86 Lux recreational comp rig

[sierrajim]

Ok, so i was planning on building a Lux based buggy as some of you have read.

Step 1. buy a donor car

Step 2. Take to it with the grinder, cut it up and keep the good bits

Step 3. Build a buggy out of the good bits.

Problem, somewhere between step 1 and 2, logic struck me smack bang in the face. Why not build a winch challenge/simex persuit, Navrun etc car out of this one and finish off the Zook and use that for Werock?

I've bought an 86 Extended cab fitted with 22R, 5 speed manual, 4.88 ratios and has front panel damage that will obviously be repaired.

The plan is to run the 36" Simex ET2's that are currently on my zook, cut the back overhang off the chassis, dual transfer setup (already have), High steer, strengthened CV's, ARB's front and rear, tray back, Himount winch etc etc.

The first question is how far up will the car need to go to clear the 36" tyres? I've trimmed enough off the zook to clear them with only extended shackles and a 2" body lift but i want to have this car more presentable hence less trimming but want to keep the weight as low as i can.

Secondly why the F did toyota put the transfer case cross member so close to the ground? So i'll add that to the list too.

Any further ideas you could provide will be appreiated and taken on board by me "the Hilux NOOB"

Thanks

James

[ausyota]

If you use rear SA springs in the front you will get the diff 2-3 inches foward of stock position. That will let you fit 36" without huge lift or heaps of cutting.
As for the transfercase crossmember there are a few options for that.
Bubs makes a nice one. Or snake racing has a couple of styles.
For even more clearance under there you can do a drivetrain lift (need a body lift first or LOTS of cuttting and fabbing).
If you want to get real fancy Marlin is now doing a dual transfer adaptor that is "clocked" which gets the lowest part of the transfer up a bit.
Paul.

[sierrajim]

after doing lots of research last night i actually looked at the drivetrain lift.

At the moment i'm leaning towards 40mm drivetrain lift, 50mm body lift, RUF and custom packs in the rear with buggy leaf (if the engineer will pass it on a LUX, has been done before)

Does anyone have any info on the cross member that bubs does?

Re the steering what have people done there? Have looked at many alternatives but there is not a lot of feed back as to what works well and what does not. Most sites just say i've done xx and not why they went that way.

Is the factory power steering that bad?

[ausyota]

Is the factory power steering that bad?

Yep.
It works fine for a standard vehicle.
But will limit flex and break if used with decent suspension.

[sierrajim]

Due to budgetry constraints and having to buy two ARB lockers, highmount etc etc. true cross over won't go down too well with the other half.

However i have seen the ORI cast High steer arm think it was $390. I figure that i can install this for the time being and change over to true high steer later.

Are these things any good?

[Webbie]

Cheezy does these and says if your happy having the drag link in front of the diff still like GU's and GQ"s as aposed to having it above the springs they are more than adequate. BTW thats how i'm going as well.

[redzook]

Due to budgetry constraints and having to buy two ARB lockers, highmount etc etc. true cross over won't go down too well with the other half.

However i have seen the ORI cast High steer arm think it was $390. I figure that i can install this for the time being and change over to true high steer later.

Are these things any good?

i just run a double arm
but its not the cast one

its just another arm flipped upside down and welded to the top

ive ran this for ages with no troubles

and just run a heeps beef tierod

[sierrajim]

Well that looks like the way to go and later if i don't like i can always change it over.

Have also purchased the front left inner and outer guard so that i can do the necessary body repairs. Got to go and pick up my steering box on saturday too

Just need to get onto my engineer.

[DeWsE]

And post some pictures for everyone to see the before and afters

[savage]

pictures would be sweet... did u get my PM sierrajim?

[sierrajim]

I did thanks mate, will let you know in advance when i'll be out that side of town.

I'll also take some pics as i go along much the same as what i did with the sierra.

James

[sierrajim]

OK it's started.

I've wheeled it into my body shop and have made a basic start on getting the body straight.

Have taken a couple of pics which i'll load up when my work PC has internet access after its hissy fit today.

There's only the damage on the front left (have replacement panels and a dent on the back right corner of the cab so it shouldn't take too long.

The tub will be off on Saturday afternoon and hopefully paint the weekend after.

I'll have my parts prices tomorrow morning and hopefully receipt of them in the next week, so it's all go. The plan is to get it done within 2 1/2 months.

Lots of work ahead of me. Will post up photos as i go along so if you have any ideas of feedback it would be appreciated. I will also add in any comments the engineer may have along the line which may help out a few others in the long run.

James