Need help making a 2014 Hilux 39 to 42 inch

[Balloontyres]

Update Januari 2015: I still didn't find the help I need. There were a few very helpfull people but so far I can't get the plan realised. I guess soon I will put a Euro REWARD on this project !


Dear Icelandic Forum,

I was sometimes browsing around here but I can not speak Icelandic :( but I use translation software.

I want to modify a Hilux 2014 with 44 inch or 46 inch Mickey Thomson Baja Claw Tires ICELANDIC style !

But I need to know a list on how to start. I mean I have a great machanic team but the thing is I need to show them and tell them what has to be done.

So please could anybody tell me what is needed. like new axel and what kind and how to source. I wish I lived in Iceland but I am too far away :( also cut the frame where and how... and what is the first step.. ?

I Could even offer to pay a ticket for free holiday, if there is anybody who really knows how to do it. and that the car will be as good as Arctic Trucks does it.. But AT charge like 100.000 dollar for it. :-( you can send me a message here (PM)

I hope I can get some Ideas. Because after all you are the masters on this. I tried other forums but people don't know much.

here my goal and dream:

[Balloontyres]

some photos I found online hope that could help give me some ideas.. I want front and rear coil spring so super good suspension!

[Balloontyres]

[Járni]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I know that there are some employees of AT that frequent the forum so hopefully they can provide you with some answers. There are also many others experienced modifiers here that might chip in.

May I ask, where are you from?

[jongud]

Here is a list that is on the webpage at Artctic-Trucks

You need the tyres and wheels of course
Fender flares
Cut out the fenders, front and rear
Mudflaps
Running boards
Speedometer calibration
Body lift
Suspension lift
Stronger steering knuckles front
New bump stops, front and rear
Ring and pinion, front and rear
Front wheel adjustment

And probably a whole lot of small things.

We where discussing here on the board how much time it will take to build up a 5-link rear suspension, and a man with experience said it would be around 50 hours.

[Balloontyres]

thanks for the replies so far and allowing me on the forum even that I don't speak Icelandic yet... I hear it is doable in one week... haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GXjPEkDfek

I am originally from the Netherlands. but live now about 9500km from Iceland away. I live in Southeast Asia. Also my plan is to make a tour here with the 44 or 46 inch Hilux. Thailand,Laos,Cambodia.
I have been to Iceland in 1996 I was totally impressed by the tracks I saw when we were doing a tour in a normal landrover. I was just totally fascinated by looking at those big tire track footprints in the sand and off the normal paths... And kept wondering what on Earth had driven here! this can't be real...
And than suddenly I saw an Arctic Truck for the first time of my life and I was sold I remember I told everybody around me I want to live in Iceland haha so now many years later the Balloon tyre virus is still not gone.. And now I really need to have at least 44 inch on my Hilux.

50 hours to make the rear frame.. ok that is quite some but that is no problem I have to get it done. any more info is highly appreciated!

here some more Balloon tyre virus:

[Balloontyres]

this is a picture from the 6x6 but I guess when I want rear coil it will look something like this? any info on this construction? I think the rims are only sold in Iceland right? the 15x16 rim. anybody has pictures of them. or maybe Icelandic Truck webshop. Where do you guys buy all the parts? online? or special shops in your country? You can't tell me that Arctic Trucks is the only business in your country. I wish they sold the kits but they don't... :(

[Kalli]

.

[Balloontyres]

really nobody knows here how to construct the frame and set the suspension???

There should be drawings from this on this site no?

[ivar]

I'm going to make the assumption that most people here only modify each type of jeep once and do it by designing each and every case.
That is at least how I do it.
Now larger companies like AT do this on regular basis and for that reason they are able to fine tune there modification so it becomes better and better.
You can get good modification designed on site for each and every case but that sometimes requires some trial and error.

Off course you end up paying a little more for AT to do the job but they have the know-how of this particular case and that can be of value.
In practice this is what you want to end with, where alignment, length etc has to be adjusted in every case.

Image from this site

To modify a new Hilux to 44" tires as a full time job I would assume more than a week is needed when you have to take into account design work and some trial and error.


Now, to you specific case, myself I'm not going abroad to help on this but me and surly others on this forum can assist by words and pictures.
The fenders I assume are done by company called Formverk and I'm sure they are willing to ship fender flairs to you.
Other than that some cut out steal and general parts is mostly needed.
I also think you have to buy upgraded front ball joints that AT makes or at least provides. This is essential for the strength in the front.

[Balloontyres]

You are a legend! thanks a lot for this information! One step closer.....

the pictures are excellent

is it possible to let some Truck engineer in Iceland who has experience with this make the drawings for me specific for the Hilux 2014? Also to make the rear coil spring on the 44 inch Hilux 2014 model. I am more than happy to pay for it. this could save me a lot of beginners mistakes and time wasting and expensive mistakes...

[Balloontyres]

?is this a 5 link suspension that is needed for a professional 44" conversion???

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/graphics/u ... 0_Inst.pdf

info on 5 link suspension: http://www.hachiroku.net/5link

is this what arctic trucks also use?

[Balloontyres]

I found these online I wonder why they choose a set up like this. Because the Icelandic setup has a much better ground clearance!

I would never choose a set up like this myself and would definately go for Icelandic set up. but maybe anybody could comment on this? The lift is simply too high, but why is that axle so low??

this one is running 49 inch Super Swampers

[Arsaell]

That setup is much more like something you would find on a mud truck in the US. Those rockwell axles are also very heavy I believe. This is a bit to extreme in my taste for a truck of that size. I doubt that the hp of the 3.0 did require the strength of the rockwell axles.

