petefj40's new project

[petefj40]

Even sorting that issue out. You have to admit. The auto 4X4 is easier to drive. And when the driver wants to use the fiddle brakes (like in my last buggy) shifting gears as well as operating fiddle brakes would be near impossible. Autos are easier on the drive train as well. Not having to pressurise the "bell-housing" is a bonus too. I'm sold on the idea of an auto.

[Heath]

Auto is a Poor mans crawler gears too.

[QUADRACER]

if your on a budget, look for one already done.
they come around every now and then.
just my personal advice

[petefj40]

if your on a budget, look for one already done.
they come around every now and then.
just my personal advice

And I do appreciate personal advice. Thanks.

The only issue I have in buying someone else toy Bob (such as my last toy I just sold) is that you often take over their hidden problems. The buggy had plenty.

Though I want to do everything on the cheap, there's no real time frame I'm working too. So if I missed out on next years comps? There's always the year after.

[petefj40]

Auto is a Poor mans crawler gears too.

I think so too.

[klompy]

Safari chassis are real good for projects,strong easy to modify good diffs,easy to fit a 40 series cab or any cab on.Just pick your motor and trans and put it all together.Have the history of both cab and chassis as in rego or dereged if you want to cert for wof.I picked up things over 3 years and got 90% of real cheap by waiting till it came up.Its a lot of fun doing it yourself.Rip into it

[MNC]

Safari chassis are real good for projects,strong easy to modify good diffs,easy to fit a 40 series cab or any cab on.Just pick your motor and trans and put it all together.Have the history of both cab and chassis as in rego or dereged if you want to cert for wof.I picked up things over 3 years and got 90% of real cheap by waiting till it came up.Its a lot of fun doing it yourself.Rip into it

I would say for what Pete wants he could go with a lighter weight chassis to improve power to weight ratio.

Personally I'd love to win big Wednesday and spend my weekdays in my own fabrication shop building tube frame buggies. Probably with a few fiberglass FJ45 panels to pretend it was a landcruiser and a big alloy injected chev. Starting to sound a bit like CCC's build...

[petefj40]

Safari chassis are real good for projects,strong easy to modify good diffs,easy to fit a 40 series cab or any cab on.Just pick your motor and trans and put it all together.Have the history of both cab and chassis as in rego or dereged if you want to cert for wof.I picked up things over 3 years and got 90% of real cheap by waiting till it came up.Its a lot of fun doing it yourself.Rip into it

I would say for what Pete wants he could go with a lighter weight chassis to improve power to weight ratio.

If it was lighter weight I guess you'd be thinking tube frame?
I want to keep the cost as low as I can.
Right now I'm looking for advice on the best type of Nissan chassis and running gear to source. What year and model. I was thinking a SWB late 80's to early 90's?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 202912.htm

[rokhound]

You are looking at datsun running gear because of the strength factor as std parts, yes?
But if you are looking for reliable competition material, then rebuilding your axles with chromoly bits is going to give you a much better setup (weather they be nissan or toy) as the strength factor is much greater than anything that OME's offer.
It is a shame the dana 60's are not thick on the ground here like the states.
Another option (and it is out there) is to look for a wrecked unimog. Suprasurf and I investigated this option a few years back (he was way keener than me). Gives you wicked strength, portals and diff locks (often anyway). The one he was looking at was $6500 for complete rolling chassis less motor and box. May not be the cheapest option straight up, but you can't build all those bits in for that price either.

[petefj40]

You are looking at datsun running gear because of the strength factor as std parts, yes?
But if you are looking for reliable competition material, then rebuilding your axles with chromoly bits is going to give you a much better setup (weather they be nissan or toy) as the strength factor is much greater than anything that OME's offer.
It is a shame the dana 60's are not thick on the ground here like the states.
Another option (and it is out there) is to look for a wrecked unimog. Suprasurf and I investigated this option a few years back (he was way keener than me). Gives you wicked strength, portals and diff locks (often anyway). The one he was looking at was $6500 for complete rolling chassis less motor and box. May not be the cheapest option straight up, but you can't build all those bits in for that price either.

You're always one to think outside the box aren't ya Grant. Love it.
Thanks for the input. Might have to have a chat with ya over a beer (or Gin) before I commit myself to the next project. But right now I am seriously think of starting something this year.
I think about Ash's, "turn the key' toy he brought the other week. And I have listened to others advice in this thread in regards to buying something already started/finished where the saying goes, "you couldn't build it for that sell price". But rather than taking something on that needs corrections and having to go through a process to find those corrections, I'm keen to start something from scratch.
The reason i like the Nissan running gear Grant is, it's strong. I had chromoly front axles/cv's on the last toy. But the thing that pissed me off (and the new owner) was the steering arms always breaking. The Nissan (Datsun) front ends are the way to go..

