BORNEO4X4.COM
CAR OF THE YEAR 2009

Borneo 4x4’s Car of the Year 2009 is a 2 seater 4X4 competition hybrid based on an Toyota BJ73. Borneo4X4 had the opportunity to see the vehicle being stripped and modified to be built into one of the top competition car. This car is built by one of Sabah's top modificator and also 4X4 competitor know as Lo Fui Min. He has a modest workshop in a village in Mengattal ouside of Kota Kinabalu.

Siow Seong with Malcolm of Borneo4x4.

Mr. Siow Seong who runs Kinaway is in the business of the importer of half cut vehicles and re-conditioned parts and he owns a number of expedition style vehicles. But a top of the line competition vehicle has eluded him well.. . up to now. He commissioned Lo Fui Min to build a top rate car to the best of his ability given the 'limitation' of the parts that Kinaway imports. After about 5 months, this top of the line competition rig became a reality. One of the new inclusions is the 'jam brake' not often seen in competition car here in Borneo. This was made popular by Tan Eng Joo who won the Malaysian Rainforest Challenge twice.

The heavy duty front suspension system, Japanese made. Brand unknown.

Borneo4x4's observations:

• To get a stubby and shorter nose, LJ78 panels were used in front.

• Differential lockers, 'jam brakes', and PTO engagement system all run on pneumatics.

• This is a tall car with super heavy duty suspension system, similar to rock crawlers in the US.

• 'Standard' powerful 15BT engine.

Super articulation with dislocating cones, rotational flex radius arms,
long travel springs and shocks with remote external reservoir.

Here's the low down on the vehicle.

Weight 2.1 metric tones (it is heavy!)
Power plant: 15 B with aftermarket turbo unit - one big heavy engine.
Imported Japan aftermarket suspension system- with radius arms with modified mounting brackets (brand not known).

A host of recovery equipment decorates the back of
the cab, we wonder does it need all that?

Coil springs with 'dislocating' cones
Amada Extreme (Thailand) shock absorbers with remote reservoir (1 per wheel)
One of the highest lifted competition car we’ve seen
LC80 axels with air controlled lockers (original Toyota)
100” wheel base – relocated all the axel mounting points and shorter chassis on both ends to increase entry and exit angles.

The 15BT powerplant. Borneo standard.. .

In cabin snorkel air intake system (6” pipe)
Toyota Air compressor
ARB air switches

The Recaro seats with 4 point harness and not too much controls to confuse the driver.

Recaro Seats with 4 point racing harness
PTO (self made) winch – able to function both front and back (sorry no secrets can be given out here).

Arrow shoes the button to activate the 'jam brake' with one of the TWO  air tanks on this car.

Simex 35” Centipede Extreme mounted alloy rims (no particular brand used as it is changed frequently) or Mickey Thompson Baja Series tyres mounted on chrome steel rims
Steam pipe roll cage (half body... protection for cab only)
Toyota LC 80 gear box – manual 5 speed and transfer case
Host of recovery equipment including snatch blocks, ARB cable dampener, S hooks, spade & shovel, etc.