Baby Seat to Driver’s Seat: 1998 Toyota HiLux SR5 retro review

A Dependable Family Friend

What makes a car special? For some, it’s performance, design, comfort, or handling – some may argue that this 1998 HiLux SR5 is devoid of all the aforementioned.

However, for me, this car represents something far more important. This RZN169R Hilux SR5 4WD – in 2.7-litre petrol guise and finished in Opal Metallic Green over a Moon Mist interior – was purchased brand new from Phil McCarroll Toyota, by my mum, in late 1998.

Due to the obscure colour, this HiLux was sourced from Bathurst – the only one available in Australia at the time – and had an interesting life ahead.

In 2001, the HiLux brought me home for the first time, as a newborn baby. This is where my love for cars began. In the course of the next two decades, the HiLux took me on my first holiday…

14

Even as a toddler, I couldn’t wait to get into the driver’s seat!

…to my first day of pre-school…

14

I couldn’t quite reach the pedals…

…and to my first day of primary school.

14

The first and last time I looked happy about going to school!

As a chronically unwell child, this HiLux took me to countless hospital appointments, late-night admissions and emergencies, and brought me home after life-saving surgery. In some ways, I owe my life to this car.

Many milestones with this car followed, including learning to drive.

14

A little bit of sand, probably the most offroad use the Hilux had in 20+ years!

The HiLux was there for the teenage ritual of passing my red P plate test (first try!)…

14

Negotiating a tight testing centre carpark was not fun, however, I managed.

14

Any excuse to engage the SR5’s extra feature – the A.D.D (Automatic Disconnecting Differential).

…and through to my last day of high school, the final educational milestone for this HiLux.

14

Finally, no more school!

A lifetime of memories with this car had cemented its sentimental value within me, there was absolutely no way I would part with it.

By this point, I’m sure that my love for this car has become evident, having it by my side through milestone events, learning to drive, graduating from school, and overcoming serious health challenges.

This car also provides me with a tangible connection to memories of family members and friends who have passed on, which is special and cannot be fabricated or replicated.

This car has been with me through thick and thin, and with a particular characteristic that gave me the feeling that it possesses a 'personality'. Those who know, know.

14

Giving the HiLux a Birthday

After phenomenal breakdown-free daily service for over two decades, in excess of 250,000 kilometres and with enormous sentimental meaning, it made sense to give the HiLux a mechanical and cosmetic refresh, and to retire it from daily duties in order to preserve it.

In some areas, the classic Toyota clear coat peel was setting in. Paint and panel work was undertaken where needed, a new sun visor was fitted, new old stock genuine exterior trims and door seals were sourced from Amayama, and a new ARB canopy was fitted.

The Moon Mist grey/blue shifter boot and console lid were re-trimmed, leaving the worn driver’s seat, clad in the obscure early blue SR5 cloth trim, as the only worn item. A replacement has recently been acquired.

14

Breathing New Life into an Asthmatic Engine

The 2.7 litre 3RZ-FE petrol engine with W56 five-speed manual gearbox was always a dependable drivetrain, but never an exhilarating or powerful experience.

This was a point of contention that my dad and I often debated over the years, discussing forced induction modifications and even a 1UZ swap, but I couldn’t bring myself to meddle with the venerable and reliable original drivetrain.

I knew I would regret irreversible modifications.

14

Towing the 1.9 tonne family boat up the Pacific Motorway for our annual holiday was quite a feat, but the HiLux never complained.

By chance, I stumbled across a new old stock TRD supercharger setup for the HiLux that had been imported from the USA in the 2000s and was listed on Gumtree.

This kit included the Eaton MP62 blower found on some Lotus models, with a custom TRD Manifold and appropriate proprietary brackets.

As luck would have it, the supercharger arrived just before Christmas. It looked great under the tree!

14

A Petrolhead’s Christmas Miracle – Forced Induction

While waiting for the supercharger to arrive, my dad and I began the preparatory modifications.

First was the removal of the fuel tank, with great difficulty as the wiring loom is VERY short, to upgrade the original fuel pump to a Walbro 255LPH unit.

14

Working on the fuel tank was much easier at the bench, rather than under the car. Thankfully, everything was in good condition.

The original water pump was also replaced and the viscous fan coupling was split and refilled with silicone oil then adjusted to engage at a slightly lower temperature than before.

After a few days of creative expletives and spanner throwing with my dad and a family friend, the supercharger was finally on. In the coming weeks, a Haltech Elite 550 ECU and Plazmaman fuel rail with 1200cc Bosch Injectors were fitted, and a 10 psi pulley was fitted to the supercharger.

The original brake rotors were also upgraded, with DBA T2 rotors and DBA Xtreme Performance brake pads.

Supercharger Results

After being dyno-tuned by a specialist, the fruits of our labour, whilst not staggering on paper – 98kW and 200Nm at the rear wheels with BFGoodrich KO2 31x10.5R15 tyres – was a vast improvement.

The drivability improved greatly, with steady torque throughout the rev range and a distinct whine while rowing through the gears that manages to turn some heads.

Even with the factory-fitted LSD, rainy days turn the HiLux into a handful, with a lively rear end resulting in some effortless tail-happy manoeuvres. The supercharger enables it to keep up reasonably well in modern traffic, without pushing the limits of its chassis and handling dynamics.

Fuel consumption also improved from stock form to around 10L/100km if driving sensibly and down to 8.0L/100km when cruising on the highway (despite sitting around the 3000rpm range in fifth gear).

14

The supercharger setup is non-invasive and entirely reversable to stock, if necessary. I like to think that this configuration resembles the method Toyota would use, if it came this way from factory. No interior or exterior modifications are a giveaway. Maintenance accessibility is also retained.

Sentimental Connection – Part of The Family

Spending a lifetime with this car has formed an unbreakable bond. I have graduated from the baby seat in the rear to the driver’s seat – a privilege.

Over the years, this car taught me invaluable mechanical skills from servicing and modifying it. This car was my ticket to becoming mechanically handy and my inspiration for becoming an automotive enthusiast.

This HiLux has never broken down in my entire life, which gave me a high expectation of reliability for any other cars I have owned or encountered.

Sometimes, a car becomes part of the family. If this isn’t a prime example, I don’t know what is. I have had a lifetime of memories with this car and I look forward to a lifetime of many more.

Next time you see a well-loved car, don’t be afraid to politely compliment the owner. They may very well have a story to share.