The 3RZ HiluxSurf on 37s Build

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Oct 7, 2018
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Damn, did not see myself making a build thread again, but I have started to get excited about the build again after slapping 37s on so why not!

Starting from the beginning. In May of 2014 I acquired a freshly imported 1999 Toyota Hilux Surf, SSRX Sub-Model (Bone Stock). It has the 2.7L 3RZ (yes gas engine). Bought it completely stock with 121,xxx km's. It was originally from Tokyo and I am completely in love. So many cool little JDM aspects to it and it honestly gets all the looks.

The day I brought her home:
44261152455_9b13464ed4_b.jpg


4.5 years later, and its been a hell of ride. You would not believe the fun I have had diagnosing every little problem when everything is setup differently than the north american trucks. Literally every wiring harness, every bolt location, everything has been different. I probably would have been better off learning Japanese to be honest, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Its always a pretty serious feeling of accomplishment tackling issues that no one else has documented on before.

How she currently sits (trail shots of 37s coming):
IMG_6576.jpg

It is hard writing all this now and looking back at everything that has been done to the truck, so I'll give you the short version. Lots of different lift setups, progressively growing in tire size (31, 33, 35....) and lots of really cool trips (I like taking photos too).

Here are the main things (that I think are of actual value) that have been done to the truck:
  • Re-geared to 4.88s
  • Rear axle swap and Toyota E-Locker install
  • MCM Fab Long Travel Kit (Packaged by SRQ!!!) with ADS coil-overs
  • McNeil Fiberglass Fenders
  • Dick Cepek Fun Country's 37/13.5/17
  • Smittybuilt 9500lb Winch
  • Rear drawer system
  • Double din switch panel (Surf's are triple Din)
  • Front tube bumper
  • Non-Center Diff-Lock Transfer Case Swap (there's a long story with this one)
  • Manual Hub Conversion
  • Transmission Cooler, fan, and Gauge
  • Tundra brake upgrade
  • Skids and Sliders

After writing all that, realizing that I've actually done more than I realized to this truck. I will be adding lots of trip and some mod photos to catch up.

Moving forward, I will likely update this build thread with major updates, but I want to focus it more on questions. Please ask about anything I have ever done or why I did things a certain way. Love to lend a helping hand and as I add more updates about past modifications, I hope they can help the community.

But long story short, ASK ME QUESTIONS!

Relatively Complete List of Mods:

Performance and Drivetrain:
- Yukon 4.88s
- Toyota E-Locker Housing swap and install w/ Low Range harness
- 231mm Tundra Brake caliper, rotor, and pad upgrade
- New Radiator
- Soronan Steel Rear extended brake line
- Bosch Starter Motor
- B&M 70264 Transmission Cooler
- Pro-Comp 7" Electric Fan to accompany Transmission Cooler
- Rear Extended Diff Breather routed to gas fill door
- Non-Multi Mode (Fully Mechanical) Transfer Case swap



Lighting and Electrical:
- Blue Sea Accessory Fuse box and Relay setup
- VIAIR 400P compressor hardmounted as OBA in rear cargo space
- Suzuki Inclinometer
- Transmission Temeratutre Guage
- Midland 4001 CB Radio
(Removed)
- Baofeng UV82 Handheld VHF Radio
- PIAA 520 mounted on each CBI Ditch Bracket
(Removed)
- 12" Dual Row Spot/Flood Mix Cree Light Bar mounted on the grill (Removed)
- 41" Curved Dual row Spot Phillips bulb Light Bar mounted above wind shield (Removed)
- 2x 4" Dual row Flood Cree Light Bars mounted on roof basket as Reverse Lights (Removed)
- Led Front Turn Signals to replace factory signals when bumper was chopped
- Red Led bulbs for Rear Plate



Exterior:
- Satoshi Grill Mod with 12" light bar mounted within it. Used a "Toyota" logo from a Camry (Removed)
- Curt Extended Roof Basket (two extensions together for full roof length). Also created custom brackets and feet to achieve lower profile. (Removed)
- Homemade low-profile "unistrut" roof platform with Fairing
- Front wheel well lower body chop
- Custom Flip Down rear tire carrier
(Removed)
- U-Haul Trailer Hitch
- OZ Trail Awning - 2.5M
- Homemade CB Antenna steel mount on Rear Break Light
(Removed)
- Second CB antenna mount off of ditch brackets (Removed)
- Removed Running Boards
- Major trimming of factory front bumper and removal of lower valence
- Minor Fender trimming
- Redline Hood Struts for automatic opening!
biggrin.gif

- McNeil Racing 4” Fiberglass Fenders


Armour:
- Bud Built Front and Belly Skid Plates
- Custom front tube bumper and front rad skid plate.
^ Winch is Smittybuilt XRC 9500
- TG 67" Sliders



Interior:
- CoverKing Fitted Seat Covers (Red + Black)
- Cargo Area Storage System. Homemade and custom created for the truck. Also has a extra storage box build to match and subwoofer box built to match secured on top
- All Speakers replaced with Pioneer Brand
- 10" Sub in Sealed Box with Amp mounted on top
- Kenwood single din head unit
- Homemade Double Din Switch Panel mounted below deck for OTRATTW rocker swtiches
- Cargo Roof Net attached to headliner



Interior Lighting:
- Led Map Lights
- Red Led Strips as Footwell lighting
- Converted all Cluster, Gauges and A/C Control Bulbs to Blue Led's



Suspension and Tires:

