Camper Build for JDM 4x4 Toyota Dyna Truck

[FireAce]

Awesome. It shares all the tech with our 4x4 Hiace van, but then this one will have a truck cabin on a seperate chassis?
Check if the rear axle has an LSD. Sticker on diff or axle code.

Yes, truck cabin on 1.25t truck chassis.
I’ll check on the rear axle, not sure actually.

 

[Lovetheworld]

Yes, truck cabin on 1.25t truck chassis.
I’ll check on the rear axle, not sure actually.

There will be a VIN plate somewhere with axle and transmission codes amongst others

 

[FireAce]

Hi,

I am interested in getting a truck like this down in the states. What is the wheelbase and track width of this awesome truck?

The wheelbase is 232cm and the track width with my current 3rd gen 4Runner wheels and 245/75R16 tires is 169cm

There will be a VIN plate somewhere with axle and transmission codes amongst others

Ok, so the Trans/Axle code is listed as: R351F B03B
Does that mean anything to you?

Edit: Did some googling, looks like an ASIN transmission and seems that the differential is probably LSD? Seems to be the same differential code as many Supras use. Interesting.

 

[Lovetheworld]

Ah I didnt expect that, that means it is not a solid axle in the back but independed suspension?

 

[FireAce]

Ah I didnt expect that, that means it is not a solid axle in the back but independed suspension?

Yeah, I’m confused, the pictures I found of the Supra differentials look nothing like the truck. It’s definitely a solid rear axle and not Independent. Front is IFS

Looked up the part diagrams and a LSD option is listed:

Still don’t know how to tell which differential I have though, I guess I could jack the truck up and give the wheels a spin? If they spin in the same direction that means it’s lsd correct?

Also found the part number for the LSD differential assembly, it cross-references with the following North American Land Cruisers equipped with LSD differentials:

01/1990-12/2006 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER FJ,FZJ,HDJ,HJ,HZJ,KZJ,LJ,PZJ,RJ7*

Really curious now.

Edit: Going down a rabbit hole of internet searching now. Strangely enough it sounds like the Toyota Supra differentials are one some way the same or very similar as used by some Toyota trucks. Someone posted this:

“Here is some info I got on Supra Torsens:

The Torsen diff is a standard fitment to all 6 speed MKIV's, a lot of the Auto twin turbos and you'll even occasionally find it on a naturally aspirated Supra. You can tell if your Supra has a Torsen diff by reading the Trans/Axle code on the Engine Tag which is situated under your hood. The last letter of the 4 character code (eg. B03B) denotes the diff type which is "A" for a std diff and "B" for a Torsen diff.

The Torsen (TORque SENsing) LSD (Limited Slip Diff) works quite differently to the TRD LSD. The Torsen is a Torque Multipling type of diff with a multiplication ratio of around 5:1. What this means is that whatever torque can be sent to the wheel with the least traction, it can send up to 5 times that torque to the wheel with the most traction. Its biggest advantage is that it can do this extremely quickly and doesn't ever lockup the ratio, but is continuously "sensing" and adjusting the torque between the two wheels.”

Here’s the link to the thread:

Cheap Torsen Diffs - 4x4Wire TrailTalk

4x4wire.com

 

[Lovetheworld]

I don't get it either.

Our Hiace has a very similar diff 43102-35010. Which is an LSD.
And the axle code is G255 on VIN plate, which is a standard G axle and 8 inch diff like on many 4x4 Toyota's.

 

[FireAce]

Yeah, only thing I can think is the internals may be the same? From the forum posts, it sounds like the Supra differential is also an 8” LSD with a 5:1 ratio which I’d be pretty happy about! I have noticed that the truck drives very well when when not in 4WD but chalked it up to the weight on the back.

I had assumed that it was an open diff as I didn’t realize LSD’s were so common in the JDM market.

 

[FireAce]

So turns out that you can’t test for a Torsen lsd differential by raising the wheels and turning them as there has to be power applied to the driveshaft in order for the lsd to engage. It will act like an open differential when just turning the wheels.

Other than taking the differential apart, no idea how to tell for sure what I have.

 

[MarinersNW]

Hi,

Did you have to run spacers with those 4runner wheels? If so, how big?

Thanks

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

This is freaking cool!

 

[pni173]

I've just picked one of these up myself. Mine has the 2.8l but it seems to get along just fine.
I'm wanting to replace the standard wheels and tyres, but like you I don't want to trim the guard. In NZ we aren't able to increase the wheel circumference by more than 5% without getting the vehicle certified.
So I am pretty much stuck with a very limited choice.

 

[Siftyush]

Hi mate I'm nz based and have just purchased a 2.8 flatdeck, are you doing a camper build on the back of yours?
Cheers Tim

 

[rtwBound]

I have been reading the forum for a while now and following other’s builds but figured it’s time to start a thread for my own camper build being as I got a basic start in the fall. Also looking for input as I go from other forum members as this is my first camper build or overland vehicle of any sort.

First, the details on the truck:

The picture above is from the day I picked up the truck. I imported the truck from Japan just over a year ago, it’s a retired fire truck. Came with lights, sirens and all! Been a bit of a project vehicle to turn it into an overland rig but so far progress has been good, albeit a little slow.

The truck is a 2000 Toyota Dyna (Sometimes referred to as a ToyoAce or HiAce Truck depending on the market.)
Quite the burly little truck, it’s 4wd with manual locking AISIN hubs and push button engagement. It’s a 5spd manual transmission with 4H and 4L. It has a naturally aspirated diesel 3.0L inline 4 engine (Referred to as a 5L engine). IFS front suspension, solid rear axle, and according to the manual, the chassis is rated at 1.25 tonnes!

The truck is the four-door version which seats 6 and comes with a 6.5’ box. It’s pretty basic inside with manual windows, locks, seats, etc., but did come with air conditioning which is a bonus! The best part is, there was only 12,000kms on the clock when I got the truck. It has lived its entire life in a garage so not a speck of rust on it either.

Being as many ask, the truck handles well on the highway despite the old Diesel engine and lack of a turbo. The truck cruises along at 110kph without much trouble and can be pushed to 120kph but the rpms start to get a bit high. It slows to 80-90kph on big hills and mountain passes but otherwise is reasonable for highway driving. I average around 23mpg which isn’t bad at all for a truck with an old-school diesel engine.
I’ll probably start a separate build thread for the truck itself so this thread will mostly focus on the camper build.

Here’s a few more pictures before any modification..

Tarp canopy removed and ski box added ready for its first road trip to Utah! (I live in the Banff, Canada area)

With 4runner wheels/bigger tires added which made a huge difference for the look of the truck:

Starting to get a thirst for adventure...

Metal framing stripped off the back and roof rack installed over cab:

Rear step removed and the camper shell ready for test-fitting:

More on the camper to come...

How did you attatch the camper to the truck bed? Any pics of the interior of the camper?