Rebuild of a 1989 Hilux Double Cab with a Ford V6 engine.
Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:20 pm
Good day fellow Hilux owners.
I'm a long time lurker and now first time poster with many questions to ask (and hopefully soon much knowledge to share).
I purchased a 1989 Hilux Double Cab with a Ford V6 engine conversion about a year ago. I finally have the time to rebuild it.
I wasn't sure where to post this thread as some of the work on the truck will be DIY and some will be commissioned to professionals in areas where I lack the space, tools, expertise or perhaps confidence required.
This is what the bakkie looked like when I purchased it:
33x12.5R15 tyres. No spare wheel.
Water on the floor in the foot well. I think it is leaking through the windshield lining. The entire interior floor and back panel up to the height of the rear window is rubberised, which I want to remove entirely. The steering wheel cover/hooter button is bolted on. Poorly made and installed aftermarket centre console which will be removed.
More water on the floor in the foot well. My SFA has cup holders! They will be removed too. The dashboard has a crack in the middle top surface.
Aftermarket front seats, which will be replaced.
No window winder. The door trim panel was attached with rivets to the metal door panel. The loudspeakers (and installation thereof) aren't to my taste.
No window winder. The door trim panel was attached with rivets to the metal door panel. The loudspeakers (and installation thereof) aren't to my taste.
The rear couch isn't in horrible condition, but when titling the back rest forward one can see that the foam padding has started to perish and is crumbling off in chunks.
The truck is currently with Jaco Groenveld from Living SFA as I have asked him to give me a quote me on rebuilding the truck.
The first three issues I have to address are:
1. Engine choice
2. Chassis refinishing
3. Cabin and load bin refinishing
1. Engine choice
It appears that there is contention among the community over the Ford V6 engine with some hating it ("rook and kook") and others reporting a pleasant experience.
Jaco has a Toyota 5L with a turbo fitted (he says this 5L came out standard with a turbo - it is currently in one of his personal trucks), which I have the option of purchasing. He also currently has the option of a Korean 4Y.
I think for now I am going to keep the Ford V6 engine, but have it tuned to the best it can be by Johan's Auto in Alberton. Johan appears to be an expert on the V6 motors, having reconditioned hundreds of them. Sifu-Lux and ThysdJ both have happy reports of their Ford V6 engines so I will trawl their posts for information on how to get the best out of the V6 too.
If in a few years I want more power I will consider going big with something like a D-4D or a Lexus V8, but for now I like the idea of staying with a simple and cheap petrol engine. I welcome any comments and critiques about this decision.
2. Chassis refinishing
Considering that I am planning on doing a lot of work on the truck I thought it wise to strip it entirely to inspect the chassis and rust treat it again so that I have a chassis that is good for another three decades (hopefully more) and thus a foundation worth building on.
What has been suggested to me is to sand blast the chassis (which removes the galvanising), apply an epoxy coating, a black Dulux primer and then a layer of paint. Has anyone else here done this? Is there a superior or alternative way of doing it? Is it better to have the chassis galvanised again prior to applying other layers, like paint, over it?
3. Cabin and load bin refinishing
In the above photographs the exterior paint (which is matte) doesn't look bad, but in person one can tell that there are many imperfections and the paint is starting to flake/lift off in some areas. I have read online that matte paints require special care and maintenance. Accordingly I don't think a matte paint finish suits my needs for a resilient bush truck.
I do like the olive drab colour though, so I may have it resprayed with a 2K olive drab gloss finish.
The alternative is the regularly seen Land Cruiser beige/desert sand colour (I don't know what the correct term is for the colour).
With either of the above two options the underneath of the cabin and load bin, and the sides from the bottom up to about 20cm will be coated in stone chip. Jaco recommends doing the 2K finish over the stone chip so that the whole vehicle has a uniform colour. I have seen that some people put the stone chip over the 2K finish (which means that the underneath and stroke around the bottom of the side of the vehicle will be black). Some many not like how this appears, but I think the benefit is that it is easier to touch up the stone chip if necessary.
I have half a mind to coat the whole vehicle in stone chip as was done to Black Sam (https://www.hilux4x4.co.za/views/viewto ... 36&t=19641) for maximum durability, ease of application (paint brush) and future touch ups to damage of the finish and the much reduced cost (compared to doing a full professional 2K spray job). Who cares about the appearance of the texture? I want a truck that will last a lifetime.
What are your thoughts on the finishing options?
There will be many more photos to come and questions to ask as the project is completed over the next few months.
Simple recipe for buying (and likely overpaying on) a truck (i.e. project)
- One ignorant first time buyer.
- One used car salesman.
- Now exchange money and you are done.
