Hi jerry after lookin through various tow hook debates trying to find how people had attached them to their surfs i kept seeing your name and obvious vast knowledge of them. so could you please help me??
would it be allowed for me to drill right though both sides of the front chassis and put long high tensile bolts on?? or would this be too weak?? and also would you know of a good place to put them at the rear??
Calling all Engineering types.....
Calling all Engineering types.....
Just got this PM......I don't have a surf....can anyone suggest a good place to attach rated hooks?
70 series prado (KZJ78) and 90 Series Prado (KZJ95)
- Steve_t647
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I don't use a hook, you get a tree protector and wrap it around your diff, then run it back to the towbar and hook it over that make sure there is no slack in the tree protector or it will wear out, for a recovery all you have to do is put a rated paperclip in the two halves of the tree protector but you need to put it in at 90 degrees as it is stronger this way and also in the wire snatch strap, when the strap needs some give the paperclip can open and close to allow the stretch.
Now if you cant tell I am taking the piss then you need your head read.
Anyone who fit's towbars should be able to do this and know what to do once you state the load rating of the hook.
For the back get another tongue for the towbar and attach a hook to that swap when you need a hook or ball for the front a couple of crush tubes in the chassis bolted and done. If you don't know ask for someone in your area to recommend someone who will fit it professionaly for you.
Now if you cant tell I am taking the piss then you need your head read.


Anyone who fit's towbars should be able to do this and know what to do once you state the load rating of the hook.
For the back get another tongue for the towbar and attach a hook to that swap when you need a hook or ball for the front a couple of crush tubes in the chassis bolted and done. If you don't know ask for someone in your area to recommend someone who will fit it professionaly for you.
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Steve, I can suggest reinforcing the diff with a bit of heavy polystyrene prior to use. This way will ensure the diff housing will be stronger than the paper clip
On the subject of clips, I have found the plastic coated paper clips most successful; you get an early warning that something may be about to give when the plastic melts and just drips off just prior to the break.
On the subject of clips, I have found the plastic coated paper clips most successful; you get an early warning that something may be about to give when the plastic melts and just drips off just prior to the break.
SWB V6 Paj with one or two mods 

- Steve_t647
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NJV6 wrote:Steve, I can suggest reinforcing the diff with a bit of heavy polystyrene prior to use. This way will ensure the diff housing will be stronger than the paper clip
Sorry I forgot to mention this mod, it also helps deep water crossing stability if you transfer it all to one side on the front and back diff.
One other thing I forgot to mention DO NOT USE A BULLDOG CLIP! with the 80 or 90 kmh used in a snatch recovery the energy transfered to the bulldog clip could cause it to become a projectile imagine that embedded in your eye far easier to remove a paperclip.
You can also use the paperclip to test your battery hold one end on the +ve terminal and the other end on an earth HOLD THE CLIP IN THE MIDDLE as the ends can get hot!
Another thing with the paperclip is if you put one through a hole in the highlift it will act like a pin and stop the highlift going down if there is a leak in the oil pressure.
Edited: for spelling in case Paperclip Tec becomes a sticky
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Broken spring - not a problem. Take one bic pen and one paper clip. Wrap it round and round the pen and whoolah, a coil spring. Such a supply ride and you don't even need dampers. Broken torsion bar - even easier, no pen req'd, just straighten the clip.
With regards to crossing rivers, can I suggest putting exhaust out the side behind the front doors pointing straight up creating downward pressure. This gets around the issue of floating and stopping when crossing rivers. More depth in the river - easy simply use a lower gear and more revs.
Re: testing the battery - use your tongue rather than fingers, its much more sensitive to voltage and heat.
With regards to crossing rivers, can I suggest putting exhaust out the side behind the front doors pointing straight up creating downward pressure. This gets around the issue of floating and stopping when crossing rivers. More depth in the river - easy simply use a lower gear and more revs.
Re: testing the battery - use your tongue rather than fingers, its much more sensitive to voltage and heat.
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- rangimotors
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Sorry Rangi but no - you need the party straws. McDonalds ones do flow well but when designed to fit modern curvy vehicles they are just to inclinded to be kinky. Party straws with bendable ends can be moulded nicely and the best thing is if the bend is not to tight they flow like mandrel bends & you don't loose any flow.
I have got a electrosuperturbocharged big block briggs & stratton with twin hiclones, breaths no problem through the one straw. (McDonalds one sufficied for this - straight up through the bonnet of my ride on - used a empty sauce container as a snorkel hat & serviette for a filter).
I have got a electrosuperturbocharged big block briggs & stratton with twin hiclones, breaths no problem through the one straw. (McDonalds one sufficied for this - straight up through the bonnet of my ride on - used a empty sauce container as a snorkel hat & serviette for a filter).
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- Steve_t647
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Break your PTO shear pin? want to be sure the front one is the one that breaks first, rather than the one down by the gearbox. Well install 5 straightened paperclips at the gearbox end and you will always have the front shear pin go.
Keep breaking your pinion or ring gear then make a driveshaft and have a outer and inner shaft. Drill through the outer and inner shaft's and install a paperclip (note to balance you also need to do this on the other side also) these two clips are your pre pinion fail point.
Keep breaking your pinion or ring gear then make a driveshaft and have a outer and inner shaft. Drill through the outer and inner shaft's and install a paperclip (note to balance you also need to do this on the other side also) these two clips are your pre pinion fail point.
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- Steve_t647
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Shock mount come loose? No need to tie them up like Matt4u!
you need 2 batteries (one is not enough as it is a battery test) in parallel and connect the -ve to the chassis and the +ve through some jumper cables to the clip and you have a 12v DC welder (straighten the paperclip for best performance and replace when needed)
Note twisting 2 paperclips together can make a weld suitable for certification.
you need 2 batteries (one is not enough as it is a battery test) in parallel and connect the -ve to the chassis and the +ve through some jumper cables to the clip and you have a 12v DC welder (straighten the paperclip for best performance and replace when needed)
Note twisting 2 paperclips together can make a weld suitable for certification.
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- rangimotors
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I duno steve 5 paper clips i almost reckon your over doing it. I think 1 bic pen would be better suited..
And as for party straws, I don't no of anywhere you get them free (No mates, no parties) The kinking is not an issue when you come straight through your bonnet and straight up
And as for party straws, I don't no of anywhere you get them free (No mates, no parties) The kinking is not an issue when you come straight through your bonnet and straight up

Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level then beat you with experiance!
- rangimotors
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Steve_t647 wrote:Shock mount come loose? No need to tie them up like Matt4u!
you need 2 batteries (one is not enough as it is a battery test) in parallel and connect the -ve to the chassis and the +ve through some jumper cables to the clip and you have a 12v DC welder (straighten the paperclip for best performance and replace when needed)
Note twisting 2 paperclips together can make a weld suitable for certification.
Damn it why did i buy a mig!! What can't paper clips do
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- Steve_t647
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RangiMotors the other way to fix this is:
Kinking is not an issue if you put them over the aerial, then have the aerial wire go into a t one to the radio and one to the air intake, this allow's the air to be carried by the aerial wires. Far more efficient and makes opening the bonnet easier.
Kinking is not an issue if you put them over the aerial, then have the aerial wire go into a t one to the radio and one to the air intake, this allow's the air to be carried by the aerial wires. Far more efficient and makes opening the bonnet easier.
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rangimotors wrote:
Damn it why did i buy a mig!! What can't paper clips do
When it comes to joining 2 bits of paper together, you are best to use a stapler, as the paper clips let go to early, But I agree with all the other stated uses for a very down trodden peice of office stationary
Full respect to the humble paperclip




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- rangimotors
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Steve_t647 wrote:RangiMotors the other way to fix this is:
Kinking is not an issue if you put them over the aerial, then have the aerial wire go into a t one to the radio and one to the air intake, this allow's the air to be carried by the aerial wires. Far more efficient and makes opening the bonnet easier.
That explains why my vehicle goes so much better at 90.8FM vs 99.3FM - all down to wavelength suppling the air. I'd never thought why - duh, makes so much sense.
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- Steve_t647
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You can use paperclips tied together and wound tight as coil spring compressors to get the 50mm lifted springs under the 4wd.
Also when going to the Skifields in winter a chain of paperclips on each wheel is classed as chains, best to run in and out of the openings in front of the disk brakes to add weight to the rim for better traction.
Oh and Roc with all the better uses why would you attempt to use them for holding paper together?
Edited: for spelling again in case Paperclip Tech becomes a Sticky
Also when going to the Skifields in winter a chain of paperclips on each wheel is classed as chains, best to run in and out of the openings in front of the disk brakes to add weight to the rim for better traction.
Oh and Roc with all the better uses why would you attempt to use them for holding paper together?
Edited: for spelling again in case Paperclip Tech becomes a Sticky
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- rangimotors
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I can't use them for paper anyway, everytime i try to grab one of the 5000 on my desk its already straightened . Think i might start charging for them for each call since when ever im on the phone about 10 of them get destroyed..
And people say i don't concentrate on what they are saying..
And people say i don't concentrate on what they are saying..
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- Steve_t647
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you can put about a dozen of them inside a tyre with double sided tape, go for a spinand they will automaticaly balance the tyre.
Also as a poor mans cruise control drill a series of holes in your speedo guage in the same arc the needle travels in, once you reach the desired speed insert 2 straightened paperclips one on each side of the needle now you cant exceed your paperclip range.
Note your speedo needs to be calabrated for this.
Edit Spelling
Also as a poor mans cruise control drill a series of holes in your speedo guage in the same arc the needle travels in, once you reach the desired speed insert 2 straightened paperclips one on each side of the needle now you cant exceed your paperclip range.
Note your speedo needs to be calabrated for this.
Edit Spelling
Legal disclaimer: Any information I may have provided is worth exactly what you paid me for it.
hi guys. pm was from me and had been searching for a while but i counldn't find a topic with an 84 solid axle surf on it. it seems all the later model ones came out with factory hooks and people just took them off and used the holes again. but i cant see any factory hook mountings on mine. sorry jerry
Steve_t647 wrote:you can put about a dozen of them inside a tyre with double sided tape, go for a spinand they will automaticaly balance the tyre.
Also as a poor mans cruise control drill a series of holes in your speedo guage in the same arc the needle travels in, once you reach the desired speed insert 2 straightened paperclips one on each side of the needle now you cant exceed your paperclip range.
Note your speedo needs to be calabrated for this.
Edit Spelling
Will this work on my Isuzu


I've always wanted Cruise Control on my truck


There is no mechanical problem so difficult that it cannot be solved by brute strength and ignorance.