first surf build.

[skidmark]

Just a note safari pin style does restrict flex and bushes get bit of a hammering off road.
The cruiser design will give more flex and bushes last longer.

I figured as much. But for bolt it now and sort it it's my easiest option.. but thanks your wagon was looking sick in there too!

[Madaz]

What did the test drive go like? Maybe a road test would be in order before changing the arms?

[skidmark]

I've only had it up to about 70, drove fine for me.but he wants the specs on paper to be sorted... I've ordered them now anyway. That 1 degree that I did have was when they dropped rear tyre pressure to get some I've since learned.so probably a bit low...have got a etc damper on there which was probably masking the issue. (Also that could be cert issue?)

[Lchundy]

Just a note safari pin style does restrict flex and bushes get bit of a hammering off road.
The cruiser design will give more flex and bushes last longer.

I figured as much. But for bolt it now and sort it it's my easiest option.. but thanks your wagon was looking sick in there too!

Thanks
We should hook up go do a off road Mish when we legal begai

[Big]

Yeah but what prey tell is "factory setting" For a Nissan axled, radius armed, 35" tyred, Turbo V8 surf?

I would say when all weighted up and sitting at ride height ready for use on the road ( as it would have to be this for cert- what we do outside of normal use isn't generally on road)then it should fall into the required minimum and maximum.. but as SM has pointed out.. more is ok.. I will be asking this question myself.. when time comes round..

[Checkerhead]

It's not about how we are driving it. It's about the properties of the vehicle. The bigger tyre requires more dampening and thus more caster.

Those max and min specs are set for a vehicle of given geometry, weight, tyre size etc and a lot of that has changed on Mark's truck. We don't even know what car that recommended spec is for, is it for a Surf or a Saf?

Either way, I bet you that a small tyred, short(ish) travel IFS has different steering geometry requirements and compromises to a larger tyred, longer travel solid axle vehicle.

[skidmark]

I had it put through as a gq, as well its more gq than surf underneath.have ordered 3 inch lift superflex as then have 3.5° caster correction built in (and had them in stock) which should put me right around 4°caster.

Will find out on Tuesday I guess

[Madaz]

It shouldnt really matter what the spec sheet says if it drives alright?
What would happen if the spec sheet says it was fine,but it drove like a dog?

Isnt that the whole point of the certifer doing a road test?

[skidmark]

It shouldnt really matter what the spec sheet says if it drives alright?
What would happen if the spec sheet says it was fine,but it drove like a dog?

Isnt that the whole point of the certifer doing a road test?

One would think so..but he basically said don't bring it in unless that caster was increased

[Madaz]

Go back to the wheel aligner and get him to print off another sheet with the spec changed....... hahaha

[skidmark]

Well arms are in,speedy lube &tyre boys threw it on the machine again..around 5.5° caster so went to cert man he's happy. Did suggest moving panard down 10mm or so tho.

Will add photos later

[skidmark]

There certainly solid, the factory arms are around 9.5kg the long side superflex is over 15kg...

I think they improved front flex a bit not heaps amazing from what I can tell in my shed.

Sitting on the massive 32s atm.

[Checkerhead]

(He) did suggest moving panard down 10mm or so tho.

Really? 10mm? How long is your panhard rod? like 700mm? If so then 10mm means a 0.8 degree change? The dude is tripping balls. The thing probably swings though 25 degrees over full bump to full droop so we are talking about a 3% change.

I guess if it makes it more inline with the steering link then possibly the benefit is two fold?

I moved my panhard about 50mm (from memory) and that made a tangible difference (from slightly worse than factory bump steer to better than factory) and was one of the things that helped me pass my cert brake test (but this alone was not enough).

All that said, if you do move your panhard. Try to move it up at the axle rather than down at the chassis end. The reason for this is that the roll center height is at the center (vertically) of you panhard. A higher roll center means less mass and leverage above the roll center, which means a more stable truck. (This only applies to solid axle setups with a panhard, it's a whole new world with roll centers and IFS etc).

[Big]

Keep us posted on the super flex arms..very interested in what happens there

[skidmark]

(He) did suggest moving panard down 10mm or so tho.

Really? 10mm? How long is your panhard rod? like 700mm? If so then 10mm means a 0.8 degree change? The dude is tripping balls. The thing probably swings though 25 degrees over full bump to full droop so we are talking about a 3% change.

I guess if it makes it more inline with the steering link then possibly the benefit is two fold?

I moved my panhard about 50mm (from memory) and that made a tangible difference (from slightly worse than factory bump steer to better than factory) and was one of the things that helped me pass my cert brake test (but this alone was not enough).

