Builds LS3 1980 Hilux (1 Viewer)

[Lo2aY]

Hi,

I looked and looked and googled. I found no one sharing an LS swap 4WD Hilux for this gen.

If you're considering this swap. This is what I did.

The goal is to keep this truck as light as possible and really strong/ fast.

Specs

L92 (LS3) motor. All Aluminum.

H151 Trans

LC62 FF axles (WMS to WMS) is perfect on this truck.

The engine is so HUGE in this engine bay. We had to cut through the firewall and the floor to accept the V8 and bigger heavier duty trans.

Here is the engine after we went through it. This is the block. We are waiting on some parts for it from the US so we decided to paint it Caterpillar yellow. Turned out great!

Chopped the front body panel and made a front bumper for it. The goal here was to keep weight down as much as possible. New bumper has provisions for a winch (M800 installed) and shackle points as well as improve the departure angle and points for Hi-lift Jack. Really happy with it. knocked it out in an afternoon. New bumper weighs 12kgs. I don't think we're too far from factory.

Here is the plastic engine bolted to the rest of the gear. Going in for mock-up.

 

[Lo2aY]

Here's a closer look inside the cab. the drive-train is huge for this chassis.

Plan is to re-locate the 3 pedals. I had to do so because of the bell-housing is in the way from the driver's side. Also , the factory pedals were never centered to begin with. Never really liked that. So this should be a good fix.

I'm going to build a new tunnel cover and dynomat it for noise and heat.

The engine will be running on the GEN PCM. I plan on keeping it drive by cable.

This is how I located the engine in the bay

I considered engine service, engine heat radiation, noise, front accessories clearance, exhaust routing and axle clearance.

The axles are torn apart and getting rebuilt. I considered doing chromoly axles but I got stock replacments as spares. I'll throw them in the truck.

Rewiring the body with painless wiring.

Doing ZIP lockers in the 60 series axles.

255/85R16 Toyo MTs

No lift (I hope I don't have to)

And that's where it is right now.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Uuuhhh. First off that looks like an awesome first gen.

Second, I want burn out videos.

I have nothing constructive to add. I like the plastic engine.

 

[Lo2aY]

Lol yea that plastic engine makes life much easier when we do swaps.

One burn out coming up!

 

[Meatdawg]

Very cool. Thanks for the pictures, keep them coming!

 

[BlueCruiser84]

You have any pictures of the truck not in the shop? It looks friggin’ kewl.

 

[yotadude520]

WOWZA!

Nice build - can't wait to see those burnouts you promised us.

 

[joseywales]

Very cool! So is the M715 in the background! What’s the story on that?

 

[Lo2aY]

You have any pictures of the truck not in the shop? It looks friggin’ kewl.

I honestly don't. I drove it from the guys place straight into the shop. Manual steering was a lot of fun.

Very cool! So is the M715 in the background! What’s the story on that?

I boxed the frame on that. Bobbed the rear. ProRock 80 front and rear. 40" tires. Custom cage. Triple bypass 4 link suspension. Building it for a customer.

Not even close to complete. Waiting on a lot of custom parts for it.

 

[Lo2aY]

Found a picture of the Hilux Right before we pulled it in.

Here is an interior shot with the seat in place. Had a local upholstery shop repair the seats and make me a quick removable seat cover.
H151F and HF1A part-time case are huge inside the cab.

Here is the rear bumper in the making

 

[Lo2aY]

A better view of the rear bumper in the making. Notice that FF flange

Also removed the cross-member in the frame, that carries the spare tire. Made a new one in the end of the frame. I plan to use the space between the rear axle and rear bumper for fuel. The only real issue I see would be pluming for the fuel filler. It's somewhat high on the side of the truck. Will need to figure out how to route the hoses.

Did a rough calculation on the new space I have between the rear axle and rear bumper. Might be able to squeeze in an 80Liter fuel tank and 20L water tank, all without sacrificing the departure angle or having the tanks low. I plan to slope the tanks towards the rear axle.

Key functions of this bumper
Light weight
Corner and rear protection
Attachment point for hi-lift jack (integrated)
Pin through shackle attachment points
Improved departure angle over stock

 

[cruisermatt]

This thing is awesome.

 

[Vossie]

hmmmmm... FF rear axle. can fix that any where

 

[Lo2aY]

The rear bumper is done!

Just needs paint then weld it to the frame. It weighs 9kg/ 19lbs

Here is the new trans cover in progress. Very thin metal to match the floor. I plan to add sound and heat insulation when it's done.

Front bumper painted

Plan to start rebuilding the axles tomorrow and finish as much as I can of the trans cover.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

I like the minimalist bumpers. How did form the large holes with emboss in the rear bumper? Sitting in the cab that guy is never going to forget he's got a V8 on tap...

 

[yotadude520]

This thing is going to be a monster when it's all done! Nice work!

 

[boozewz]

Loving this build. Hope you leave the body as is, patina and all. Has loads of character. Great choice on the engine colour (I am biased).

You do good work sir.

Following along.

 

[Zorlac]

Thanks for sharing,
amazing build

 

[Mac33]

Awesome

 

[thatcabledude]

Yikes!