Once again it's a long time between drinks as I've been working on a lot of small jobs.
The body lift is now complete with the bull bar raised to match.
The bar is an ARB steel winch bar (I picked it up in Aussi for 1/2 price a number of years ago), which I have cut the top bars off. I never liked the look of those bars on the Rangie, and as Roo's etc. are not a problem in NZ I reackon they won't be needed. (in some perverse way it also felt good to cut up a set of ARB bars)
Everything I have hit with the bars has been on the lower part anyway.(in fact they are still bent on the left hand side where I got overenthusiastic coming out of a bog hole and nailed a tree at speed)
As for the front brake lines, I have had the Rangie up on the hoist and truned and moved the wheels every which way at full articulation and the lines still don't get tight.
I'll still be moving the brackets on the guards down 40-50mm just to be on the safe side.
The beast now has new feet, Simex Jungle Trekker 2's 33X11.5X15.
I spent a long time looking at different tires, talking to people and observing how various tires performed and in the end it come down to Simex or Superswampers.
Why Simex in the end? Most people I talked to said they would have them if they could afford them (which luckily I could) and they still seem the tire to beat in competition.
Why 33's?
I was going for 35 Centipedes but with the rumblings of the rubber challenged crowd about nothing over 33 on some runs and places I decided I would be mightily P'ed off to arrive at a run only to be told to go away cause your tires are to big.
Also as the Rangie is to be used for club runs and not competion (at least at this stage) 33's should do the trick.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for big aggressive rubber as I believe when driven RIGHT they cause less damage and are safer than so called A/T's sliding and spinning all over the place.
Thats my view and observations from many different runs. If you disagree that's your right and I respect it.
Right I'll put away the soapbox.
I have stripped out what carpet remains to make hosing out easy.
Mud flaps have been fitted and I'll change from bolts to quick release fasteners so I can quickly remove the flaps when off road (I've lost 2 mud flaps so far)
The spare is mounted flat on the deck. It is held in place with a threaded rod, welded to a plate and bolted through the deck, a plate and nut secures the spare and I have fitted a bit of chain so I can padlock it. (trusting fella that I am!)
A weather proof metal box is fitted to each forward corner of the deck to hold tools and recovery gear.
The aircon has been pulled out but the pump remains. (I'll convert that into an onboard compressor for tires, air tools and with a tank fitted I'll be able to run the locker off it, next big buy)
By the next instalment it should have got it's cert so I'll let you know how that goes.
Couple more pictures in my album
Rat
THE BIG CHOP PART 8
I like it.
If you ever need a big tyre sympathiser - I am only an eMail away.
I know its a little late - and I am sure you thought of it - but what about cutting your back corners off? As you have a square tray you are bound to hit them at some stage - the long tray on the green rangie in your first post has them angled off for this reason....
Good luck with the Cert - really interested to hear what the criteria is for a successful cert...
Bodge
If you ever need a big tyre sympathiser - I am only an eMail away.
I know its a little late - and I am sure you thought of it - but what about cutting your back corners off? As you have a square tray you are bound to hit them at some stage - the long tray on the green rangie in your first post has them angled off for this reason....
Good luck with the Cert - really interested to hear what the criteria is for a successful cert...
Bodge
The three position Lucas switch - Dim, Flicker and Off.http://home.off-road.com/~bodgerover/
Same here with the cert issue
Talked to the certifier Im planning on using who has certified similar mods round Auckland. I asked whether we had to meet up first and go over plan of attack/look at vehicle etc, but he said, no. He was going to do the same to a Rangey he used to own a few years back, so knew excatly what we planned to achieve (never eventuated - long story), but said chop everything off that you plan too, then he will come round and say what will be needed with regards to putting it back together. Spoke to quite a few people in regards to certifiers and they all pointed to this guy, who has been excellent to deal with.
All going well, the angle grinder may get its first taste of rangey tonight
Rex
Talked to the certifier Im planning on using who has certified similar mods round Auckland. I asked whether we had to meet up first and go over plan of attack/look at vehicle etc, but he said, no. He was going to do the same to a Rangey he used to own a few years back, so knew excatly what we planned to achieve (never eventuated - long story), but said chop everything off that you plan too, then he will come round and say what will be needed with regards to putting it back together. Spoke to quite a few people in regards to certifiers and they all pointed to this guy, who has been excellent to deal with.
All going well, the angle grinder may get its first taste of rangey tonight
Rex
Interesting issue came up with the cert.
