Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi All,

Thinking over a better alternative to daily driving a zook on 34 inch swampers.

I need something functional, a ute preferably, diesel, manual & something I can build up for fourwheeling with my 2 boys and keep the zook for the "type R" stuff (no doors roof e.t.c.).

I've always like the 75 series cruisers, A GQ ute has been suggested but I want to stay with leaves and prefer the cruisers, I'd say I'd run 2 sets of tyres, 33's or 35's for on raod and a 35+ for offroad.

What I'd like to know is:

1) What are the general model pros and cons??
2) Gearing options, I have seen the marks adapters site but what diff ratios e.t.c. are available, I run 6:1 tcase in the zook so it would have to be over 85:1 crawl ratio.
3) How far can push the tyre size, ultimately i'd like 35 MTR's for road/light offroad and 37 boggers for off-offroad but i'd like to know what problems this would cause.
4) Suspension, I'd like to set it up similar to my zook, low COG so no SPOA's for me just cutting with a body lift and longer springs.

Any answers/advice/criticism would be appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

bigsteve wrote:
1) What are the general model pros and cons??

are we talking ute or troopy? the troopys are a bit tippy but the utes are pretty stable. strong, no nonsense, easy to mod.

2) Gearing options, I have seen the marks adapters site but what diff ratios e.t.c. are available, I run 6:1 tcase in the zook so it would have to be over 85:1 crawl ratio.

for diffs you can go to 5.29 (4.1:1 is stock), with options for 4.3, 4.56, 4.88 in between. note on later models ('90 on) the front diff is 8" reverse rotation.

you can run marks crawler gears in the transfer for 3.05:1 low range. the H55F gearbox used up to 1995(?) has a 4.8:1 first gear so bolt-on crawl ratio of over 75:1 is achievable. behind the big diesel motors that will easily turn 37" tyres as slow as you want.

3) How far can push the tyre size, ultimately i'd like 35 MTR's for road/light offroad and 37 boggers for off-offroad but i'd like to know what problems this would cause.

front diff gears are vulnerable especially in reverse, and the CV's are not bulletproof. can upgrade to 80 series CV's but that loads the diff more and CV's are cheap and easy to replace. some potential problems with the 8mm axle studs front and rear shearing, these can be upgraded to 10mm studs fairly easily.

4) Suspension, I'd like to set it up similar to my zook, low COG so no SPOA's for me just cutting with a body lift and longer springs.

don't throw out the soa option altogether. with a springover on flattish springs (leaves removed) the total suspension lift is only 3 - 4 inches and articulation is vastly improved.

Matt Pascoe came 3rd outright in the last Nissan Trials in his '91 SOA 75 series on Q78 swampers - not a big tyre at all, it was his first comp with the springover.

with the stock spring-under setup it is hard to get a decent lift that still flexes fairfly well, as most off the shelf lifted suspensions for these trucks are aimed at load carrying rather than offroad performance.

Any answers/advice/criticism would be appreciated.

also consider a biut in our budget for a turbo or something to pep up the engine, the 1HZ (96kW) is no balltearer and the earlier 2H (72? kW) is worse.

they are a highly buildable truck, but not a real comfy daily driver even in stock trim.

cheers

Brian

Thanks dude,

I meant the Ute.

As far as SPOA VS SPUA I'm not after super flex more something low, softly sprung and stable, I'm also not afraid of cutting.

At what year did the motors change??

Steve

there's not much to cut especially in the front guards, you will need minimum 3 - 4" lift to clear 37's. even with some choppage - the way the front fenders sit out from the sides of the engine bay there's only 2" to cut off them before you run out of fender to chop.

pretty sure the motor change is in 1989/1990, front diff change is at the same time - so when you're looking at one of questionable age stick your head under and if the front diff has a hign pinion then it will have the newer motor.

dumbdunce wrote:there's not much to cut especially in the front guards, you will need minimum 3 - 4" lift to clear 37's. even with some choppage - the way the front fenders sit out from the sides of the engine bay there's only 2" to cut off them before you run out of fender to chop.

pretty sure the motor change is in 1989/1990, front diff change is at the same time - so when you're looking at one of questionable age stick your head under and if the front diff has a hign pinion then it will have the newer motor.

