10K project???

[.MYTLUX.]

currently i have a hilux worth around $10,000, over the last few weeks i have been toying with the idea of selling the hilux and buying a zook to mod.

my aims for the car would be to use it as a capable weekender and lite comp work (eg. navrun or pajero challenge), yet still be able to use it to commute to and from uni next year.

my budget would be around 10K to start with, i would LIKE to end up with:

-88+ 1.3 SWB (this is when widetrack came in rite??) $3000-$4000
-my 33" tyres (either my current BFG's or 2nd hand swampers) -
-welded rear -
-SPOA with flatish springs and prob rancho shocks: $2000apx???
-rockhopper gearset (i would need one with 33" tyres wouldnt i??) -$1500fitted??
-i would like to have a front locker, but as mentioned in other posts, this may result in too many breakages. what mods can be done to strengthen zook axles/cv's etc??? $1000 for lockrite fitted?? + extra other mods.

that comes to around $8500 only leaving $1500 for misc.

am i dreaming or could this be done for 10K??? keeping in mind i would need to pay to have lockers/gearset fitted but suspension work would be done with help of freind who has done spoa before.

if i am being too ambitious, what would be an acheivable plan??

i hope all you zook nuts can be of assistance thanks

[stu]

rockhopper's good for the 33's providing you get the series 3 RH (6.1:1)
if you get the series 1 (4.1:1) you'd also need a bigger motor!!! the 6.1:1 will most likely cost $1500 for the gears alone - not fitted.

i'd stick different axels under the thing. Hilux or bundera, get away from the 5 stud rim patten.

[grimbo]

Mytlux

read my post in Ruffs what would you do for my answer.

Also a series 3 is $995 from big Ball, well mine was anyway

[1MadEngineer]

you should have bought mine, it had all that + more and was only $7k.
I could prob build one again for about 8k...

[.MYTLUX.]

i did thinkl about it 1mad remeber, but it was a spur of the moment thing and i couldnt decide if it was the rite way to go at the time.

[.MYTLUX.]

stu sticking hilux diffs under it may b beyond my limited building capabilities and to pay to have this done would blow the budget big time.

maybe i will have to just go with 31's untill i can afford stronger diffs.

[grimbo]

i woudn't bother with Hilux axles for Victorian conditions the Zuk with 33s will hold up fine

[.MYTLUX.]

even with a front locker?

where is the post you told me to look at grimbo?

[N*A*M]

you'd just stick hilux axles in while doing your SOA
and you'd probably be able to offload your old w/t diffs
i don't think it'd be that expensive

alternatively, use a vitara rear end and a beefed up w/t front end but hilux diffs would still be cheaper and you could run much bigger than 33s once you get some longs

but anyway, i think you should keep your lux and build it up.

[grimbo]

her's what I was talking about


LWB Zuk (You can get a rough one in the Weekly Times for around $500)
2.0l V6 with auto and case $3000
rockhopper $1000
wide track front $300
Vitara rear $300
weld rear $0
lock rite front $500
37 MTRs $1600
self tap screws to do a drag racing "beadlock" $20
30m of DOM tube to cage and clip it $600
a decent seat $350

total just over $8000



Yeah even with a front locker we have a guy in the club Greg (here's on here too) who has a front arb and is also running the 34 Swampers and no breakage.

the hilux axles are finr but you lose the ground clearance so would have to go to about 36-37" to get the same clearance as a 33-34 on a Zuk plus you would have to get them narrowed to be somewhat legal then you'd have to get longfields to run the 36-37" tyre
Stick with the Zuks

[.MYTLUX.]

yeh but i want a capable rig, and it will be a long time before i can afford to mod my hilux to a similar extent.

ive got a while to think about it anyway

[Wendle]

The hilux is as good a base as anything else, and you already have one.
Put some lockers & ratio's in it, body lift for 35's and wheel the p1ss out of it. You'll give those zuki boys a hiding! (flame away, boys) ;

[N*A*M]

there are many good things about the hilux:
- good equipment available (longs marlin xover steer more)
- soa solid axles
- wheelbase
- compact ute body
- reliable diesel

and probably more too. keep it and build it up slowly man.

[.MYTLUX.]

i know wendle, but it will be ages before i can afford locker/4.88's and 35"s.

grimbo thats good to hear.

[.MYTLUX.]

nam you seem to give me very sensible advice, which is ironic coming from someone who's first project is a portal axled V8 zook with a crawl ratio of 250:1 and at least 35" tyres :wink:

[N*A*M]

dude you've picked up a gem of a base vehicle - it's reliable and runs well and it's yours already. you don't need anything else, just take your time and build it up slowly. let your sister get a zook but i quite dig the MYTLUX. 8)

[grimbo]

i would be sticking with the hilux if you alradey have one. Get rid of the bed and build a flat tray. Cut he front gurads or get the high clearance fibreglass ones. Front locker welded rear. 37" tyres. Longfields and you're done and you'll save money too

[greg]

Hey Blair,

My advice would be to have a think about what you want to do with it before you buy it... i'm now at a point where i wish i had've bought something a little different as my requirements from the car have changed.

eg.
I bought a nice condition hard top wide track and have done it up nicely and it works perfectly for everything that i want to do, except that now i wish i had bought a soft top in much rougher condition because i would've saved some cash along the way and now i would have a car with one heck of a roll bar that i wouldn't mind putting on its side or roof every once in a while.

Plus there's the hill climbing car that needs the longer wheel base etc but lets not get started on that debate.

Just a note regarding the front locker:
I have an arb front but i do try to drive it fairly sensibly because of what i do hear about the front birfields breaking. However, i have checked this out with the wreckers and can tell you that a new front axel (either side) is 110 bucks with a birfield attached.
And Joey in the club has broken a front birfield running 30" tires and a welded front diff - note: he was also running a 2L motor in it at the time.

hope that wasn't too confusing.

cheers,
Greg

[.MYTLUX.]

thanks for all the input guys. you are probably rite but i just want a capable 4b now, perhaps ill just have to be patient.

i should weld the rear diff of the hilux and see how content i am then.