One to Buy: Spectacular 1981 Toyota Hilux 2.4
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We love a vintage Toyota off roader here at Supercar Nostalgia and one of our recent favourites will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in Florida on January 10th.
Completed in 1981 with the range-topping 2.4-litre inline ‘four’, chassis JT4RN38D0B0013867 was reputedly modified at the request of the supplying dealer with a range of after market equipment that made it better suited to California’s desert terrain and heat.
During 2015, chassis ‘13867’ was the subject of a cab-off restoration and Duxone factory code 391 Campbell's Soup Tomato Red paint was chosen for the body. Impressively, the original floor pans and chassis were retained.
Specification-wise, everything is there. Engine upgrades include a Weber performance carburettor, a custom 14-gauge steel header from Doug Thorley headers, a high output oil pump with double engine timing chain and gears (to handle the extra torque) and a copper three-core heavy duty radiator with seven-blade clutch fan.
Special 4.37 gear ratios are used in the front and rear differentials, both of which have quarter-inch plate steel trusses and skid plates to hold the axle tubes in place.
One-ton suspension is via four HD leaf springs up front (with specially-designed shackles and pins) and eight leaf springs at the rear. An onboard air compressor system means the Rancho RS 9000 shocks can be adjustable from the cab. To incorporate said shocks, the front shock towers were modified.
Two specially-designed steering stabiliser shocks have also been fitted and diamond plate covered nerf bars have been affixed to the chassis for additional support.
The original 15 inch slot mag wheels were refurbished and shod with new General Grabber tyres. A one-off supplementary 15 gallon fuel cell connected to the factory fuel tank has been tucked between the chassis and bed for extra range.
This remarkable Hilux is accompanied by a custom R348.2 trailer which started life as a 28' Bayliner boat trailer modified to accept a Toyota Hilux Pickup bed.