All in jest. I am looking forward to doing the project and getting the truck to the standard that I want.
I'm a long time lurker and now first time poster with many questions to ask (and hopefully soon much knowledge to share).
I purchased a 1989 Hilux Double Cab with a Ford V6 engine conversion about a year ago. I finally have the time to rebuild it.
I wasn't sure where to post this thread as some of the work on the truck will be DIY and some will be commissioned to professionals in areas where I lack the space, tools, expertise or perhaps confidence required.
This is what the bakkie looked like when I purchased it:
33x12.5R15 tyres. No spare wheel.
Water on the floor in the foot well. I think it is leaking through the windshield lining. The entire interior floor and back panel up to the height of the rear window is rubberised, which I want to remove entirely. The steering wheel cover/hooter button is bolted on. Poorly made and installed aftermarket centre console which will be removed.
More water on the floor in the foot well. My SFA has cup holders! They will be removed too. The dashboard has a crack in the middle top surface.
Aftermarket front seats, which will be replaced.
No window winder. The door trim panel was attached with rivets to the metal door panel. The loudspeakers (and installation thereof) aren't to my taste.
No window winder. The door trim panel was attached with rivets to the metal door panel. The loudspeakers (and installation thereof) aren't to my taste.
The rear couch isn't in horrible condition, but when titling the back rest forward one can see that the foam padding has started to perish and is crumbling off in chunks.
The truck is currently with Jaco Groenveld from Living SFA as I have asked him to give me a quote me on rebuilding the truck.
The first three issues I have to address are:
1. Engine choice
2. Chassis refinishing
3. Cabin and load bin refinishing
1. Engine choice
It appears that there is contention among the community over the Ford V6 engine with some hating it ("rook and kook") and others reporting a pleasant experience.
Jaco has a Toyota 5L with a turbo fitted (he says this 5L came out standard with a turbo - it is currently in one of his personal trucks), which I have the option of purchasing. He also currently has the option of a Korean 4Y.
I think for now I am going to keep the Ford V6 engine, but have it tuned to the best it can be by Johan's Auto in Alberton. Johan appears to be an expert on the V6 motors, having reconditioned hundreds of them. Sifu-Lux and ThysdJ both have happy reports of their Ford V6 engines so I will trawl their posts for information on how to get the best out of the V6 too.
If in a few years I want more power I will consider going big with something like a D-4D or a Lexus V8, but for now I like the idea of staying with a simple and cheap petrol engine. I welcome any comments and critiques about this decision.
2. Chassis refinishing
Considering that I am planning on doing a lot of work on the truck I thought it wise to strip it entirely to inspect the chassis and rust treat it again so that I have a chassis that is good for another three decades (hopefully more) and thus a foundation worth building on.
What has been suggested to me is to sand blast the chassis (which removes the galvanising), apply an epoxy coating, a black Dulux primer and then a layer of paint. Has anyone else here done this? Is there a superior or alternative way of doing it? Is it better to have the chassis galvanised again prior to applying other layers, like paint, over it?
3. Cabin and load bin refinishing
In the above photographs the exterior paint (which is matte) doesn't look bad, but in person one can tell that there are many imperfections and the paint is starting to flake/lift off in some areas. I have read online that matte paints require special care and maintenance. Accordingly I don't think a matte paint finish suits my needs for a resilient bush truck.
I do like the olive drab colour though, so I may have it resprayed with a 2K olive drab gloss finish.
The alternative is the regularly seen Land Cruiser beige/desert sand colour (I don't know what the correct term is for the colour).
With either of the above two options the underneath of the cabin and load bin, and the sides from the bottom up to about 20cm will be coated in stone chip. Jaco recommends doing the 2K finish over the stone chip so that the whole vehicle has a uniform colour. I have seen that some people put the stone chip over the 2K finish (which means that the underneath and stroke around the bottom of the side of the vehicle will be black). Some many not like how this appears, but I think the benefit is that it is easier to touch up the stone chip if necessary.
I have half a mind to coat the whole vehicle in stone chip as was done to Black Sam (https://www.hilux4x4.co.za/views/viewto ... 36&t=19641) for maximum durability, ease of application (paint brush) and future touch ups to damage of the finish and the much reduced cost (compared to doing a full professional 2K spray job). Who cares about the appearance of the texture? I want a truck that will last a lifetime.
What are your thoughts on the finishing options?
There will be many more photos to come and questions to ask as the project is completed over the next few months.
Simple recipe for buying (and likely overpaying on) a truck (i.e. project)
- One ignorant first time buyer.
- One used car salesman.
- Now exchange money and you are done.
All in jest. I am looking forward to doing the project and getting the truck to the standard that I want.