is a z link legal?

mushroom11 · Post by **mushroom11** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:04 pm

just ordering a spoa conversion kit and just wondering if a z link system is legal in new zealand?heres what it looks like

http://www.AFTERMARKET4X4.com

turoa · Post by **turoa** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:06 pm

Id say NO. Z links are one of the most red neck inventions ever made.

mushroom11 · Post by **mushroom11** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:09 pm

ok?any one actually been in this situation?i can get a 3inch drop pitman arm instead but as its a 5inch lift i mite stool have bump steer?im also running power steering in the 413

vando · Post by **vando** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:33 am

Tu is right, a Z-link is not legal in NZ. Talk to your certification guy before you start to see what he will be happy with

gazzuk · Post by **gazzuk** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:43 am

They are not entirely illegal (although the one that vendor is selling most likely is as it has been cut and welded). Some can be certified -I have seen at least 3 on sprung over trucks with cert plates that said they were ok provided they meet certain criteria.

Rotazuk · Post by **Rotazuk** » Wed May 09, 2007 2:15 pm

A z link will not remove bump steer . The steering geometry has not changed , there is just a big bend in the bar . Aa droop arm is a better bet for bump steer but best would be a crossover steering set up . Some guys use merc arms as they almost bolt to the zuk ok . Ben looked into it , not sure if he went with it in the end or certed it thou .

mushroom11 · Post by **mushroom11** » Wed May 09, 2007 4:48 pm

ok cool well i have the option of grabing the 3inch drop vitara pitman arm or the z link???what will u guys recomend?

turoa · Post by **turoa** » Wed May 09, 2007 4:53 pm

mushroom11 wrote:ok cool well i have the option of grabing the 3inch drop vitara pitman arm or the z link???what will u guys recomend?

To tell you the truth, I think the drop pitman arm will be one that is cut and welded. Go the highsteer.

Look in the suzuki bible on outerlimits

oldblue · Post by **oldblue** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:13 pm

All a Z tie rod gives you, is a better push-pull alignment of the tie rod ends. When on full articulation.

mushroom11 · Post by **mushroom11** » Wed May 09, 2007 6:38 pm

To tell you the truth, I think the drop pitman arm will be one that is cut and welded. Go the highsteer

yea i no that but te packadge comes with either a z link or a drop pitman arm will ask it is welded.but i could possibly fabricate a over the top steering by useing merc steering arms???

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Wed May 09, 2007 6:44 pm

dont know if this will help but this forum give all the details on a spoa and the part numbers of the right merc arms to use....
http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=174

its a few pages but everything is covered....

mushroom11 · Post by **mushroom11** » Wed May 09, 2007 7:09 pm

Ryan wrote:dont know if this will help but this forum give all the details on a spoa and the part numbers of the right merc arms to use....
http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=174

its a few pages but everything is covered....

na yea mate seen it already. good write up indeed

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Wed May 09, 2007 7:14 pm

hey mushroom, how much was that kit landed here??
and were they easy to deal with??

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed May 09, 2007 7:23 pm

Rotazuk wrote:Some guys use merc arms as they almost bolt to the zuk ok . Ben looked into it , not sure if he went with it in the end or certed it thou .

Yup, I used a steering arm of a 126 Mercedes. It bolts onto the brake caliper bracket and raises the drag-link up. It works well. I kept the tie rod in the stock spot (although made a new one from 4140), but you can use one arm on both sides and convert to full hi-steer.
The tie rod is horizontal on mine, so no bump steer.

Haven't been through the cert process yet.

You can also get new knuckle housings from snake-offroad that have an extra arm cast in, but they're $1000 or so.

Ben

mushroom11 · Post by **mushroom11** » Wed May 09, 2007 7:31 pm

cool mate do you have to shorten the steering rod???

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed May 09, 2007 9:02 pm

I made a new drag link and a new tie rod for mine. You could use the stock tie rod, but I replaced it with a chromolly one for more strength, and because the standard one has the extra balljoint at one end for the drag link which wasn't used. I also went from narrow track to wide track diffs at the same time, so I didn't have the right length one anyway.

You need a new drag link as the standard one has the wrong fitting at the wheel end, and would probably be too short anyway.
Should be no dramas come cert time as its all just drilling and tapping - no cutting and welding.

Ben

mushroom11 · Post by **mushroom11** » Thu May 10, 2007 8:47 pm

Ryan wrote:hey mushroom, how much was that kit landed here??
and were they easy to deal with??

it cost $487 nz dolars landed here.havnt orderd it yet as i just wanted to no if it was better to get a pitman arm or z link???hes a good guy to talk to.fast replys to emails bla bla bla