Say g'day to Matt aka Coops from Picton, New South Wales and his 2005 Toyota HiLux Xtra-Cab.
Talking Dirty with Coops...
Name: Coops
Location: Picton
What do you do for crust? Firey
When did you join The Shed and why?
Start of the Year, mainly to check out all the great rigs that are out there and get some ideas and info on different setups. I find you get more info from someone who has used a product rather then the bloke behind the counter.
What do you drive & how long have you owned it?
05 Hilux SR5 3.0Ltr TD Extra-Cab, had it for 2.5 years.
Any modifications?
Just a couple… Completely stripped underside back to chassis rails (IFS… GONE ), and rebuilt custom Live Axle 5-Link front & rear suspension using 80’ series Cruiser Diffs, shafts, mounts, crossmembers, pwr steering box and upgraded disc brakes. Tough Dog Adjustable shocks, custom rate/length King springs, Tough Dog Adj Panhard Rods and Custom Chromolly upper/lower adj. arms. Switched front to manual locking Hubs – AVM, added a new ARB Air Locker and Compressor (under seat mount), new Long range Fuel tank (custom made), New custom Tube bar with 9000lb winch and integrated Sliders, Modified Hayman Reece Towbar, 2.5inch exhaust, Some Pro comp 16 x 8 fitted with Pro Comp extreme Mudies, 6 Cibie Super Oscars (Driving/spot/cornering) lights up front and 2 Narva worklights in the rear, Dual Batteries with DBS management system, Turbo Timer, Rear power outlets, TX4400 UHF, Magellan GPS XL explorer and a mandatory engel fridge full of cans.
Where do you like going bush?
Dharawal Park, Yalwal, Fraser Island & Seldom Seen Test Track.
Any members off The Shed or 4WD Action Forum you usually go wheeling with?
Yeah RB0024 (Rick) whos got one awesome GQ Patrol… goes pretty much everywhere and doesn’t need much encouragement to give her a bit of stick.
Tell us about that first ‘oh bugger’ moment you have had off road:
Would have to be in me uncles 80 Series when he tried a different river crossing to everyone else in the High Country, Victoria… the old cruiser didn’t swim real good.
What's next for the truck?
Get rid of the rear tray and build a custom back with a removable camper set up, definitely a ARB Rear Locker, and long range fuel tank.
Any mods made & since regretted & why?
Yeah, all the money I spent on trying to get the IFS to work.
Have you done any extended trips in your fourbie, if so do you have any advice or experiences to share?
Done a few trips including: The centre, Fraser Island, Cape Levique, Snowy Mountains… My only advice is to pack the truck, load the miss’s, strap in the kids (dogs in our case…) and get out there. No matter where it is in this great country, you’ll have a great adventure.
What’s your favourite rig off The Shed, other than your own?
If I didn’t say Ricks GQ, I would probably find myself without a snatch next time I need one. But there are so many great rigs on there, just need more time to see them all.
Where are you planning to get to this year?
Hopefully were going to do a Tassie trip, then the Cape next.
Matt's 2005 Toyota HiLux Xtra-Cab @ The Shed >>
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