On a Mission - Hilux Surf

[MorrisItalSLX]

11 hours ago, 808 Estate said:

I chose well.

I’ve come across that Hilux poster before, my Hilux owning friend was less than pleased by me pointing out that only 3 are Hiluxes, the rest being Land Cruisers.

[808 Estate]

The Surf is built on a Land Cruiser 90 chassis. So technically its both a Hilux and a Land Cruiser making doubly tough

[808 Estate]

Queen Elizabeth 1st once famously exclaimed that "everyone should have a bath once a year, whether they need it or not".

A philosophy I have applied to the truck.

Today was bath day,  which appears to have been quite successful.

Just need to do the inside now.  😀

[High Jetter]

This is getting excessive. It's England, just wait for rain to do it. Simples.

[808 Estate]

Wood.

[808 Estate]

Construction and assemblies.

Paint & carpet.

The dead space above the wheel arch is now useful. Storage for overnight emergency bag and rain coat. Will stuff the folding shovel and sleeping bag in there later.

[Rod/b]

On 3/16/2021 at 11:48 AM, MorrisItalSLX said:

I’ve come across that Hilux poster before, my Hilux owning friend was less than pleased by me pointing out that only 3 are Hiluxes, the rest being Land Cruisers.

It’s a Loudribs (Jack Hurley) production. I pointed this out to him on ze twittuz.

[808 Estate]

Front tyres were getting a bit near the limit. I had a "breakaway" under extreme braking in the rain over the winter and one of the tyres had a decent gouge in the sidewall. Nothing for it but to shell out on new rubber. Went for a bimble to Micheldever Tyres (just outside Winchester). I have used them for many years for car and bike tyres. Decent prices (Protyre group) and very good service. Its also the only place I know where final tightening of wheel nuts is done with a torque wrench rather than a windy gun.

Anyway, new BFG  ATs.

Enough tread to last for several years I hope.

I also availed myself of a free brake chech whilst the wheels were off. I was advised that front pads were near metal and the discs were 2mm under limit. Having checked through the paperwork folder, it apears that the front discs are original. So, 25 years and 160K miles. Not too shabby to be fair. I have been expecting this, so have been collecting parts in preparation. Managed to score a pair of NOS discs for 30 notes and also have new pads and rear shoes ready for fitting.

 

[808 Estate]

Bugger! It appears that my "cheap discs" are the wrong size and too small. So much for saving a few quid. Cant send them back as they were an ebay purchase and its over the 2 months time for refunds. Having got a correct set from RoughTracks, its quite apparent how much too small they were.

The "old" ones will be appearing in a classifieds near you soon.

[808 Estate]

Shiny new waterpump fitted. Also did an engine service, all fluids and filters changed.

Also got the correct brake discs fitted this time around.

Playing sily buggers with photo software.

[Crackers]

On 27/05/2021 at 12:05, 808 Estate said:

Anyway, new BFG  ATs.

Enough tread to last for several years I hope.

Bloody brilliant tyres, Dad had a set on his old Pajero and it was unstoppable off road, he had a many a laugh at the expense of Range Rooney owners slithering around while he sailed past them on shoot days. They last for-bloody-ever too. I think he only had to replace them once in 10 years of ownership at 15k miles a year. 

Gutted when he got the Disco 3 and found he couldn't get BFGs in the right size... The General Grabber ATs he's got on that now are good but not a patch on the BFGs. 

[808 Estate]

Got the horn baby. 😀 😲

The horn curtrently fitted to the Surf sounds more like a somewhat emaciated & stifled fart and fully fails to convey the GETTHEFUCKOUTAMYWAY!! that a horn realy needs to do. Time for some more upgrades and having had positive experiences with a Stebel Magnum horn on the bike, I had no hesitation getting another purchased for the Surf.  These are really good, loud (make sure you get the low tone one) and also plug and play making fitting easy.

With the front off (only 2 broken plastic clips), the old horn was removed and ceremoninously chucked across the garden.

The Stebel was duly fixed and tested. Much better. Gave the front a quick clean while the grille was off.

Feeling flushed with success, I decided to take a look at the fog light. Its been a bit iffy for a while and with an MOT due in a few weeks time, I wanted to make sure it was still working.

