99 Hilux Dual Cab

[23Kev]

So, finally I have a 4WD and figure I might as well chuck up a thread about it.

Don't have any pics just yet, will take some through the week.

It's an Blue Dual Cab SR5, 3RZ, 2.7l petrol, has some factory accessories, headlight protectors, side steps and a fibreglass canopy with roof racks and supports down to the tray. Was one owner, the guy has owned it since new. Only has 110400 km's which is stupidly low for a Hilux of this age. Picked it up cheap as.

Gave it a wash this arvo and the paint is nice and smooth although it's got some white paint overspray. Also has some scratches all over the body. Not too concerned with them, some will come out with a polish, as well as the paint overspray. The deeper scratches may get fixed eventually. The tray is a bit scratched up, but not that concerned with it.

Has some EFS Elite shocks on the front and standard shocks and springs on the back. I've put some 30" General Tire Grabber AT2 tyres on it.

I'll be cleaning up the body and interior first off, then need to clean up the engine bay. Although its got low kays I don't think the guy knew how to pick up a cleaning cloth. Also need to fit a CD/MP3 player, it's still got a tape player!!

Eventually I'd like to lift it up a couple of inches and fit out the tray with some space to put camping gear and stuff. We'll be using it on the beach, for camping and just general exploring around Brisbane.

Can't wait to get it dirty.

[ZENNON]

Good stuff Kev. Hope you get lots of good use (read: camping and fun) out of it!

[Justin Bieber]

Fuck Kev, sounds like you got a real pearler! A non white hilux, that's impressive just in itself!

If you're going to lift it i'd be looking more towards a bodylift, in my experiences they don't enjoy having the torsion bars wound up too far. The ride turns to shit and you have issues breaking idler arms and balljoints. That being said you can get a 1" lift out of the front torsion bars with no real problems.

I havn't had any real need to lift mine, the 31" tyres give it a bit of extra clearance and I just don't think its worth the hassle. If you encounter terrain you can't conquer as is then get a locker! The only real reason to lift a car is to fit bigger tyres and technically 31" is illegal in QLD on our luxes so lifting to fit 33s is not really the best idea.

Hope she goes good kev, lemme know if you need any help with it. Think ive got a workshop manual around somewhere.

[23Kev]

Have a crappy phone pic of the truck showing how it was when we first looked at it. Will take some more on the weekend, hopefully I'll be able to give it a polish and get it looking sweet.

It's been ages since we've had a car I really wanted, have been saving cash and not spending it on toys ....Such a good feeling seeing "my car" sitting in the driveway.....just have to get out and use it now. Has got my number plates on it as well (if you know me you know what they are...) so if you see me wave like a dick and I'll probably fob you off wondering why the fuck you were waving at me....

FishGuy: Yeh, I might get you over at some stage, can catch up and shit and you can show me they way you've setup your tray. Good points on the lift and stuff. Will just go with what I have for a bit and see how it goes.

[23Kev]

Some more photos. Gave it a quick polish in parts with some Meguiar's Paint Cleaner but I think I'm going to need some stronger stuff to get rid of the paint flecks. First photo is of the paint flecks, the rest are post polishing.

Any ideas on the best stuff to use to take off the paint flecks? I can scratch them off with my fingernail but don't particularly want to do that to each paint fleck.

Apart from these paint flecks its in damn good nick and a steal for the money I paid. So fucking good having a car I like again.

Now that it's clean I just need to get it dirty! :D

[daz]

Clay bar for paint specks Kev?
Nice car btw. Get an electronic rust prevention system on it asap. I have no idea if they really work to protect against rust or not (there's alot of debate), but they do seem to keep the paint nice. But first thing's first - needs a big arse bullbar
Body lift requires engineers cert btw, but can't be done legally at all if the car has SRS airbags.

[GTREA]

Was it white originally?

Looks to have overspray under the front / rear guards?

[23Kev]

Clay bar for paint specks Kev?
Nice car btw. Get an electronic rust prevention system on it asap. I have no idea if they really work to protect against rust or not (there's alot of debate), but they do seem to keep the paint nice. But first thing's first - needs a big arse bullbar
Body lift requires engineers cert btw, but can't be done legally at all if the car has SRS airbags.

Yeh I was thinking a clay bar as well. I've never used one so not really sure what they pick up. Maybe I'll give it a go today....

A big chrome bull bar will be one of the first things I get. Thats no pics' only modification request so therefore the easiest to approve. I dunno about the eletronic rust protection, the sound of them shit me off, bigtime. I dunno if I could stand that.

Was it white originally?

Looks to have overspray under the front / rear guards?

I had just hit under there with a gernie and cleaned off some shit, it's actually a much lighter blue, not white. I'm positive it's meant to be like that and also positive it was originally blue as I have the original sales receipt.

[daz]

A big chrome bull bar will be one of the first things I get. Thats no pics' only modification request so therefore the easiest to approve. I dunno about the eletronic rust protection, the sound of them shit me off, bigtime. I dunno if I could stand that.

They're quiet but.

Don't go with the fancy pants hairdresser chrome bar, get a good steelie. Still look great, but can be repaired when they hit things, also easy to weld additional shit to

[23Kev]

Have been having a look this morning at bull bars. A polished alloy one would be sweet, but I'm thinking they'll be pretty big $$$'s.

A powdercoated black one would be ok, just not sure if the no pics will like it.

Also watched a vid of the ARB Air Lockers, they look awesome as. No doubt there are downsides but a set of them has come up high on the "want to do" list.

[takai]

If you get a bull and want to sell that chrome front bar ill take it off your hands

[daz]

Yup, lockers are indeed awesome, and they'll let you get further up the track, a little too far up the track if you're not careful (meaning they can get you into spots where you can get in a big lot of trouble). Best thing I had in the patrol was a 2nd battery (with mgmt system) and Engel. Great for picnics, and also great for putting the cold groceries in and not have to worry about rushing home.

[23Kev]

Yeh, whats the go with the 2nd battery? What management do you need?

Will be getting a fridge at some stage, we've got our esky pretty well sorted for about 3 days worth of camping but anything longer than that it struggles. Doesn't help we always go away in summer....

[daz]

Just head down to ARB or TJM or the like and they'll sort you out with a kit or even install it for you. You'll need a battery tray to put somewhere in the engine bay, deep cycle battery, cabling, and management system - there's a few different types, you're better off going with the fullo schmick electronic type to prolong battery life. Basically the management system prioritises charging to the starting battery but isolates it when not charging so you don't risk draining it with your fridge etc plugged in.

[23Kev]

Sweet, another thing to put on the list of stuff I want.

This is gonna start getting expensive soon....