Turbo Hilux.

Hi Steve

I fitted a turbo to a 2.8D ’92 hilux, for the very same reason, to get a bit more power up hills etc to tow a camper trailer (1.4 tonne all up)

I think that if you have the cylinders compression tested and they read within in spec, then there is a good chance that your engine could handle a turbo.

You are right in saying you will need to put in a heavy duty clutch. I found that the overheating occurred mostly towing the camper up hills. I never got my hilux up to 140kph with or without towing but it still did overheat towing on the flat when the outside temp was in the mid to high 30’s.

I would think that unless you have replace or had your radiator core cleaned since ’89, then there is a good chance that you would need to consider servicing/replacing the radiator.

On the price, for me, compression test $300, denco turbo & dyno $3,500, heavy duty clutch $1,400 fitted, injector pump change over $700, heavy duty radiator $600, turbo timer $100 fitted myself.

The turbo sure made a difference. Running 10psi boost, the hilux was great to drive but after 35,000kms of trying to fix the overheating while towing I sold it ($8,500 trade-in) and bought a second hand ’03 Prado TD.

All the best with hilux - cheers A

I turboed our old 4 Runner(1994) for the same reason as you want to,towing a camper.Got the injectors recoed,checked valves,already had a h/d clutch and 2 1/2 exhaust.Fitted a DTS turbo myself and then had vehicle tuned to suit.Final verdict was great to drive MT but with camper foot was still flat to the floor trying to keep momentum up(hilly Tassie).Sold it and got a Cruiser.
Never had o/heating issues but it was in Tassie.