It wasnt. 😬

Investigation showed much crustyness and a gentle prod with the wire brush caused the bulb mounting tab to fall out.

ARSE!

WIll need to get a new fog lamp pronto now.

TBC.......

 

[808 Estate]

The new fog lamp has arrived and I splurged extra cash to get an LED variant. Partly because no bulbs to replace, partly because its hermetically sealed, so no worries about water ingress and partly because its LED.

I had to chop a good few inches of the old cable off to find some decent copper, but the light was soon fixed and the wire splices given a decent covering of self amalgamating tape. Hopefully no moisture worries here now.

A quick tidy up of the cabling and a few cable ties later and all is looking good. Just need to slap some black paint over the ally bracket. Probably should have done that fist, but it keeps threatening to rain and I wanted to get the light fixed as a priority.

Ooh, thats bright.

 

[808 Estate]

I have for some time (since I got the truck actually) wanted to clean the engine bay. Everytime I look there, I get a feeling of dread Like I am about to venture into the darkness of the underworld. 😨

Anyway, I got brave and decided to have a go. Dont think its been cleaned under here since......ever.

After much spraying of cleaner and agitating with a knackered paint brush, I managed to produce a decent sized blister on my finger and this.

Which is somewhat better than the other side.

I gave up here. Partly due to my blister having burst and the engine cleaner stinging like fuck but mainly due to the end falling off my paintbrush.  Both would need some repairs before continuing.

24 hours later.

Brush in one piece and finger heavily plastered, I continued the efforts in the pit of peril. Finally looking much more respectable........ from about 10 feet away. Any closer and it still looks filthy. I think its going to need another session in there another day. Will probably do the underside of the bonnet then as well.

Definitely looking more respectable though.

 

 

 

[colino]

Maybe my memory is playing tricks, it was a long time ago and was trying to position it in a six car showroom, but my only recollection of one of these was its embarrassingly terrible turning circle. Was it unique (previous owner had fitted balloon off road tyres) or are they really not town friendly? 

[Arthur Foxhake]

They have a decent turning circle compared to many similar aged 4x4's.

You may be thinking of an L200?

The Hilux Surf has rack and pinion steering, far more positive to drive than the steering box, pitman arm and idler box and arm arrangement on the Mitsy. 

[808 Estate]

I would say its a pretty decent turing circle. Definitely no trouble in supermarket car parks.

[808 Estate]

Been a while since I updated this thread. I had an idea in my head for a while. Time for some action.

Bought some shiny checker plate.

 

Nailed it to the spare wheel carrier and added some rubber cubes.

 

It folds down.

 

Anyone for tea?

 

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, 808 Estate said:

Anyone for tea?

Proof that you can have tea on a plate!

[808 Estate]

Parts acquired for the next job on the list.

The auto box in the Surf is a particularly decent bit of kit and makes for effortless progress. No idea when (if ever) it was last serviced. Thought it best not to cheap out and therefore bought a Gen-u-ine Toyota gearbox filter. As its a sump off the box job, I am handing this one over to my friendly spanner man. Hopefully he will make enough on this to be "considerate" with the MOT he is doing at the same time.

[TrabbieRonnie]

3 hours ago, 808 Estate said:

Parts acquired for the next job on the list.

The auto box in the Surf is a particularly decent bit of kit and makes for effortless progress. No idea when (if ever) it was last serviced. Thought it best not to cheap out and therefore bought a Gen-u-ine Toyota gearbox filter. As its a sump off the box job, I am handing this one over to my friendly spanner man. Hopefully he will make enough on this to be "considerate" with the MOT he is doing at the same time.

Good idea that, I've changed the fluid twice in ours over the years, but never the filter.  The gearbox is genuinely the smoothest changing auto I've ever driven, same one in the Hiace camper.  

May well nick your tea tray idea too!

[808 Estate]

I got the checker plate off ebay from here.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273935166585?var=573838671895

In hindsight, I would ask them to make it 50cm x 28cm. As it is, its rather close to the rear wiper arm. The rubber bung pushes it back just far enougth to clear, but a slightly smaller plate wouldnt hurt.

[808 Estate]

Got brave and decided it was time for round 2 under the bonnet. The intercooler air duct has been a bit flapy for a while and also needed fixing.

