My surf needs a few major steering parts. (Pitman arm and idler arm)
and it might be cheeper to make something new and hopefully better!?
New steering for my Surf LN130
New steering for my Surf LN130
Has anyone considered making a new steering set up for a Surf LN130 like De-ranged has done on project lemon.
My surf needs a few major steering parts. (Pitman arm and idler arm)
and it might be cheeper to make something new and hopefully better!?
My surf needs a few major steering parts. (Pitman arm and idler arm)
and it might be cheeper to make something new and hopefully better!?
There isn't much of a market for that sort of thing for stock style IFS surf/hilux as the whole front drive train is weak and limited, if you go hard you'll find you'll start doing front diff's and after a while the odd CV, you'll also find all your mates will get more flex accross ruts becouse you've wound out (and stiffened) your front suspension to fit those 32" 
And I don't know about building them cheaper
the legal side of things states that to weld any part of a steering system you have to be certified and each weld must be X'ray'ed, the other way is to machine the parts from solid 
Jtop is right, the best option is a SAS (solid axle swop) from an old beam axle surf or hilux and then X over steering, heaps of travel no nasty bump steer from suspension lifts and not too hard
but you will need to be able to weld and resimbly well
A bolt on option is to bolt a spacer under the top suspension balljoint and pack the diff down to keep your driveshaft angles out of the extreme... I am currently working on a kit for this along with optional heavy duty steering bits (relay rod as found these bend, relay bars and hinges etc) but these will be for the dropped suspension
I'm also looking at rebuilding the whole IFS I've got the travel out to 12" travel, I want 15" (standard without winding out to fit big tires is 5")but the only original bits I use are the hubs and the hub carrier and its not proving to be very cheap 
Hope that was helpfull
Cheers Reece
And I don't know about building them cheaper
the legal side of things states that to weld any part of a steering system you have to be certified and each weld must be X'ray'ed, the other way is to machine the parts from solid
Jtop is right, the best option is a SAS (solid axle swop) from an old beam axle surf or hilux and then X over steering, heaps of travel no nasty bump steer from suspension lifts and not too hard
but you will need to be able to weld and resimbly well
A bolt on option is to bolt a spacer under the top suspension balljoint and pack the diff down to keep your driveshaft angles out of the extreme... I am currently working on a kit for this along with optional heavy duty steering bits (relay rod as found these bend, relay bars and hinges etc) but these will be for the dropped suspension
I'm also looking at rebuilding the whole IFS
I've got the travel out to 12" travel, I want 15" (standard without winding out to fit big tires is 5")but the only original bits I use are the hubs and the hub carrier and its not proving to be very cheap
Hope that was helpfull
Cheers Reece
De-Ranged wrote:And I don't know about building them cheaper
Hate to tell you all this, but the rules have changed
You can't weld steering parts any more. Xray, crack test, any form of NDT - makes no difference. LTSA have decided in their infinite wisdom that NO high-pressure steering parts (ie, those from the pitman arm on) can be welded. Apparently the rules change again shortly to include even the steering shaft from the steering wheel to the box.
Ask Rik about it... his arms for his crossover have welded threaded plugs which were 4711 qualified welder welded then NDT crack tested. They are HUGE and BEEFY, and I'd say stronger and safer than the piddly factory arms... but totally uncertifiable.
If you look at the drag link in a Nissan Pootroll - its welded! and half the size of Riks ones (in a truck twice the weight!) Don't get me started on this - its a load of arse... whats the point of having x-ray and crack testing? Whats the point of having qualified welders? Once more bent over the sofa by beurocrats...
Steve
PS: Oh - the thread topic... Yeah, go the SAS
Read here:
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules ... pic&t=1147
Certain suspension components... apparently (not confirmed) links for coil setups are in the same boat... yet I can completely scratch build a leaf setup with no issues. No welding cert required, no xray or crack testing... just a visual inspection and all is good.
Yep, the LTSA are a bunch of idiots (once again a little red flag will appear beside my name somewhere in the governments system... once again I will be investigated by the secret fascist governmental police... bring it on Helen...)
Steve
Yep, the LTSA are a bunch of idiots (once again a little red flag will appear beside my name somewhere in the governments system... once again I will be investigated by the secret fascist governmental police... bring it on Helen...)
Steve
SupraLux wrote:Certain suspension components... apparently (not confirmed) links for coil setups are in the same boat... yet I can completely scratch build a leaf setup with no issues. No welding cert required, no xray or crack testing... just a visual inspection and all is good.
Yep, the LTSA are a bunch of idiots (once again a little red flag will appear beside my name somewhere in the governments system... once again I will be investigated by the secret fascist governmental police... bring it on Helen...)
Steve
i cant take it any longer !.......
mu mu mu muuuuuuuu......
If you already know everything, DON'T ask bloody questions!!
SupraLux wrote:Certain suspension components... apparently (not confirmed) links for coil setups are in the same boat... yet I can completely scratch build a leaf setup with no issues. No welding cert required, no xray or crack testing... just a visual inspection and all is good.
Yep, the LTSA are a bunch of idiots (once again a little red flag will appear beside my name somewhere in the governments system... once again I will be investigated by the secret fascist governmental police... bring it on Helen...)
Steve
Steve, i have a song for you
