Arctic Trucks HiLux conquer South Pole
February 6, 2009 by George Skentzos
Despite its previously enormous budget, when UK television’s Top Gear tackled the North Pole in one of its most entertaining challenges ever, the HiLux that got them there was far from a one-off special.
The Arctic Truck HiLux has now completed its second polar conquest, this time reaching the South Pole as the vehicle of choice for a team of scientists, competitors and officials as part of the Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race.
The fleet of highly-modified HiLux Double Cabs have proved even more useful than the purpose-built Snowcats, travelling much faster, using less fuel and carrying more passengers in comfort.
Towing custom-built trailers, the modified HiLux’s were burdened with loads of up to 2.5 tonnes – 1.5 tonnes more than the standard capacity and also featured a system to melt snow on the move using heat from the engine.
Supporting the 778km skiing challenge, the four HiLux’s ferried supplies and carried out reconnaissance duties, covering more than 3200km across the frozen terrain at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees.
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Must say, this is the only Toyota on the market that is interesting
Tough looking Hilux! That looked like so much fun too.
Wow that is a mean looking machine, and they really put it through a lot and it handled so well, looks like a lot of fun too.
Very nice!
No mean feat of engineering, but this really isn’t a Hilux, if you think about it.
It isn’t made out of paper and cardboard like real Hiluxes are :(
Good propaganda from Toyota.
They are the spin masters no doubt about it.
U could modify anything to accomplish this.
Just because the scientists drive Priarses and naturely nominated a Hilux for the task and modifications means diddly squat.
Yeh well groovey. Unless there is any scientific use for this challenge when will bashing ten bells of shit out of the last untouched bastion of this knackered planet end.
Toyota must be really proud to have supported this.
Rant over!! come on someone had to say it.
Thay look awsome
Who really knows JJT?
I suspect free vehicles and/or cash.
Relatively cheap way to reinforce their advertising theme.
I agree Cupid. Not exactly in harmony with their green Hybrid spin.LOL.
Throw enough money at it and u could probably modify a Prius to perform the same way using less fuel and churning less of the precious tundra.LOL.
As if Hilux is the only modified vehicle that could do this. Haven’t u seen Monster trucks u one eyed Toyota dill.
Toyota have come along given them free Hilux and cash to modify them.
Pay for this next time u buy a new Hilux.
Not rocket science. Tell me if I am going too fast?LOL.
Good idea – lets melt a bit more of the polar ice caps.
Realcars and cupid, I agree.
A modifed 4×4 10 or 15 tonne truck (eg UD, Isuzu or Hino) would be easier and more effective and return similar fuel wastage.
The omission of conversion costs and specifications raise further questions.
These vehicles are so heavily modified they really ought to be de-badged.
Rave-on, a heavier truck means more pressure on the ice, they use the oversize tyres with relatively low inflation pressures to lessen the amount of pressure per square inch/cm. Heavier vehicle on same size footprint = more pressure, damage and needs more energy to move. So your theory that it could be done easier with similar fuel wastage is incorrect, not to mention the actual off road abilities of 4×4 Hinos, Isuzus ect are nowhere near as good as any Hilux/Navara/Defender size vehicle
- Maybe Toyota was the only company who would sponsor the feat. (Given the race is by a private company, more money more tempting) Then again perhaps the successful TopGear tests in the past promopted the Hilux to be chosen this time around…
No doubt this sort of news reinforces the indestructable image of Hilux, only what Toyota wants.
and regarding the ‘green’ credibility, most likely Toyota only focusses this as a selling point on some of their vehicles to consumers (All the tv ads I see about Hilux seems about dropping then from somewhere, nothing of economy) . Also I hardly doubt this motto falls over everything else, otherwise you can start scrutinising F1, Rallys, Nascar and the like (to a point almost a double standard)…
here we go again with realcars anti toyota dribble! WAKE UP REALCARS no other car on the planet could do this like a hilux, full stop!
oh lets see realcars where’s your daewoo i mean colarado i mean no one would be silly enough to even take on of them on fraser island let alone this!!!!!!!!
the only thing unbreakable is your overrated love for the mere mid pack Hilux
Hey Realcars we had this same argument on the last Top Gear Rollux blog.
