Converting Tundra to Hilux

[punchit92]

Hi guys,
New to the Forum. New enough to Crawling too. I bought a Tamiya Toyota Tundra High Lift
[IMG][/IMG]
I always wanted a High Lift, but most of all I wanted the Hilux. This tundra was for sale very close to where I live at a very good price so I jumped on it thinking that changing the Body will be an easy swap. Looks like theres more to it. So if anyone out there has changed from aa Tundra to a Hilux body, I'd really appreciate any info on what parts are needed.
Thanks

[jboehler04]

Does the tundra body have screw holes along the bottom in the rocker panels? It kinda looks like it from the photo on the box bit not sure. If so should be fairly simple swap if the wheel base is the same.

[jmz6]

I think the Tundra chassis is longer, I just measured my set of High Lift rails and they are just shy of 16" long.

[fr8cture]

The Tundra wheelbase is about a inch longer than the hilux wheelbase.

[punchit92]

The Tundra body does have holes on the rocker panels but the wheelbase is longer.
Heres the Hilux chassis

And heres the Tundra

and just for the heck of it... the F350

[jboehler04]

heres what id do. if you have the money and patience and time get another hilux bed and cut out the amount you need in front of the rear wheel well where the cab and bed meet up and glue in and extend the wheel base there. jus make sure you get a clean straight good line across the whole bed so it all matches up good. ive heard thread works best for cutting hard bodies. jus an idea for what i would do if doin one again. instead i jus got a rear honcho cage for mine and hacked it up and made a flat bead conversion for my ridgecrest.

[punchit92]

Originally Posted by jboehler04

heres what id do. if you have the money and patience and time get another hilux bed and cut out the amount you need in front of the rear wheel well where the cab and bed meet up and glue in and extend the wheel base there. jus make sure you get a clean straight good line across the whole bed so it all matches up good. ive heard thread works best for cutting hard bodies. jus an idea for what i would do if doin one again. instead i jus got a rear honcho cage for mine and hacked it up and made a flat bead conversion for my ridgecrest.

That's a good Idea actually! It would deffinatly be unique haha. Must map it out on paper or computer. See if it looks proportionate.

[jmz6]

Like this? About 1" longer WB than stock. Pretty easy to do.




Stock WB on bottom

[fr8cture]

If your gonna do that make it an extended cab.

[jboehler04]

Jmz6 is that what you did? I really wish I come up with these ideas before I hack stuff up. It was about an inch too short for my ridgecrest and should have done that. Dang it. I still have my stock bed so maybe that's gonna be my next project to do.

[jmz6]

Originally Posted by jboehler04

Jmz6 is that what you did? I really wish I come up with these ideas before I hack stuff up. It was about an inch too short for my ridgecrest and should have done that. Dang it. I still have my stock bed so maybe that's gonna be my next project to do.

Yes, I just cut the arch out and moved it back 1 1/8".

This is for a Class 2 truck, I didn't want the extra bulk of an extended cab, so I went for option 2. This body was already abused when I got it, so I figured it was worth a try.

Setting on top of a stock bed

[punchit92]

Originally Posted by jmz6

Like this? About 1" longer WB than stock. Pretty easy to do.

Dare I say it... that looks even better than a normal Hilux. I'm officially ecstatic that I got a tundra chassis! That body looks MINT! Well done.

[jboehler04]

looks good.

[punchit92]

Just a chopped image of what it would look like on a tundra chassis.
I extended the cab and cut out a tundra chassis for another pic. You can see the line through half the wheel. Exact same tyres on tundra and hilux in pics. Great reference.
[IMG][/IMG]