Toyota Hilux LN106R

[boris mikilchuck]

Finally decided to fit a snorkel to the hilux. Got myself a genuine safari snorkel (not a chinese copy) and fitted it up, it was surprisingly easy as the instructions supplied by safari were very good. Its never easy drilling a hole into the side of your pride and joy The hilux definately drives better and sounds better with the snorkel fitted, I reckon I have probably gained 5 hp.

 

[boris mikilchuck]

Went for a run up to catherine hill bay with @zacistan and a few other 4WD crew, as usual the hilux performed flawlessly

 

[boris mikilchuck]

 

[boris mikilchuck]

After extensive research I bit the bullet and bought myself a LOKKA automatic differential locker manufactured by 4WD systems for my front diff. Not only is the LOKKA much cheaper than ARB air lockers or Eaton e-lockers it is also easier to fit and more reliable. I have heard a few horror stories about the ARB air lockers failing due to air leaks caused by cheap o-rings. Although both types of locker have their advantages and disadvantages I like the idea of the auto locker especially on a vehicle with manual locking hubs. It just does its own thing while you can concentrate on 4WDing, no switches or anything else to worry about. If I don’t want to use it then I can simply disengage the hubs.

 

[boris mikilchuck]

Considering that fitting the locker requires removing both axles I decided to overhaul the front end while I was at it. Both inner axle seals were leaking badly (as any solid axle Toyota owner knows, this is quite common) despite having been replaced by the previous owner . I got some marlin crawler inner axle seals which unlike the Toyota ones don’t leak. As I began to strip down the front end I found it had been subjected to some heavy handed maintenance in the past however overall it was in good condition for its age. I also got some steel braided extended brake lines and a full swivel hub rebuild kit.

 

[boris mikilchuck]

Now that everything is stripped down and clean I can take out the diff and commence fitting the locker and rebuilding the swivel hubs. Hopefully I don’t encounter any issues

 

[unko84]

whats the saying your never late in a 2.8. LOL miss the old girl a bit. mine only had 170 kms. had no air con, duel auto lockers the same as you have. did the simpson just made it up big red on the governor at the bottom of big Red in 2nd low range at the top 1500 with 10 psi on the easy line.

 

[boris mikilchuck]

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whats the saying your never late in a 2.8. LOL miss the old girl a bit. mine only had 170 kms. had no air con, duel auto lockers the same as you have. did the simpson just made it up big red on the governor at the bottom of big Red in 2nd low range at the top 1500 with 10 psi on the easy line.

Thats a nice hilux you had there mate, Its not often you see a good example of the single cabs. The single cabs are pretty good for touring with all that room in the back. I like your setup with the draws and water bottles, perfect for a desert run I am planning a trip to fraiser island early next year which is one of the reasons I am quickly shortening the list of mods on the hilux . I would love to do the simpson desert in the future, everyone says its great. What kind of turbo setup were you running?

 

[boris mikilchuck]

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whats the saying your never late in a 2.8. LOL miss the old girl a bit. mine only had 170 kms. had no air con, duel auto lockers the same as you have. did the simpson just made it up big red on the governor at the bottom of big Red in 2nd low range at the top 1500 with 10 psi on the easy line.

Also, did you find the LOKKA affected your steering? I have heard that they can effect handling in some situations. Guess I will find out

 

[Neddysmith]

Every time i see this thread is reminds how much i miss my ln106 and how good it was.

 

[dno67]

Thats a nice hilux you had there mate, Its not often you see a good example of the single cabs. The single cabs are pretty good for touring with all that room in the back. I like your setup with the draws and water bottles, perfect for a desert run I am planning a trip to fraiser island early next year which is one of the reasons I am quickly shortening the list of mods on the hilux . I would love to do the simpson desert in the future, everyone says its great. What kind of turbo setup were you running?

I think you'll find the 10psi may have been tyre pressure.

 

[unko84]

no air con life

Also, did you find the LOKKA affected your steering? I have heard that they can effect handling in some situations. Guess I will find out

It was NA motor. I brought it off some older plp who where getting to old to travel, so everything was on it it. when in 4x4 the steering became a little heavier and self centered really fast once hands came off the steering, I had a auto locker in the rear too it was good offroad!! shit on the road I was scared in the wet, just becasuse if I had any throttle on around corners she would lock up, it would have been like driving on a welded diff around right turns on small roundabout she would lock up in muti story car parks going up she would lock, and going down was ok tho. I did a test in the sand a circle test while in 4x4, while in 4x4 the inside tire was near the out side of the tire when in 2wd. going up zeta track in the high country needed multi 3 point turns (lots of switchbacks on that track, when other hilux got abound)

 

[boris mikilchuck]

Lokka went in without any dramas and everything fitted nice and snug. Once the lokka was inside the diff I could finally see how it actually worked. At first it seemed a little too simple to be true and I was a bit suspicious,

however once it is fitted the locking and unlocking mechanism becomes obvious. The design is actually a stroke of genius and the simplicity of its operation is quite amazing.

 

[boris mikilchuck]

With the lokka fitted and the diff back in the front axle I could finally get back to rebuilding the swivel hubs. As I mentioned earlier the front end of the hilux had been subjected to a “heavy handed” rebuild in the past and was in worse condition than I anticipated. Several of the studs connecting the hub to the wheel were bent and the threads were buggered. In addition to this, one of the hubs basically fell apart when I removed it and I doubt it was ever engaging so I also needed to replace that. Eventually everything came together with no sign of any oil leaks. A word of advice for any solid front axle Toyota owners attempting this job make sure you use aftermarket Marlin Crawler or Trail Gear inner axle seals and split swivel hub wipers as the factory ones leak. I also noticed that my rocker cover had been leaking for a while, so I decided to replace the rocker cover seal while I was at it. This was also in much worse condition that I thought and needed to be cleaned and repainted. While I was at it I also got myself a new tonneau cover strap bungee cord thingo and a new battery. All in all a job well done can’t wait to see how it drives!!

 

[boris mikilchuck]

 

[boris mikilchuck]

Nothing beats the sound of the 2.8 cranking into life after 6 weeks in the carport

 

[cam04]

Had a lokka in the front of my lux. 6 years, 200km. No issues. By far the best bang for buck mod you can do to any 4wd.

 

[boris mikilchuck]

Had a lokka in the front of my lux. 6 years, 200km. No issues. By far the best bang for buck mod you can do to any 4wd.

Especially when you consider the $1500 price difference of a less reliable air locker or e-locker. Its a no brainer. 4WD systems is definitely on a good thing here.

 

[JP147]

Lokka in the rear can be a good option, depends on the vehicle. The more weight on the rear wheels, the smoother it will work.
I have one in the rear of my troopy and I hardly notice it, but on a light car it won't disengage as easily.

 

[typhoeus]

I notice from the pics that the brakes are standard, how do you find them? I upgraded mine to surf 25mm slotted DBA discs, and calipers, big improvement. next is a dual diaphragm booster