www.4×4tec.co.za

In 2006 I undertook the challenge of converting my 1996 Hilux to a Lexus V8. I was told many lies that convinced me to fork out a lot of money for the conversion and then it took as much money as the conversion itself and 2 years to make it work.

Nowadays a good working conversion costs around R80 000! People then stand back and say that with an engine and gearbox costing around R7500, how on earth can it cost so much. Well, have you thought of the points below? Many of these points won’t even be addressed by the installer that charged you the R80K and to address all these points you could end up spending another R50K!

-The consumption will be terrible, don’t believe all the lies regarding this. Mine gave me 4-6km/l on tar, but it was 4km/l most of the time. Offroad it uses a lot more fuel!

-The engine isn’t ready to go, you need to prepare it and guys that have done it DIY reckon about R4000 for that alone.

-You need a transfer box adaptor if you use the Lexus auto box, this is a precision machined part.

-If you want to use a manual gearbox you need an adaptor or a full new bell housing.

-You need a high quality radiator, this is extremely important because almost everyone fits an insufficient radiator.

-A good electric fan is essential, again, don’t go for cheap options.

-Engine and gearbox management computers. Choosing the wrong thing here will make the conversion an absolute nightmare!

-Engine and gearbox mounts must be manufactured. These need to be captive mounts or else you will rip them apart.

-Some of the chassis cross members might have to be cut out and changed to accommodate the engine, gearbox and new transfer box position.

-The fuel system might have to change from diesel to petrol.

-You probably need a high pressure fuel pump and new fuel lines.

-The air filter system with have to change to give the engine enough air.

-All the wiring must be done, and here you don’t skimp because it will bite you if you do.

-Full new exhaust system so you can get all that air out of the engine again.

-New front and rear prop shafts since the transfer box is now in a different position. These might need double cardon joints since the angles aren’t what they are suppose to be.

-A few runs on a Dyno are needed to tune the engine.

-You probably need a bodylift to fit the engine and gearbox.

-You might need some custom heat shields near the manifolds, because they are now in a place where the vehicle manufacturer never intended to be so much heat.

-You might need to upgrade the brakes, my SFA hilux was in desperate need of that!

-You might have to change the diff ratio’s, especially if you want to run the standard auto box from a Lexus car with big tyres.

-You might also have to strengthen the axles as they could be too weak for all that V8 power.

-Major work might have to be done to make the radiator fit.

-An aftermarket aircon condenser might be needed if you want your aircon to still work.

-Major work might be needed to make the aircon condenser fit.

-Custom pipes and fittings will have to be made up for the aircon.

-A large oil cooler is needed for the auto box.

-If you want to do heavy offroad work a fan on the gearbox cooler is a good idea.

-An engine oil cooler is also a good idea.

-Some bonnet vents might be a good idea to help get rid of all that heat.

-You might have to upgrade the front suspension if the engine is heavier than the stock engine.

So, still think it’s a good idea?

(If anyone that has done the conversion has more thoughts, please send them to me)

Here’s a few clips of my Hilex, what a beautiful sound!