1987 V6 4runner Build

[NZLux]

Hey everyone. I am new to the site although I have been browsing for quite some time. Thought I might start a little build page here of my work in progress Hilux Surf Project.
I purchased it about a year ago with intentions of building myself another winch challenge comp rig but change of plans had it sitting in the shed for about 7 months being used as a storage shelf... So I decided I wanted to build it up into a capable club truck and have it road legal to save the hassles of having to trailer it every where I want to go.
The basic run down of the Lux,
1987 Toyota Hilux Surf
3.8L V6 Holden Commodore Engine and 4 speed auto
70 Series Landcruiser Prado Front diff and suspension
90 Series Landcruiser Prado Rear diff and suspension
Old Man Emu Coils and shocks all round
4.88 Diffs, LSD rear ARB locker in the front


Here are some pictures of the work in progress and where I am currently up to,

Front diff,

Stripped completely down and rebuilt it,

The bare chassis was covered in surface rust,

Sent it off to get Sand blasted and painted,

Shortened the rear drive shaft 20mm

Drive shaft finished, welded, balanced and painted

 

[NZLux]

Installing the Air Locker, new bearings pressed on,

Body time!

 

[NZLux]

Time to get the grinder out,

Cut out 320mm

What its going to look like, will have a way better departure angle once finished

So that's pretty much where I am up to now, need to weld it back together then start on closing up the rear of the cab.
Cheers Thor

 

[pappy]

OK, you have my attention. Keep going ...

 

[NZLux]

Here is the rear diff with its latest mod

New front shocks vs the old shocks

Another picture of the engine, hopefully it should be a good runner as I'm told. I have replaced the water pump, thermostat, sump gasket and fitted new brass core plugs for piece of mind.

Wiring harness and speed sensor

I have welded the rear back on now but haven't got any photos, will try and get some more progress photos on Sunday as its my only day off....
Cheers Thor

 

[yotasavg]

sub'd, looks awesome so far.

 

[Waterboy]

Love the color and the diff is awesome! Keep us posted.

 

[NZLux]

Cheers guys. I am still not convinced on the colour yet.... It will be getting a full repaint once I have finished the body work, not sure if to go yellow again or something that doesn't quite stand out as much.
I should have an update on progress by the end of this coming weekend.

 

[NZLux]

Little more progress,

Got the back welded back on, It came up really well, ended up mig welding it with 0.6mm wire as I'm still waiting for my Argon bottle to be filled

Cut out the old body mounts and relocated them,

Still have to finish grinding the welds flush. Once I have finished that I will start sanding the underside of the body to under seal it. Thinking of using some of this stuff, If anyone's had experience with it and what you think of it let me know.

 

[NZLux]

Just a small update (copied from another forum),

I spent a good day or more degreasing, sanding and cleaning the underneath of the body to prep it for under seal. I sprayed it on a couple of weeks ago and it came up really well.

I have also been doing a huge amount of sanding in the engine bay. The engine bay had already been painted, but they had painted over top of shiny paint and it could easily peel off using a finger nail. So I have been sanding all of the paint off and also cut out the rusty battery tray and couple of unwanted brackets. Also put some rust killer on a few patch's of surface rust.

All etch primed

Now time for some more sanding, then paint. Looking at using a Satin black again as I haven't decided on a body colour yet.

 

[NZLux]

Engine bay with four coats of primer,

Got it all sprayed, 4 coats of PPG Satin Black,

Had my new gauges turn up from Summit Racing,

Also a bit of a change in plans I just purchased this,

2002 Holden Commodore with the 3.8L V6 Factory Supercharged Engine, going to be removing the engine from it and throwing it into the 4runner

 

[NZLux]

How the Hilux is looking at the moment,

Had these follow me home during the week

Virtually brand new set of 33x10.5x15 Simexs still all very sharp.
Shortened up the chassis today,

 

[The Jade Bean]

Very nice!!!

-Daniel Kent

 

[Sam Stewart]

SICK! Will be following this build for sure.

 

[flash02]

WOW!

Looks amazing