Owner: James "Jabbit" Abbott
Ride: '89 Toyota Hilux
Hometown: Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia
Oh to own a mini Down Under! If you knew what these Aussies had to go through to get a legit bagged truck down the road without being hassled by the po-po's, you would freak. Before any custom work can be attempted on an automobile, it must be engineered and approved by the local powers that be. Then they can start building their vehicle, and not at a light price. What this means is that all Australian mini-truckers must be as hardcore as you can get and be willing to take more steps than any of us would. One such mini-trucker is James "Jabbit" Abbott, who has gone all the way with his '89 Toyota Hilux.
James's project got off to a rocky start when it was only mildly modified. Jabbit was pulled over by the cops and told that his ride was not roadworthy, and they made him tow it home! James doesn't hold it against the Dunkin' Donuts fan club, as this was when his ride really got started. Since it was in the shop being cleaned up, a body drop, engine swap, and suicide doors were all added to the mix.
The interior and engine are the two standouts on Jabbit's Hilux. The interior is a plethora of free-flowing, sculpted sheetmetal. It looks as if a river of metal flowed into the truck, filled the imperfections, and settled, just waiting to be painted. The engine is a twin-turbo Toyota 2L pushing 14 psi. As for power ratings, we aren't sure, but we are sure that it will smoke any Yugo left on the road.
The best part of his build was to chill during all-nighters with a box of rum and Cokes and his good mates. Just to stand back in the morning and see your progress is the best motivation. The worst part would have to be sanding all the panels to perfection. The truck was started with no plan whatsoever, which resulted in a lot of backtracking. Modifications were pretty much handled as they were thought of.
The only thing that James would change in the build of his truck would be to actually have a plan and not work on the truck so late. He would actually like to go to work the next day and not be so stressed. (We all know it doesn't work like that.) So from the land of boomerangs, crocs, and such acclaimed actors as Paul Hogan and Yahoo Serious (Crocodile Dundee and Young Einstein), we bid you farewell. Now throw another shrimp on the barbie!
THE LOWDOWN
ROLLING ATTIRE
Wheels: chrome Allstadt 18-inch rollers
Tires: 225/35R18 low-profile rubber
CHASSIS MODIFICATIONS
Suspension type: air
Airbag/cylinder type & size - Front: double convoluted
Rear: sleeve
Shocks: Pedders Sport Riders
Valves: Norgren 3/8-inch
Compressor(s): engine driven
Air line: Norgren 3/8-inch
Air/hydro accessories: modified Playstation controller
Frame mods: shortened frame by 30 cm, monster notch, redone gearbox crossmember
Gas tank: alloy fuel cell (aluminum)
Brakes: Hilux one-ton brakes
Performed by: all work on this truck by owner and his mates
BODY MODIFICATIONS
Shaved: handles, wipers, gas door, tailgate
Frenched: number plates (license plate) in front bumper and rear skin
Body dropped: 3 inches
Back end: tailgate skin, molded shut
Taillights: altezza
Suicide doors: hinges from a '64 EH Holden
Exterior bolt-ons: late model bumper, 4x4 front fenders, Trenz billet phantom grille, clear corners
Misc: sheetmetaled bed
Performed by: owner
PAINT
Brand and colors: Lamborghini Murcielago three-layer pearl
Style: single color
Performed by: owner
INTERIOR
Seats: Honda
Material: suede
Dash: painted
Door panels: sheetmetal
Center console: sheetmetal
Flooring: sheetmetal
Headliner: suede
Gauges: Split Fire boost and rpm gauges in place of the rearview mirror
Misc: custom gauge cluster
STEREO
Head unit: Pioneer 3-D double-flip CD
Mids & highs: Boston separates and 7x10-inch coaxials
Amplifier for mids & highs: big, shiny chrome thing?
Video: Xbox with DVD kit and an LCD
Custom fabrication: Xbox installed in the glove compartment
ENGINE/PERFORMANCE
Displacement: 2L (2.4 l)
Number Of Cylinders: 6
Turbo: twin ct12 turbo's
Boost: 14 psi
Transmission: W58 Supra 5-speed
Rear end type: Hilux 4.4:1 LSD
Header/exhaust: 2-1/4-inch exhaust with Turbo muffler, split to exit in front of the rear wheels
Driveshaft: shortened tailshaft
Performed by: owner and his mates
Special Thanks
Thanks to everyone who helped with the build and to all the great people he has met through the build and ownership of his truck. Also, peace and love to his best mate Jimmy "Clog," who lost his life in May of '05. Ride on, brother!