'93 hilux surf - even more lift and deep dish

Well with the truck picked up and on the drive, i found a local specialist who i took it to for a full service and cam belt change..

its such a different drive, permanent rear wheel drive, auto box, selectable 4 wheel drive in hi or low range

first up after the service was to start on the stickers..

some have come off ok, but others are stuck fast as the top layer of vinyl is knackered - so its a long slow proces..

interior is pretty cool, its the SSRG spec so top of the range, electric everything, massive sunroof and recaro seats



ok they need a good retrim, but seat covers will do for now..

engine is the 2.4 turbo, pulls ok, never going to break any speed records, but feels like it could pull a house down.. lol

anyway, Mrs Lawsy and i had our first outing last weekend, a trip to the new forest..



looking better without the stickers, but still need to finish them all off



how to make it look small... lol... stand fat me in front...



then decided to change the front end a little

bull bars were sourced and fitted..

naked...



new bars - sourced from a uk spec four-runner - spots not wired up yet, but looks so much better



then today, first day off and wanted to have another drive around, there are a few byways near where i live, mrs lawsy got a little scare on one of them as it was muddy n slippy with a big drop, but we managed it ok - then found a big ford and had fun..








next up, need to sort the rear window motor as its playing up, which is really annoying as to open the tailgate you need to put the window down, then it opens like a truck back


so far i'm loving it, the up high driving position is great, its a little greedy tho at around 25mpg on the urban commute

plans

in time, bigger wheels, lift up, maybe a body lift and then a suspension lift - but for now i'm just going to enjoy it

biggest issue is the fact its an import so insurance was a little higher compared to what i'm used too and even more annoying is the fact the wiper arms and indicators are on the opposite sides.. lol

big change i know, not really a retro in true words, but different, 17 years old and an import...

what you think???

that they do mate

i've looked into it a lot and its normally ones that have been worked hard, plus there is talk that it effected 1 in 20..

plus when the specialist looked it over it looks prett certain that the heads been off and sorted before it left the land of the rising sun..

like all cars, you hear more horror stories and reading up on the owners club there is still more positive than negative too so it put my mind at rest

(plus if it does go pop the the lexus v8 drops straight in ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D)

theres a few guys on the surf owners club that have done it, calling em lexurfs...

i'm wanting to get winter out of the way, then save cash to sort a lift and bigger tyres first

yes mate - much easier to drive, just pain as swapping between this and the daily i keep putting wipers on or randomly indicating.. lol

need to sort me a side exit zorst too ;D ;D ;D

Picked up some new rims and tyres last night..

Thre them on this AM then took them for a bath!!! 31" 10.5" 15" All terrains..









Looks a lot better for them...

Good grip and drives nicer too - happy all round!!

loooks so much better already, like ya say, losing the steps has made a big difference to the looks. well done matey i luvs it

cheers rich..

they should be ok off road, they sit quite tight to the body and parts of the chassis etc hang underneath..

still need some rocksliders making up i think, some scaffold pipe and someone to weld em up should do the trick... lol

got busy today...

have had a few cans of matt black sat in the shed since i started a project on another car, never got round to finishing as i had an offer i couldnt refuse

so thought about a few things love..

matt black cars (hot roads mainly)
the truck
zombie/vampire films etc etc
cool car films, deathproof, punisher, mad max etc etc

so decided to opt for a matt black truck and going to head down a sort of zombie hunter/hot rod/deathproof theme

first up was start at the front

this morning was looking to be a good day ( i work saturday and have mondays off) so out i went with spanners in hand about 10am





thought i'd give all the panels a good clean and wash, check for any rust issue, very pleased to say there was none (other than one bonnet strut) and paint the panels in the back garden :thumbsup:
a mate popped round for a brew

so cleaned them all up, roughed up the surface and set too it..

using plastikote paint in rattle cans i'm quite pleased, normaly matt black shows bitty, but these havent gone on too bad

bonnet is a little patchy in places, but a gentle rub and then apply the planned decals should sort it out





gloss vinyl logo applied



its now about 3.30, so not bad to strip all down, paint and put back

i get a phonecall, wife, can you pick me up from work

knowing there's some lanes between here and her work i happily oblidge..



yes i know its looks a little poo only with the front done, but i have a plan and need to spend some time on photoshop before i carry on (plus need it back together for the next week)



when i first put it all back together the orange indicators looked stupid,stood out far too much, so remembering a tip form my youth i lightly dusted them with matt black, sanded back, light dust etc etc till it was good covering, but thin

stelth side lights



they still flash orange good enough tho



the eagle eyed ones amongst you will also notice i've deleted the aerial hole too - eventually it'll be back with a snorkel pipe running through it..

anyone know someone who can do decent sized vinyl stickers..

coudl do with some 'large ones' for the bonnet and side doors

tasty ;D