Outer Limits 4x4 Board

does anyone know if its legal to do in QLD???????

suzuki viagra from this board has been investigating this a bit, dunno if he's spoken to an engineer yet. but he should be able to tell you a little bit. im' interested to, something to plan for

yeah i knew he was looking at that...........come on viagra where are you...

I've spoken to an engineer and been told it's legal using a Hilux or Sierra Widetrack axle.

I haven't done it .... yet.

The Widetrack will be too narrow but means I can keep my standard 5.12 diffs and the rims, and no need to swap the front AND the back.

Using Hilux or other axles means I need dual transfers or rockhopper to turn the thing, plus new wheels and change both diffs.

Hoping to do a dual transfer case first, then maybe MQ axles - havent asked an engineer about MQ axles specifically. There seems little point using the Sierra one as I'd still need to upgrade brakes and would risk breaking axles still.




The BIG problem is that I'm not prepared to spend yet another few grand buying axles and stuff to do it if the maximum legal tyre I can run is still 27.3" (maximum approved tyre +1" for Vitara of my model)

If I can use the maximum tyre approved for a hilux + 1" (which becomes 32.8" - 33"s are legal (and insurable) and it's worth the money - this is what the arrangements in most other states are - the maximum tyre size is assessed based on the diffs and brakes, or on whatever the engineer believes the diffs and axles can take.

I'm really hoping this changes in 2004 - or I'm gonna look at dropping the Vitara onto 17" 40 section tyres and transplant a Gen 3 HSV motor which is stupidly enough perfectly legal, due to the separate chassis. If I can't run big muddies then I'll have to turn back to performance cars instead - maybe use a V8 Vitara as a tow car for a trailer queen

As a plus I get a very interesting drag car for the other type of fun. 4wd burnouts at willowbank anyone?

Running aroung on 33" rubber on a Vitara will get me busted here in Brissy so quick it isn't funny. Already had more than a few inquiring looks by Mr Plod on 31"s although I'm sure the chirping from the welded rear and the panels hidden by mud also helps.....

I looked at tring to do a sas (solid axel swap) on my old pajero.. Becuase of Qld transport, i opted out of the conversion. Even with engineers approval, DOT would still not approve the modification. Not prepared to spend the $$$ and be defected in a week.... Gees they are tuff up here..

Know of someone in a similar boat - the QLD DOT would not approve his 4.2 litre V8 conversion, despite the fact that it meets all the required capacity versus weight requirements (the formulas are actually very flexible and a twin turbocharged 289 V8 is no problem, or a Chev 350 Injected V8, let alone a simple 253.

The fact that the engineer does not have the authority to OK a change in QLD is the biggest hurdle, and if a National standard is introduced this should place power back in the hands of the engineers.

QLD transport seems to allow the ricers a lot more room to play with their vehicles despite the far higher potential for risk of injury or death.

eg: Buying a little datto 1200 and putting a CA18DET in it is very commonplace and suprisingly easy, considering the potential to increase power by a factor of 800% to 1000% (300kw is pretty easy out of one of these as against the 30kw approx of the original engine).

This is also more than you're ever gonna get out of a 253 without forced induction, in a much lighter and weaker car with no chassis.

The situation as I have now had explained by 4 engineers is that a 4wder can't legally increase rolling radius by more than 25mm even with appropriate brake/axle/diff size increases and speedo recalibration, even if an engineer is happy to certify it.

The other solution to this is get every manufacturer of 4wd's to print on the tyre information chart that 37" muddies are an allowable tyre option.