Hilux Max build thread

[scottsr20]

R u going 4.5s same as Mick ?
Have you considered taking the 4.7s out of the crawl box and runing std ratio instead ? Would still give you heaps of choices of gears without being stupidly low.

[Hilux Max]

yeah I got the 4.5's same as Mick.

the 4.7's are staying in the box.....longer term it will be worth it....especially when I go bigger rubber and the lux isnt a daily driver anymore...whenever that will be.

either way, she's here for the long haul.

[Hilux Max]

Longer Top Leaves

Just a note for those that may have seen me mention it in the past.

Unfortunately they have been held up for several different reasons but Longer Top Leafs to suit the factory leaf pack (or other) will be available soon through my neighbour Rob at The Suspension Centre.

These new longer top leafs will be available in 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5" longer rear halfs, depending on what your application and need is.

They can be fitted to any leaf pack, even if you have a 2" or 3" lifted rear pack, they can be used with a standard length shackle to get some shackle angle back if needed.

These new top leafs also will be made from the highest grade steel available which is 1mm thicker than the factory leafs.

A definite ETA will be known this coming Monday, and pricing will follow not long after.

Obviously my Hilux will have the first set fitted.

Am planning currently on removing the add-a-leaf that is currently fitted to the leaf pack, remove one load leaf (you need to keep one in there) and matched with a 70mm longer Extended Buddy shackle this babys rear end should flex better than Beyonce!

Yes, before you mention it, longer shocks are on the Cards too.

Am hoping for a solid 3 to 4" more downtravel. Which will work awesomely Crawling offroad matched to the Rekon front. (There are longer Rekon rear shocks on the way).

So for those that are interested could you please cut and paste your name and add it to the list below along with your location and your preffered length leaf if you know so we have an idea how much interest there will be with the first batch :

1. Max - Melbourne [Vic] - 4.5" leaf
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[Monaz]

Longer Top Leaves

Just a note for those that may have seen me mention it in the past.

Unfortunately they have been held up for several different reasons but Longer Top Leafs to suit the factory leaf pack (or other) will be available soon through my neighbour Rob at The Suspension Centre.

These new longer top leafs will be available in 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5" longer rear halfs, depending on what your application and need is.

They can be fitted to any leaf pack, even if you have a 2" or 3" lifted rear pack, they can be used with a standard length shackle to get some shackle angle back if needed.

These new top leafs also will be made from the highest grade steel available which is 1mm thicker than the factory leafs.

A definite ETA will be known this coming Monday, and pricing will follow not long after.

Obviously my Hilux will have the first set fitted.

Am planning currently on removing the add-a-leaf that is currently fitted to the leaf pack, remove one load leaf (you need to keep one in there) and matched with a 70mm longer Extended Buddy shackle this babys rear end should flex better than Beyonce!

Yes, before you mention it, longer shocks are on the Cards too.

Am hoping for a solid 3 to 4" more downtravel. Which will work awesomely Crawling offroad matched to the Rekon front. (There are longer Rekon rear shocks on the way).

So for those that are interested could you please cut and paste your name and add it to the list below along with your location and your preffered length leaf if you know so we have an idea how much interest there will be with the first batch :

1. Max - Melbourne [Vic] - 4.5" leaf
2. Monaz - Sydney - 4.5' aswel...I'm definitely keen to see the difference. Oh and the price Max.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[Hilux Max]

Dont quote the whole thing guys, just the bit below....

1. Max - Melbourne [Vic] - 4.5" leaf
2. Monaz - Sydney - 4.5' aswel...I'm definitely keen to see the difference. Oh and the price Max.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[Monaz]

My bad....

[4wd26]

Longer Top Leaves


They can be fitted to any leaf pack, even if you have a 2" or 3" lifted rear pack, they can be used with a standard length shackle to get some shackle angle back if needed.

These new top leafs also will be made from the highest grade steel available which is 1mm thicker than the factory leafs.

need to know what lengths we are talking about Please.

I have been thinking about doing similar to my triton- need to know if the front and rear springs distances are similar.

need to know width as well at the shackles.

cheers

[Hilux Max]

Current Hilux factory rear leaves are 610mm front half and 690mm rear half.

