Questions about '98 XCab Hilux (1 Viewer)

[Heretic]

I am looking online at a for sale ad for a '98 (6th gen?) 4x4 Hilux XCab with IFS, RHD, manual transmission & diesel. I think it may be a LN167 with a 5L engine?

I have wanted a LandCruiser HJ47, but here in the USA those are rare and expensive in decent shape. So the Hilux checks the boxed for me.

I am not sure which model the Hilux is, or which engine (3L or 5L) it has (no photos of the engine bay). I want to know whether the engine is the 5L or the 5L-E as I do not want any critical electronic components on the engine.

I also can't tell from the photos whether the front hubs are manual or auto (I suspect the latter) and I would like feedback/opinions on whether auto hubs on a '98 Hilux could be swapped out for manual hubs. Related to that, I would also like to add free floating hubs to the rear axle as I want to flat tow the pickup behind my truck (one ton 4WD flatbed I am converting to an RV).

TIA for any feedback

 

[Heretic]

kf-ln172-h-crmqs
5L engine
AFAIK, the auto hubs can & will be replaced with manual hubs.

No info yet on rear free floating rear axle with lockout hubs - may not need them (manual trans and xfer case), but I would like them nonetheless

Would like info on a front tow bar

Also, would like info on the strange JDM tow hitch receiver which is a round hole, not square

I fly out next week to pick it up and drive it home.

 

[Heretic]

So here it is:

The blue '98 LN172H with a super high rise canopy, next to my red US Xcab pickup (which I plan to sell. Got it home yesterday after driving 500+ miles from Missoula, get a little lost in the Palouse - thanks for that Google Maps

If I am going to keep that canopy, I am going to need to get some kind of fairing to put on the roof of the cab. The wind resistance really slows the rig down.

RHD took some getting used to - and garnered some strange looks from people.

 

[Heretic]

Ok, lot's of views of the thread, but no answers?

Several things I really want to have done that will require a good local (PNW, preferably Oregon) mech/tech shop to do:

1) The front suspension is harsh - almost like the shocks are totally worn out. I know Hiluxs are considered to have harsh suspensions, but this is ridiculous. So I am thinking of getting a Terrain Tamer suspension and have that installed.

2) A turbo kit and someone who has experience installing & tuning it on this engine. I knew the 5L would be weak, but I would of course like more power, especially at highway speeds.

3) Diff locks.

I am mech inclined and experienced (used to be a trained/experienced diesel mech in the USCG, and back in the late 70s I converted a Datsun 620 to 4WD using modified Dana 44s and a Dana 20 XFercase). But that was 40+ years ago, and now with my bad back and weak heart, I do not have the stamina or strength to take on non-trival mechanical work - so I would prefer to just pay a good mech/tech to do the work for me.

Any feedback on skilled Hilux mechs would be great. I asked Northwest Toys, but they said they no longer do work, they just sell parts.