Where to start....

[Tuff Rangie]

Hey everyone first time posting something so here we go...

I'm hopefully, a couple of weeks away from picking up a 1982, 2 door RRC.

It's been sitting in this guys garage for the last couple of years doing absolutely nothing.

I've never owned a Rangie but i kind of know what I'm getting myself into. (i think.....$$$$$)

Once i get her running again, is there anything special to look out for in these old girls...or any problems the 2 doors had that might differ from the 4 door RRC??? And what do most of you think is a good place to start in turning this thing in to a more capable off roader?? Tires, lift seems to be what the norm is, and once you start you cant stop.

Any advice would be awesome.

Cheers....
Soon to be broke!

[rr215]

G'day mate. The question you ask has bottomless answers!

So this may be a long post.

I also own a Range Rover, and to be honest, a close to standard Range Rover with good off road tires will keep a smile on ya face! Driving skill has a lot to do with how far you can go. (Have I opened a can of worms here???)

I mean you can go 35" tires, 6" spring lift, 2" body lift etc etc etc... but it removes some of the difficulty... What's the fun of going off road if you don't get stuck??? Also spending most of your time in 1.5m of mud will kill the car, it will kill nearly every car. I'm sorry to be ruining potential fun!

1. I would get the car mechanically A1 (leads, cap, rotor, belts, all oils, oil in the carbies, diff seals, grease in all the points etc etc). Now the car won't shit itself in the middle of nowhere.

2. Get some good tires for the dirt, Cooper ST or STT are good, but there are many similar ones that perfom just as well, and if you got the cash a 2" spring lift. My Coopers make a world of difference between 38 psi and 20 psi.

But remember, Rangie tires are a 29" and going up may require a spring lift. Also 31" will make the car a bit more sluggish off the line.

Don't get the ARB yellow poly bushes, i made the mistake, they are rubbish, i've only had issues and their lack of support nearly made me cry. Stick with rubber and if you do go lift, get those 'cranked' bushes. LRA has them.

3. If you still want more hardcore, TRACTION. This could mean a 31" Simex/Silverstone, beadlocks to run .5 psi (joking) and getting yourself some neat lockers.

4. After this, the sky is the limit... GM LS1 V8, Nissan diffs... just check out some of the rides on here to get an idea.

I only write from experience here, and I see this as 'cheaper' way going about things. Most of my off road mainly consists of touring, camping, day trips and a bit of 'urban 4wding'. I'll post pics. I run 29" cooper st, 2" springs, nothing extreme or life changing just a bit of fun.

Cheers.

[rr215]

here is some pics, again nothing extreme, but the ol' girl has taken me places further than i ever imagined. my next step is no. 3, locker and tuff tires

Pre lift




As is today

[GRIMACE]

complete with 128756 oil leaks

[rr215]

You got me, looks a bit like that. I promise, i had just driven through a bit of water!!!

[Tuff Rangie]

Appreciate that rr215, and there is something inside me thats says ignore the bit about "Driving skill has a lot to do with how far you can go".
Nice little ride mate.

Well done GRIMACE, kick a man while his down about his truck!! Good work. lol.

First thing was always gonna be mechanical wise. No good havin stuff to get you further through it, if you can start to play in the first place.

Then maybe, haven't quite decided but just maybe a paint job nothing to special might do it myself if i have the time. Not that it would last to long anyway.

Then tires, body lift, suspension lift and rock sliders.
winch if i still have some up front cash.

Oh and some where in there driving lights.
All the above depending on research and feed back on first hand experience from some of you guys out there...

But from what I've seen that should be more than enough for what need and will keep me busy over the next 6-12 months.

LS1 would be nice down the track, or the supercharged 6.... but once again $$$$$$.

When transplanting engines everything else needs to be upgrade too I'm guessing. Anyone got an average cost start to finish on an engine transfer/replacement???

Thanks again....to anybody listening.
Cheers.

[schuler]

I bought a cheap rangie 4 years ago as a fun car, didn't want to get to serious, but things sort of got out of hand.....

RR215 has made a very good point, just get in and drive it, mine had a 308, arb diff lock on 29" road tyres, i went out a few times, some pretty nasty stuff and had a ball, bent the steering and damaged the engine hitting a bog hole a little to fast. So i thought i'll fit a couple of things to make her better

Well that was over 3 years and about $30,000 dollars ago, and the thing still isn't finished, the way it is going , may never be finished. Once you start it is very hard to stop.

Spend money on fuel and camping gear and go do some drives.

Cheers

Steve