Offroad-Express

Hi all
Out of interest , :scratch: Changing the ifs to a solid axle ,:chainsaw:,Any recomendations ,coils or leaves,what works best . I presume the welding work has to be done by a certified welder .What would be a ballpark figure to the back pocket ?
Any ideas guys much appreciated.

Cheers Ken

Went through this exercise myself about a year ago, but didn't end up following through in the end. There are several guys in Chch who do beam axel conversions.

Expect the thick end of $4,000.00 though, and go for the coil strings (better travel).

$4k?? Shit - I'm too cheap... you'd be looking at about $2.5k including axle assuming I can find one at the right price. That does not include certification, although I will change anything that doesn't comply (Everything should fly though).

Things you need:
front axle complete hub-to-hub
Diff - 4.3 ratio to match rear (2.4TD models anyway)
2 rear hilux leaf springs
front hanger assembly
rear leafspring shackle-to-chassis mount blocks
Hilux rear shackles
Hilux front pins
some sort of shocks - Rangerover ones are nice and long
front driveshaft from solid axle hilux
rear driveshaft from any hilux (for hybrid)
LH tierod to knuckle arm for crossover adaption
Much machining
Much welding
Much grinding
Much swearing
Much better articulation

Now thats for a leaf conversion, which I prefer - a coil setup is similar but different I can do that but the cost is closer to $3k due to extra parts, like RangeRover front control arms and panhard rods etc...

Talk to the guys who have actually done these conversions on their own trucks before deciding between coils and leafs - what do you want it for? Coils are better on-road, but leafs are better off in my humble opinion - coils do not neccessarily travel better than leafs, and most leaf setups are limited by the length of the shocks. A decent shock setup will vastly improve the performance of a solid axle truck.

Feel free to give me a call or come down to the workshop sometime for a look / talk. I'm in the process of a SAS on a surf at the moment so it might be worth your while coming down.

Steve

Hi Steve
Whereabouts is your workshop ,I`d definately like to come and have a look at the conversion and have a chat.
Cheers Ken

Its in Spencerville. I'm away this week but give me a call on 021 637 600 on Saturday if you like, I should be down there...

Cheers

Steve

hey really keen on that diff, can you give me a call on 021 379800, or leave a number and i will call you

Hi Steve

Saturday sounds good for a nosey at the sas conversion.
Will give you a bell tonight.
Cheers
Ken

Has anyone looked at putting a early Prado or Bundera front end in a Surf?

It has been done, but not on this site yet.

Same diff as a Hilux, bar the spring platforms, shock mounts and radious arm mounts.

Have seen a few write ups on this swap over in OZ.

Dunno, i have a good how-to in an ozzy mag i bought a while back. Maybe i could digitise it??

Would have to check with Mike, copy write and all that.....................

A mate has used a prado setup on his... I'll take some photos.

I'm at the shed this arvo - 021 637 600 if anyone wants to come have a look at things.

Cheers

Steve