SHED: TOYOTA HILUX
FITTING AN ALUMINIUM TRAY TO THE HILUX HAS AFFECTED THE WAY IT DRIVES, AND IT HAS LEFT JIMMY LOOKING AT HIS OPTIONS.
BEING an ex-fleet vehicle with a steel tray the Hilux was carrying a significant amount of weight on the rear, even with nothing in it. Since swapping it out for an alloy tray from Queensland’s JDW Custom Fabrications the reduction in weight has been quite noticeable.
The width of the new tray is more streamlined to the vehicle now and there is a reduction in wind noise over the steel tray in consequence. This decrease in weight and wind drag has resulted in a welcomed minor reduction in fuel consumption, too. The only negative to the tray is the reduction in weight over the rear axle, which has resulted in a noticeably stiffer rear end. With the rear suspension running less constant load the shocks’ resting positions are nearly fully extended, which means little to no down travel; so while the front is still tracking well, the rear has a noticeable decrease in grip and comfort.
I will be fitting permanent accessories to the Hilux over the next few months, adding to the constant load. This will bring the tray back up to around the same weight as the steel tray by itself, which should address the ride issues.
THE SET-UP
WHEN choosing the right suspension set-up for your requirements, working out your constant load (permanent extra weight added to the vehicle) is very important as there are several options to suit; but if you get it wrong. you’ll end up with a poorly performing set-up on- and off-road.
Therefore any reputable suspension shop should ask you what extra accessories have been installed or planned to be installed, and then point you in the right direction for the correct set-up to suit your needs.
At the time of writing a new set of Cooper Evolution M/T tyres arrived, but we ran out of time to fit them. Due to virus restrictions at the time, I couldn’t head bush to put them through their paces, either. As they are a chunky mud tyre I’m expecting fuel consumption to head south, but after chatting to Coopers about new technologies used, this may not be like the mud tyres of old and I’m really looking forward to giving them an initial review and further updates as I rack up the kays onand off-road.