Proposed drift specification for the Hilux
Aero parts brand PANDEM/Rocket Bunny is well known to all custom car enthusiasts. At the Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, the creator of the brand, T.R.A.KYOTO representative Kei Miura, presented a custom machine based on the Toyota Hilux. What kind of special machine was this pandem-spec truck, which took a different approach to the conventional sports car? We spoke to Mr Miura.
Truck customization that is unmistakably Pandem
We asked Mr Miura about the idea behind the truck option in the first place.
“I somehow thought that trucks would be popular this year, so I built one. However, if we were going to make a truck, it wouldn’t be interesting if it was just a regular truck, so we made it with the theme of making a serious drifting machine based on a truck, just like Pandem.”
When they started building a drift car based on a pick-up truck, there was no end to what they had to do. They decided on the specifications after removing the unusable engine and suspension and leaving the car in a state of stock car.
Based on a 1989 Hilux, Mr Miura spoke about the production process as follows.
“After checking and examining the current car, we found that the only parts that could be used were the body including the driver’s seat and the frame. Everything else had to be rebuilt to drift specs, so we made modifications so bold that we had to completely rebuild the car.”
The Rocket Bunny/Pandem specification is also known for its familiar wide fender style, and that finish was still present on the Hilux base. Rather, the widebody kit production was started from the stage of building a show car with the Hilux this time, and although it is hard to tell because this car is too special in a way, the front wings, front bumper, and front bumper guard pipes will be kit-built. Also, the rear over wings were to be properly set up.
Wild bare specification
The front suspension was completely rebuilt, including the entire member, so that a fully tuned 2JZ engine could be installed in it. The radiator is mounted on the rear cabin, which is a very difficult task as there is no space to mount the big turbine and intercooler in the narrow engine compartment.
As for the rear, the stock rigid leaf type was useless, so a multi-link type was built including the members. The suspension was set up for drifting, taking into account the movement and rigidity of the suspension as a whole.
The entire cargo bed has been removed, leaving the frame bare. This style is also wildly cool. The extra-thick pipes were assembled to give the truck a truck-like appearance, with only a few welding points, and the exquisite bending is a brilliantly crafted touch.
As for the drivetrain, it was set up as a strengthened product that is a cross between a genuine Toyota and a genuine Nissan. They would like to install D1 machine-grade high-rigidity parts, but for now, the prototype was built to confirm that it can be driven as a drift car in its current state, so they have decided to call it a good prototype. In the future, the truck will be further brushed up to a higher level of perfection as a full-fledged drift truck.
The idea of using a lowdowned sports truck as a drifting vehicle is truly a T.R.A.KYOTO Rocket Bunny. The team will be working on it further in the future, but when it’s finished it’s sure to be a hot topic of conversation on the world customization scene.
translated by DeepL