I took the Rangie into get a WOF yesterday (The fella doing my cert told me this is the best way to go about it, WOF less than 14days with items that require cert put down in the WOF sheet notes)
The kicker is myself and my WOF guy went thru all the Mods I have done and checked them in the WOF book and in the end the only things to require certing are the tires!!!!!!! I only have to balance the brakes and the Rangie gets a WOF.(failed brake test)
He did say it is very subjective and all depends on who does the WOF and how they read the book!
To be on the safe side I think I'll still be getting all my mods certed (even though it is not required)
I would recommend this action to all (WOF)
As for the angled corners on the deck, I looked at that but as my deck is only 1.2M long and the green Aussi one looks a fair bit longer (from the pictures it looks like he didn't chop the chassis) I didn,t bother.Time will tell.
Right I have some brakes to balance this weekend (fun, fun) or it may be that it just been sitting in the shed doing nothing.
One more thing
Do those tires take a while to warm up or what? and even with the body lift, suspension lift and the tires the road handling has not changed that much. (but it was never a sports car to start with!)
Rat
I took the Rangie into get a WOF yesterday (The fella doing my cert told me this is the best way to go about it, WOF less than 14days with items that require cert put down in the WOF sheet notes)
The kicker is myself and my WOF guy went thru all the Mods I have done and checked them in the WOF book and in the end the only things to require certing are the tires!!!!!!! I only have to balance the brakes and the Rangie gets a WOF.(failed brake test)
He did say it is very subjective and all depends on who does the WOF and how they read the book!
To be on the safe side I think I'll still be getting all my mods certed (even though it is not required)
I would recommend this action to all (WOF)
As for the angled corners on the deck, I looked at that but as my deck is only 1.2M long and the green Aussi one looks a fair bit longer (from the pictures it looks like he didn't chop the chassis) I didn,t bother.Time will tell.
Right I have some brakes to balance this weekend (fun, fun) or it may be that it just been sitting in the shed doing nothing.
One more thing
Do those tires take a while to warm up or what? and even with the body lift, suspension lift and the tires the road handling has not changed that much. (but it was never a sports car to start with!)
Rat
One thing I have noticed with the Simex's is that if you let them sit in the same spot for a while they develop a flat spot like all good cross plys....
When you take off down the road first thing Saturday morning they start a shudder in the front end which feels like the whole thing is trying to take off in separate directions....
After a couple of miles and a bit of flexing it goes away.
Interesting on the cert front - a friend [and I use that term carefully] suggested I chop and not worry bout the Cert - said that they would not event notice.... I agree though - get it certed - nice to hear that its not a major though.
Now awaiting actions shots Rangerat!
When you take off down the road first thing Saturday morning they start a shudder in the front end which feels like the whole thing is trying to take off in separate directions....
After a couple of miles and a bit of flexing it goes away.
Interesting on the cert front - a friend [and I use that term carefully] suggested I chop and not worry bout the Cert - said that they would not event notice.... I agree though - get it certed - nice to hear that its not a major though.
Now awaiting actions shots Rangerat!
The three position Lucas switch - Dim, Flicker and Off.http://home.off-road.com/~bodgerover/
So Rat - been out playing in the new truck?
Got any pics?
post em up....
Got any pics?
post em up....
The three position Lucas switch - Dim, Flicker and Off.http://home.off-road.com/~bodgerover/
I'm back.
Been away for a bit.
The rangie is now almost certified. Awaiting the paperwork to go thru.
Things to watch are:
Write down a list of everything you have done
Make sure you know what parts you have used eg. springs
Have all your numbers ready: chassis, engine.
I'll let you know more once all the paperwork is complete on the cert issue.
I've had it out for a quick play, but as it was a fairly easy run it was hard to tell how much better it is.
The tyres are great. I played around with pressures started with 15 dropped to 11 (much better) next run I'll go down to 8 and see how that works.
Got a couple of pics in my album. (no action shots)
P.S.
The air locker, winch and dual batts will going in real soon (more toys to play with!!!!!)
Rat
Been away for a bit.
The rangie is now almost certified. Awaiting the paperwork to go thru.
Things to watch are:
Write down a list of everything you have done
Make sure you know what parts you have used eg. springs
Have all your numbers ready: chassis, engine.
I'll let you know more once all the paperwork is complete on the cert issue.
I've had it out for a quick play, but as it was a fairly easy run it was hard to tell how much better it is.
The tyres are great. I played around with pressures started with 15 dropped to 11 (much better) next run I'll go down to 8 and see how that works.
Got a couple of pics in my album. (no action shots)
P.S.
The air locker, winch and dual batts will going in real soon (more toys to play with!!!!!)
