3RZ-FE Hilux 2x4 as a track car (theoretical brain fart thread).

[Dao]

Hello ladies and gents! I have a stock 2003 model Hilux 2x4 with the 3RZ-FE, and I'm contemplating a few scenarios. This may sound really stupid, but I'd like to start doing a couple of track days in it. Yes, there is MUCH better vehicles out there for it, but I'm a firm believer in 'run what you brung' and it doesn't matter what you're using, as long as you're doing SOMETHING.



Here comes the fun part: given two different scenarios, what would you do to my Hilux Of Happiness for track use? First scenario is real-world, logical (read: not expensive) minor mods that will make it a little more suited to track use. I'm thinking I'll be using Falcon 15" or 16" aluminium five-spoke wheels with some half-ok semi-slick tyres, stiffer shocks, and lowering it slightly (torsion bar in the front, lower leafs in the rear, not silly drag-the-rear-bumper-on-the-ground style) to keep the centre of gravity a bit better than a Kenworth. I'll be putting some 25mm wheel spacers on it to widen the track a little, and I have a Recaro race seat that I'm welding up some brackets for so I can sit a bit lower in the car, the standard seats belong in a school bus. I'll be removing the tow bar and LP gas system.

Second scenario: what would you do with unlimited budget? I've been brainstorming about cutting the rear chassis rails off and adapting an IRS rear end with discs, fitting a 2JZ or leaving the 3RZ-FE in it and fitting forced induction (a supercharger, or maybe a turbo the size of Kyle Sandilands' head), lightweight magnesium 17" rims with semi-slicks, bigger brakes, gutting the interior (pfft, what interior) and building a little internal rollcage for it, deleting the whole rear tub and making a basic fiberglass tub that weighs a lot less, I've had a lot of ideas.

So, now for the brain-fart part of this thread. What would you choose to do in each of these scenarios? I'd like to hear good ideas, bad ideas, fun ideas, stupid ideas and whatever you can come up with.

Go!

[Hen]

What events/class do you want to do? Check their rules before you do anything.

Scenario 1 - Get it out and see what is needed. I'd guess a bit lower, a lot better shocks, maybe stiffer. Good tyres always help. Being a ute you may well end up with some interesting handling traits.

Scenario 2 - Copy what Nigel Petrie did.

An AE82 racecar would still be a far cheaper, easier and more practical option. Then use the Hilux to tow it to the track.

[Xauterus]

You have the perfect tow car. Buy yourself a cheap track car and trailer. ae102 1.8 sedan then later swap in a red top beams from a st202 and some BC coilovers and new bushes.

[tomvale13]

Gotta agree with these guys.

ae82/101 or hell, even an ep91 with some suspension ftw.

[Valkyrie]

We have had a few utes drift over the years, and in general they looked quite evil to drive. I am not talking evil in a fun way either.

The lack of weight in the rear means that they let go in a very brutal manner while taking a lot of time to regain traction. You could make it work, but almost anything would be a far superior option!

[scottreichstein]

I can vouch for the evilness of a hilux with some power its cool to drive but it definitely doesn't handle but nothing against doing something different id love to see it
just be aware of a lot of self fabrication or paying big bucks for stuff as nothing will be off the shelf

[4th surf]

It's been done in NZ for D1 and they are usually turbocharged with the suspension done much as you describe as that's about all you can do without spending big $$$. Fitting 1UZs and 2JZs to them for this purpose is fairly common. I do seem to remember from when they came in for dyno sessions the "Block of concrete" in the tray to tame them down a bit. There was an article in NZ Performance Car magazine recently featuring a 2006 Hilux dualcab built for track work