Improving my dad's Hilux project.

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Gdday mates,
Victor here from Malaysia. Today I was pretty itchy and grabbed the keys of my dad's Hilux and tried ramping the car on the same mole hill as i did with my Daihatsu Rocky like in this pics.

I expected much better results due to the longer wheel base but what came next really surprised me. It didnt really flex and the rear inside wheels lifted before reaching the top of the mole hill. Very dissapointing compared to my "no big deal" Rocky which reached the top and all the wheels still in contact with the ground.

The Hilux specs are: 3rdgen single cab with solid axles, 2.8 diesel with a turbo kit and GT-Four chargecooler, ARB Bull Bar with M8000 winch, Piaa 80 series lamps, rollcage with 4 point harness, rear custom tray, front lsd and rear lockrite.
The mods were done back in 1994 and my dad never had the chance to test it out offroad. So i guess back then to mod a Hilux to that level must be something. Well since will be getting a commercial/ truck license soon to drive that car might as well take this off roading.

So my question is how can i improve the suspension travel on my dad's Hilux?
Currently it's just running on Ultimate Suspension springs front and rear and DeCarbon shocks. Any areas where i can improve on?
Was it because the truck wasn't laden with weight at the rear made the rear inside wheel lift so easily?
Also i noticed in the forum many people seem to mention about this Superior Engineering drop shackle? Would this really benefit the rig or there is more to it to take advantage of this mod? Or just a simple shackle lift is what is required?
Also i noticed that many people change the mounting position for the rear? How do u benefit by doing so like this "/ \" mount? Is this basically done to accomodate longer shocks or is there more to it? What is this "laddar bar" I see on Oz Hilux at the rear?
Btw do u think my shocks that doesn't allow the truck to articulate? I'm abit surprised as the shocks seems much much longer than my Gabriel Ryders on my Rocky.
Anyway thanks in advance and looking forward for your advise and opinions.
Best Regards
Victor

[ausyota]

First thing to do is take off all the shocks and ramp it and measure between the mounting points and compare to shock length to see if shocks are the limiting factor.
It may also be that your springs are too stiff. You can remove leaves from them but you will lose a bit of load carrying ability and lose some lift probably.

/ \ shocks are done for a couple of reasons but mainly just so you can fit longer shocks. You also get less binding on the shock bushes because they are pointing front-back instead of sideways when it flexs the bush can turn on the mount pin. But remember the more the shock is angled the less efective its dampening abilities.

Some people like drop shackles most dont.

A ladder bar is needed with soft springs to stop axle wrap. Axle wrap is when the diff tries to bend the springs into an S shape. Under power the diff tries to go foward before the rest of the vehicle and if you have soft springs they twist up and the pinion heads towards the ground (or is it up? I dunno Im no expert ). It can lead to buggered springs and snapped pinions or broken unis etc.
Paul.

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Thanks for the replies.
Anyway what are the pros and cons for having those drop/ extended shackles?
Anyway by fitting them would that help me to gain more suspension travel?
Also u reckon that i should remove a leaf would help?
Also are the standard shock mounts/ heights reasonable out of the box? Coz i noticed many ppl modify to fit shock hoops. Cant u just fit aftermarket shocks to the standard mounts?

Anothing thing is i noticed ppl dont recommend the Lock Rite and go for a Detroit Locker? Why so? Dont both of them work the same way or is the Lock Rite inferior in quality and strength? It seems much quiter and doesn't have the excessive backlash like my Detroit Locker Rocky? I cant comment how it works off road as i have never used the Hilux in the jungle.
Dont shoot me due to my ignorance of tech stuff.
Cheers.

[ausyota]

Anothing thing is i noticed ppl dont recommend the Lock Rite and go for a Detroit Locker? Why so? Dont both of them work the same way or is the Lock Rite inferior in quality and strength? It seems much quiter and doesn't have the excessive backlash like my Detroit Locker Rocky? I cant comment how it works off road as i have never used the Hilux in the jungle.
Dont shoot me due to my ignorance of tech stuff.
Cheers.

A lockright uses your original center and a detroit (or ARB)replaces the whole thing other than your crownwheel and is built stonger.
I reckon ARB air lockers are the go simply for the reason you get perfect on road manners and total control off road. But some people swear by detroits. Its a personal thing.
Paul.

[gavinc]

victor i had this problem with my hilux i had 2inch lifted ironman suspension it had big loader plates under my spring pack which was the lift so i took out the plates and cut then and put then back in which made the springs flex alot more i dont no wheather this is what is happening to you just something to look at and if you are whanting to no about drop shackels check this site out if you havn't already www.superiorengineering.com.au this gye no what he is talk about
i hope i have been some help
cheers gavin

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

To all the 2.8 litre diesel Hilux owners.
Just wonder those who have spotties and a Warn winch do u guys upgrade your alternators or are they adequate? What is the standard size alternators?
If u guys do change it normally to what amp? Also is there any bigger Toyota diesel powered 4wds/ truck alternators than can be easily adapted on to my Hilux?
In oz is this a common upgrade and what do u guys use?

[gavinc]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... lux#329357
check this out you might get some info hear cheers gavin

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Currently running twin battery setups but somehow i still feel it is inadequate.
Currently running a NZ80 and a NZ100. Basically a slightly bigger 4x4 battery and a big big big truck, lorry battery.

I asked the alternator shop they said it's not as easy like a petrol alternator as they said a diesel has a pump. Hmm or is the alternator shop just plain lazy to do the job?

But how do u run twin alternators? Isnt it a bit packed under the hilux?