Diezel45 wrote:This thing is seriously awesome. I always thought it would probably be cheaper to just put a hilux body on a patrol chassis rather then doing a SAS.
Not entirely sure that it would be cheaper mate. If I already had a 4WD Hilux I'd just do the SAS conversion. I think it would be cheaper and it would be a lot less work. One of the main reasons I wanted the Patrol chassis is because the engine I'm fitting is too old for the Hilux emission controls. As the 99 Patrol chassis is the same year as my engine so it can be fitted legally. I also wanted to run 4.6 ratio diffs and these are standard in the 2.8 turbo diesel Patrol, the model I'm using.
Don't get me wrong. The Hilux body on the Patrol chassis will make a great vehicle but there is a lot of work involved to pair them together. Things that wouldn't be an issue if just doing an SAS conversion on a Hilux.
The Patrol wheel base is shorter than the Hilux so the chassis has to be extended. This means fuel and brake line mods. The Patrol carries the spare wheel on the back door and the fuel tank under behind the back axle so unless you plan to carry the spare in the tray, the fuel tank needs to go and a spare wheel cross member needs to be fitted. You'll also need a custom fuel tank to replace the Patrol one that was removed.
The Patrol steering box is up the front of the chassis so the Hilux steering shaft needs to be modified to connect up to the steering box. You'll also need custom power steering lines.
The chassis rails are in the way of the radiator so a custom radiator will be needed.
Unless you plan on running the Patrol gearbox too, you'll need a custom hand brake set up and possibly lengthened/shortened tail shafts.
The Patrol diffs are heaps wider than the Hilux so you'll probably need some shallow offset wheels and will still need a set of big bolt on flares like the ones from Monster Rides. SR5 flares will not be wide enough.
There is heaps more little bits and pieces but you get the idea. A SAS conversion saves all of this work!
I definitely saved some money doing what I did as I picked up both the Patrol and the 2WD Hilux pretty cheap I also sold the Patrol body and engine meaning the rolling chassis didn't cost me much.
If you are starting with a 4WD Hilux then you have a vehicle already worth, $20000 - $30000. To scrap the chassis and fit the body to a Patrol chassis is going to cost you a heap and as mentioned above, there is a lot involved.
If you're dead keen on the Patrol chassis then buy a cheap 2WD Hilux for the body. They are basically identical to the 4WD body.
If you are not in desperate need of the Patrol chassis then just do a SAS conversion.
If after all that you are still keen, I'm happy to answer any questions you have when the time comes to do your conversion!