Author Topic: Hilux Coil Conversion (Read 23209 times)

squirrel · « **on:** Jun 26, 2006, 10:36:09 PM »

After a month of engineering, purchasing, machining, and welding, the coil conversion on my '84 pickup is complete. I wanted to ditch leaf springs because you have to run the drag link under the spring, which results in horrible bumpsteer, or run it over, which means you're smashing the pitman arm into the leaf spring and drag link into the oil pan, unless you lift the truck 4-5". I wanted to run 33s and keep the center of gravity low, so only 1" or so of lift was really necessary.

So far it's made it from LA to NY, with offroad testing in Moab and Boulder along the way. The highway ride is nice, with minimal bumpsteer, and the front handles bumps much smoother than the leaf springs ever did. For crawling, the wheels can droop way out there - I really have to seek out terrain that will get the truck to lift a tire. Brake dive is non-existant and the panhard bar keeps it tracking perfectly in turns. The pinion angle is also near perfect, I actually drove it on the freeway in front wheel drive, with no vibration problems.

Pics posted below...

squirrel · « **Reply #1 on:** Jun 26, 2006, 10:38:44 PM »

squirrel · « **Reply #2 on:** Jun 26, 2006, 10:39:50 PM »

BUDDERS · « **Reply #3 on:** Jun 26, 2006, 11:26:42 PM »

I am looking to do a similar set up on mine. How much $ do you think you have wrapped up in materials?

squirrel · « **Reply #4 on:** Jun 27, 2006, 09:24:36 AM »

It was about $2000 complete... the items I can remember off the top of my head are

Walker Evans 10" shocks - $550
Hypercoil springs - $220
DOM tubing, Rod Ends, and threaded inserts from Spidertrax - $600
Waterjet cutting of all plates (towers, steering box plates, etc.) - $200
Front axle rebuild parts - $100
Extended brake lines - $75
Bushings and sleeves for radius arms - $60
Radius arms from a Jeep warn kit - Free, a friend had them lying around
Grade 8 bolts - $100

I had free access to a nice MIG, a full machine shop, and metal tubing, so those costs didn't factor in.

If I were to do it again, I'd be more careful in designing the shock tower so it doesn't interfere with the steering shaft... I had to add an extra u-joint and route it around because I didn't plan it out first...

Matty · « **Reply #5 on:** Jun 27, 2006, 09:37:04 AM »

very cool setup, nicely planned out. i like how you kept it stock looking as well. nice low COG

BUDDERS · « **Reply #6 on:** Jun 27, 2006, 06:40:44 PM »

Do you have any pics of the back side of your axle where the radius arms mount up? If so, I'd like to see them.

Oh, and I'm sure you have thought of this, but a steering stabilizer would help with the bump steer.

squirrel · « **Reply #7 on:** Jun 27, 2006, 07:12:56 PM »

I got the brackets cut on a waterjet and welded them on with the bushing sleeves in to fixture them properly. I added a .030" washer to give a little extra room so the radius arm can wiggle in. I added a steering stabilizer after I took the photos, between the axle and the tie rod, like it comes stock.

BUDDERS · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 27, 2006, 10:42:38 PM »

VERY CLEAN! I like it.

Bazzi · « **Reply #9 on:** Jun 28, 2006, 12:06:53 AM »

nice work. looks great

cheap sunglasses · « **Reply #10 on:** Jun 29, 2006, 01:59:27 AM »

Very nice job!
Now that ORS has a coil kit coming out we might be seeing more toyotas losing their leaves.

BUDDERS · « **Reply #11 on:** Jun 29, 2006, 07:27:03 AM »

Quote from: cheap sunglasses on Jun 29, 2006, 01:59:27 AM

Very nice job!
Now that ORS has a coil kit coming out we might be seeing more toyotas losing their leaves.

That kit has already been out for a few weeks. It's pretty pricey though....

cheap sunglasses · « **Reply #12 on:** Jun 29, 2006, 09:54:18 PM »

yeah i know its out, i guess i worded that wrong, and yeah it is damn 'spensive

squirrel · « **Reply #13 on:** Jun 30, 2006, 12:48:30 PM »

I didn't know anyone else was working on a coil kit for the early trucks, although I saw All-Pro has a coil-over setup for the recent Tacomas. ORS's complete kit for about $3700 sounds like about twice my raw material cost, the typical retail markup... if you have a shop do all the cutting and welding, the conversion could easily go past $5000. I went with the coil setup because it allowed me to keep the truck low, and has way more flex than the stock setup. ORS's is lifted a bunch, so I don't know why you wouldn't just go with leaf springs...

BUDDERS · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 30, 2006, 07:26:02 PM »

Yeah, my freind is going to sell me a set of used alcans for the front for $75. Get a pair of shocks, some brake lines, shock hoops and highsteer and voila, I'm in business. All for under $800.

beyondlogic · « **Reply #15 on:** Mar 27, 2009, 07:53:54 AM »

Quote from: squirrel on Jun 27, 2006, 07:12:56 PM

I got the brackets cut on a waterjet and welded them on with the bushing sleeves in to fixture them properly. I added a .030" washer to give a little extra room so the radius arm can wiggle in. I added a steering stabilizer after I took the photos, between the axle and the tie rod, like it comes stock.

how did you adjust for caster? did you just level the axle vertical and weld the brackets on straight up and down?

nevermind found the other thread where you asked the same question.

TacoRunner · « **Reply #16 on:** Mar 27, 2009, 06:53:32 PM »

What length shock was used in this build, and how much of the shaft is showing at ride height?

Duffil · « **Reply #17 on:** Mar 27, 2009, 11:46:59 PM »

this thread is from 06 and the OP hasn't been active since mid 07. please wake up before posting.

BigMike · « **Reply #18 on:** Mar 28, 2009, 12:04:18 AM »

This thread is news to me, I really dig it.

On a side note, @ Duffil: I *thought* I had some warning message if a user posts to a thread that is over a certain number of days old, like over 120 days old. Maybe I disabled it, I can't remember, and as the admin I never see those messages anyway. Hmmmmm

toyomr285 · « **Reply #19 on:** Mar 28, 2009, 08:49:09 PM »

That is pretty wicked!!

TacoRunner · « **Reply #20 on:** Mar 29, 2009, 07:43:26 PM »

Quote from: BigMike on Mar 28, 2009, 12:04:18 AM

This thread is news to me, I really dig it.

On a side note, @ Duffil: I *thought* I had some warning message if a user posts to a thread that is over a certain number of days old, like over 120 days old. Maybe I disabled it, I can't remember, and as the admin I never see those messages anyway. Hmmmmm

squirrel [OP]

squirrel [OP]

squirrel [OP]

squirrel [OP]

squirrel [OP]

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