[ClassicCruiserSpares]

Safari gear isnt as strong as you may think, Ive seen heaps of steering arms sheared off saffy swivel housings, at least with bolt on steering arms you can replace them easily. How bout big six shooter knuckles?
Also no long fields for saffy diffs. Jeremys little 2.7 Navara can blow saffy cvs piece of cake

[coxsy]

[quote="ClassicCruiserSpares"]Safari gear isnt as strong as you may think, Ive seen heaps of steering arms sheared off saffy swivel housings,
you have any pic 's
as thats new to me

[crazyclark31]

Safari gear isnt as strong as you may think, Ive seen heaps of steering arms sheared off saffy swivel housings,
you have any pic 's
as thats new to me

Same here. Have seen some serious abuse givin to a standard front axle housing/steering and it took 6years of constant abuse to break it.

[petefj40]

you have any pic 's
as thats new to me

X2

[ClassicCruiserSpares]

you have any pic 's
as thats new to me

X2

Nah I dont sorry wasnt my truck. But they are just cast arms.
But in saying that the wheeling we do is a little different to what you do pete so they would probably be fine for what your wanting.

[Ralfie]

Aaron smashed the swivel and steering off his Nissan at the Rotoura winch comp about 3 years back. Have seen other break steering boxes and even the from arms.

[klompy]

Fark if Aaron only broken one they must be pretty strong.

[petefj40]

Fark if Aaron only broken one they must be pretty strong.

[QUADRACER]

There are also other costs to keep in mine, limited after market gearing,
aftermarket parts at cheap rates.
the yanks never made a Nissan.
80 series is what Mike Homles runs on his truck, and uses standard cvs and axle.
would consider that a good test, i have longfieds and lower ratio getting
and would not consider the cost of both to be more than chaging Nissan ratios alone.

[nismo26]

The yanks have started selling the Nissan gears they have always had the Pathfinder and a few other Nissan trucks that has the same diff as the Safari rear.

Not as cheap as the Toyotas parts like you say about 90-110USD more, hopefully they get cheap over time, the gears for the rear diff are really common over here $100 and under,

The USA also sell air lockers for Nissan diffs front and rear.

I've never looked into CVs or axles so don't no what they cost.

[petefj40]

To you TM hawk eyes.
If you see any comp trucks for sale, would you throw the link up to here please?
Cheers.
I'm getting impatient. Oh and I'm blind too.
Someone always finds the best deals before I do.

[QUADRACER]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =507958419

Seems to be a good price.

[hippy_]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=507958419

Seems to be a good price.

I know the owner......

[petefj40]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=507958419

Seems to be a good price.

Cheers. I did see that one a few days ago. I think it was first advertised at $16k without trailer.
Just doesn't do it for me. Cheers though.

[Big]

This not complete but has had a lot of great stuff done to it and is reasonbly cheap..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 821879.htm

Could be worth a look..

[petefj40]

This not complete but has had a lot of great stuff done to it and is reasonbly cheap..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 821879.htm

Could be worth a look..

Good find! Cheers.
Fair price too I guess.
But the Toyota running gear puts me off.

[Big]

This not complete but has had a lot of great stuff done to it and is reasonbly cheap..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 821879.htm

Could be worth a look..

Good find! Cheers.
Fair price too I guess.
But the Toyota running gear puts me off.

chuck some super sets in the front and thrash it..lol There is a lot of truck there.. for the charlie.. lips stick, seats, drive it like ya stole it..

[petefj40]

This not complete but has had a lot of great stuff done to it and is reasonbly cheap..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 821879.htm

Could be worth a look..

Good find! Cheers.
Fair price too I guess.
But the Toyota running gear puts me off.

chuck some super sets in the front and thrash it..lol There is a lot of truck there.. for the charlie.. lips stick, seats, drive it like ya stole it..

I've munted to many Toyota swivel hubs to go back to them again.

[Big]

Curious as to what would be stronger apart from the nissanones even then put a gusset under and on top of the knuckle should be sweet I would assume..

[crazyclark31]

have you seen this? pretty much a turn key setup http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/special ... 958419.htm