Swb escudo project

[SimonnomiS]

Hey everyone,

I have just bought a escudo and am looking at doing the usual modifications to it.
Mud tyres
Body lift
Suspension lift
Front and rear steel bumpers
Rock sliders
Diff lockers and winch eventually

I have had a vitara before and I had maxxis buckshot mudders and body lift, but I want to do a bit more this time. I don't have a huge amount of money on tap so I'm thinking it's going to be a slow-ish process. I have already bought some Pirelli scorpion MUDs 30x9.5 r15 to start me off. When I get a chance I'll put some pics up. Any 2nd hand parts offers will be appreciated. Iv had a look at the cheap vitara lift thread but I think I'm best to go for a lift kit to minimise the mucking around. Post up some pics of your zuks for some inspiration.

Cheers, Simon

[SimonnomiS]

Also can someone give me some tips on steel wheels? Last time I used 0 offset but I see there are also ones with -20? Is the any issues with running these eg rubbing ? I realize I will probably have to add flares to cover treads. Any help would be great

[SimonnomiS]

Anyone know anything about these kits? I see discussions about calmini being a bit shit? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =463792124

[churchill]

Also can someone give me some tips on steel wheels? Last time I used 0 offset but I see there are also ones with -20? Is the any issues with running these eg rubbing ? I realize I will probably have to add flares to cover treads. Any help would be great

Hey man, I think -20 will bring the tyre in from a zero offset. If the zero's fitted the -20 should fit as well.

Edit: got it around the wrong way, as you were.

[zukmeista]

From what I have read about a -13 would work good, a -20 will probably create firewall rubbing issues.

[coxsy]

Anyone know anything about these kits? I see discussions about calmini being a bit shit? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =463792124

looks good enough, if something breaks you take it back or rebuild it stronger

[SimonnomiS]

Sweet yeah I was thinking it looks pretty good, am unsure about what the struts will do for my camber.... I guess I won't know until they're fitted... The offset as I understand is -offset makes your wheels sit out from the body and +offset pulls them back? Or have I got it wrong? Zero offset would surely sit closer to the body than -13/-20 or whatever? I dIdnt have trouble with offset on my last truck. Ill post some pics in due course.
There's an offset chart on here that pretty easy to read. http://www.readylift.com/t-tire-calculator.aspx

Thanks for the replys keep em coming. Cheers

[churchill]

With a 50mm lift the camber was about 1 degree positive which still performed well. 75mm lift might need camber bolts.

[zukmeista]

Sweet yeah I was thinking it looks pretty good, am unsure about what the struts will do for my camber.... I guess I won't know until they're fitted... The offset as I understand is -offset makes your wheels sit out from the body and +offset pulls them back? Or have I got it wrong? Zero offset would surely sit closer to the body than -13/-20 or whatever? I dIdnt have trouble with offset on my last truck. Ill post some pics in due course.
There's an offset chart on here that pretty easy to read. http://www.readylift.com/t-tire-calculator.aspx

Thanks for the replys keep em coming. Cheers

Your thoughts on offset are correct. Also the further out the wheel sits the larger the arc it moves in. Hence my comment about firewall rubbing.

[SimonnomiS]

Sweet yeah I was thinking it looks pretty good, am unsure about what the struts will do for my camber.... I guess I won't know until they're fitted... The offset as I understand is -offset makes your wheels sit out from the body and +offset pulls them back? Or have I got it wrong? Zero offset would surely sit closer to the body than -13/-20 or whatever? I dIdnt have trouble with offset on my last truck. Ill post some pics in due course.
There's an offset chart on here that pretty easy to read. http://www.readylift.com/t-tire-calculator.aspx

Thanks for the replys keep em coming. Cheers

Your thoughts on offset are correct. Also the further out the wheel sits the larger the arc it moves in. Hence my comment about firewall rubbing.

Ah I see, was a bit confused about that, cheers for your help!

[SimonnomiS]

Does anyone know anything about whether the trade me lift kit will leave me with any camber issues? Or will the strut mounts compensate?
Any guesses?

[SimonnomiS]

Who's the man to speak to about underbody armour? After sump, gearbox/transfer case and fuel tank....

[SimonnomiS]

Just got a reply on trademe about the calmini kits. He said that they no longer come with front struts because they aren't dating enough for new Zealand conditions haha

[SimonnomiS]

Heres some pics of my old zuk before i sold it

[SimonnomiS]

and heres the current project with 30x9.5r15 pirelli scorpion muds sitting next to it

[SimonnomiS]

Just got a new muffler and cat converter replaced with straight pipe, sounds and goes much better