleeme hier en daar.

Soos die rook en kook omboings van vroer jare met Ford se V6 kry jy die selfde probleem met dees dae se lexus pret!

Regarding making a decision if V8 is worth the trouble, I would not base it on what I read here. Go and drive the succesfull ones and then make up your mind.

I did! Not just the hilux ones, drive the jeeps, drive the mitsu and drive the cruiser builds, drive what ever you can lay your hands on.

There is a vast knowledge base on this forum alone. I read extensively and learnt from their mistakes and build the lessons learnt into my own project. All the knowldge is unfortunately not stashed away in one thread.

How many marriages end in divorce? how many are successful?.......many are succesfull with round two
:bye:
Image Link Broken
User avatar
Andries
LR 4WD Rear Locker
LR 4WD Rear Locker
Posts: 318
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:29 pm
Town: Dordrecht
Vehicle: '94 2.2 4Y Hilux S/C, '87 2.2 4Y Hilux D/C
Real Name: Andries
Location: Eastern cape

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Andries »

My lexus gaan nou al amper vir 100000 vandat ek hom gedoen het en ruil hom nie eers vir n nuwe die grootste probleem met die conversions is om die regte engin te kry onthou nie een van ons weet hoeveel klm het daai motors gedoen voordat hy verkoop is em no 2 is doen dit die eerste keer reg dan is daai conversion net soo goed soos n nuwe trok dit is maar my mening een van die sprinters wat ek vir taxi gedoen het loop elke tweede dag kaap toe van queenstown en het al 430000 gedoen sonder enige probleem bly net weg van spitronic management dit is daai goed wat daai v8 laat kook en probleme gee.
User avatar
Buffel
Low Range 4WD
Low Range 4WD
Posts: 127
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:03 pm
Town: Kathu
Vehicle: Toyota Hilux D/C v6 4x4 VVTI & SFA D/C 4X4 Lexus
Real Name: Stephan
Location: Kalahari

Re: HiLux V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Buffel »

Hoor Hoor !!!! Stem 100% Saam.
Dis n emotionele besluit .Ek praat namens myself ek meet nie die waarde van my Hilux gebaseer op her verkoop nie ek het al te veel SFA's besit van 2.4 diesels selfs die ou 5R's en was nog elke keer tot in my siel in spyt dat ek dit verkoop het . Dis n familie lid en elke Hilux van my het n "peroonlikheid" of hy nou n 4Y of 1UZ in het. Dis wat jy van hom maak.
Ons moet onthou dat SFA's skaarser gaan begin raak en ons sal n onreg doen aan ons kinders,kleinkinders selfs agter kleinkinders dat hul nooit die geleentheid kan ervaar van n ware SOLID FRONT AXLE Hilux nie.
http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=8http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=9Hilux v6 vvti 4.0 4x4 & SFA D/C Lockers front and rear v8 Lexus 35" BF Muds + Winch
User avatar
Reinart21
LR 4WD Rear Locker
LR 4WD Rear Locker
Posts: 287
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:51 pm
Town: Secunda
Vehicle: Toyota Hilux 3.0 D4D 4X4 D/C 2011 - ONCA Bullbar Dastek Unichip 76MM S/S Freeflow Leveling Kit. Hilux SFA '97 D/C OME Suspension extra long range tank', V8 coming soon!
Real Name: Reinart

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by Reinart21 »

ChrisF wrote:
Hangover wrote:Personally i have done the 1UZ conversion on my 45 but after a few years of thinking i now think that it would have been a hell of a lot better to just EFI the 3F motor and use the extra cash for ARB lockers front and rear as well as a duel transfer case...
I like the lexus power a lot but i still wonder every time if i'm going to make it home(there is a few "teething" problems that made me lose confidence...)
All in all i have been problem free(part from a rear propshaft i turned off) for the last 2 years or so so it is going good i would say.
Will i go over the same process again i would definitely say no...(I would rater go for EFI 3F or a mechanical diesel motor thus less electrickery to fail and all the low rpm torque)
the problem with the low rpm torque motors are they suck in the dunes .... excellent for trail driving though.
+100000000!!!
User avatar
LouisZ
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 2175
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:51 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: Toyota Hilux D/C 1996
Real Name: Louis
Location: Pretoria, Centurion

Re: HiLex V8 - Worth the Trouble?

Post by LouisZ »

Dis maar 'n besluit. Doen dit self. Daar is baie inligting hier.
Post Reply

Return to “General Hilux Discussions”