GET FEATURED - Jaiden Olive’s 2008 Toyota Hilux SR5
“I like four wheel driving and the Toyota HiLux is one of my favourite cars,” says the owner of this vehicle, Jaiden Olive. Given that statement, it’s no surprise he’s added a bunch of accessories to this 2008-model SR5 dual cab to make it more his own.
Black & Light
Jaiden’s HiLux SR5 has been upgraded and accessorised from nose to tail, but the all-black treatment is what draws the most attention initially.
The blackout touches include black-painted steel wheels, instead of the alloys usually found on SR5s, complemented by the same finish on the bar work, tray and toolboxes.
Those wheels are shod with Maxxis Big Horn 33-inch tyres, while the bar work consists of a TJM bullbar and scrub bars, with Rock Slider side steps also fitted.
That TJM bar carries a Dominator winch, while a Safari snorkel, long-range fuel tank and water tank are other additions.
The lighting rig is worth noticing, too. On the bullbar, Jaiden’s added a 54cm light bar, with a metre-long Ironman light bar on the roof, while a trio of square LEDs have been fitted at the back to light up the tray.
Engine & Inside
The stock HiLux 3.0-litre turbo diesel has been fitted with a D Chip, with a 3-inch exhaust system also added. Jaiden says the exhaust is his favourite upgrade to date: “It makes it sound tough as nails!”
Other under-bonnet mods include a dual battery system, while a UHF radio and Hema GPS has been added inside the cabin – these latter upgrades being essential for the type of off-road touring Jaiden likes to do.
High Country HiLux
Of the treks Jaiden’s taken his black beauty on so far, he rates the Victorian High Country as the best, but it’s not without its moments. . . .
“I had a bloody scary moment up at ‘Billy Goats Bluff’,” Jaiden recalls. “It was probably more than a moment though! It was very wet at the time, I slipped off the trail and my back wheel was hanging off the edge of a decent drop!”
That sphincter-tightening moment aside, Jaiden loves the High Country, giving a thumbs up to the good 4x4 tracks and nice camping areas, while he says the locals around the Mansfield region are very friendly and happy to help out if needed.
More to Come
What you see here is far from the end of Jaiden’s HiLux story. Future plans include the fitting of a bigger lift kit and a set of diff locks. A dog box on the tray is another possible addition down the track as well.
