Newby North shore

[Welshie31]

Hi guys

Have just bought my second 185 Surf (1st killed by XR6 phone toting Sh.... on the Northern motorway 3 years ago - was a great truck unmodified but well spec'd with all the basics done new tyres, tow bar, roof bars etc.)

When my boat towing Nissan Mistral died looked at the new Rangers but thought can't pay the bill and drive it in the sea to launch the boat! so by accident found a tidy V6 G spec with good service history and the business case was approved. Must admit don't like the fuel consumption but do like the 3.4 much smoother than the 3.0 TD and quieter

Have again bought new tyres A/T Destinations, new tow bar and fitted a oil cooler (not cooking another transmission) but have now been challenged to take it off road - nothing serious more a serious road trip. So what to do next? have been looking at a suspension upgrade as the rear springs are weak and can't support the boat when towing, priced the OME and Iron man full matched systems with a 50mm lift and was quoted between $1.5K and $2.2K fitted which when I compared with buying offshore seemed pretty high.

So being a tight Welshman started to look at alternatives and how to get better prices, have narrowed it down to Raw Nitro shocks - seem to get reasonable reviews with a few grumbles about being a little harsh on road but I'm told they are matched with King springs but can't get these in NZ at a good price but can get Dobi's. So trying to establish whether the package will work or do I look at getting springs made. Re how much weight they need to carry I'm again trying to decide whether to go pretty standard 30% above OEM or go heavy. I'm erring towards 50mm lift standard 30% - back and front and if i need the extra weight capacity putting in air bags, as my boat towing will be limited to 3 or 4 big trips per year. The rest of the time will be local off the Bay's beaches. Currently I've no plans to add bull bars or winches as my off roading is likely to be lightweight.

The front discs will need replacing at the next warrant is there any way to improve the braking on the Surf's

My final dilemma is whether I can use what looks like a cast hook on the front behind the cosmetic bull bar as a recovery point and were to attach rated hooks on the back as I appreciate tow balls are a no no!

The tow bar I've fitted is rated at 2500KG and was fitted with HT bolts etc. so I was thinking I could attach to this>

Thoughts gratefully received

Cheers

Ric