Nigel's KZJ120R

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Ok i guess with all the mods and how the truck is slowly taking shape i thought id do a build up thread too. Some D.I.Y, some i paid professionals to do as i dont want to bugger up my baby.

this is how she looked in the driveway day 1 of ownership, missus's Klueger next to it. (toyota for life).

and this is how it looks after the mod bug bit next to the missus' Klueger.....

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

First week we had her we took it for a run through the Little Dip Conservation park at Robe. Having Owned a pretty tough 80 series and a GU and previously a 76 series i was a little sceptical on how a bog stock 1KZ-TE would perform through the dunes but i was pleasantly surprised on how capable it was and due to the lightness of the rig it actually did it easier than any truck ive had before! Even better than the 80 with 33's lift and 176kw's!

it came stock but with a Sov bar and a set of Cooper ATR's. I wacked an Ironman awning on straight away.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Ok first things first. Awning time. I just have the stock rola style roof racks, Toyota genuine. I simply cut a section for the rubber strip off the top, ground the plastic flat at the top of the roof rack for the bracket to sit flat and got some longer bolts from Stratco. simple and easy. yeah the bag does just touch the paint but to marking yet.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Stage two. Time for some unleashing of the potential of the little 1KZ. I purposely chose the 1KZ due to the simplicity of the engine. The ease of servicing and obviously the cost effectiveness of it too. The 1VD-FTE i had in the 76 was super powerful being a V8 but being a common rail, it suffered from chronic Cold Rattle, to the point where people walking would turn around to look and the car running with what sounded like no oil. it was expensive and i had nothing but issues with it. Injectors were 4 figures each to replace and i had 8! Anyway long story short, with a chip and exhaust i knew the 1KZ will do me fine. I dont really tow and i sit on 100kms on the highway.
Off to FNB 4WD in Mt Barker for a DP Chip and Sterling 3' exhaust.

Very happy with the package just at 2500 for the lot fitted. Ive got the DP Chip set to 5 for now. I dont notice and better fuel economy but the torque and drivability has improved massively. The fuel consumption has stayed the same so with the extra power and no extra fual usage that equates to better economy.

The exhaust came in black and looks standard with no shiny bling which is perfect for an exhaust. No rattles or vibration. No drone either which is great. Highly recommend the system.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

this is the dump pipe.

[baggs71 Inactive member. Find all posts View Profile Close baggs71]

Awesome N.
Very nice truck indeed.
You are right about the simplicity of KZ....

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

After much research and deliberating, Thanks to this forum and in particular the info i got from FlyingKiwis i purchased a set of Ironman Performance lift kit. I got the 2' lift. I left the spacers in the front, well the guys who fitted the suspension did. I was very hesitant at first as it was sitting very front high and with the 265/65 ATR tyres looked weird.
measurements after lift were 820mm front left
823mm front right
830mm rear left
835mm rear right.

[baggs71 Inactive member. Find all posts View Profile Close baggs71]

Awesome.nigel
We are having dinner on aldinga beach at 6pm if you can make it

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

great suspension. very happy with it now. has settled just nice. I paid about $1000 less than quoted at ARB for OME and in my opinion, time will tell but its so plush and great rebound. Ive had EFS only before and this is as good but a little plusher. the EFS never seemed to use the full travel. A little too hard in my opinion. Ironman all the way.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Awesome.nigel
We are having dinner on aldinga beach at 6pm if you can make it

thanks for the invite Baggs. would love to... but Goolwa is an hour away.and the missus has tea on already. catch you on the 17th?

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Thanks WOZCLEAN for the PP sticker!! also took the time to fit a dust deflector too.

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

After much research and deliberating, Thanks to this forum and in particular the info i got from FlyingKiwis i purchased a set of Ironman Performance lift kit. I got the 2' lift. I left the spacers in the front, well the guys who fitted the suspension did. I was very hesitant at first as it was sitting very front high and with the 265/65 ATR tyres looked weird.
measurements after lift were 820mm front left
823mm front right
830mm rear left
835mm rear right.

Love ya work mate. Your truck is really starting to take shape.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Time for some new shoes..... after much deliberating i went for the trusty BFG All Terrains. I went up to the much better 265/70/17. looks much tougher.

before and after.........

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Love ya work mate. Your truck is really starting to take shape.

Thanks mate. your truck is awsome too. an inspiration actually. thanks for all your advice on the suspension. cheers nige.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

The tyres got a little workout on the beach here at Goolwa. i can get all the way down the Murray mouth and back without even dropping the pressures! Credit to the Light weight prado and good tread. Plus a little handy driving. LOL.. heres a couple of pics with the new rubber and settled suspension.

In the past ive had Cooper ATR, Bridgestone D697LT, Goodyear Wrangler Silent Amour and Mickey Thompson ATZ 4 ribs on my previous trucks. The BFGs and as quiet as the D697LT's and as grippy as the ATZ 4 Ribs. I rate the BFG's. they're an awesome tyre.