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mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:37 pm
by rhodieboy
Hey guys am looking to get a single cab toyota hilux raider 4×4 from around 1995, probably a 2.2 petrol I.e the 4y motor but will see what I can find. Was wondering about what mods you guys suggest to make this into the ultimate off road, farm and hunting vehicle ? I was thinking ;
ARB bullbar with warne winch (strength ? Not sure what you guys think ? ) as well as a back winch for loading
Raising it also don't know too much about this aspect
lightweight hunting frame and seat with a mounting for at least 1 spare wheel in the bin as well as a gun rack. Materials for the frame or manufacturers anyone can recommend ?
A big tool box for equipment etc on the back
safari snorkel
Am undecided on a roof rack
spotlights on the front bumper.
All that I can come up with :P what do you guys think and recommend ? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:05 pm
by Baasvark
Rhodie you seem to have it all covered :)

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:09 am
by Mud Dog
These vehicles in standard guise are already awesome off-roaders, so not much in the way of mods is necessary. First thing I would look at is replacing the suspension with an Old Man Emu kit - pricey, but it's the single most important mod you can do. It will give you a fairly raised ride height, improving approach, departure and break-over angles. The much improved articulation will help keeping all four feet on the ground, this improving traction.

Still on the subject of traction, the next thing is the tyres. A decent set of all terrain or mud terrain shoes make a huge difference. 31" Tyres are best suited - anything bigger and you start looking at further mods to accommodate them and avoid body fouling (i.e. an axle shift). 33" tyres will also rob the motor of power, so it won't be long before you'll be looking at a motor conversion. All in all it becomes a costly exercise if you go bigger than 31".

Winches are really more wants than needs - you can manage without them although a small rear winch for loading heavy carcasses is justified (I do it with a small hand winch, but I'm a recreational hunter).

The hunting frame will be an important bit of kit for you, so research it IRO your envisaged needs and buy after-market or make it up yourself accordingly.

More than that you don't need, at least not for a starting point. Once you get 'into' it you can make a more informed decision on further mods that are relevant to your needs. There's no doubt that you can throw a ton of money into modifications, some of which you will probably never benefit from, but there's equally no doubt that you will not recover anywhere near a fair compensation for those mods if you sell the vehicle. You just have to be practical about it.

:winkx:

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:34 am
by rhodieboy
Thanks Andy very true about the last bit budget is sort of an issue so yeah definitely should be practical about it. ;)
I agree also once I start using it I can see what I need to do and what I want to do. How much are you looking at for that old man emu kit ? Haha I hope so baasvark :)

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:11 am
by Mud Dog
rhodieboy wrote:Thanks Andy ....... How much are you looking at for that old man emu kit ?
Last time I checked it was in the region of R19,000

You can get cheaper, but IMO not the same quality. The Mikem kit is also pretty good and being a local RSA product is a lot cheaper.

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:05 am
by Haboob
Don't overspend as you will not recover your money, but buy what you need, as Andy says...

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 11:30 am
by rhodieboy
Last time I checked it was in the region of R19,000

You can get cheaper, but IMO not the same quality. The Mikem kit is also pretty good and being a local RSA product is a lot cheaper.[/quote]

Thanks Edge and Andy I agree with you guys definitely don't want to overspend but don't want to buy cheap and nasty either.
how much is the Mikem kit as R 19 000 is a little bit much.

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:09 pm
by Mud Dog
Open to correction, but I think Mikem is in the region of about R12k ..... not sure if that includes a set of shocks as well, but the OME kit is normally with OME shocks. :think:

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:23 pm
by rhodieboy
Mud Dog wrote:Open to correction, but I think Mikem is in the region of about R12k ..... not sure if that includes a set of shocks as well, but the OME kit is normally with OME shocks. :think:
Ok if it doesn't include the shocks then the not far off but if they good quality and you can save abit hey why not. Do you mind if I ask what you everyone including yourself uses ?

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 12:48 am
by Mud Dog
A lot of the guys here on the forum use Mikem because of the cost factor and because their service is outstanding. Daryl from Mikem is also a member here.

Procomp are also good.

I currently have Dobinsons which was fitted before I bought the vehicle. I find it to be 'sort of OK' but not near as good as Old Man Emu which I've had before. I have been of the intention to change the Dobinsons for OME but have never got around to it yet.

Just as a footnote, the standard suspension is not great and the front tends to sag to the point that the bow in the leaf packs become inverted, so swapping it out for something decent is a priority.

:winkx:

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:53 am
by rhodieboy
Oh ok I never knew about the standard suspension doing that so yes replacIng it is definitely a priority like you've said then probably one of the first things I'll do. Guess ive got a lot of research to start doing. :D: . Does anyone recommend split rim tyres for off road ?

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:39 am
by Thunder02
Hi, also have a look at 4x4 Direct's website, plenty of items for sale, from lights to switches and Snorkels.

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:06 pm
by Haboob
Thomas, use what you have till you experience problems or until you need something better.

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 1:08 pm
by rhodieboy
Thanks Neil will do :thumbup: ok good idea thanks Edge

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 1:43 pm
by The Legend
No problems with my Mikem syspension.Very happy with it.

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:33 pm
by rhodieboy
Thanks Dawie always good to here good feedback about something you looking into

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:27 pm
by BulletProof
While were on the topic of Mods, any contacts for guys that can do a decent job with dual battery systems and long range tanks?

Re: mods for a Toyota hilux raider

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 8:37 pm
by 4x4BEES
Francois at 4xLux does dual battery installations and he is in Brackenfell.

He is also member here on the forum and club 072 four 24 05 zero zero