Offroad-Express

Hi, just signed on thanks to a tip off on this site from a current member. Recently bought a long wheel base and am trying to decide what to upgrade 1st. Thinking of going for bigger springs, shocks, wheel and tyres eg. 2 inch suspension, and run33 tyres. Alternatively I could stick with the crap wheels and tyres I have and spend the money on a turbo. Can get a turbo installed in Wellington for $4,500. So where to start? would appreciate opinions. Cheers P.S. what a great site!

doggoneit wrote:Hi, just signed on thanks to a tip off on this site from a current member. Recently bought a long wheel base and am trying to decide what to upgrade 1st. Thinking of going for bigger springs, shocks, wheel and tyres eg. 2 inch suspension, and run33 tyres. Alternatively I could stick with the crap wheels and tyres I have and spend the money on a turbo. Can get a turbo installed in Wellington for $4,500. So where to start? would appreciate opinions. Cheers P.S. what a great site!

long wheel base what?

Whoops. How to add to the newbie feeling. LWB GQ Patrol.

Come into to work one day 3 vivian st we will happly take the mick steer you wrong etc or if its a good day we might even be able to help

You can run 33's without any problem if you get the right off-set rims. If you are around during the day call into my work (Lower Hutt ) and take my whale for a drive. I run 35's without a turbo, 3' suspension lift. Turbo is on the cards also for later in the year.

What sort of driving do yo get into? Where do you go? There are a couple of "whales" on Ore so you should get some good suggestions as to potential mods. I would suggest driving for a bit and where you get stuck that is where you should start modding.

For me my diffs get hung up on tracks at Rallywoods so need bigger tyres (smaller diff is not an option , power is ok from the wee V8 in it so that will do for the mo, turning is a pain in the ass so power steering will be nice.

Check out the "Bulletproofs specs" thread for an example of progressive modding.

cheers and welcome to the site

W

gidday blair, good to see you found it i told you there were some good lads from welly on here (a load of boll0x really ). get some muds and see if you can get a trip up to rallywoods with a few of the locals, you will soon see what you want/need from your truck in terms of mods.

oh, and cheers for the truck too i will be posting my mods soon as i get them done

cheers
weemsy

Hi Weemsy,

Looking forward to seeing what you do with the SWB. I would really like to get out with some locals once I have some tyres. My thinking at this stage is 2" suspension lift as the old shocks I've got need replacing so that I can fit some new 15" steel rims and 33" mud tyres. Looking at cheapish tyres (don't have the funds for top shelf). For $250 each I can buy Nankang N889 or for around $350 each I can buy Maxxis Bighorn. I have just got a quote for 2" ome shock and spring lift, 4 x steel rims + 4 x 33" Maxxis Bighorns all fitted and balanced for $3400. Does that sound reasonable???

Cheers mate

on average yes a good price

Have a set of Bighorns for my lwb and only gave it a 1" lift to pull the axle back from the front bumper corner a bit so I didn't have to cut them. So tech you all you have to do to run 33's is lop those corners off...

You will want to go for bigger tyres in the future (33's don't give enough clearance on Safs), so to be honest you may as well not bother forking out for a 2" lift (unless its second hand) when higher ones that will run 35's (this is where you will want to head until you turbo, and go bigger if needed ) cost pretty much the same amount to buy and the same amount to cert.

Thanks Taz,

I was under the impression going any higher than 2" lift started getting way up in $$$. The shocks I have are stuffed and need replacing. Hmmm decisions.

Cheers

My korando runs bighorns they go well not bad on the road did you try rob at naenae tyres yet?

doggoneit wrote:Thanks Taz,

I was under the impression going any higher than 2" lift started getting way up in $$$. The shocks I have are stuffed and need replacing. Hmmm decisions.

Cheers

I forgot about that.

LWB's aren't as bad as SWB's in that respect due to everything being a bit more spread out and have read of people doing 4'" lifts in them without much bother, but it seems to vary from truck to truck. Probably safe with a 3" then some guard mods when/if you go to 35's.

Have a look on http://www.patrol4x4.com to. Can pretty much find out anything about a Safari/Patrol with the search button and there's also a service manual download.

We run 16" Mickey Thompson rims with 33s +MTZs on a 3" duel lift, and did not have to do any cutting to get them to fit under our `93GQ cab/chassis. 1st thing we did was suspension as it is a coil set up all round, so T.D. shocks and air bags. The GQ gets very abused and carries very heavy weight every day so a bit different to a daily driver.Just a hint though, GQs are known for ripping the seat mounts out very easily, and by the time the seats moves, the tearing in the floor pan is done, so I strongly suggest you make up some plates and weld to underside , then use slightly longer bolts.

doggoneit wrote:Hi, just signed on thanks to a tip off on this site from a current member. Recently bought a long wheel base and am trying to decide what to upgrade 1st. Thinking of going for bigger springs, shocks, wheel and tyres eg. 2 inch suspension, and run33 tyres. Alternatively I could stick with the crap wheels and tyres I have and spend the money on a turbo. Can get a turbo installed in Wellington for $4,500. So where to start? would appreciate opinions. Cheers P.S. what a great site!

Good to meet you dude.

Guess you have decided now what to do.

I wish I had of had my camera there to take a photo of your wagon next to mine

Great to meet you as well Curly. What a beast of a truck you have. I am glad you didn't have a camera as it was a bit embarrassing with mine parked alongside yours. It made mine look like a matchbox truck or as if I had lowered it. I may give you a yell before I do the tryres etc so you can take some pics for a laugh.

It was great to meet Rob at Naenae Tyres as well. Top bloke.

I know it goes against what most people are saying (35s) but I am leaning towards the 2" lift and 33s. I still do a few road miles and can't afford 2 sets - one for on and one for off road. I also couldn't be bothered changing them around. If I get hooked - one day I'll save some dosh and go bigger.

Cheers for all the advice