Mitsi Challenger K96 advice needed

[T1M0]

Hi

Newbie from Tauranga.

I've recently purchased a 03 Mitsi Challenger 3.0 V6 and am wanting to do a little dabbling once i get a good set of muds on it when finances allow.

I'm wanting to know how I get on disconnecting the airbags so I can go offroad without setting them off as guys from local 4wd club said this would be a good idea to do as last thing you want is a airbag in the face.

How do I get on mounting recovery hooks on the front without removing the bumper and chopping some of the capping off the chassis rail (as mentioned in a previous thread I read)

How capable are these trucks without a lift as want to sort of steer away from any drastic mods if i can help it as I want to keep it as a semi Remuera tractor (Semi Shiney) whilst still being able to take it for a bash when i feel the need.

Cheers

Tim

[Ant]

They are a good capable truck in standard form, ours just had good AT tires and was perfect for heaps of shiny trips. Sorry cant help you wit the recovery hook as it had one when we got it. As for air bags, some trucks disable or increase the sensitivity of the air bag when in 4wd mode or low range.......if you gonna be using it on the road quite a bit you might be better off with good AT tires. Most tire manufacturers will tell you the AT tires are better for all off road situations, grass, sand ,dirt,stone etc except mud mud tyres might be a stronger tire tho. Might have some one here that can give you more info
And welcome to the site

[Crash bandicoot]

The amount of force required to trigger the airbags would work out about the same as you hitting another car at about 45-50 kms an hour.

In essence. If you hit a tree that hard, you would be in need of a trailer anyway.

To tamper with them will set of the SRS check light and that'll be a $$$$ thanks to reset the error codes if your not savvy with a laptop and consult software.

Best bet. just buy a ARB bullbar for it. as it has been crash tested and designed so it wont affect the SRS systems response time. and it has recovery points...(go figure)

And the aussie's seem to love em, patrol spring's in the rear, ball joint flip in the front the seem to go all right.

[zukmeista]

Best bet. just buy a ARB bullbar for it. as it has been crash tested and designed so it wont affect the SRS systems response time. and it has recovery points...(go figure)

I've heard the eyelets on ARB bars are only for winching off and not designed for snatch recovery? Would make sense as they are quite thin steel (eyelets)

[coxsy]

on my mates challenger for tow points , bolted and plug welded plates around front body mount area

[coxsy]

he fitted a bull bar, 9000lb winch twin lockers safari
offset rims, manual hubs, 2'' lift sliders rear quarter protection bars

[T1M0]

Thanks for the replys

Don't particulary want to get a bullbar or lift as still want to keep it practical ill buy a beater down the track further for that sort of thing once finances allow just wanting as a daily that i can take offroad in the weekends wanting to just fit recovery hooks all round chuck some decent tyres on it for now

Im pleased to hear they are a capable truck and as for the airbag dilemma that seems fair just dont want to end up with one in the face that was all.

The advice is very much appreciated as this vehicle is my first 4wd i have had family members with 4wd surfs etc so have picked up a few pointers but as the challenger doesnt appear to be a very popular vehicle theres bugger all on new zealand forums about them also there isnt much bolt on mods available

Cheers for the help so far

Tim

[ChurchurDan]

Personally I would not be disabling the SRS even when off road as if it causes a non deployment when it is needed you or the person that does it may be liable for personal injury or manslaughter if someone is killed.


Yes it is possible to set the bags off with a frontal impact that doesnt cause much other damage, basically an instant stop at 25kph should set them off.
Hitting a tree stump with the front chassis could result in sufficient impact to deploy them without doing much damage to the vehicle. Just remember to ALWAYS wear you seatbelt with an SRS equipped vehicle.

[coxsy]

also don't disconnect the rear sway bar for more axle movement. it don't like it and will break the shocks

[T1M0]

also don't disconnect the rear sway bar for more axle movement. it don't like it and will break the shocks

Yes i heard the flex isnt all that good they do tend to tripod abit too.

[churchill]

My truck had airbags and with 2 years of off roading they never went off. I never hit the chassis on anything because it's tucked up out of the road from direct impacts. I left the standard front bumper on as it has foam padding and it's designed to crumple before large loads are transferred to the chassis. If you do fit an aftermarket bumper make sure its airbag certified.

There will be a fuse in the system which if removed should disable it but be very wary of the implications mentioned earlier.

Air bags can be completely removed but the vehicle has to be over 14 years old and it has to be certified.

[T1M0]

My truck had airbags and with 2 years of off roading they never went off. I never hit the chassis on anything because it's tucked up out of the road from direct impacts. I left the standard front bumper on as it has foam padding and it's designed to crumple before large loads are transferred to the chassis. If you do fit an aftermarket bumper make sure its airbag certified.

There will be a fuse in the system which if removed should disable it but be very wary of the implications mentioned earlier.

Air bags can be completely removed but the vehicle has to be over 14 years old and it has to be certified.

Cheers sounds reassuring.