Life would probably have been a bit easier if I’d discovered Offroad Express a few weeks ago! In spite of my Nissan Safari having “Offroad Express” emblazoned on both front wings I’ve only just become aware of this BBS.
About 6 weeks ago my car (a Holden Adventra V8 with remapped ECU and big exhaust) was severely damaged in a crash and it was obviously going to take the insurers forever to make up their minds whether to repair or write-off (they finally decided to repair and I may get it back in 2 weeks time). I needed transport and came across a low-mileage Safari (70k certified) in excellent condition at a very good price so I bought it. It’s a 1992 SWB, naturally-asthmatic, auto diesel.
I’ve never done any real off-road stuff but, after reading a couple of mags, I decided that it would be a good basis for turning into a bit of an off-roader, but nothing too extreme. Being a bit obsessive about these things I decided to make an immediate start and, over the past 3 weeks, I have:
1 Lifted it by 2ins using OME springs and shocks plus caster kit and gearbox spacers.
2. Fitted 33in BFG A/T’s on mags.
3. Fitted a Safari snorkel and ARB winch bar.
After the Adventra it seems distinctly underpowered so I started looking at fitting a turbo. I came across an APS intercooler kit on TradeMe and am just awaiting the arrival of the APS turbo kit to go with it. When these are fitted it should be a completely transformed truck.
This has all been done without the benefit of the experience I could have drawn on (and trouble I could have saved myself) here at ORE. From reading through the various forums there are obviously many opinions on springs, shocks, turbos etc but I’ve got what I’ve got now and have nothing to compare with. Whatever, it will be a great improvement on the original!
Next thing (apart from joining the local 4WD Club) is a winch and, from the threads I’ve come across here, I’m looking at a Runva 10,000. There seem to be 2 models – GEW and NEW – one being a bit more expensive than the other. Can anybody advise if it’s worth paying the extra $100 for the GEW or suggest an alternative?
Hope this is of interest and will advise of any further improvements, particularly the turbo when I get it fitted. Any comments and general advice welcome. See
for pics of before and after.
with regards to the winch I have got a Runva EWX 12000, you are better going with the 12000 with a safari as for the models NEW (base) GEW (midrange) & EWX (top of the line). Spend the money and get an EWX 12000 
anyway welcome anyway
. Those "offroad express" labels on ya truck don't look blue. If they aren't they are not from this website. Alot of jap import stuff came in with this on the side of trucks, I think this is where Mike got the name for the site from. That's how we ended up with bad publicity in the early years of our site 
. Next thing you need to do is move to the best 4wd area in the world (my opinion), the good old Sth island.
You haer that toymota boys 
the trick is no matter what sort of set up you have got is to enjoy yourself 
