Page 5 of 12

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Mon, 14 Sep 2020 11:00 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Went ahead and worked on the bedside damage a bit while waiting on parts. Also installed new LH taillight. Headlight hit the states from Poland after 60 days!

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Almost passable from a distance, it'll do until I get around to a repaint.

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Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Tue, 15 Sep 2020 6:26 +0000
by hiluxxury
Nicely done - can you come across and do mine? :lol:

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Tue, 15 Sep 2020 8:21 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
hiluxxury wrote:Nicely done - can you come across and do mine? :lol:


Sure, as long as you send me home with some spare parts! :lol:

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Wed, 30 Sep 2020 1:35 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Headlight arrived from Poland after 70 days... Depo unit, looks pretty good.

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Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Fri, 06 Nov 2020 9:38 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Nothing terribly exciting but one of my biggest gripes with the Hilux was not having a place to put my phone, especially if using navigation. So I decided on a phone mount after a few failed product attempts.

I made a mount out of 2.5" aluminum angle.

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Painted and baked, 3M trim tape and the option for two screws if needed.

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The ashtray still opens and the mount is incredibly solid.

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I used RAM Mount 1" ball components for easy removal and future changes.

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Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Thu, 12 Nov 2020 10:36 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Got out for some riding this weekend

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And put the winch to use

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Also, full Dobinson's kit came in. I'll be doing the rear this weekend, front is waiting on CV parts and strut caps.

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Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Fri, 13 Nov 2020 8:03 +0000
by hiluxxury
Are those parabolics I see?

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Sat, 14 Nov 2020 6:55 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Indeed! Front leaf bolt kicked my ass! Rear is installed and rides great, I'll do the front this week. Pics to come!

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Sat, 14 Nov 2020 6:02 +0000
by hiluxxury
Its been on my list to try the parabolics if I ever bothered to change out the stock springs. Glad you are happy with them.

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Sun, 15 Nov 2020 3:10 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
hiluxxury wrote:Its been on my list to try the parabolics if I ever bothered to change out the stock springs. Glad you are happy with them.


I'll let you know how they do once I finish the front. I got inner cv joints and some boots too, if they fit...

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Wed, 18 Nov 2020 9:50 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Leafs put up a fight, front bolt had to be cut with the sawzall...

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As did the U-bolts. Surprising as the undercarriage is in good shape.

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Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Wed, 18 Nov 2020 10:00 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Front end proved worse, lower control arm bolts had to be cut, and upper ball joints were worn out.

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Built up the new struts yesterday and ordered:

-New upper control arms
-New lower control arms
-Upper and lower ball joints
-Outer tie rod ends
-All new cam bolts

Now I have a yard ornament for the next two weeks...

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Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Thu, 19 Nov 2020 5:11 +0000
by hiluxxury
Yikes - strut spaces! Glad you got those out - the risk of a bent strut is great with those.

It will feel like a new hilux after all that!

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Thu, 19 Nov 2020 5:18 +0000
by DeadlyBeast
Great work on the restoration 8-)
The front end will feel so much better after getting rid of those strut spacers + new arms and joints.
Its done well to hang in there for 270+K from the previous owners :shock:
Hows those CV's looking?

Addit - Just noticed hiluxxury beat me to it on those two points :lol:

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:13 +0000
by hiluxxury
:lol:

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:14 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
Thanks guys! I ordered new inner CV joints and new outer boots as the CVs felt good but both outer boots were torn. I ended up with Cozza LCAs from onlineautoparts in Australia. I had limited options and they ship here. If they turn out to be of poor quality I'll put new bushings and LBJs in the old ones... More pics to come as parts trickle in! :)

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:53 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
LH side came off much more easily, some play in the LH CV where it goes into the diff but it feels the same on my 4runner and it isn't leaking so... Aussie order will be here Monday, UAE is the weak link as usual, have had to cancel two orders of camber bolts.

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CVs actually feel great despite age, I may just clean them up and reboot them...

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Parts pile is growing:

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Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Sat, 21 Nov 2020 4:51 +0000
by DeadlyBeast
I feel your pain regarding postal time.
I've received goods faster from the U.S than parts from Australia :?
Hopefully those CVs will last another 50K. Any plans for diff drop relocation?

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Sat, 21 Nov 2020 9:05 +0000
by AmeriKUN26
DeadlyBeast wrote:I feel your pain regarding postal time.
I've received goods faster from the U.S than parts from Australia :?
Hopefully those CVs will last another 50K. Any plans for diff drop relocation?


I hope so too! And currently no plans for a diff drop, I'm only at about 2" of lift and don't plan to go any higher.

Re: Hilux KUN26L build in USA

PostPosted: Sun, 22 Nov 2020 5:59 +0000
by DeadlyBeast
Fair enough. Theres been a lot of $ put into this already.
Looks like you will be using this off road regularly.
Once those CV's start clicking and need replacing consider a diff drop. Even 1" lift will increase the rate of wear. Plenty of stories on this site of new CVs getting busted under articulation with 2" lift... although the drivers right foot usually has a part in this.
Keep the updates coming 8-)