Not too serious upgrades

Post by **schoey** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 12:48 pm

I'm looking for a few value for money upgrades to a currently stock sierra. I don't want anything too extreme/expensive, I'm thinking suspension (slight raise) and lockers, not really into bodylifts and huge tyres, I've already got enough toys. Just enough to do a little weekend offroad stuff, and the occasional run on the beach.

So which way do i go with suspension?
-Get my leafs re-set, and find some decent shocks (probly the cheapest)
-The OME set from ARB?
-This set from http://www.suzisport.au.com/ new leafs shocks for about $900? Anyone had any experience with these?

And what kind of lockers? And front or back or both?

Grant

PS I'm not normally such a tight ass, its just that I've just spent a heap on the engine, bearings, brakes.

Post by **N*A*M** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 1:41 pm

what's your budget for upgrades?

i reckon ome leafs would be great
power steering is a nice to have

rear lock right, front arb if you can afford it

also fit diff breathers and a snorkle

Post by **Wendle** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 1:47 pm

Spring over.

I am just saying that 'cause I know it gets Greg and Grimbo fired up

Post by **greg** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 1:52 pm

I'm a big fan of the OME kit too. Best to keep away from heavily arched springs as they tend to also be the stiffest springs too.

Two cheaps mods you can do to your car to improve it's offroad ability are:

1. Remove the antisway bar from the front - this lets the front articulate more. (Cost = about 20minutes plus spanners if you don't own any).
2. Weld up your rear diff - this is an instant diff lock for the car and will increase the amount of places you can drive your car by a long way. (Cost = 1L of diff oil, and about an hour of welding time / cooling time).

Cheers

Post by **greg** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 1:53 pm

Wendle wrote:Spring over.

I am just saying that 'cause I know it gets Greg and Grimbo fired up

nonsense.

Post by **N*A*M** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 2:08 pm

i have a welded rear and i love it

it goes great offroad and i can live with the slight chirping on road

Post by **12uke** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 5:51 pm

Go OME they are very good..

Post by **schoey** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 1:55 pm

N*A*M/Greg,
I kinda thought that on a limited budget (about $2000 by the way, but thats gotta cover suspension upgrade, lockers (maybe), and finish of fixing the worn out stuff front end steering bushes, bearings, alternator, and some rust) you'd be better off welding the front and lockers on the back, that way the front the more dodgy of the two methods is only being called on when you have it in 4WD.

So wheres the best place to get the OME leafs? Do I get their shocks as well?

Also my front end is a bit flogged out, looks like I need a few bushes, for previos cars I've been able to find urethane replacements at the local shock place. haven't had any luck with the sierra but. Any ideas for these?

Shit I thought I got a good deal when I got this rig :roll:

Grant

Post by **WaveCult** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:14 pm

schoey wrote:N*A*M/Greg,
I kinda thought that on a limited budget (about $2000 by the way, but thats gotta cover suspension upgrade, lockers (maybe), and finish of fixing the worn out stuff front end steering bushes, bearings, alternator, and some rust) you'd be better off welding the front and lockers on the back, that way the front the more dodgy of the two methods is only being called on when you have it in 4WD.

So wheres the best place to get the OME leafs? Do I get their shocks as well?

Also my front end is a bit flogged out, looks like I need a few bushes, for previos cars I've been able to find urethane replacements at the local shock place. haven't had any luck with the sierra but. Any ideas for these?

Shit I thought I got a good deal when I got this rig

Grant

Wow, the things we learn!

I thought that welding your front diff would lock both wheels together always, whether or not the diff is receiving power.

Could someone please confirm that this is not the case?

Thanks!

Cheers,

Luis

Post by **N*A*M** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:17 pm

you will find it hard to steer with a welded front unless you get power steering

get OME leafs from ARB. i know nothing about shock selection.

with bushes, use factory rubber ones. get them straight from suzuki parts dept.

personally, i prefer rubber bushes. but i have a complete set of "caroll's springs" urethane bushes for the front and rear. also got complete set of u-bolts too. everything is new. pm me if you're interested.

Post by **N*A*M** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:19 pm

WaveCult wrote:Wow, the things we learn! I thought that welding your front diff would lock both wheels together always, whether or not the diff is receiving power.

Could someone please confirm that this is not the case?

part time four wheel drive system

on the road, in 2H with the hubs unlocked it'll be fine

Post by **WaveCult** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:25 pm

N*A*M wrote:
WaveCult wrote:Wow, the things we learn! I thought that welding your front diff would lock both wheels together always, whether or not the diff is receiving power.

Could someone please confirm that this is not the case?

part time four wheel drive system

on the road, in 2H with the hubs unlocked it'll be fine

Right, I keep forgetting the hubs, d'oh! Spent too long with the Terios and Scenic RX4, and the fact that even now with the GV I don't have to get out to lock them manually means I mostly forget about them! ... it's all good!

By the way, will we get to enjoy your company on the 14th?

Cheers and thanks for the reminder that hubs exist!

Luis

Post by **greg** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:31 pm

schoey wrote:N*A*M/Greg,
I kinda thought that on a limited budget (about $2000 by the way, but thats gotta cover suspension upgrade, lockers (maybe), and finish of fixing the worn out stuff front end steering bushes, bearings, alternator, and some rust) you'd be better off welding the front and lockers on the back, that way the front the more dodgy of the two methods is only being called on when you have it in 4WD.

So wheres the best place to get the OME leafs? Do I get their shocks as well?

Also my front end is a bit flogged out, looks like I need a few bushes, for previos cars I've been able to find urethane replacements at the local shock place. haven't had any luck with the sierra but. Any ideas for these?

Shit I thought I got a good deal when I got this rig

Grant

OME Springs are available from ARB... depending on where you get them from (and who you know) you should be able to pick them up for between 350 and 400 a pair (i.e. you need 1 pair front, one pair rear)...

You don't "have" to get their shocks are well - but they will be designed to travel the exact amount that the springs will allow for - i.e. your existing shocks will limit your downward travel that the springs would allow for.

Best to step back and make a few decisions about how far you are going to take this car if you don't want to find yourself spending money on it twice...

Weld the rear locker first - you are correct that the front will only be engaged when the hubs are locked, but a welded rear is still very drivable on the street, and is more useful on a car with such a short wheel base (i.e. when doing hill climbs - with the weight transferal to the rear being so obvious, you will want the rear to be locked as the front won't have much weight (traction) anyway)... - in other words - do the rear.

Bushes are available from ARB also - or you can get some through some suzuki aftermarket places... the closer they are to stock (rubber), the more the car will flex. The closer to polyurethene (harder platic type stuff), the longer they will last... you choose which option you want out of those two.

What size alternator do you need? Post a message in the wanted section here - i reckon you'll get something fairly cheap.

Cheers mate,
Greg

Post by **N*A*M** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:50 pm

what's happening on the 14th? probably not anyhoo... anniversary :roll:

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Not too serious upgrades

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