I want to know which Toyota dealership is selling these ?
Yeah, the bloke i work with will never go near loluxes again. Has to replace the head cause it has a corrosion hole the size my little finger in it, not to mention its also warped. Gunna cost him over 2 grand all up cause its out of warranty.
Lolux = POS.
Unbreakable, I’m not a Isuzu/Holden lover, but did you happen to see the d-max everyone was yabbering about with Dakar? I don’t recall seeing a Toyota above it in the rankings!!
Also a previous story on this site regarding the BT-50 pulling the hilux out of the sand! what, you didn’t read that one? why? something bad said about your precious Hi-lux?
Any 4×4 ute would make that trip with the same mod’s, OK maybe not the Ssanyong.
BM was last year in the Sydney papers but I can’t remember the dealer.
Unbreakable,give me a Hilux and I will break it.LOL.
mr unbrakeable,
C.A. recently run a story about some aussies who ran 4th (i think) in some dakar rally.their ute of choice,the d-max.care to reconsider,pussy cat…
Gee thanks Realcars…do we get a Toyota warranty with that hahaha .
LOLUX SUX, this article is just a Toyoda marketing spin, notice Toybota advertise more than anyone and not just here on C.A. but everywhere in TV, moto mags, newspapers, etc etc. if they didn’t no one would buy their bluddy overrated fridges.
TOYBOTA IS OVERRATED.
Guys, it should be noted these are ‘Arctic Truck HiLuxs’ – NOT ‘Toyota HiLuxs’.
The word ‘Toyota’ is not even used in the article.
Arctic Trucks is to Toyota what Bowler is to Land Rover – so not very much.
There is really no need for the Toyota-bashing, and many comments are currently in breach of the CA Code of Conduct.
Maybe not George but theres a great big Toyota badge on the front of it! The footage shown has Toyota on it as well.
Dont Toyota trade mark the word “Hilux?
Toyota bashing is rampant on most Auto web sites these days,if you kept Dingo off the site then we wouldnt have to come back so hard at him!
QUOTE [George]: Arctic Trucks is to Toyota what Bowler is to Land Rover – so not very much.
That may be but as they say a building is only as good as its foundations.. which means that even though neither the Bowler or these arctic trucks have very little resemblance to the road going production vehicles on which they are based.. if they weren’t based on the Land Rocer or Hilux they wouldn’t perform as well as they do would they?
Car Advice – As a matter of interest can you please explain to me and the thousands of other car enthusiasts on this site how or why it’s okay for the handful of
Toyo-philes to get on here and criticise:
GM; Chev; Holden; Ford; Volvo; Mazda; Mercedes-Benz; BMW; Alfa Romeo; Audi; Nissan; Subaru; Mitsubishi; Jaguar; Hyundai; Kia; Suzuki; Mini; Aston Martin; Chrysler; etc.. with their typically ignorant arogant narrow-minded; ill-informed and offensive comments.. which add nothing to the discussion except take it off topic
Yet when we make similar comments from the other side its considered Toyota/Lexus-Bashing?
Oh; I forgot to mention Porsche; Volkswagen; MG; and Honda.
GEORGE I THINK PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK OF THE HYPE AND SPIN ASSOCIATED WITH TOYOTA AND THEIR MARKETING MACHINE FOR WHAT IS REALLY A RANGE OF VERY ORDINARY AND OVERPRICED VEHICLES.
Really Dingo…….^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Is that you taking your own advice ?
Dlr1 Says:
February 7th, 2009 at 9:38 am………
So you say Dlr1 that mercedes Unimogs for example cannot and never have operated on ice or snow, like russian military vehicles? Trucks have never carried loads over ice?
As someone said a monster truck could do it better – just with a more appropriate diesel engine – it all depends on what you are doing in the Arctic region really, other than prancing around with a Toyota logo tattooed on your forehead looking for attention.
