1984 Toyota HiLux

Engine - 22R 2.4L Petrol
Transmission - SR5 5 SpeedManual
Suspension Lift - 2.5 Inch
Tyres - 33inch BFG KO’2 All Terrain
Equipped for - Touring/ Surf Missions

Lot’s of the younger generation of four wheel drive enthusiast either have forgotten or didn’t know that once upon a time the mighty bullet proof Toyota Hilux actually came with a solid front axle, Nate owns one he’s named Clifford,in fact it’s one of the last solid front end versions to roll out of Japan in 1984. Nate has recently rebuilt the 22R 2.4L carby engine and has only 32,000 kms on it.

He’s currently running Rancho shocks allround with a sunrader leaf packs in the back to withhold heavy payloads and sits at about 2.5inch all round. He’s paired the lift with a sweet set of 33inch BF Goodrich KO’s all terrain tyres, which are perfect for his surf & snow missions.

 What made you choose the HiLux? 

Back to The Future when I was 6 years old ha. Loved Marty McFlys  truck and always wanted one. Years later saw a Top Gear episode where they couldn’t kill one of these trucks and I was just sold on it after that so I started looking for one. The guys on the show demolish a building on one and it started back up haha.

It's a pretty old HiLux, have you had to do much work to it, to keep it on the road and trail’s?

I had to hunt around for the right one for a couple years, alot of them are either beat to shit and used for aggressive wheeling in the PNW or in mint condition for way too much money. I wanted a “fixer upper” but not hammered to death.

Found Clifford on a farm in Salem, was a loggers truck and his son had blown the head gasket and had the motor rebuilt in 2012 but neither of them used it enough anymore and wanted it gone. There was alot of moss growing in the bed, and she was dirty but sounded so mean and drove like a hoss. 

 I just lined up what was a priority like the leafs and suspension, tires and wheels, rear main seal and clutch etc, and little things that have failed me on the road.  I’ve been able to fix in auto parts lots, like alternator and clutch slave. Pretty easy trucks to work on considering I didn’t know much. A good truck teaches you how to fix it yourself and my buddy Brandon is always good to have close by if something breaks. 

What advise would you have for someone else looking to buy one of these older HiLux’s

Find one from the original owner! If possible. Classic farm trucks or you can tell it came from a home where it was loved but not hurt too badly. We call em grandma or grampa finds in the states. Paperwork is key like any rig, the guy I got mine from had a folder 2 inches thick for me to read. Pretty glad that worked out because it was great to take his word for everything but also have it backed up by receipts etc.

Old trucks will always have little problems though so just be willing to learn some things and you’ll be happy with the reliability. Also if you like going up hills slow then this is the truck for you ha!  

Any future plans for the old HiLux?

Just little things like,mount my Hella spot lights, get a winch and make it as Baja ready as possible. My blinkers are held together by zip ties so someday I’ll set up something a little more legit! This little truck thrives in the Cascades but after this winter we’re gonna take off for some Baja warmth and spending some time fading the paint (more than it already is) and tanning ourselves down in Mexico. 

Tell us more about your brand NosePatrol?

NosePatrol is an idea my best buddy had awhile ago. We love our rigs and we take tons of trips. Being local to Oregon we have alot of wilderness to choose from. Travelling is our passion and we’re always travelling locally or abroad looking for good waves, good snow and good times. Nose Patrol came about because you take a bunch of guys (and sometimes gals) and throw em in a van for 3 weeks things start smelling bad. And we were over the classic little tree air fresheners, had a bunch of friends who are ripping artists and it all just kinda fell together like that. We’re just trying to rid the world of stinky road trips and help you make memories of your own on the road. Our tagline is “making good times smell better” because for the most part great times are paid for in blood, tears and sweat and latter doesn’t smell too fine! We’re always collaborating and we have a soft spot for sick trucks and vans so that helps, we ship internationally too! 

Images taken & supplied by Nathan Duffy