RDGR8A - MiniTruckin` New Zealand

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here is nothing better than
the raw presence of vehicles
under-construction. James
Hood the owner of this promising
project has a precise perspective
on what he endeavors to achieve
with his truck RDGR8A.
Inspired from mini’s built in Australia including the infamous dual
cab Hilux of ‘Ground level NSW’.
A 1994 Toyota Hilux Crew Cab
was purchased from a roadworks
crew and was set for the project.
Hood picked his personalized registration plate as he thought the
idea of a road working machine
such as a road grater combined
with the fact that his truck would also
be performing such road leveling duties had a lot in common and suited
the truck perfectly.
Now who’s to build the machine?
Hood and Matt Addis of ‘TDS’ (The
Drop Shop) have been good friends
for many years,
so there was no guessing on who
would be chosen to carry out this high
standard build.
A
fter much planning and burning
of ideas, it was decided that
a heafty box section bridge
would be made to match the heavy
duty construction of a real road grater.
A custom ‘TDS’ tri-link was fabricated
and chrome case hardened, featuring ‘FK’ rose joints and a wishbone
link that matched with the bridge. The
rear chassis rails were removed and
a ‘TDS’ rear clip with a 8 inch Monster
Notch resides in their place. ‘RE-7’
air bellows are fitted in the rear for
improved lift coupled with 1/2 inch
‘Parker’ inflate and dump valves, fittings, filtration and air lines. The front
end has foreseen a complete rebuild
and now lays engine cross member
without drop spindles and consists
of ‘RE-6’ slam air bellows. This setup also features the infamous ‘Drop
Shop’ negative camber appeal thanks
to the in-house fabricated front control arms.
BA 18x8 Ford Falcon rims with 215/35/
R18 treads were a distinctive but fine
choice for wheels .A ‘Billet’ 9 function toggle switch box controller with
an aviation style security plug was
installed as well as a dive bottle and
regulator for dance sessions, the dive
bottle also serves as a reserve supply
incase of compressor failure. A ‘Viar’
420c electric compressor supplies air
to a 7 gallon 3/4 port tank, combined
with ‘Viar’ air pressure gauges and
adjustable air pressure switch.
A new transmission cross member
has also been installed and a smaller brake booster was fitted for inner
wheel tub clearance.
C
addilac vertical tail lamps were
frenched in and a ‘Grant Kustoms’ tail-skin and roll pan
combo has been fully welded to the
rear of the tray.
The Toyota Hilux Surf 4 runner facelift is a growing trend and by all
means is a worthy modification on
Hoods check list. Hood and a good
friend opt to carry out the face-lift
themselves, removing the old front
clip and replacing it with the 4Runner head lamps, grill, bumper and
valance. For anyone wishing to carry
out this modification, James has
posted a tutorial on the MiniTruckin
New Zealand Forums.
Factory one piece glass doors coupled with matching chrome wing mirrors replaced the original, and were
later modified into suicide swing action, using ‘TDS’ bear claw hinges
and mounts.
Shaven aerial, cowling, fuel filler cap,
door handles with remote door poppers are prime examples of a clean
finish truck.
J
ames is a dedicated minitrucker
and a good friend of ‘The Drop
Shop’, he is also a valuable
member of ‘No Regrets’ NZ Chapter.
Future Plans
Sheet metal bed
VW perl cyber green paint
Continue on driving the truck for
many years to come with my family,
friends and close ties with fellow club
members. No Regrets Bitches!
Specifications
Wheels and Tyres
18x8 Inch Ford
215/35R18 Treads
Falcon
Rims,
Suspension/Chassis
Viair 420c compressor
7 gallon 3/4” port tank
1/2” Parker fill valves
1/2” Parker dump valves
Parker lines, fittings
RE-6 Slam Specialties bags RE-7
Slam Specialties bags
9 function billet controller with aviation style security plug
Adjustable PSI switch, Viair gauges.
Body
4runner front clip (Radiator support,
lights, grill, bumper) 93 Cadillac Tail
Lights, full glass doors. Shaved fuel
door, aerial hole, tail gate, cowl panel. Suicide doors, remote door poppers. ‘Grant Kustoms’ tail-skin and
roll pan combo.
Engine
Stock 22r
Noisy Timing Chain
K&N Filter
Full Custom exhaust which tucks
above the frame rails