NewHilux.net

Hi guys, I've been lurking here for a little while now, and been reading and learning as much as I can, and finally decided to start working on a build thread.

In february this year I decided that I missed having a 4wd, and started looking for a turbo diesel hilux. I knew I wanted the 02-05 SR5, I've always loved the shape of them (i've had an 02 2wd, dumped, and a 96 4wd with small lift and tyres.) and I didn't have the budget to get into a later model and still work on it.

It didn't take long and I had found a stock 2004 model at a dealer in Brisbane (I was living in mackay at the time), after a mate checking it out, and a few phone calls, the ute was paid for, and awaiting my collection. When I got to pick it up, I was more than a little disappointed, tyres had been changed, tub had been swapped, definitely wasn't the same as the photos my mate had sent, though the other one in the lot had all the features mine was missing! Bastards.

So I made my point known, left the dealer and (after a couple days) drove it back to mackay where it stayed faily plain, with the exclusion of adding a cheap 2nd hand canopy.


As soon as I moved back to Brisbane, I got a set of Maxxis Bravo mud terrains, a TJM bar, some spotlights and racks, and thought I had the ducks nuts!

I didn't have much luck, on only my second drive out, poor line choice resulted in a fair amount of breakage, front diff, front struts, one CV and swaybar link. So a crash course in repairs and 1 week later the lux was up and running again!

I took the time in the shed as an opportunity to work on the stereo a bit, and added an Alpine 2DIN screen, Focal K2p front splits, Focal FP2.150 amps, and a Focal Bus8 sub. (with a crapload of dynamat to make it a little quieter in there too)

I found the bravos a bit of an average tyre, so when the opportunity came up to get some MTZ's, I jumped and did the swap. Painted the stockos black and away I went! Around the same time, I decided to fit some 2inch springs, and some Tough Dog struts; build myself a expedition rack and just enjoy driving it up the beach, where it was a bit safer



About 2 months ago, I decided it was time to get a little more serious about what I wanted to do with it, and just pull the trigger on the parts I'd wanted for a while.

So a couple weeks ago, I spoke to the guys at Scotts rods, and got a 3" exhaust, then decided an exhaust without a chip was pointless. DP chip ordered! The lightforce's were ditched in favour of a 20" led bar, a Safari Snorkel thrown into the mix, and a Runva winch for good measure.

Then I did a bit of looking around, and decided to get a fridge, ended up getting a Primus mammoth 65l DZ fridge, without thinking about how inconvenient the size would be!

The missus pointed out that she couldn't actually reach into the fridge, and the decision was made to get a drop down slide. (makes it easier for her to get me beers when we are camping, good investment I reckon haha) and while I was in the store, I ordered a set of Xrox sliders for the ute, the factory side steps were looking a little worse for wear.

While waiting for the sliders, I ran into an old mate, who has recently gone into business for himself, and I got a trick new set of wheels sorted! Method Racing Wheels, Double Standard, 17 x 8.5"

Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll have some Bilstein shocks in, and the sliders on!

Early in the new year, I plan to start working on a tray to replace the tub, then I want to start looking into SAS

Nice looking truck mate.

Thanks man, I'm pretty happy with it. I feel like it's finally starting to look different to the others, amazing what a set of wheels can do.

Nice truck,

What size tires were you running on the 16" rim and on the 17" rim?

Thanks. Was a 265/75-16 bravo mt-753 and now it's MT-Rs in a 265/70-17. I'd like to go up to a 285/70 but need a regear for that

Well a bit of a bummer, XROX sliders don't fit the SR5. Bud's customs is doing a set up at the moment, they should be ready this week!

Xrox sliders didn't work out, but buds customs was able to whip a set up a set real quick. While I was there I got a new bash plate as well. Spoke to him about a few other things, but we will see. Flex is ok, I guess, for fairly stock.

Could you post a photo of the fridge possibly?

nice looking rig mate keep it up

Thanks! I like it I don't have any photos of the fridge in the car, but it's a primus mammoth 65l dual zone. And I got the MSA DS50.

Looking good, love the Method wheels and Buds gear is trick as well... all it needs is a YETI sticker in lieu of the SC one

Haha I could never do that, I think I'd be out of a job!

Looks good mate! What size lift you running or planning on running? I have a BJ spacer and diff drop kit which I have taken out of the front of my lux which I want to sell so if your interested in fixing the angle of your cv's let me know

Thanks man! At the moment i'm running a 2" lift, just OME springs, rockcrawler torsions (not fitted yet). It isn't much, but it's ok. How big is your Diff drop kit? Feel free to pm me the details!

very nice looking rig mate

I believe its a 2" ball joint spacer and 1" diff drop kit (perfect for your 2" lifted luxy). I really have no use for it as all my IFS gear has been ripped out.

I'll probably give that a miss thanks mate, but cheers for the offer, got a couple other things in the works.