South Africans are bakkie mad, this much cannot be argued with. Ours is one of the few markets in the world that uses pick-ups/LDVs as primary transport, we modify and race them, too. A prime example of our fanaticism for the venerable bakkie is this twin-turbo V12 Toyota Hilux. Special thanks to Chris Wall Media for the action images.

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An exception

We don’t usually cover bakkie content on our site, unless it is something special. Most recently we published a story on the first Ram TRX pick-up in South Africa. Read that story at this link. This twin-turbo V12 Toyota Hilux has an even more local spin so we could not resist doing a feature on it. It could well be the first and only twin-turbocharged V12-powered Hilux in the world.

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Local is lekker

The car, err, bakkie you see here was the brainchild of Francois Fritz, owner of a local shop called Fatboy Fab Works. In a roundabout way we, at Double Apex, also had a hand to play in the Hilux’s creation. Fritz recalls reading a story on our site that inspired his creation. “I read the article on the V12 Quantum (original story at this link) on your site. I wanted to build something similar but it had to be completely usable as a bakkie,” explains Fritz in conversation with us.


Contact FatBoy Fab Works, for all you custom and performance fabrication needs.


Humble beginnings

The starting point for this exercise was a 2012 Hilux that left the factory with a 3,0-litre D-4D engine. “We started to modify that bakkie and in the end it had a twin-turbo compound turbo set-up. It made 212 kW and 680 N.m of torque. We sold that engine to fund this build, it is still running in a Vito bus.” The 212 kW they achieved was a pretty healthy step up from 120 kW/343 N.m as the 3,0-litre turbodiesel left the factory.

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“I am from the Knysna area and it has always been a dream of mine to compete at the Simola Hillclimb. I knew I wanted to race there but in something really special.”

Fritz then started to think about the V12 installation. Toyota produces a V12 engine that comes as standard fitment in the Century, code 1GZ-FE. This luxury saloon is only available in Toyota’s home market but the engines often find their way abroad. The 5,0-litre unit is built for smoothness and low-down torque delivery. It produces just over 220 kW and 490 N.m as standard.

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The team at FatBoy Fab Works stripped down the V12 and rebuilt the bottom end. They then strapped on a pair of Garrett GT35 turbochargers with 63 mm turbine housings. To control all the vitals the latest generation Spitronics management system was fitted. Fritz decided to retain the Century’s four-speed auto’. A custom propshaft was made but the rear end, including the diff’ lock is all standard.

V12 TT

“We were running very behind to make the hillclimb and if it were not for my friend Stephan de Villiers of MOT Fabrications there was no way the bakkie would have been ready. We were on the dyno on the Friday night before the race weekend.”

Speaking of the dyno. The end result of the rebuilt bottom end and 0,7 bars of boost from the two GT35s is that the V12 now produces 402 kW and 970 N.m of torque. To deal with the Simola Hillclimb course the twin-turbo V12 Toyota Hilux was fitted with larger alloys, performance tyres and the ride height was lowered. The brakes are still standard but will soon be upgraded.

“We made it to the hillclimb and it was one of the best experiences of my life. We went there to wow with something special and I am sure we did. My times up the hill were not great, we had a small electrical issue, but we had fun and those that were there really enjoyed seeing and hearing the bakkie,” concluded Fritz.

This unique Hilux is now up for sale. If you want to have the speediest delivery bakkie in town then contact Francois via FatBoy Fab Works Facebook page by clicking the advert (above).