Slaw31

Hey everyone. I own a 1975 hilux sport truck. Pretty cool truck it was the first to offer the 5 speed transmission and came with some big deal options for its day. Also introduced the 20r engine. It is a good beat around daily driver but I was hoping to convert it to 4wd. I know there wasnt much change in size up to the mid 90s but am hoping to get some knowledge on the easiest year to mate up. I want to keep the 20r she is jam up and heard a w56 5speed will mount up fairly easy. I will post photos tonight of my little truck and see what y'all think. I am in SC, don't plan on doing anything hardcore with it just be nice to not get stuck in wet grass and have that little extra for towing.

Game plan so far is to find a wrecked 4wd truck to strip and mount to a parts 75 truck's frame I have to build up so I can still use my truck to get around in and just drop my body on later. This is going to be a slow build since I am green so I apologize for any dumb questions haha.

bruno4turbo

welcome to yotatech!
wow 75?? my mom had a 79. thats a great find you got there, hers was yellow with a roll bar 3" lift. sweet little truck had to sell it when she had kids tho :/

swapin to 4x4 shouldn't be to hard. just an axle, suspension parts, and a tcase

and the w56 is the 5spd, all you really need is the tcase. but you can swap the whole trans if you wanted. make sure your axle gear ratios are the same too.

and there are no dumb questions! we where all green once! I'm still green I guess and I actually go to school for mechanics...

can't wait to see this truck, and the things you do to it

Coleslaw31

Thanks for the support. I was going to get a lot of photos for yall but the bottom decided to drop and it is pouring at the moment. It is a great truck and dependable, nothing very luxury about it though haha. Outside I had painted a few years back while in college was going to restore it then kind of just stopped. Now I look at it and just think tweeking it BUT not lose its classic look would be better. Interior is shot other than the door panels which is about 50 percent of the interior.

Also attached my 68 corvair. fun little car to cruise in.

Slaw31

By the way by accident I seemed to have a account on here before and forgot. anyways sorry for the mix up on the 2 accounts, Slaw31 will be what i use now.

bruno4turbo

cool lookin little truck

Slaw31

Here are a couple more photos. It is pretty much factory. I also have a photo of the type of rims I would like and the lift I like (minus the camper back), keeps that 70's feel. The current color is the factory color which is okay but I kind of like a darker brown like in the camper photo.

Slaw31

Here is the camper photo. Anyone know where to find this style rims.

bruno4turbo

Not sure where you can get those rims, my mom's ford has similar ones, not chrome tho. you'll have to check a wheel and tire shop near you, if they don't have some they'll find you some.. looks about a 3-4" lift... you'd have to find the lift that fits you. I have a 5", most like a 2-3"

what tire size do you plan on running?

Discombobulated

Dang, really wonderful and clean can't wait to see the end result

Smilemon

I like 4 wheel drives, but I'd love to get a 1970's 2wd to make into a little hot rod. The weight distribution and handling makes them far better for commuting around than a 4 wheel drive version, and the pickup bed makes it useful for hauling car parts around while you're working on your other projects.

I'd consider keeping it as a fuel efficient daily driver/parts hauler and buy a more beat up truck to wheel.

Soup up the engine and make it a quick little car. All in all it's not much different from the 1970's Celicas.

If you do go 4x4, be nice to that body.

kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

The American Racing Outlaw II wheels are pretty close to those. I just took a set off my truck tonight, hated them! More or less because they were pretty beat up, but even if they were new and shiney, they would be a pain to clean.

Nice looking truck though! Appears to be in great condition

Slaw31

I am looking for a more stock 4wd look 2-3 probably where it'd like to go. Tire sizes I am unsure any suggestions on what to run?

bruno4turbo

going for a stock look? hmmm.. I'd run 31's on a 2-3" lift, maybe stick closer to 2"

if you're gonna get like all terrains go with 31x10.5x15. I run 32's under a 5" lift but its more personal preference. don't go more than 31's because you'll prob rub when you're turning. I know that on a stock heep (sisters truck) she can run max of a 31 tire, and she has the solid front axle too.

kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

I'd go with 31x10.5. I have them on my truck and they are plenty capable and don't required re-gearing to go above 50mph.

Slaw31

I won't do any cutting into the body the fenders and all have a cool look to them. I won't someone to look at it and think it came that wAy. I just think I could do a little more with 4wd on it esp when towing. But I don't plan on losing that classic look

Slaw31

Enjoy these old cars for their options. This truck came with a center console and in the rear of the console are some nice holders for your seat belts. also I have all the purchase info and inspection sheets when the truck was bought.

Slaw31

I like the owners manuals are still in the plastic sleeve.