Hilux KUN26L build in USA

[AmeriKUN26]

Hello! I wanted to start a thread to document my build and maybe get to know some of you as I go. I purchased my 2008 KUN26L in Minnesota about 6 months ago, I have no idea how it got into the States but it's been registered in 3 now and no problems so far. I bought it sight unseen and it has been full of poorly maintained surprises. I'm going to do a bit of catching up with the few things that have been done so far.

[hiluxxury]

Excellent! Looking forward to this.

[AmeriKUN26]

All that's really been done so far is to rip out some really poorly done wiring and try to get caught up on some maintenance tasks before I really get into it. It's been a real challenge sourcing parts and getting them shipped here for a reasonable price. The first thing I noticed under the hood was the poor wiring, eventually I'll have the front end off and redo everything electrical, in the meantime I have to prioritize due to financial and time constraints.






Broken ABS wire:

[AmeriKUN26]

Also, noticed something may have nicked the fan

[AmeriKUN26]

Excellent! Looking forward to this.

Thanks!

[AmeriKUN26]

Fabbed up some swaybar relocators:

[AmeriKUN26]

Did a bit of metal beating:

[AmeriKUN26]

Then I got to reading on this wonderful forum about the copper injector seal failures and resultant pickup screen clogs. I figured that would be my luck so I drained the oil and the screen was indeed clogged up. I cleaned it the best I could and after a bit of a parts search I tore into it.



Two failed copper washers and one injector that had been replaced but not coded to the ECU. The other 3 injectors appear to be original at 272k kilometers...

[AmeriKUN26]

I sourced injectors and a seal kit from Australia and all the injector piping and bits from UAE. So here we are this afternoon, waiting on the piping which should arrive tomorrow.



While awaiting parts I decided to change the timing belt, pulley, tensioner and give the intake manifold and EGR a good cleaning. No sense in half assing fuel delivery at this point.

[AmeriKUN26]

Also fitted it with an EGR plate with 7mm hole and got some new rotors from Australia. Luckily I had some new pads laying around from an old 4runner that fit.

[AmeriKUN26]

So that brings us up to current. I have a lot of plans for this truck after I get it to a good starting point. Hopefully this will make for a good read someday! Cheers!

[HK1837]

I’ll freight you over a spare parts Hilux to you if you freight me that GTO in background in the pictures!

[AmeriKUN26]

I’ll freight you over a spare parts Hilux to you if you freight me that GTO in background in the pictures!

PM sent...

Just kidding, that's probably the only thing I've restored that cost more to get parts for!

[AmeriKUN26]

Everything is reassembled and truck is running quite well, pics and info to follow!

[AmeriKUN26]

Everything went back together smoothly. Surprisingly the driveability hasn't changed much but no more smoke on startup and should be good for a lot of miles. I have future plans for a full length roof rack and OME suspension, for now I'm broke haha. I'll keep updating the build thread if there's interest.

[AmeriKUN26]

Today I found about 5lbs of mud stuck in the left and right fenders in the lower aft corners, visible from the driver and passenger doors. Took 30 Minutes per side to clear the debris... Is this a normal occurrence? Cleaned and treated for corrosion.

[davo94]

I vote you keep it updated. Build threads are always good. Im sure most of us aussies will help where we can of you get stuck for parts

[DeadlyBeast]

Also, noticed something may have nicked the fan

Hahaha just nicked it
Hows the engine side of the radiator looking?
Keep it coming Minnesota

[AmeriKUN26]

I vote you keep it updated. Build threads are always good. Im sure most of us aussies will help where we can of you get stuck for parts

Sounds good, and will do! It'll get more interesting after I get the mechanical side up to par

[AmeriKUN26]

Also, noticed something may have nicked the fan

Hahaha just nicked it
Hows the engine side of the radiator looking?
Keep it coming Minnesota

Amazingly the radiator was untouched, I found a big chunk of plastic from something (edit: it was the lower bracket that screws on to the headlight...) down in the ARB bumper, I think it fell in there and played some hell. Would've been a good excuse for aluminum radiator too...