HILUX - VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
Suspension
Front suspension: lowered by 50mm, moved 40mm forwards, additional 40mm of lift.
Rear suspension: longer, more pliant leaf springs fitted, with heavy duty long travel bump stops and specially tuned shock absorbers
Wheels and tyres
The standard Hilux Invincible 16inch wheels and 255/65 R16 tyres were replaced with Arctic Trucks AT405 15-inch aluminium wheels, with two valves per wheel. These were shod with 38-inch studded snow tyres, running at pressures as low as 4psi to give good flotation over snow.
Engine
The 3.0-litre D-4D engine was a standard 164bhp unit, but modified to cope with the ultra-low air temperatures. An auxiliary heater was added to boost coolant temperature before starting, together with fuel heaters and a heavy duty battery. The air intake was raised and a special exhaust system fitted, Arctic Trucks 4.88:1 ring and pinion differentials were used, with front and rear diff locks with cold weather preparation. The vehicle ran on specially blended diesel, with an auxiliary 100-litre fuel tank increasing total capacity to 180 litres.
Transmission
Arctic Trucks 4.88:1 ring and pinion differentials, with front and rear diff locks with cold weather preparation.
Bodywork
Flared wheelarches protected the balloon tyres.
Front bumper bull bar protection, with lifting points and winch mounts front and rear.
Heavy duty skid plates made of 5mm thick aluminium to protect - Front bumper, Front suspension, Transmission and transfer case.
Heavy duty running boards.
KC Xenon spotlights.
African Outback carrying rack.
Dimensions
Standard Hilux Arctic Trucks Hilux
Invincible Double Cab Invincible Double Cab
Length (mm) 1,835 2,150
Height (mm) 1,810 2,000
Width (mm) 1,835 2,150
Wheelbase (mm) 3,085 3,125
Special equipment:
The Hilux carried a wide range of kit designed to address the special risks of driving in such extreme conditions: Garmin GPS navigation system; Iridium satellite telephone; VHF Two-way radios; Three bespoke on board cameras; Auxillary electric system with a 220v inverter to provide charging power for camera and electrical equipment.
Recovery kit should the vehicle become stranded included:
Chain saw; axes; shovels; crowbars; high lift jack and win
The teams were accompanied by a doctor and an arctic expert who travelled with survival equipment, including tents, special sleeping bags and heaters.
Survival equipment:
Tents; specialised sleeping bags; heaters.
Shotguns were also carried for protection should a polar bear attack.