Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all,

I'm new to the 4wd Scene & 2 mates & I are heading to the Cape in Sept for 2 or 3 weeks depending on what we decide to see.

Mates will be on there dirt bikes WR450 & KTM530exc so I'd imagine we won't be taking the easy way where possible.

I'm taking my dad's recently purchased old Hilux & setting it up to hopefully get there & back in 1 piece.

I have the OME suspension kit with 50mm lift & Safari Snorkel ordered.

We will be going over everything & checking/replacing all the Fluids, Belts, Leads, Spark Plugs etc & checking everything we can think of, but is there something I really should be looking for or replacing without question?

It currently runs the Factory Std Issue 205/75/16? or whatever the std size is.

I have looked at Federal Couragia M/T & also the MS351 as well as the Goodyear Wrangler TG, DuraTrac & MT/R.

Is it worth going to the 225/75/16 or maybe even the 235/85/16 on some ROH Trak2 or Speedy Desert Rat 16*7 rims?

I didn't want clearance issues & have to fit flares or cut the Lux up.

Does the taller tyres make the ride any better or only for more clearance?

Luxury item List

ARB winch bar & Winch, but don't want to spend $2k plus on the Warn, So what do you recomend that I won't feel too violated & won't have me leave the Lux somewhere up at the Cape.

Front Locker to use with the std factory LSD & Big Arb compressor to run the locker & use for tyre inflation etc.

Dual Battery Setup.

Engel or Arb Fridge

Anything else you can tell me I'm happy to take on board & hopefully the budget can stretch to all the goodies but we shall see come 8th September.

Thanks for anything that you guys can tell me.

The 225/75/16s aren't much bigger than the standard issue 205R16s (205/80/16) being only 9.5mm bigger on paper. The 235/85/16s are about a 32" and you can see them as standard issue on landrover defenders or energy company nissan patrol cab chassis trucks. The problem with the 32s is that your motor will prob feel the extra effort required to turn the bigger circumference tyres, as they will be 3" in diameter higher than the standard tyres you have now. You may just fit them without any scrubbing on the bodywork as they're not very wide but it will depend on how much suspension flex you have. A compromise might be a 245/70/16 but they might just stick out from the guards a bit. Either way you go, make sure they're LT construction so they can stand up to being rubbed on rocks and gravel.

Taller tyres don't make the ride better just give more clearance, but as said above, because of the way the bigger circumference affects the gearing, it takes more effort for the motor to push them from a standing start, up a hill or more braking effort to slow them down on a steep descent.

As for doing the cape, the big issue will be how your truck stands up to the corrugations as they will test every nut and bolt. Also, try and get as much up-to-date info on the water levels as there are numerous creek crossings.

How will it go with travelling with bikes as they can go 10x as fast and further as a 4wd off-road?

As for your wish-list, the locker is the best bet but for the winch, if you dont want to shell out big dollars, get a hand winch. With a few guys travelling with you, there will be enough operators and they're always good for a laugh and to pick on someone in the group to operate it.