All that said, if you do move your panhard. Try to move it up at the axle rather than down at the chassis end. The reason for this is that the roll center height is at the center (vertically) of you panhard. A higher roll center means less mass and leverage above the roll center, which means a more stable truck. (This only applies to solid axle setups with a panhard, it's a whole new world with roll centers and IFS etc).

It's very close to tierod(drag link?) angle as is I thought. I was kinda surprised he even mentioned it, just because my chassis side mount hangs down enough where there's room for another hoke in the chassis..I really don't think it'll make a noticeable difference in reality,but as its early days with him I will drill the extra set of holes to try keep in his good books for now.

[skidmark]

Keep us posted on the super flex arms..very interested in what happens there

In regards to getting them certafied? He was the one that suggested them.his words were as I asked as long as there made my reputable company/branded etc no worries for cert.

[Big]

Keep us posted on the super flex arms..very interested in what happens there

In regards to getting them certafied? He was the one that suggested them.his words were as I asked as long as there made my reputable company/branded etc no worries for cert.

bloody hell.. its not what I got from my cert man down here..as I was looking at them.. if by chance.. can you get the cert report to state that they are good to go so I could contact my cert man to help me possibly in the future.. cheers getting close now.. waiting..

[skidmark]

Will try if possible.. that's the problem it comes down to cert man's interpretation of the rules.

[Checkerhead]

but as its early days with him I will drill the extra set of holes to try keep in his good books for now.

Good call.

Choose your battles wisely.

[skidmark]

Tentatively say I think it's ready for d day

[skidmark]

Dropped it off this morning,had 4 issues already before I left,3 are easy to solve
1. Change horn to electric
2.fit seat rail to driver's seat
3. Heatsheild above rear exhaust incase of fuel leak

The 4th possible problem child is the filler is inside passenger compartment,either have to move it outside which could be a problem due to tank height or install a vapor proof barrier...

[Checkerhead]

The 4th possible problem child is the filler is inside passenger compartment,either have to move it outside which could be a problem due to tank height or install a vapor proof barrier...

Doesn't sound like a "possible problem", more of a "definite problem"

Double cab conversion would fix this though eh?

[skidmark]

The 4th possible problem child is the filler is inside passenger compartment,either have to move it outside which could be a problem due to tank height or install a vapor proof barrier...

Doesn't sound like a "possible problem", more of a "definite problem"

Double cab conversion would fix this though eh?

Definitely a problem...well yes it would solve that problem..it crossed my mind earlier.but not this time round.. will wait till I've got it back then will work out the height compared to the window then decide weather it goes through the outside or it gets a wall

[skidmark]

Called in today at certifier,have made it through bumpsteer tests a small ish list of things to cheak and sort a few Heatsheild attach the brake like every 300 mm (I ran it inside but not attached every 300)
Adjust steering stop.
Somehow balance my silvys.
Speedo is out of adjustment but that's just drive and reprogram..not quite sure what cause 20mm difference between 35 Silverstone and 35 bighorn.
Take spring of rtc steering damper
Plus a couple other small issues that I can't remember

[skidmark]

Got it back today

My list
1 drivers seat to adjust
2 change toggle rh dash
3 fuel filler issue
4 electric horn
5 brake line every 300mm
6 tidy weld panhard brace
7 bentsteering shaft?
8 windscreen
9 wheel alignment sheet
10 steering tierod fouls on superior plate,
11 replace some rear susp bolts
12 remove rtc dampner spring
13 sheild fuel line by muffler
14 strip beadlock for assemeent
15 cover battery terminals
16 crush tubes rear seat braket
17 remove seat for inspection
18 sheild exhaust from gas leaks above
19 balance beadlocks
20 speedo to correct

[Madaz]

Im curious about the horn and the steering damper? Are air horns not road legal anymore? And whats the story with the spring on the steering damper?

[skidmark]

It's because I wired compressor up to a switch to pump up air tank,it's either connect compressor to ign so it comes on automatically or change horn out to electric. The standard air horns that come with the little elec compressor would be fine.Mine was the truck type with a solenoid drawing air from a tank.
But I carry a elec horn in spear parts in my work van so will borrow it for the recheck

And the rtc isn't allowed on for cert as it can mask steering angle issues.

He took the whole damper off but then got some death wobble, so I removed the spring and refitted it so he could complete his test drives and was sweet as

[mudlva]

wagons looking good there bud, was having a gander at it when collecting Leon's weapon.
that said ya dash and switches are pretty unique ah.....

[Mattman]

Nothing unfixable in that list.

What's the problem with the windscreen?

[skidmark]

Nothing unfixable in that list.

What's the problem with the windscreen?

I was quite happy with the list considering the mods
Windscreen has a couple large chips in it