Bla Bla Bla. The fact of the matter is they look Freaking cool. I think we can all agree on that.
P.S. No pun intended^^^^^^
Ray Vohnn,
Why use a truck, when it can be done in something smaller and more fuel efficient?! Smaller vehicles are also easier to dislodge, when stuck…
As for monsters trucks…. Come one, those things are built for show, with tiny fuel tanks, shit fuel economy, and probably more expensive!! And as well to mention no cold weather insulations!! ArticTrucks are purpose built products, available of the shelf, and probably the best option. Full stop!
Bavarian Missile, why are you referring to most people on here as dingo?? Seek help!!
Why do it in a truck or a highly modified pick-up when you can do it on a dog sled or on a ski-doo or…. No; I won’t go there.
Rave-on, you watch to many episodes of ice road truckers.
Wheelnut, it’s because a car is faster, more comfortable, has a larger carrying capacity, and more versatile then a sled!!
No other vehicle maker could ever produce a vehicle tough enough to survive in this environment.
Oh – hang on -VW Beetles ( the 40hp air cooled variety )were used at the south pole in the 60’s.
Awesome utes! I like the snow melting idea. You get bogged, just melt the snow around you and you’ll be fine haha. Pity same can’t be done with sand.
Just some feedback. I’ve only been reading this site for a couple of months now. Full of interesting and informative articles, good read. Then I scroll to the comments. All I see, in any toyota, and even non toyota articles, are certain individuals, being Bavarina Missile, Wheelnut, and Realcars, doing their usual anti toyota drivel. Guys, enough. It’s slowly starting to put me off reading this stuff. I have not seen any ‘dingoes’ criticising non-toyotas anywhere. All I see is you muppets toyota bashing left right and centre. Grow up will you!
Dont let me stop you coming back Dan,as I have just suggested to CA directly you have something to say then have the balls to do so.Email Alborz and whinge to him .
You read what you write,how pretentious were you yesterday on the Kia thread !
Dingo………….geez you havent been here long have you ,he doesnt go under one name .Der………
Coming back?? What are you talking about?
No, my issue is, you pollute most articles with your anti-toyota drivel. On and on, same thing over and over again. You are boring. Get over it.
Like I said, I haven’t been here long, but over the last couple of weeks or months, all I read everywhere is toyota bashing by you three. You hate toyotas. Great. We all got the message 1000 times already. Get over it.
As I said take it to CA directly if you have a problem…..
Re; Dlr1 Says:
February 8th, 2009 at 7:59 pm – Ice Truckers…
Nah, watched about half a show of that sensationalised crap and had enough.
On Topic, I personally dont see the need for an extensively modified small ute (artic truck) towing a trailer when historically a 4×4 truck with larger tyres has done the same job. Backing out of a jam towing a trailer in a blizzard under slippery conditions is clearly not easy.
hi guys.
I know a few things about these trucks. They are toyotas, but toyota didn’t have anything to do with sending them to antarcta. They were bought from Toyota in Iceland. Arctic Trucks modifys many diffrent trucks, toyotas, nissans, izusus, MB G-wagons and more.
What was done to these trucks:
front suspension:
front suspension lowered and moved forward. Heavy duty Koni dampers and heavy duty springs.
rear suspension:
axle moved back, leaf springs from a Tundra fitted, Koni dampers.
lower ratio, arb lockers front and rear, 60 mm body lift, 9,5 inch rear diff from a HD80 land cruiser, extra fuel tanks, second transferbox (toyota).
To make room for the tires the inner archers were made bigger.
That’s about it.
So the engine, transmission, steering, frame, drive shafts, brakes, suspension arms are all stock toyota hilux.
The hilux trucks were chosen because the customer (amundsen omega race) and arctic trucks thought the hilux was the best for the job
I saw one of them at a 4×4 show in iceland before they left, and they are mean!
Impressive, they look like a whole lot of fun too. Just this the design is just great, but then again Toyota does great things with their 4×4’s