A different take on the Hilux

[pike2350]

so, now that the Rodeo is done...and I have a 2nd truck, I wanted to build something else that is unique. I'm still not sure on the details just yet...but I did finally get some parts together to see what I could come up with. SO many people have Hilux's already, I thought I would make something a little different. I won't go into details just yet , but thought I would show some progress.

Started with a standard Hilux body/bed


Drew some lines on it and began cutting.




WTF is that? Looks a little strange




The rockers don't line up on the bed to the cab, so I had to fix that.





Here's how it sits.


Anyway, I want to leave it a surprise

[skerb]

Interested in where your going with this.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[redjones]

Great idea, you going to shorten the bed?

[STANG KILLA SS]

Penny Racer!

[AxialJeepster]

maybe a dual front steering setup on a semi chassis?? Yota/semi scaler LOL

well.... Im very curious now!

[Shinjari]

Reminds me of the Isuzu amigo or 2-door rav4

[Modbug]

It is a dwarf mobile.


all persons offended
No insults intended to any person of short stature, as I am not tall myself.

[elsewhere]

wtf?

[kaneohecrawler]

I'm gonna guess at quad cab short bed like the "newer" hilux's are made.

[Die-Laughing]

that is... different.

[Bulldog]

You guys obviously haven't seen Rc4wd's new bobcat chassis.

[pike2350]

Originally Posted by Shinjari

Reminds me of the Isuzu amigo or 2-door rav4

I can see how that would be....bob the bed and it would work....I may consider that one next.

Originally Posted by Modbug

It is a dwarf mobile.

Originally Posted by kaneohecrawler

I'm gonna guess at quad cab short bed like the "newer" hilux's are made.

Ding Ding Ding.

I liked the idea of a quad cab and liked what I've seen others do...but I wanted it shorter. There was a guy building a similar truck but turning it into the 84-88 body style....both us of are using the same inspiration...a custom build on pirate 4x4....I just won't be making it "newer" I will leave the 79-83 body lines.

here are more updated pics.












I filled in the screw holes on the on the top of the cab ...and will do the same thing on the lowers.



I then worked on the rear window. The front part was off...because it was the back of the front cab it didn't have the same look as the front door.



I went ahead and made some strips to match the front doors.


There, that looks better



I did extend the wheelbase just a little. It will sit right around 11.75-12''. I will also eventually split the bed from it.

[Bulldog]

Oh, thank the lord, you actually have a plan! I was worried. Looks great at this point! Nothing wrong with a crewcab.

[SCX10Honcho]

very interesting on your body cut and joining, can't wait to see it finished.

[Rook82]

Nice styrene work . I love the looks of the short bed quad cab Lux's that where available many other places but here . So many cool vehicles have been available to the rest of the world but not in the US. This is going to be a cool build.

[Dready]

Watching this one for deffinate.

Have you been spying on me

Mine's very different to yours.
Just Another 4 Door Trailfinder 2 Hilux or is it????

[pike2350]

Originally Posted by Dready

Watching this one for deffinate.

Have you been spying on me

Mine's very different to yours.
Just Another 4 Door Trailfinder 2 Hilux or is it????

Hey, I started mine first That's cool. I went with a larger rear door, and more of the bed taken up. I can't decide on doing a drop bed and making the bed completely separate (would be cool if i decided to do a truggy later) or just leave it as one body....I'll figure that out later.

Anyway, not a lot of major progress so far. I did get the rear doors cut in...most of what I've been doing is trying to get the window lines to be even and not show a "dip", I also filled in all the body holes. The last styrene work for the windows will be a small piece that splits the back windowinto 25/75 I think this will make it look better since right now it's just too big...plus a lot of 4 door vehicles have the rear window with a fixed section...so it will mimick that.

Anyway, here is the only recent pick of the rear door cuts.

[Hoosierdady]

Very nice Frankenlux! I like where you're headed with this.

[pike2350]

Well I've done some more work on it...so here's some updated pics

I started by adding some small pieces to the back window....they just seemed too big, so this helps break them up. I forgot to take pics of this part. I also added "vent" windows to the front...I guess this is more period correct..not sure why I did it....I thought they looked fine as they were, but why not try.



Next up..I was mixed on this.....I wanted a seperate bed/cab cuz I just think they look better, but wasn't sure if I should, or just make a cut to make it look separate.

Well I guess I made that decision....this at least allows me to do a "truggy" in the future if I decide.


Then I went ahead and made a back panel. I don't love it, but without a full interior it'll just look goofy cuz really, this should be part of the wheel well, so it's just how it's going to be....plus with the bed in place, you won't really see it anyway.



Then I sanded and did the body work. Got the body primed...I still need to work on the bed, but here's how it sits today.



I don't love the rear windows...they have a "dip" appearance in them...and it's not easy to straighten out due to the delicate nature of it.










Now I need to work on the bed.

I also need to start thinking of colors for it. I have NO idea what color to paint it.

[Bulldog]

You could help the roof lines by adding bondo to the top and using a straight edge to guide across the front and back. That way, the only thing off is the window lines, which are less noticeable. The other thing you can do is some weathering, and write it off as a little dent problem. The only ones who will know are the whole forum.