[logout]

So, it has been more than a month since The Red came home. A canopy was very much needed for my kind of work where I travel a lot with expensive, sensitive HiFi gear.

I started looking at the options in India and was also open to importing. But after a lot of research I came to the conclusion that importing was risky as well as time consuming and so I focussed on the local availability and after talking to many 4*4 owners and dealers I finally narrowed it to Azad4*4.


I was apprehensive since I had read a negative thread about them here in the forum though it was finally resolved to the customer's satisfaction. But since my research showed them to be the better option in terms of experience and workmanship and since I couldn't use the vehicle for its intended purpose without a canopy, I decided to go ahead with them.

I set off to Uttar Pradesh in The Red.





Started on a Friday morning and reached Ghaziabad on Sunday evening. The trip made me aware of each & every minute - bone, joint and muscle in my body. I was already dreading my return journey.

Next day got the canopy fixed. It is the SMM brand from Thailand.





While the mechanics were fixing the canopy, I saw a Hilux there all decked and kitted up and was told that it had a lift kit installed and it would improve ride quality along with the lift needed for 4*4 adventures.

I was tempted especially about the ride quality and went for a test drive. It was a totally different ride and I immediately decided to go for it. They had a few options like Oldman Emu, Profender, Dobinsons etc.

The test drive I took had Profender kit and so I went for the 2" lift kit.





I had my heart in my mouth while watching the process but I must mention that the boys who fixed it were very professional.






Finally The Red looked like this:







So now the vehicle is standing tall with the wheels & tyres looking puny, I decided to go for upsizing of the tyres. Went for 285/60 R18 Michelin LTX Rally.
On a side note: Tyres are so damn cheap in Delhi. We are being squeezed dry by the Chennai shops.
So here it is:



The return journey was quicker & smoother with a vantage driving position, almost car like comfort, better handling and the added bonus was that the vehicle was a head turner wherever we went.




Feedback from the family was extremely positive especially that the front is so much more comfortable, the rear is way better though still nothing can be done about the 90 degree backrest. There is stiff competition as to who gets to sit in the front passenger seat and I am relieved that my seat is safe.

Endy & The Red on a recent trip:

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the 4x4 section. Thanks for sharing!

Going to our homepage tomorrow

[BlackBeard]

Congratulations on the Hi-lux and the suspension upgrade.

Originally Posted by logout

I started looking at the options in India and was also open to importing. But after a lot of research I came to the conclusion that importing was risky as well as time consuming and so I focussed on the local availability and after talking to many 4*4 owners and dealers I finally narrowed it to Azad4*4.

Interesting, since you are from Chennai did you try to look for part suppliers & garages in the city itself before you decided to go all the way up north?

To my knowledge both exist in Chennai.

[logout]

Well, Ignite The Garage's Raghav is a close friend. I always approach him for any of my vehicle related issues. He told me that if I import, then he will fix it.

So I spent lot of time researching the various brands in Australia, New Zealand etc, emailed and even spoke to overseas dealers. I spoke to couple of friends from Kerala who are 4*4 enthusiasts and a few dealers in Bangalore and Palakkad, went through our forum. Based on all this I decided not to for import or even domestic shipping.

But specifically in Chennai I didn't talk to any other supplier or garage other than Raghav.

[Max63]

Originally Posted by logout

So, it has been more than a month since The Red came home. A canopy was very much needed for my kind of work where I travel a lot with expensive, sensitive HiFi gear.

I started looking at the options in India and was also open to importing. But after a lot of research I came to the conclusion that importing was risky as well as time consuming and so I focussed on the local availability and after talking to many 4*4 owners and dealers I finally narrowed it to Azad4*4.

How much did the SMM Canopy cost you as I am planning to put canopy in My V Cross

[JunkyardHunter]

Lovely car, and the canopy just enhances the look further. Can you please share the cost of the canopy?

[logout]

For Hilux it cost 2.75l. I don't know if it is different for V Cross. Better ask Azad4*4 for a quote.

[gururajrv]

Perhaps, if you could treat us with more pictures of your car, I'd be super happy!

That's extremely clean looking mod, hands down!

[Haze]

Originally Posted by logout

A canopy was very much needed for my kind of work where I travel a lot with expensive, sensitive HiFi gear.


the rear is way better though still nothing can be done about the 90 degree backrest.

Would you not concede that a Fortuner with the third row of seats removed would have been a better fit for your requirements?

[RC@5]

Hi folks, need one insight. What are the cons of installing a leveling kit in Hilux? Wanted to correct the rake angle on the front with a cost effective solution without compromising on the stock settings and warranty. Anyone who has installed the same please share feedback.

[logout]

Originally Posted by Haze

Would you not concede that a Fortuner with the third row of seats removed would have been a better fit for your requirements?

Strictly based on the real estate I need, the rear seats removed wouldn't be enough.

Add to that I don't get the SUV feel when I drive the Fortuner. I have driven LC2.8 in Europe and I get a similar feel with the Hilux, the family's love towards the Endy's comfort and my usage as a single user 99% of the time and the family comes in the Hilux only within the city and prefer the Endy for long trips, I think Hilux is way too above Fortuner for our needs and my driving pleasure.

[navpreet318]

Originally Posted by RC@5

Hi folks, need one insight. What are the cons of installing a leveling kit in Hilux? Wanted to correct the rake angle on the front with a cost effective solution without compromising on the stock settings and warranty. Anyone who has installed the same please share feedback.

Not recommended at all. The ride goes for a toss! Most of the people who've installed it, end up selling it within weeks of installing it.
Saving up for a good suspension kit which includes proper 4 shocks, front springs and proper rear leaf springs should be the target.