Meet our new-to-us N80 HiLux. It is white, fleet-spec, and about as visually exciting as a beige cardigan, but that is exactly the point. We can turn it into a proper touring rig.

We picked it up through Slattery Auctions (↗), and the story here is not just about the vehicle itself. It is about how the buying process works when you source a project 4×4 entirely through an online auction platform, taking it from search through to inspection, bidding, and finally collection, all without stepping into a dealership yard.

Why Slattery?

Slattery Auctions (↗) was where the search started after we had already exhausted the usual used-car routes.

We spent time going through classifieds, scrolling marketplace listings, and visiting a few car yards, but the reality quickly became clear. Most N80 HiLux examples were either too modified for our liking, too rough underneath where it matters, or priced too close to new money to justify as a starting point for a build.

For this project, we were not chasing something already finished or partially built. We wanted a stock-as-a-rock N80 that could be developed properly from scratch. The appeal of the platform is well known in 4×4 circles. The N80 HiLux is proven across Australia in fleet and touring use, it has a massive aftermarket support base, and it can be taken in almost any direction depending on how far you want to go with the build. Durability, simplicity and parts availability made it the obvious choice as a base vehicle for a long-term touring project.

What also sets Slattery Auctions apart is the scale of its network and reach. Through the Slattery Grays Auction Group, the platform connects a huge national buyer base, with more than one million monthly visitors, over 250,000 active bidders, and more than 13 million bids placed each year across a customer base of around 3.3 million people. For buyers, that means constant inventory turnover and one of the largest accessible auction pools in the country.

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What’s the go?

The idea behind the build started with Editor Matt picking up a brand-new 2026 Toyota HiLux.

That purchase kicked off the challenge underpinning this project. Could we build something with similar real-world touring capability for roughly the same money, but by starting with a used vehicle instead of a new one?

That shifted the focus onto budget and base vehicle selection. We needed something clean enough not to fight us mechanically, but cheap enough that we could redirect serious money into the actual touring setup. Things like suspension, protection, storage systems, and recovery gear were always going to be where the capability came from.

After plenty of searching through the usual channels and not finding anything that worked, we changed approach and moved the search over to Slattery Auctions (↗).

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Finding the HiLux

Once we started working through listings on the Slattery Auctions platform (↗), the difference in available stock was immediate. Instead of chasing scattered private listings, we were looking at a steady flow of fleet and government vehicles, many with consistent servicing histories and predictable use patterns.

We eventually landed on a 2019 N80 HiLux that stood out as a serious candidate. The listing presented it as a clean, unmodified ute that had not been messed around with, which is exactly what you want when the intention is to build something from scratch rather than undo someone else’s work.

From there, it moved into the real-world check stage. We headed out to Dandenong to inspect the vehicle in person, because no amount of online photos replaces getting underneath a 4×4 properly. We checked fluids, filters, underside condition, rust points, panels, and the logbook. Everything lined up with the listing. It was clean underneath, straight in the body, and consistent with what had been advertised. At that point, it was the right kind of base vehicle, so we registered and prepared to bid through Slattery Auctions.

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How the auction process works

Bidding through Slattery Auctions (↗) is entirely online and accessible once you are registered. You can participate using a phone, laptop or desktop, and the process itself is very straightforward.

One of the key advantages is transparency. Every bid clearly shows the full cost upfront, including buyer premium and GST, before you commit. That removes the guesswork that often comes with private sales or dealer negotiations. There is also a constant flow of inventory. Auctions run regularly, and listings are continuously updated, so you can search specifically for what you want or browse broadly depending on how patient you are with the search.

If you are the leading bidder but the reserve price has not been met, the auction may move into a referral stage. In this case, the auction house goes back to the vendor and can facilitate further negotiation between the seller and the leading bidder through the formal auction process.

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Winning the HiLux

When our chosen listing came up, we placed our bid through Slattery Auctions and stayed with it through to the end of the auction.

In the end, we secured the 2019 N80 HiLux. The ute already came with a few sensible additions that suited its future direction. It was fitted with all-terrain tyres, Black Duck seat covers, a Redarc brake controller, and an ARB roof rack. Nothing excessive or unnecessary, just practical gear that makes sense on a touring-focused build.

“I think this 2019 Hilux is a great car to build an affordable off-road adventure car. It has served its purpose for the company that was using it in their fleet, and now can serve as a solid base for a custom-built 4×4. In terms of value for money, this car is hard to beat at just $28,000″ – Aaron Lofts, Certified Auctioneer and Valuer at Slattery Auctions.

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Collection and handover

Once the auction closed, the process moved quickly and cleanly. We received an invoice for the full purchase amount, including buyer premium and fees, and once payment was completed, the vehicle was released for collection from the listed location.

As with all auction vehicles, reading the listing properly is essential. Some vehicles are sold registered, others are not, and the conditions of sale vary depending on the source.

In our case, the HiLux came with current registration. Because Slattery Auctions operates as a Licensed Motor Car Trader, the transfer process was initiated at handover, giving a 14-day window to obtain a roadworthy certificate and complete the registration transfer after pickup. From there, it was a simple collection and drive-away process.

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The start of the build

With the keys in hand, the HiLux officially became the base for our project build.

The goal from here is to develop it into a properly capable touring rig, with a focus on function, durability, and sensible spending rather than unnecessary complexity.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the project unfold, it will be a great car to auction at the end of it too. One lucky enthusiast is going to love it,” said Aaron Lofts from Slattery Auctions (↗).

MORE 4×4 currently under the hammer at Slattery Auctions!