Outer Limits 4x4 Board

This is an interesting and informative post Zookstock, but I'm struggling to see the point. Whilst I'm sure the G or W series gearbox may well be stronger than a vitara gearbox, and there's no doubt a Hilux transfer is stronger than a vitara transfer, your setup doesn't address road gearing. My understand is that the shortest readily available hilux diff ratio is 5.29, which close enough to make road driving a pain with anything over a 32" tyre.

I guess if it is a comp car only then it might not be a big deal, so long as high speeds aren't required.

I'd also add that's a lot of driveline to turn with a 1.6 - again, I'm sure it will be fine when in compound low, but depending on the balance of driving you are doing it might be a bit underpowered. - for instance if you have to hit long climbs with momentum.

Just my thoughts.

Steve.

seems like alot of work to still have a manual gearbox too.

WOW that is a lot of work... Why not just get a Hilux and transplant the Vitara cab over????? it would be less work. Just a nother thing to think about with that much reduction going into hilux diffs you will be snaping CVs and axils left and right.

I have always been a big fan of manuel 4x4s till I drove a well geared auto. Listen to the guys above. This will turn into a money pit... If your going to do it do it right use a toyota engine with the box.

Add this into you thoughts..... You can sell your 1.6 efi to some one wanting it for a sierra and use that to get a good hilux motor and gearbox and have money left over.... Don't get me wrong the 1.6 vitara engine is good but is it really worth the hassle? Either way it sounds like you are getting int o a big build SASing the front for a solid diff and all the other bits. Have you thought about what i was saying about putting the vitara body onto a Hilux chassis? I have a mate putting a LWB sierra onto a Bundy chassis as we speak.
The advantages are bigger then you think. You will have a stronger chassis that will withstand the power/torque you are thinking about putting through it. Lett work needed for the Diff work. The engine and trans mounts are already in place. It is easier to make new body mounts then it is to make new diff mount/engine mounts/trans mounts...........

Looking back on my build that is still going I wish I did this. You can pick up a rusted out single cab 4x4 hilux for next to nothing and think about it you will already have a wheel base around 100" to start from.

It's relatively easy to build a SAS vitara low enough to be functional Dave, putting a vitara body on a hilux chassis will end up sky high.

I'd be surprised if a Hilux chassis is terribly much stronger than a vitara chassis - they're pretty flexy.

Wheelbase is 110" or so for a hilux. 4Runner is 100" but the contours of the chassis are very different so the body will have to sit up high on the chassis or the body would have to be channeled over the chassis - a huge job.

I generally agree though that I wouldn't use the vitara motor unless you were going to use an AW-4 auto with a kicker. I'd be looking at a 3RZ +auto from a 2WD hilux ,a divorce converted LT230 and 60 series diffs for a trail toy if it was me.

IMHO it would spank a G16/manual/hilux car.

Just my 2C.

Steve.

Gwagensteve wrote: I'd be looking at a 3RZ +auto from a 2WD hilux ,a divorce converted LT230 and 60 series diffs for a trail toy if it was me.

IMHO it would spank a G16/manual/hilux car.

Just my 2C.

Steve.

I didnt think about that.... It would be short enough too very nice. You can't go wrong with the 60 series diffs. very very strong and heavy helps with COG just huge diffs though. On my rig I have 35s and on diff clearance i only have 1" more clearance then I did on my zook diffs on 31s