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Post by mudgrip4 on Jul 20, 2008 14:31:42 GMT 11
Am busy now building up newest bighorn - an 88 lwb - putting all the lessons into it learned from years developing the last one. Making it into a full offroader, camper and softop shooting wagon. Here are some photos showing benefit of lifts - a 2" bodylift plus 1-2" extended shackle and torsion bar lift plus 33s. Total height gain about 5-6".    Vast difference from original truck - coming along well. Mike |
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Post by mudgrip4 on Jul 20, 2008 14:43:36 GMT 11
Compare with some pics from standard:   About 50-60% developed now with all lift work, 33 mudstars on 8" rims, motor 60% tuned, articulation improved, quick release swaybars, breathers done, tight lsd plus redline in rear (temporary), softop roof for nite shooting, certification etc. Still to go is snorkel and K&N, final tuning, fold-up double bed unit in rear, full side awning as per campervan, front and rear lockers - if I get serious again. Delightful truck to drive, tracks well and very smooth both on and offroad with the extra height.. Got the lift dead right this time. Mike. |
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Post by holden on Jul 20, 2008 14:49:23 GMT 11
VERY VERY NICE I BET THAT WAS ALOT OF FUN TO WORK ON.
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Post by mudgrip4 on Jul 20, 2008 14:54:27 GMT 11
Yes - alot of lessons in there so far from last one - actually looks higher than pics suggest - v good height offroading. Really have to watch the walnuts when you climb out of those recaros now - surprising how quick we can learn really....
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Post by mudgrip4 on Aug 11, 2008 9:07:46 GMT 11
Finally stopped raining so gave the new truck a test out in the mountains over the weekend and very pleased with results to date. Cruises beautifully with the 33s and big lift and quite surprised with offroad performance. Tried it on couple of steep gravel climbs and it climbed up easily where a friend's well developed navarra wouldn't make it. Also did well in mud.
The 2" bodylift, 1-2" suspension lift and move from 28.5" tyres to 33s has created an extra 5-6" of overall height, and good mid ground clearance. Seems to now clear obstacles just as well as my last swb. Redline in the lsd makes it bite very well - locks up thoroughly - esp after it has done one run up a hill to warm it up a bit.
Also the Nankang mudstar 33" tyres have good traction. Very chunky tread pattern does job very well on all surfaces. Quite impressed - very good bite. Easily a match for the hankook RTO1s I've used for years - and possibly better. I will be interested to see how they wear - haven't done enough ks to assess yet.
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Post by mudgrip4 on Sept 28, 2008 19:53:08 GMT 11
Out on a canterbury river trip today which included a number of chch isuzu owners - not including JamesW who had a hangover !!
Gave new truck another workout and very pleased with it. Haven't fitted any lockers yet but happy with the operation of the tightened lsd - once its warmed up it locks up great and climbed real cross axle stuff with ease.
Also pleased with the ground clearance from the 2" body and 1-2" suspension lifts and 33s - clears banks etc v well. The other factor showing up is the benefit of increased articulation from extended shackles in the rear, plus flipped balljoints and moderately trimmed bumpstops in the front - rode over uneven ground with ease.
The nankang mudstars wearing quite well and continue to impress. They are proving a surprisingly good general purpose offroad tyre - and not too noisy on road.
Had a bit of sweating and oil loss around the rocker cover area and have just fitted a catchcan/ breather kit - this time the cheaper Monza type as on trademe - picked it up for $42 from supacheap. Working well to date with no more oil showing - could be a good option for blowby and oil leakage issues.
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