HILUX camper/overland build ideas/critcism (1 Viewer)

[Cale Anderson]

Hi guys, I forget there's so many other forums on mud, thought I'd look around and post some pics of the 94 yota I've been building up over the years.
I plan on finishing the back with a couple fold down cots that can be combined into one larger bed when I'm camping with a lady-friend, small "kitchen" shelf, cook top, mini coffee pot, custom cabinets, a few windows, one more crank open sunroof vent, canopy on the rear and a kayak and ski rack. I have 2 new front fenders for it too, but I'd like to add steel step flares for more functionality. Running dual optimas in parallel where the airbox used to be. Also, I have some 1-ton yota springs for the rear and a solid axle for the front for durability/simplicity/reliability/capability. Not an IFS fan. Probably going to go with SOA up front and SUA in rear to keep it low and stable. Not building for crawling and the 37s give plenty of ground clearance anyway.
What do you think so far?
Interesting ideas and constructive criticism welcome!
PS-What do you think of the roof rack, bumper, topper, snorkel and skid plate? I built them all over the years. MORE PICS TO COME!

 

[Cale Anderson]

More pics, as promised. I'll get the inside if the back when I get further along. Pretty filthy right now.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Cale, if you're looking for genuine input, Id say put some smaller wheels and tires on that truck! Those might be fine for rock crawling, but if you're aiming for an overland/expedition rig you want maximum reliability and durability, and tires that big are putting major stress on your driveline components, lengthening your braking distance, and killing your fuel economy. If you re-geared to compensate for them you've exacerbated the problems by introducing weaker pinion gears. Otherwise your handiwork looks great.

 

[Cale Anderson]

Thanks for the input, I agree with that and had planned on keeping the 4.56s but going with an isuzu turbo diesel i was given ( needs a little work) to compensate for the gear reduction. Swapping stronger axles and keeping the thicker pinion should be pretty durable. The diesel should be good for mileage too, better than the tired 3.0 anyway!

 

[renago]

they already told you about the tires , way too big .
I would not go over a 33 -34.
ref the weights distribution , pls consider them as low as possible.
water , fuel , preferably under the truck , not in or on top.
the performance in overloading is completing the trip , without any breakdown.

bye Renato

 

[Cale Anderson]

Hmm, nobody likes the wheels but I'm determined to find a way to make them feasible. There's alot of large, overland trucks out there. So a turbo diesel with a brake upgrade wouldn't compensate for the 37s? Im not sure where else I'd put the water. I could build a second fuel tank where the spare was but the Jerry cans are simple. The truck is wide and stable with the wheels on it. It seems like drivetrain/braking durability is the main concern. And fuel mileage, of course.

 

[renago]

big wheels are not a plus in overloading .
the fact that there are a lot of trucks with big wheels around , in my opinion is more a bar fashion then a real need for overloading.
if you are planning a trip of 500-1000 km ,all can work.
if you are planning a 5-10.000, km ,the light might be different .

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Hmm, nobody likes the wheels but I'm determined to find a way to make them feasible. There's alot of large, overland trucks out there. So a turbo diesel with a brake upgrade wouldn't compensate for the 37s?

Cale, you asked for advice and you're getting good advice. If you already have your mind made up then you shouldn't ask for advice. If you're really trying to build a truck for overland travel then your first priority is reliability and durability. Those wheels and tires are putting huge stresses on your drivetrain. Installing higher numerical gears only adds another weak point. A diesel engine is irrelevant to the question of drivetrain strength. And if by "brake upgrade" you mean drilled discs, those won't do a thing.

 

[Cale Anderson]

I did get good advice, my mind is always changing...learning. I weigh my options with research, cause and effect, cost, consequences, wants, needs, etc. I'm not discounting any advice. I could sense that I was being guarded but it doesn't mean I wasn't taking the advice. I just like the direction it's going and am trying to find middle ground, acceptable compromise.

 

[Cale Anderson]

...and no, although it looks like I'm "one of those guys" with the big wheels, I understand the purpose of cross drilled/slotted rotors. I'll most likely use a brake setup off a larger, newer toyota truck that's designed to stop whatever my truck ends up weighing. The 4.56 pinion is thicker and could be kept if the engine has more torque and the axle can handle it. I feel an upgraded solid axle is a pretty "reliable and durable" upgrade.

Or I could just use normal wheels and tires, but where is the fun in that?

 

[maddslacker]

I like how as you add accessories, parts of the truck rust off thus keeping the overall weight the same.

 

[maddslacker]

Also, why did you go with such small tires? I hear 44" Super Swampers are simply amazing for long days with lots of miles .... </sarcasm>

 

[Cale Anderson]

I factored in the rust vs accessories ratio, still in the green. 44s? Hmm...I wonder if I cut the fenders out a little more...