[Startarinn]

When I built the suspension in my truck, it took me around two weeks for each axle. Bear in mind that I was doing this for the first time.

I put airbags in the rear, with a 3-link suspension from a range rover. I wish would have built a 5 link myself from the ground up. This took me about 2 weeks, from start to finish.

When removing the IFS in the front and putting in a solid axle from a LC 70, it took me around 1 month, working 5-6 days a week from 9:00-20:00 if I remember correctly. The axle itself took about 2-3 weeks, but I also put in an extra gearbox, and had to shorten/lengthen the drive shafts.
On this project I had a friend helping me for about 5 days in the beginning.

Now the question is: How good a fabricator are you?
There is no one on this board, except maybe the Arctic trucks employees who know exactly what needs to be done to a 2014 hilux, I at least just started tearing the truck apart and solved the problems as they came up

I think most of the people here that have done their builds themselves, went through a trial and error in the suspension setup. If I would be willing to throw a lot more money into my old truck, I would change the rear shocks and experiment with different locations of the mounting points.
I would also change both the springs and shocks up front. I am nowhere near happy with the suspension although it is much better than the old leaf springs.

This is just to give you an Idea of what needs to be done and what others have gone through, I don't think it's possible to do what you ask in the OP, if you want Arctic trucks quality at the first try, you will have to deal with them directly

[juddi]

Are you able to get the car registrated with 44 "modification where you live and are so big tires suitable under the circumstances you are using the car ?

[Sunde]

Are you drive in a lot of sand or marsh or woodland?

I do not think Arctic Trcuks releases imformaskjon the details of their construction unfortunately

exciting buildings

[Balloontyres]

No I don't need it I am not living in Iceland. Wish I did you have the best off road scenes.
truck will just be used for fun and some offroad. but the looks of the 44 tyres are just so nice! I can't get it out of my mind.

I have bought Fox suspension already and have it now on my standard hilux. but the price was high 4400 euro! including installation.

I still hope I can get more info here like a list what I would need to do. or how and where to cut fenders and so on..

For the bodylift Actric Trucks use there is also a bodylift kit possible right? that saves a lot of welding..?

[Haukur litli]

I'm pretty sure Arctic Trucks cut the body-mounts off the frame and move them up to lift the body and use the original body-mount bushings.

You need to cut the fenders wherever they're in the way. Cycle the suspension to see how much room the tires need, remember to turn the front wheels while checking for room. Keep in mind that you can limit the suspension travel with the bump stops and suspension straps.

I think you need to forget Arctic Trucks, try and get in contact with one of the other fabricators for tips, and possibly paid consulting and design.

[biturk]

Where do you live?

[Balloontyres]

I already wrote about that in my third post or so but here again:

I am originally from the Netherlands. but live now about 9500km from Iceland away. I live in Southeast Asia. Also my plan is to make a tour here with the 44 or 46 inch Hilux. Thailand,Laos,Cambodia.

don't know why you think that is relevant but to add: I don't own a house here or so. I am often in Hong kong also but that won't be a good startpoint

thanks for the answers so far, but I really hope I can get more information. Also the fender flares how to get them? formverk doesn't want to answer my emails it seems.. I also called them already. guess I have to call again, or should I buy them from another company in Iceland?

[Járni]

http://brettakantar.is/?lang=en

They have an english version of their site, might want to give them a try!

[Balloontyres]

thanks I emailed them already but they didn't have fenderflares for the 44 Hilux :( they said...

[Balloontyres]

but formverk does :)

by the way anybody knows what is the tyre size and brand of this Hilux's Tyres and wheels ?

[jeepcj7]

These tires are old version mickey thomson baja belted 39"x18" for 15" rims i think diagonal.

[Balloontyres]

Still didn't find the help I need. some members where very helpfull with some very good info. thanks a lot so far!! and still waiting for some to reply me..

but like I said I am happy to pay for it. I am not rich don't even own a house but I am willing to pay for my hobby ofcourse. I own 2 Hiluxes now. so yes I am more than serious about this!

I wish I could find an experienced mechanic who wants to visit me and realise my project. first on paper with email and skype than maybe some instructions in real life when car hits the workshop.

so far this is the plan:

make the detailed plan and what parts are needed

source all the parts (this I can probably do myself, only the Rims has to be from Iceland I guess)

built the truck

[Járni]

This should give you an idea about widening wheels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtTWgJ0xHKA

[Balloontyres]

Thanks a lot! this is a great video! so seems you can do this with any kind of wheel! are there any links of wheels that can run low pressure

so I can start to decide which wheels I will modify

[Balloontyres]

When I see pics of 39 inch tyres it looks like those are already quite nice...

only wonder which brands make tyres from 39-42 wide and for 16 inch rims. because if I use 16 inch rimms I don't need to change brakes for the Hilux right?

[Sunde]

16 "rim depends on the type of brakes you have and the type of rim you want and use .

Hilux is supplied with 15 "and 17" brakes on model and country.

  42 to 14.5 R 17 "Goodyear kewl mt r is a good tire.

Adds two photos, one showing a rim, which does not fit and show a rim that fits 15 "brakes

[atli885]

irok makes tires for 16" rims..

[Balloontyres]

I found Toyo Open Country M/T 385/70-16

or Mickey Thomson Baja MTZ LT375/65R16

or Interco TSL THORNBIRD 38.5X14.50-16LT

which ones would be the best choice?

and which one is more wide looking?