4Runner rear coils into hilux chassis

[Rota]

Hi guys i was wondering if anyone here has allready done this and if they have any advice or could give me an estimate of how long it took them.

I have an 85 extra cab hilux and i have a 93 model surf chassis sitting in the backyard. I wanted to put the coils from the surf/4runner into the hilux.
I think the easiest option is to chop both the chassis in half and weld mine back together (i have spoken to an engineer and he has told me how to do it so it can be passed if i want to).

I've seen someone has chopped out all the coil mounts and link assemblys and then welded that into the hilux but i think cutting the chassis would be the quicker option and less measurements to potentially screw up.

Or the other option i have considered is doing some sort of SAS on the surf chassis then trying to swap all my hilux motor,trans and body onto that chassis. But that seems like alot more work.

At the moment the hilux is my daily so if i start it i need to finish it as soon as possible.

[MogLux]

If you want something quick and easy and the engineer has said he will pass it i would be splicing the 2 chassis together it should take more than a weekend to have it back on the road.

[brad 93hilux]

yeh i have done it, do a search as i have put one of these in my lux... there is heaps of info

In a nut shell, from start to finish for me to remove the coil suspension and cross members, remove my leaf crap, fab and install it with the 4 runner handbrake, and install a prado rear tank under the tray. Took me 2 weeks all by myself which includes spending 2 days at the shop to get brake lines made.

Brad

[brad 93hilux]

Dont forget about if you a going to chop swap and weld....

1 brake lines still need to be made
2 hand brake setup is different, need to fab 4 runner stuff into it
3 fuel tank will not fit properly (rear tank mounts will change)
4 there is no tray mounts on a 4 runner... need to fab some/change over from lux chassy

It would be simpler to cut swap and weld but it will also create more work. You would want to ensure the chassy welds are perfect, be not real good to have it crack/ break while in the middle of nowhere...

The job is not that hard, just time consuming.

You could do the lot in 2-3 days with a mate helping.

Brad

[Rota]

Cheers Brad

Yeah i think i found those pics where you swapped over all the coil and link mounts. Looks like a big job, i was hoping to save a bit of time by splicing the chassis.
But still then theres the fuel tank mounts, handbrake setup and tray mounts that have to be done still.

I had a look at the brake lines on the surf chassis and they look pretty similar, i was hoping to take the lines off the surf and put them on the hilux. Did you allready try that before getting new lines?

Cheers for the help

[johnsy86]

why not just leave it leaf sprung? alot of people now adays think u need coils in the rear of a hilux to be "fully comp spec" ect.

[Rota]

Mainly for the comfort factor. I drive it everyday atm and i can notice every single bump in this thing.
I went in a mates 4runner and its allmost like being in a normal car.

Also i have a 4runner chassis with an 4 pinion LSD sitting in the backyard doing nothing.

Might chuck a trail gear 3 link in the front with coilovers at some stage too

Allthough i definetly have considered putting in some ifs leaves in the back for a quick job.
Does anyone know if it makes for a much more comfortable ride with the longer leafs?

[brad 93hilux]

Cheers Brad

Yeah i think i found those pics where you swapped over all the coil and link mounts. Looks like a big job, i was hoping to save a bit of time by splicing the chassis.
But still then theres the fuel tank mounts, handbrake setup and tray mounts that have to be done still.

I had a look at the brake lines on the surf chassis and they look pretty similar, i was hoping to take the lines off the surf and put them on the hilux. Did you allready try that before getting new lines?

Cheers for the help

Yeh i did think of it but it was quite hard to get them in/out in one piece.
Plus the surf i wrecked had done alot of beach work and the lines was not the best...

With the fuel tank, i had a constant problem of the front springs sagging on the RHS because of the driver and the tank being on he same side, thats why i did not try to put the factory tank back but got a bigger prado tank and tucked it up nice and high under the rear... so more sagging problems.

The ride is nice and soft now, but i do believe i should have put the sway bar back on to help with the extra body roll (with disconnects)... but i have since driven 100,000 kms with it like this since i first put it on...

Brad