Thread: Truck mods, 2016 Revo

I decided to swap out the chrome plated plastic grill with the TRD grill.




Before with factory grill



Grill out and stuff cleaned up



Winch install picture being I did not show last time and now with front parts off it can be seen



New TRD grill set and in place



Done. I had to do this at my Condo I rent in Korat. It was easy and took about 45 minutes. I like it better. I am not much of a Chrome guy. This grill is some what a prototype as not many will ever be delivered on trucks here in TL. This grill is more frequently seen in Australia but again special order.




Speaking of chrome, I came across this rear bumper replacement. I am chasing some prices. Way better and way stronger. Allows me to remove the chrome rear bumper

OHOh, I added all the upgrades at once and a few days later were the larger tires and wheels. My comment about road feel, was based on ride stability and steering. All around better in all aspects. Again factory stuff has big rubber bushings in the upper and lower A arms. The shocks are the same rubber and of course are basic OEM. Upgrading changes all the bushing to high impact Urethane in the A Arms and the shocks. Along with that are better performing shocks with better internal valving.

As for my tires, I keep my tire pressure at 32. Only time I deflate is in sand conditions but have not had to do that here in Thailand only the US when out messing around at Pismo beach. I have an on board compressor so I can inflate or deflate anytime.

Mud it does not matter, its all about tread design. Need to be able to keep tire speed up to keep tread clear. As I mentioned the factory tires that came with the Revo are poor for mud and water. They are basically high mileage tires versus an "all terrain".. They are quiet on the highway and last well as the tire compound is harder. The BFG KM 2 tires I have are softer compound but stronger sidewalls and aggressive tread, they are noisy on the highway (I do not mind but others may not). Outstanding on dirt roads as they do not trap rocks and are especially effective in mud and water. Unfortunately I do not believe I can get this tire again here. They have the standard BFG all terrain tire. That's not a bad tire at all but I like the KM.

I have been looking at options slowly. I still have a long ways to go on my current tires.

Many Thanks for your full reply.

So I ended up meeting some guys up in Nakhom Ratchasima where I am working. I saw them one day parked in their trucks talking. They own a 4wd fab shop. Unlike the guys I met in BKK, these guys are pretty hardcore fab and wheeler types. Turns out after BS'n with one I met, we headed back to his little shop. He happened to have the PIAK Rear bumper I wanted and was going to put on another customers truck but it was being totally torn down so. I said lets toss it on. I wanted to help but they insisted I chill so they had a couple of shop hands install it.



Taking off the rear factory deal



The PIAK rear set up. This is very stout. That is Thick walled steel tubing and plate steel.



Bumper on. Very nice clean set up. comes with Hook loops, Trailer hitch and ball and all grade 8 mounting hardware. Someone rear ends me I feel a bit sorry for them.



Hard to tell in this pic but you can see how the tube wraps and protects the body and is well built underneath.

OK, some projects in the shop



This truck is going to be bad ass when done. Totally custom fab'd lift kit. It was in the mock up stage but already had the adjustable bump stop set up and some long shocks from a company called Ironman from Australia. I have seen their website but never found the stuff nice.



Here is another Hilux having a 8" lift kit installed. This is kind of a hybrid kit. Should look good when done. It will have 38" mudders on it.

This place had front and rear diffs and parts laying around everywhere and parts galore for the Hilux. To me its a place that I could pull up a chair and just shoot the breeze and sip a beer.

I am going back next week. We have some ideas on what to fab up to mount my PIAA RS 600 Ultra Shock HID lights. We are also going to see about adding a few more inches of lift to my truck. Actually pretty easy to do with a shop like that and a load of parts.

More after I go back.

Finally had some time to drop by shop. WHat started out simple took a hell of a lot more time to install them



Basically we had to tear the entire front of the truck off to get to where we could properly measure and fab the brackets.



Warn Winch and and air to air inter-cooler behind it.



We started with plate steel, drilled holes to get some weight out of them. I wanted thick material as I did not want the lights on thin brackets only to have them bounce and jitter.



Notched the front bumper skin for the new brackets



Lights installed but not set yet. Ran out of time, was meeting some friends for dinner and needed to go.

I will install wiring harness with HID regulator and will align lights once I can power them up.