Rat
Classic - i see you have to sit on someone else's tailgate now!
15 pounds has worked fine for me but now that you have shed some weight I imagine you will have to go lower. Some of the suzuki guys run their simex's down to 3 or 4 pounds with no beadlocks.... Can you say stiff sidewalls?
The [Rat]rangie is looking a little naked these days - like it not wearing any pants...
What about a roll bar something like this to finish the roof line off - aesthetic bonus plus some safety....
Talkin bout the roll bar behind the cab and the bars from there back to the back corners... not all the other stuff.
15 pounds has worked fine for me but now that you have shed some weight I imagine you will have to go lower. Some of the suzuki guys run their simex's down to 3 or 4 pounds with no beadlocks.... Can you say stiff sidewalls?
The [Rat]rangie is looking a little naked these days - like it not wearing any pants...
What about a roll bar something like this to finish the roof line off - aesthetic bonus plus some safety....
Talkin bout the roll bar behind the cab and the bars from there back to the back corners... not all the other stuff.
The three position Lucas switch - Dim, Flicker and Off.http://home.off-road.com/~bodgerover/
I know what you are saying about something missing.
I have the bar design drawn up and are just waiting for the cash box to fill up.
The bars will look much as you said. (double hoop and back to the deck corners)
When I let the tyres down, I did double check the pressure gauge as the side walls did not move!!!
Rat.
I have the bar design drawn up and are just waiting for the cash box to fill up.
The bars will look much as you said. (double hoop and back to the deck corners)
When I let the tyres down, I did double check the pressure gauge as the side walls did not move!!!
Rat.
Whats your secret to getting the cashbox to fill up...
I have left mine sitting there for months with the lid open and its empty every time I look in it?
So far as I know - no money has fallen into it at all....
I have left mine sitting there for months with the lid open and its empty every time I look in it?
So far as I know - no money has fallen into it at all....
The three position Lucas switch - Dim, Flicker and Off.http://home.off-road.com/~bodgerover/
I'm back.
I've had the Rangie out for a decent run now so I'll do a quick update.
How did it go? in a word great.
Although the wheel base is the same it seems to be more nimble (?)
<center>
[url=http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?set_albumName=album05&id=articulation&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php]
[/url]<b>Articlulation</b>
</center>
I can now get around corners and over drop offs without hooking up the back end, it also allow's me to back up a lot further in the tricky spots.
I ran the tyres down to 8psi and it made a huge difference, heaps more traction although you can feel them flexing on the solid stuff (dry tracks etc...)
<center>
[url=http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?set_albumName=album05&id=Trying_out_the_Simex_s&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php]
[/url]<b>Trying out the Simex</b>
</center>
The Rangie has lost 200kg which is a good thing (all at the back which so far hasn't been a problem off road)
It is fully certified (the truck, not the driver)which went without any problems. (I had a list of things done and parts used and this made things easy)
So far it has meet all my requirements I set from the start (greater departure angle, no rear panels to damage etc...)
Whats next?
Roll bar, rear locker, winch, dual batterys, paint, the list goes on!
Would I change anything? one or two minor things, cab cut line, fuel tank location small bits and pieces.
The big chop MK2 maybe?????
More Pic's in my album, click the pics to goto my album
Rat
I've had the Rangie out for a decent run now so I'll do a quick update.
How did it go? in a word great.
Although the wheel base is the same it seems to be more nimble (?)
<center>
[url=http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?set_albumName=album05&id=articulation&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php]
[/url]<b>Articlulation</b>
</center>
I can now get around corners and over drop offs without hooking up the back end, it also allow's me to back up a lot further in the tricky spots.
I ran the tyres down to 8psi and it made a huge difference, heaps more traction although you can feel them flexing on the solid stuff (dry tracks etc...)
<center>
[url=http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?set_albumName=album05&id=Trying_out_the_Simex_s&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php]
[/url]<b>Trying out the Simex</b>
</center>
The Rangie has lost 200kg which is a good thing (all at the back which so far hasn't been a problem off road)
It is fully certified (the truck, not the driver)which went without any problems. (I had a list of things done and parts used and this made things easy)
So far it has meet all my requirements I set from the start (greater departure angle, no rear panels to damage etc...)
Whats next?
Roll bar, rear locker, winch, dual batterys, paint, the list goes on!
Would I change anything? one or two minor things, cab cut line, fuel tank location small bits and pieces.
The big chop MK2 maybe?????
More Pic's in my album, click the pics to goto my album
Rat
I bet your glad that you didn't sell it now 
Coast to Coast 
Are you going to be there with it on the next one