Hilux 4x4 Forum

Good day.

Thought I'd just take a minute and introduce myself. My name is Charl Botha, 30 years old working as a draughtsman/designer in the mine engineering industry.

My wife and I are avid outdoors people with a love of camping. We are dipping our toes in the 4x4ing and overlanding scene with some nice trips planned for the future.

I drive a 2004 Hilux 2.7i DC 4x4 with 218000km on the odometer.

Modifications done thus far:

Unichip

Ironman suspension upgrade and 2" lift

Nudge-M bullbar

Drawer system

Dual battery system

Stainless steel sump underbody protection

Currently I'm in the process of respraying the bullbar with raptor coat. I'm keen to see how that plays out.

Some changes I'm contemplating for the near future is to replace to BF Goodrich K01 tires, because they are almost due. I also scrolled through the DIY section of the forum and I see there are some good ideas to fabricate rock sliders yourself. That is something I'm seriously looking into as a nice project to keep myself busy. My canopy also needs to be resprayed since the harsh african sun has not been kind to it.

I'm really impressed with the information on the forum and so far I've learnt alot of new things.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-A536E using Tapatalk

Some pictures taken on recent trips

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If the raptor coat works well, I'm going to recoat the rear tow bar as well. It needs a bit of love

Welcome to the forum, Charl.

Still one of the best bakkies out there!


-F_D

Family_Dog wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:26 pm Welcome to the forum, Charl.

Still one of the best bakkies out there!


-F_D

I won't be trading this one in for the foreseeable future. Its still very capable and has too much sentimental value for me to do that.

Ditto! The DC in the first pic of my signature has only done 51,000km since new - no hurry to ever trade it in either :-)

-F_D

Cbotha15 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 8:18 am If the raptor coat works well, I'm going to recoat the rear tow bar as well. It needs a bit of love

Morning Charl,

Please post an update after you've done the Raptor coating, I'm also considering it for a few things.

Thanks!
Christiaan

Zaskar wrote:

Cbotha15 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 8:18 am If the raptor coat works well, I'm going to recoat the rear tow bar as well. It needs a bit of love

Morning Charl,

Please post an update after you've done the Raptor coating, I'm also considering it for a few things.

Thanks!
Christiaan

Morning.

I applied the coating a few months ago. So far I'm very satisfied and it looks great IMO.

I've attached some pictures

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Thanks, that does look good.

Did you use the regular spray can or did you get one of their kits and spray it with a compressor and spray gun etc?

Zaskar wrote:Thanks, that does look good.

Did you use the regular spray can or did you get one of their kits and spray it with a compressor and spray gun etc?

I bought the kit and the spray gun and applied it with a compressor

Sent from my SM-A536E using Tapatalk

Welcome Charl
I'm glad another IFS joined

No wonder they are also used in millitary

Some updates:

Fitted a Gomad aluminium canopy. I'm impressed with the overall build quality and fit/finish. I will see how it holds up long term

Replaced the tyres with a set of Maxxis RAZR AT8-11 31x10.5 R15 tyres. Initial impressions are good. Little road noise and drives comfortably. I had the opportunity to test them on some gravel roads and they handle very well. Bakkie feels very stable traveling on gravel at speeds between 60-80km/h. Will see how they hold up long term

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It's looking good, makes me miss mine!

What size is the rims? 7J or 8J?

Kalahari Harry wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 5:54 am What size is the rims? 7J or 8J?

Those are standard 7J rims

Your Hilux is one of the best out there, congratulations Charl, match made in Heaven!

-F_D

Those are standard 7J rims

Thanks

Family_Dog wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:46 am Your Hilux is one of the best out there, congratulations Charl, match made in Heaven!

-F_D

Thanks F_D. I appreciate the kind words

Welcome aboard Charl. Looking very good!!

Baie mooi bakkie!

Hou maar vas aan hom - die nuwes is net nie dieselfde nie.