Input on my first Zook

[chops_Drover]

Hey guys,
I have been reading this for around the last month. Just recently bought myself an 85 Drover, 1.6 EFi Vitara engine with 2" BL, 2" Susp lift, extractors, average exo cage etc all engineered.
Now, I was wanting to run 32" Mongrels on speedy desert rat -28 rims, move the diff forward, cut the guards. I was thinking Calmini 5.14 gears or the Marks 4wd adapter gears, similar reduction but Aussie made I think.
Now I am thinking going back to 31's and leaving the diff where it is. Still going to get gears etc. Much cheaper option & easier. I know i may have to trim/bash seems & guards & do the whole flare thing.
I know that the tyres will be illegal, but I can easily put stock tyres back on. Just wondering on whether chopping the guards is legal up here in qld as just about everything else isn't.
Any input to the car is much appreciated.
I have searched, but all the posts seem to be on how to rather than whether you can get a car passed with it. It's not a DD, but I would like to have available to drive if needed. Without worrying about getting on the wrong side of local cops.
We drive a fair bit of mud/ dry rutted out tracks depending on season. wet season up here is great for mud. And the cape is our own backyard.
Only a little bit of sand driving, not soft stuff though.
Previously only taken my Isuzu Mu (IFS) offroad, goes well but wanted something with more potential. Will probably look more into lockers later down the track when I get used to the change of vehicle.
Already love the new toy & am keen as to get some descent rubber underneath it so I can go for a proper drive.
If this isn't the right place for this to go please move it....

[Gwagensteve]

REally, you'll have to ask an engineer in your state what is legal to cut, but down here in Victoria, engineers do not consider the front guards of a sierra structural, so they are OK to cut so long as they are neatly finished, same with the rear.

However, I would just space the bumpstops, so this before you cut, you should find you only need some hammering. On the face of it, 2" suspension, 2" body is plenty for 31's.

Steve.

[chops_Drover]

Thanks Steve,
I will check that out asap. Got a price on 32" mongrels up here in Cairns $295 a corner. I thought I was looking at under $220. So much for cheap retreads....
If I just bash the guards up I can't see it being illegal. So I may take that path with the 31's. Well, to start off anyway.
Are there any other extreme style tyres that are cheaper than the Simex etc in a similar tread.
Also I am thinking of making up a a bash plate for the fuel tank, I have the vitara tank under my rig, is steel the best option for this. I have alot of aluminium checker plate lying round & would like to use it up, but thought this may just get me hung up on stuff rather than slide. I need one as the last 2 times we went out, my mates zook ended up with a pierced tank. We ended up using a tank out of a boat to run fuel into his carb. Don't recommend this as the passanger had the tank on his lap the trip back.

[Dee]

you could try looking up the "silverstone" line of rubber. I think they are a bit cheaper than most radial extreme m/t's. Otherwise most of the big name stuff in 32-33" radial muds is around the $290 - $300 i think.

[chops_Drover]

Yeh thats what I thought.

[JrZook]

Hey guys,
I have been reading this for around the last month. Just recently bought myself an 85 Drover, 1.6 EFi Vitara engine with 2" BL, 2" Susp lift, extractors, average exo cage etc all engineered.
Now, I was wanting to run 32" Mongrels on speedy desert rat -28 rims, move the diff forward, cut the guards. I was thinking Calmini 5.14 gears or the Marks 4wd adapter gears, similar reduction but Aussie made I think.
Now I am thinking going back to 31's and leaving the diff where it is. Still going to get gears etc. Much cheaper option & easier. I know i may have to trim/bash seems & guards & do the whole flare thing.
I know that the tyres will be illegal, but I can easily put stock tyres back on. Just wondering on whether chopping the guards is legal up here in qld as just about everything else isn't.
Any input to the car is much appreciated.
I have searched, but all the posts seem to be on how to rather than whether you can get a car passed with it. It's not a DD, but I would like to have available to drive if needed. Without worrying about getting on the wrong side of local cops.
We drive a fair bit of mud/ dry rutted out tracks depending on season. wet season up here is great for mud. And the cape is our own backyard.
Only a little bit of sand driving, not soft stuff though.
Previously only taken my Isuzu Mu (IFS) offroad, goes well but wanted something with more potential. Will probably look more into lockers later down the track when I get used to the change of vehicle.
Already love the new toy & am keen as to get some descent rubber underneath it so I can go for a proper drive.
If this isn't the right place for this to go please move it....

Hey mate did u get this car up in cairns? Do ya have any pics?
Im originally from Cairns, just studying at uni in briz atm. I have a green swb hardtop low roof drover. Not to many drovers in cairns at all aye.

Cheers Dan

[chops_Drover]

Yeh mate got it local.
It was originally built in NSW ( the engine, lift, etc) but now all engineered & mod plated here. I hadn't even seen this one before.
Looks like a clown car atm as it still has little 205's on it.
I may get some 2nd hand mt 31's shortly so i can keep up with my mates jeep & cruiser.
Have to meet up & go wheelin if you come back on holidays.

[chops_Drover]

Sorry, no pics yet, may post a few this weekend. Also in the process of making a snorkel & rock sliders.