SHED: TOYOTA HILUX
JIMMY HITS THE PIPE TO UNLEASH THE WILD PERFORMANCE OF HIS 3.0L HILUX.
This month, the Hilux got a replacment exhaust system and we the TJM Pro Locker through its paces. Since picking up the Hilux the exhaust has been something needing attention, not as a priority, but more as a reduction in noise pollution. The previous setup was a backyard deal, with the muffler removed in favour of a straightthrough system. Not the worst sound, but it did tend to drone at highway revs.
I opted for a 3-inch turbo back with hotdog/resonator and cat setup from Carbon Off Road. This system retails for $869 using CNC mandrel-bent aluminised tubing, 10mm flange plates and electrostatic high-temp paint and two-year warranty.
Using all the original attachment points the guys at APAC 4x4 on the Sunshine Coast had the system installed in record time, once the usual issue of seized nuts on the dump pipe we’re sorted. Upgrading your exhaust is a relatively easy DIY if you’ve got access to a hoist, and is made all the more pain-free with a system such as the Carbon Off Road that uses all the original hanger points.
After installing the exhaust it was time for a test drive to see how it sounded and if the drone at highway revs had been eliminated. Running a 3-inch exhaust with only a resonator, I did have some apprehension on sound quality, however the guys at Carbon Off Road assured me I would not be disappointed.
Overall the sound is good at highway speeds and throughout the rev range with no noticeable drone at all, and I reckon I even noticed a small increase in performance. The next step will be an ECU tune or diesel chip to take advantage of the free-flowing exhaust and the larger Terratuff front-mount intercooler setup.
Last issue I installed a rear TJM Pro Locker with the help of APAC 4x4, and this one accessory has made a huge improvement when tackling previously challenging tracks. Rutted-out hillclimbs that seemed almost impossible on previous attempts can now be approached with reduced speed and vastly improved traction. With a reduction in momentum needed on challenging trails, the Pro Locker in my opinion should reduce wear and tear associated with more spirited approaches to deep ruts and steep undulating tracks.
At $1728 (including air-compressor) the Pro Locker is a relatively minor expense for a major off-road gain and potentially reduced wear and tear.