 

1 cable tie later (yes I did cut the end off)

 

And another session with the degreaser. Definitely looking much better now.

 

With the MOT only a week away, I decided it would be a good idea to de-clag the exhaust so went for an Italian tune up.

Once on the dual carriageway, flooring it produced a somewhat satisfying black cloud of smog. I am sure a vegan has probably died of shock somewhere. A couple more sessions with the loud pedal soon had the system clean and emitting little more than unicorn farts.

[808 Estate]

Took the beast camping in the Lake District with some friends.

The camp

Tarn Hows

Sensible Advice

Walking The Hill Behind The Camp

View From Wrynose Pass


Cairn At Hardknott Pass

The Beast At Hardknott Pass

The Road Back Down

The Steam Launch


Passenger Lounge

Some brave soul taking a vintage MG over Hardknott Pass.

We crossed Wrynose & Hardknott Passes in both directions. By the time we got to the bottom of Wrynose the second time, the brakes were smelling smoky and had the consistancy of a large marshmallow, despite being in low gear. Admittedly, we were 4 up with 2 dogs on board.

During the week there, the Toyota averaged 22 mpg. We were driving almost always on small backroads and did a couple of minor offroad tracks. On the motorway there and back, I averaged 31.9 mpg.

[808 Estate]

Ooh a rubber snake in a box.

Actually, its a door rubber. The drivers side inner one is fooked.

New (second hand) one fitted with minimal issues.

I think I will need to expend some effort in a post winter clean now. 😨

 

[808 Estate]

WooHoo!!

 

 

[808 Estate]

Managed to lose my fuel cap, which means some git at Morrisons has it.

While perusing cheap alternatives on Amazon and wondering if it "really does fit" I thought fuck it and bought a proper one from Rough Tracks. To try and soften the blow of quick delivery cost, I added a pair of wiper blades. The Bosch Aeroblades currently fitted have proved to be less than stellar in their performance. In fact pretty shite would be a better description. This time I went with Hella and the new blades even had little protective sleeves over the rubber. Nice touch. Following yesterdays biblical downpour, I think these are a significant improvement over the Aeroblades.

[808 Estate]

Passed another MOT today.

Got advised all springs rusty now and should look to replacing them.  😬

[808 Estate]

Oh no, someones stolen all the electricity! 🙁

Been away for 2 weeks on business, went to start the beast and there was a distinct lack of electricity. Luckily a jump start from the girlfriends car got it going, so I decided on a quick blat to get some charge into the batteries. About 2 miles up the road and the autobox wouldnt hook up and I was unable to pull away at a roundabout. Tried to put hazzards on and they didnt work. Tried shifting the autobox into low and 1 without success, just a sound like a pump running without liquid. Then the engine stopped. Arse! A properly shit position to break down. Phoned insurance who connected me to RAC and advised help would be at least an hour. Phone Police on 101 and advised them I was broken down in a shite place.

Luckily I had my "winter emergency bag" in the back. Donned a fleece and gloves and broke out the emergency mars bar. I also have a decent hi viz jacket. Not one of those "weekend walts" £10 screxfix tabbards, but £150 quids worth of Nordic jacket for working outside at airports. Stuck that on and directed traffic around the stricken wagon. Police arrived after about 20 minutes by which time I had rolled the truck back about 10 meters to clear the roundabout. They then proceeded to tow me to Morrisons petrol station which was great as I could finally get some hot coffee. RAC chap arrives about 30 minutes later and does some preliminary testing. Turns out one battery had a duff cell and was outputting 7v at 0A and the other battery was showing all cells OK , but 9v at 0A. Looks like they are both shot. He also tested the alternator, which was spining OK, but not putting out more than 9v, so looks like thats FUBARd too.

He plugged both batteries into separate chargers for 15 minutes and got a reasonable charge into both batteries. He also followed me the 2 miles back home which was reasonably uneventful, although the wipers didnt work and lights were dim as fuck. Still, it made it back OK. Now to source 2 batteries and an alternator.

[320touring]

Every time I forget about these wagons, you bump the thread.

 

Then I want to own one.

 

Sorry to hear of current (top pun*!) Maladies, but at least it means my desire to own one is sated for a while

 

Hope it's an easy fix!