Lux Extra Cab Questions!

[vanzbrown]

Hi all... Since being on this site, i have learnt sooo much about my 60series cruiser, but now its time to ask about somethign i dont know so much about. I have a bit of an idea about these later model luxs, IE, the model that come out late 80's, early 90's (gen 3?) from searches on this forum, but wanted to know more about them. Reason for this is now that i am looking for something to cart my dirt bike around in, but still be able to hit up all my favorite fishing hunting and camping spots, and not so much of the panel damaging 4x4 tracks anymore.


Did any of them (mostly IFS i know) come with manual locking hubs?
Easy enough to body lift to fit 33's/35's?
Any problems to look out for, or expect down the track...
Any models come out without the carpet and all the fancy extras.
Common mods?
Engine options? (wouldnt mind a v8 conversion)
Aftermarket parts widely available?

Umm, thats it for now, im sure ill have more queries the more i look into these beasts...

Cheers Guys!

[blackpak]

From what I remember, there all IFS with auto hubs.
body lift with 33's was easy
they all had carpet and cloth seats
all the mods that went on the single/dual cabs fit

Thats call I can remember, there are a coupile of guys on here with them that will be more help.

[ausyota]

All of them are IFS.
Some have manual hubs and gear drive transfer (my old one did) some have auto hub and chain drive.
All have carpet and cloth.
2" body lift wil fit 33s easy enough.
I had 35s on mine with only a 40mm body lift and no suspension lift, I did do a little cutting and welding of the guards and firewall though.
Engine choices. People commonly fit Commodore V6s, Lexus V8s and Holden V8s.
The 2.8 diesel can be a great motor with a turbo fitted though. It wont be a sports car but works well off road.

Problems.
One of the bigest problems with the Hilux IFS is the front diff likes to eat crownwheels. The problem is the diff carrier isnt chunky enough and it allows the crownwheel to flex. The problem can be reduced by fitting an airlocker to the front as they are a heavier duty design.

The steering is also a bit carp when you fit bigger boots. The idler arm tends to chew out bushes or bend. This can be fixed with a heavy duty replacement but the steering is pretty weak allround.

They are known to chew CV joints too but I never had one go on mine even with the 35s and locker.

Parts availability.
Heaps!!!
Just look in the for sale section on here. There is Lux stuff put on there every day.

[lukes4x4]

Also they have a longer wheel base so the rear tailshaft is different. i think about 100mm longer.

[V6XtraHilux]

the 98 to 03 xtra cabs all ahve IFS and manual hubs.

2in body lift and 2 inch sus lift will clear 33s in most situations
Chassis at the rear is slightly different (according to kaymar) to single and dual cabs, and so wont fit Kaymar rear bars. I have never actually tried myslef.
ARB rear bars have same model number as single cabs, but different to Dual cabs, something about extra tub overhang from chassis.

Front diff crown wheels as has already been said.
Some earlier models suffered from bending chassis just forward of the gearbox cross member.
All dual and extra cabs suffered from too much longitudinal chassis flex, jamming the tub into the back of the cabs, with some very bad body damage, to only slight damage, usually cause by towbar dragging or sudden stops (not accidents)

Hope that helps

[Dents LN65]

IFS
good solid truck (cheap to run SLOW Diesel) or (Petrol can be heavy on fuel) many aftermarket parts and accessories available
AVM free wheeling hubs available for this model or can use IFS 4runner ones.