- 4x 37/13.5/17 Dick Cepek Fun Country's
- ProComp 17" Aluminum Wheels


Body Lift:
- 1" ToyTec Body lift
- 1" ToyTec steering shaft extension


Front:
- MCM Fab Long Travel Upper and Lower Control Arms
- ADS Coilovers
- Extended Break Lines
- Limiting Straps
- Tie Rod Extensions
- Total Chaos Spindle Gussets



Rear:
- OME 861 Coils
- Bilstein 5125s with special factory ordered stud top and special valving
(Removed)
- Tokico Black Landcruiser shocks
- ToyTec Panhard Drop Bracket
- Homemade adjustable panhard bar
- Parking Brake bracket extender
- Adjustable Upper and Lower Control Arms
- Soronan Steel Extended Break line
 
Last edited:
Joined
Oct 7, 2018
Messages
17
Age
29
What write ups would everyone like. I am going going to do unique ones. Here are some good options I think:
1. Actuator driven transfer case troubleshooting and eventual swap to manual transfer case.
2. Manual hub conversion
3. Long travel with manual hub job
4. Wheel well clearance'ing for 35s/37s

Let me know of any different ones you'd like to read/have, or if you like one of the above!
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
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Oct 2, 2018
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What write ups would everyone like. I am going going to do unique ones. Here are some good options I think:
1. Actuator driven transfer case troubleshooting and eventual swap to manual transfer case.
2. Manual hub conversion
3. Long travel with manual hub job
4. Wheel well clearance'ing for 35s/37s

Let me know of any different ones you'd like to read/have, or if you like one of the above!

We've got so many 3rd gen runners all of those would be of great benefit to the forum. Looking forward to seeing them. You've done a lot to that rig.
 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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What write ups would everyone like. I am going going to do unique ones. Here are some good options I think:
1. Actuator driven transfer case troubleshooting and eventual swap to manual transfer case.
2. Manual hub conversion
3. Long travel with manual hub job
4. Wheel well clearance'ing for 35s/37s

Let me know of any different ones you'd like to read/have, or if you like one of the above!
We do have a tubbed wheel wells thread already.
https://independentoffroading.com/index.php?threads/tubbed-wheel-wells.13/

And the what size tire should you really run.

https://independentoffroading.com/index.php?threads/realistically-what-tires-should-you-run.111/

I’d definitely post up the tire size fitment up in those as well to give people ideas of what goes into fitment.


The manual t-case and manual hubs are good ones to share as well. Never seen a manual hub LT rig before.
 
Joined
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Messages
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We do have a tubbed wheel wells thread already.
https://independentoffroading.com/index.php?threads/tubbed-wheel-wells.13/

And the what size tire should you really run.

https://independentoffroading.com/index.php?threads/realistically-what-tires-should-you-run.111/

I’d definitely post up the tire size fitment up in those as well to give people ideas of what goes into fitment.


The manual t-case and manual hubs are good ones to share as well. Never seen a manual hub LT rig before.


Haha yea because its the only one around. Fairly certain I am the only LT Surf with manual hubs and 37s in the world.
 
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Got a chance to go out and run around for the day on the 37s. Here are a few of my favorite shots for the day. Enjoy!

IMG_6680.jpg

IMG_6687.jpg
IMG_6672.jpg

IMG_6634.jpg
IMG_6610.jpg

IMG_6595.jpg
IMG_6576.jpg
IMG_6507.jpg
 
Joined
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What did you have to trim in the rear for the 37s?

are your 4.88 adequate for them?

When should I come up to BC?
I actually haven't trimmed a thing believer it or not haha. I will probably need to cut a little bit but I'm ok with it for now.

And I'm dead serious. Book it and tell me.
 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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I want my up travel back in the rear. I'm gonna be trimming like crazy soon.
Up travel is highly underrated. I have about 6.5" of up travel at ride height now and it's been fucking awesome to not ever bottom out anymore. I used to have about 5" of up travel, but had 2" taller ride height. Even that 1.5" has helped a bunch. Plus having hydro bumps really makes another huge difference. I can't wait for Ocotillo in a couple weeks to really give it some hell.
 
Joined
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You don't have to trim if you just extend your bump stops more ;)
GET OUT OF MY ASS. :flamethrow:

I love my rear bump stops and I don't care who knows it! :banana:

Yeah, its not a triangulated 4 link cut into the cargo area for maximum bumps, but its better than stock/ what my previous setup was. I thoroughly enjoy how my rear rides compared to other similarly set up 3rd gens (Few and far between) I can hit nearly and whoop, divot, ditch on moderate trails at 30-40 mph and my rear soaks it up great. I'm now working on setting the front up to handle it as well as the rear. A shock revalve and air bumps up front is in the very near future.
 
Joined
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I actually haven't trimmed a thing believer it or not haha. I will probably need to cut a little bit but I'm ok with it for now.

And I'm dead serious. Book it and tell me.


answer me on 4.88s. I need to know for science!

I will make it up there in 2019 for sure! As long as you make it back down here to the red desert
 
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Up travel is highly underrated. I have about 6.5" of up travel at ride height now and it's been fucking awesome to not ever bottom out anymore. I used to have about 5" of up travel, but had 2" taller ride height. Even that 1.5" has helped a bunch. Plus having hydro bumps really makes another huge difference. I can't wait for Ocotillo in a couple weeks to really give it some hell.
You still running stock bumps with spacers?
Yea still stock bumps with spacers. Neeeeeed hydros.
 
Joined
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Messages
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answer me on 4.88s. I need to know for science!

I will make it up there in 2019 for sure! As long as you make it back down here to the red desert
I will absolutely come down one day for sure. Yes the 4.88s seem to be good for now. Better fuel economy with the 37s than 35s. Remember though its a 3rz. So would be a different power ratio than your truck.
 
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