Offroad-Express

Hi, recently got myself a Safari after much searching for months last yr both this site and others for pointers on the 4wd that would suit my needs
Was after something that could:
-drive 3hrs on the road (WOF),seat at least 3, carry a bit of gear,but then access some hunting access tracks that are reasonably rough (expect dents etc),
-plus im keen to also try some pure 4wd'ing.
ive been using sj410's for the last 15 years and a i drive late model hilux2wd 4.0l pet V6.
this is purely a weekend hunting and 4wd toy (i have a great wife)
Had originally looked at hilux twin cab, 70ser cruiser,and Surf's. By accident i started looking at Safari's too. Being an engineer, was impressed by what appears to be some fairly solid running gear.
Ended up with a 88 SWB Saf, TD42 non turbo, ARB Bar,PTO winch, ARB lockers front &rear, emu shocks and sus lift of ?inches, 33x12.5x15 bridgestone MT's.
Took this up woodhill in jan and ive got to say, i was extremely impressed with the Saf. Went well, the only fault is a feel it lacks a bit of grunt, esp up some long sandy bits with both diffs locked!! Meet up with some Manukau club guys and im keen to get out on a few trips to learn a few tips and see some new offroad areas.
Unsure exactly what sus lift the vehicle has got. Receipts shows
Suspension Before FL765 FR751 RL779 RR738
Suspension After FL785 FR785 RL785 RR785
Everyone quotes 2,3 inch etc, does anyone know what these figures mean in regards to lift from std?
I assumes the nos are: mm of height between spring holders
I noted the rear tyres are showing a slight rub marks on top inner side of guards
Secondly - ive changed all the oils/ filters in diff, eng, gbox etc.
Are there any things i should consider replacing - ie are there any common weak points on these? eg water hoses, ball joints..?
I want something reliable, throwing some extra $$ at this is not a worry
Keen to hear everyones thoughts.

no real weaknsses that i can recall exept for the electrics in the dash that can go wonky and rust in the roof.
Normally driveline breakages on these is from driver error or worn out parts.
Sounds like it may have a small lift but not much. Depends were the measurements are taken. Mine with a 60mm heavyduty lift sits at 830mm rear and 805mm at front. This is taken from the bottom of the rim to the metal guard. Not the flare.
If you want the grunt(and they do need it) I would seriously look at putting a good turbo kit on it. If you good with the tools is really easy to do. That and a 3in exhaust, intercooler and 15psi and it'll really haul arse. .

the steering box can jump teeth if front wheels get a hard knock,lets recount broke rear pan hard rod
bent tie rod three times ,
rear bumperetts lift up break the tail lights
forget to take pto out of gear fold winch front frame in
bend lower left diff arm in two dirrections on rocks in the west coast

great truck, mine is the same. i fitted extractors and a 2.5inch exhaust and that made it go alot better (not as good as a turbo but a lot cheaper and still good change) the rear lower suspension arms bend fairly easy if you land on them, if it has done alot of km's they get smokey but re-conning the injectors usualy fixes that and can improve power too, or if it seems to be using oil it can be a worn rocker shaft which are pretty easy to replace. thats all i know of

This is said SAFARI seen as i know itd take awhile to get a pic of it up

cheers thanks the feedback.
manuals great, and im removing bumperbits
Actually cracked the rear light up Maratoto this week end gone.

Does yours have the NZDM lights or the JDM lights?

Craydiver wrote:cheers thanks the feedback.
manuals great, and im removing bumperbits
Actually cracked the rear light up Maratoto this week end gone.

saturday or sunday

he went up on saturday didnt do the hard track though

Ashohman wrote:he went up on saturday didnt do the hard track though

i did third of harder track, until we got to some bits where Gerrad and Phil couldnt go further

ok have photos of the different hassards of the place but photoshop has turned into a suckfest so no resizing 66 photo's, tom your right time to change

CLUMZ1 wrote:Does yours have the NZDM lights or the JDM lights?

no idea -how do you tell the diff?
, im told Braxton Car Lights in otahuhu sells new tail lights for $100

NZDM/AUDM


JDM

Craydiver wrote:im told Braxton Car Lights in otahuhu sells new tail lights for $100

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 367346.htm
Buy Now: $95.00
(pair of) Y60 SAFARI/PATROL MINT REAR TAIL LIGHTS

thanks - ive got JDM

Common style then, the pair on trademe i linked you to might be cheapest/best bet?

Whoops - its $95 for one.

So are you going to start a build thread?
for future mods, and additions

Whats new with your safari?
Pick up any new bits?
Got some new photos of your truck?
You get light sorted

Mean Truck only downside with these trucks is the lack of legroom and head clearance for tall guys in back.

^^pull the back seat out problem sorted^^

having a rear seat means i can carry a "spare winch man" if i run the first 1 over......
the rear seat guys also handy for passing around food n drink

zukst wrote:Mean Truck only downside with these trucks is the lack of legroom and head clearance for tall guys in back.

The front seats are crap too and I swear there's more leg room in the back of a Mu And that's comparing the LWB to a MU. Still, better than a Fiat Panda or sitting in the 'back' of a Prelude.

CLUMZ1 wrote:Does yours have the NZDM lights or the JDM lights?

I thought SAFARI was the JDM name....? Not just a little bit of a give away? =P

Taz wrote:

CLUMZ1 wrote:Does yours have the NZDM lights or the JDM lights?

I thought SAFARI was the JDM name....? Not just a little bit of a give away? =P

Yeah - you could put it that way - however I've seen the odd "Safari" with JDM lights badged as a patrol, perhaps it was just a rear barn door swap... perhaps it was an odd ball from factory.

Figured its safer to describe it as what they really are, Japanese market vehicles with the 1 piece lights or export market with the dual lights.

Patrols 1987-1990 had the "one piece" taillights. Tail lights in the rear bumper did not appear until 1991. Safari's tail lights remained the same throughout GQ production.

That would align with my '92 Pajero having bumper tail lights, I believe it was enforced form a safety stand point - being that the rear door mounted tire could cover the far side lights depending on other cars posistions to the truck.

CLUMZ1 wrote:

Taz wrote:

CLUMZ1 wrote:Does yours have the NZDM lights or the JDM lights?

I thought SAFARI was the JDM name....? Not just a little bit of a give away? =P

Yeah - you could put it that way - however I've seen the odd "Safari" with JDM lights badged as a patrol, perhaps it was just a rear barn door swap... perhaps it was an odd ball from factory.

Figured its safer to describe it as what they really are, Japanese market vehicles with the 1 piece lights or export market with the dual lights.

or as I saw the other day a guy had re badged his Safari as a Patrol. Liked the Patrol name better apparently.
The other option is to rebadge as a Ford Maverick, but those badges are harder to find in NZ.

I know someone in Wellington with Maverick badges . Good old Aussies and their button car plan.