Total = 1300mm.

Unsure of width.....unless someone posts it up I'll measure it to night.

[4wd26]

Triton- 520/690
Thanks Maxx- dosn't look like it will work.

oh well back to getting it done myself

good luck with it- very keen to see the results.

would it be worth while to replace the rear shocks with coilovers and remove additional leaves?
coil takes inital movement (subtle ride and flex) and the leaves are acting as locating and coming into play at higher loads- additional dampening can be controlled in strut- your thoughts

[Hilux Max]

Something similar to that is the long term plan.

[MrLuxx]

Sorry if this is a stupid question max do these add any lift to the rear? Depending on price I may be interested in some to put on when I can afford the Rekon kit

Pat

[Hilux Max]

No question is ever stupid. 1st rule!

It would depend on the curvature of the actual spring. Personally I dont think they would add any extra height, this is more about shackle angle.

EG. If you have a 2" EFS or similar rear leaf pack or reset factory leaves on the rear your shackle angle might be a little too vertical. By running a 2.5" longer top leaf it would push the standard length greaeable shackle back to the 45 degree angle it should be at, which equates to a better ride on your hilux (as the more vertical a shackle is the more shock gets transmitted through to the chassis) and you will benefit from increase down travel.

The longer lengths are for use with extended shackles for maximum droop and perfect shackle angle.

Hope that helps. Will clarify when they get fitted.

On another note......35's are on their way

I scored a bargain on a set of 4 2nd hand 315/75x16's ($80). They are worn to about 3 or 4 mm in the center but the outer edges are still fine.

These will be slapped onto some rims at some stage in the future and I will use them as a template to mod what is needed and required to make them fit on my hilux so when I get round to regearing and getting new tyres it'll all be sweet.

2 x Claws and 2 x Bighorns


Got some tricks up my sleeve along the way that Im sure other will be interested in.

[white_hilux]

how exciting it will be great to see some 35's on an IFS hilux

[Hilux Max]

Small Update: Ive sourced a set of 4 Runner/FJ Cruiser brake calipers 2nd hand from the USA pretty cheaply. This will be my second attempt at a brake upgrade after both mine and Jacks attempts at Prado 120 calipers failed. Im pretty certain these would work. FJ Calipers being 18mm smaller in diameter than the Prado120 ones making all the difference on a 16" rim. Couple with some good pads and slotted rotors, the upgrade should suffice.

[Hilux Max]

Just to add for reference:

Standard SR front rotors are 295 x 25

FJ/4 Runner front rotors are 319 x 28

Thats a 24mm difference, 12mm per side.

So they "should" fit a 16" rim. They fit 16" alloys on the first FJ's, but steelies are questionable depending on wheel design. Dynamic wheels like mine have an inner rib, wheels like the 80 series GXL wheels (which Im getting for the 35's) are smooth internally.

[MarkYounger]

On these longer leaves, if standard is 610/690, where would the extra length be added, only to the rear or evenly on both sides?

[Hilux Max]

The extra length is addedd to the rear half only.

IF it was both you'd need to cut the front mount off, and reweld it further forward on the chassis rails. Which even thou is the ideal method is more work than most people are prepared to undertake.

By the way, the "extra" long travel rear shocks have arrived and are sitting on the bench waiting for these.

On a side note, I have a set of used 80 series gxl steelies that ill pickup in a fortnight to fit the 2nd hand 35's too. Then the fun can begin with them.

Once fitment of 3ks is done, I want to get them sandblasted and then beadlocked and powdercoated/painted all black including the bolts.

Anyone have advice on sandblastic paint of wheels or should I just use paint stripper?

[Blackie2008]

Paint stripper should be fine but as food for thought, I know that with stripping the powder coat off my motorcycle wheels, blasting had to be done with walnut shells. They don't damage the parent material (alloy) but having steel wheels I doubt you'll have to go to that extent.

[Hilux Max]

Thanks mate....the wheels im gettin have been rattle canned.....cheers.

[CJY91LUXXY]

The powdercoater should be able to sandblast them for you. I know all the powdercoaters ive used have as it guarantees adheshion of the coating there applying.