Toyota HiLux driven to South Pole

[SVT666]

Toyota HiLux driven to South Pole
By Sanjiv Sathiah

Toyota has set a world record after its HiLux model became the first to reach both the South Pole and North Pole.

In 2007, Top Gear wanted to test the HiLux?s reputation for withstanding a pounding and entered it into an extreme race to the magnetic North Pole. Five years later the event organizer Extreme World Races set up a challenge for the HiLux to take on the magnetic South Pole pushing the truck to its limits over a fourth month challenge.

The team faced temperatures of -58 degrees Fahrenheit and altitudes as high as 11,000 feet, so special preparation was sought from Icelandic 4x4 specialists Arctic Trucks. The three HiLux vehicles were fuelled with A1 jet fuel to best cope with the freezing conditions, whilst other modifications included special suspension and extra-large low-pressure tires to give a footprint 17 times larger than standard tires.

Importantly, the HiLux engines remained unmodified ? the 3.0L D-4D Diesel engine and transmission were entirely unchanged, apart from the addition of a crawler gear. All three HiLux trucks completed the 5,900-mile journey and in doing so, went further than any other vehicle in Antarctica. Not a bad effort under the conditions we think.

[TurboDan]

I always had a soft spot for the HiLux, even though I'm generally neither a pickup truck or Toyota fan. They're just plain great vehicles. The HiLux always struck me as a "pickup for the rest of us."

[Catman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpw9vITOk6c

[Tave]

Haha, where are the mountains? Surely the whole journey wasn't just them hauling ass across flat sheets of ice!

[280Z Turbo]

I always had a soft spot for the HiLux, even though I'm generally neither a pickup truck or Toyota fan. They're just plain great vehicles. The HiLux always struck me as a "pickup for the rest of us."

but not you...you're American

[SVT666]

Did I just see them pull drum brakes off of it?  HAHA!

[SVT666]

Ever since I saw the Top Gear North Pole Special, I have always wanted a Hilux exactly like the one they drove.

[S204STi]

Did I just see them pull drum brakes off of it?  HAHA!

Drum brakes are stock on the Taco too, in the rear.

Fronts are 4-pots.

[SVT666]

Drum brakes are stock on the Taco too, in the rear.

Fronts are 4-pots.

I didn't know anyone even put drums on cars anymore.

[S204STi]

Yep.  Well, it's not like it makes a huge difference.  The rear end is so light, it requires minimal brake force back there.  And drum shoes last practically forever.

[280Z Turbo]

I didn't know anyone even put drums on cars anymore.

Unfortunately. The Fiesta and 2 have them as well. I hate working on them.

I guess between the casting of the calipers and the small parking brake parts, discs still cost more.

[TurboDan]

but not you...you're American

Yeah. We only get the redneck trim here.

[SVT666]

Yeah. We only get the redneck trim here.

We don't get the HiLux.

[TurboDan]

We don't get the HiLux.

I meant the Taco. It's for "blue state" rednecks, ( ) but douchebag rednecks all the same.

[Rupert]

I'll take a 25 year old Truck over this, sagging ass and all.

[Xer0]

Unfortunately. The Fiesta and 2 have them as well. I hate working on them.

I guess between the casting of the calipers and the small parking brake parts, discs still cost more.

LX trim and under Civics also get them.