Sweet Thanks Dude.

speak to Rod @ total !!
ask about Darren Websters old set up !!
75 ute , 37 boggers , turbo diesel , VERRY flexy !!

oh , & very comfy !!
(it was the 1 in Southeren,s 4x4 add , big wheels up !!)
I was in the passengers seat @ the time !!!

AS far as gearing, be patient and save the money as marks will have their 'Crusier Crawler'..... will be the ultimate for crusers, no drive train, tail shaft changes, just bolt up But will cost $3500

http://www.marks4wd.com/Cruiser-Crawler.htm

moose wrote:speak to Rod @ total !!
ask about Darren Websters old set up !!
75 ute , 37 boggers , turbo diesel , VERRY flexy !!

oh , & very comfy !!
(it was the 1 in Southeren,s 4x4 add , big wheels up !!)
I was in the passengers seat @ the time !!!

Is webby still 4x4ing .. have not seen him in ages ..

He sunk some serious $$$ on that thing, but the front end did work well (as long as you kept resetting the springs)

mayb a pick would help

love_mud wrote:

moose wrote:speak to Rod @ total !!
ask about Darren Websters old set up !!
75 ute , 37 boggers , turbo diesel , VERRY flexy !!

oh , & very comfy !!
(it was the 1 in Southeren,s 4x4 add , big wheels up !!)
I was in the passengers seat @ the time !!!

Is webby still 4x4ing .. have not seen him in ages ..

He sunk some serious $$$ on that thing, but the front end did work well (as long as you kept resetting the springs)

Shh !! Rav 4 !!!

but not your average Rav 4 !!

Got some specs of that beast Aza?

+dj_hansen+ wrote:Got some specs of that beast Aza?

nope, got the pic off jake (MUSS) ages ago

post 1995 also had a dodgy hoolux diff up front so beware

Cool cruzer Aza, any one know about those twin snorkles.

Buildability of 75 series, take a look at Aza's pic......!!!!!!!!

Cliffy wrote:Cool cruzer Aza, any one know about those twin snorkles.

Buildability of 75 series, take a look at Aza's pic......!!!!!!!!

Yeah that thing is pretty cool

Thanks for everyones responses/comments.

Sould have also added that it looks better than a Nissan, but I might get flamed

Steve have you sat in a 75 series cab. they are very small, I reckon you would struggle to fit comfortably. The 78 series cabs have more room tho

Big Steve is only 5'16"
Peter.

moose wrote:

love_mud wrote:

moose wrote:speak to Rod @ total !!
ask about Darren Websters old set up !!
75 ute , 37 boggers , turbo diesel , VERRY flexy !!

oh , & very comfy !!
(it was the 1 in Southeren,s 4x4 add , big wheels up !!)
I was in the passengers seat @ the time !!!

Is webby still 4x4ing .. have not seen him in ages ..

He sunk some serious $$$ on that thing, but the front end did work well (as long as you kept resetting the springs)

Shh !! Rav 4 !!!

but not your average Rav 4 !!

Not by a long shot

grimbo wrote:Steve have you sat in a 75 series cab. they are very small, I reckon you would struggle to fit comfortably. The 78 series cabs have more room tho

I would just modify the steering wheel like i've done with the zook.

droopypete wrote:Big Steve is only 5'16"
Peter.

5'18"

A pic of a mates heavily modded 75 series to give you some ideas

also fatassgq's old 75 series cruiser...

link in here

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... highlight=

a pic to enlighten you all.....

bigsteve wrote:

grimbo wrote:Steve have you sat in a 75 series cab. they are very small, I reckon you would struggle to fit comfortably. The 78 series cabs have more room tho

I would just modify the steering wheel like i've done with the zook.

droopypete wrote:Big Steve is only 5'16"
Peter.

5'18"

It'll take more than a modified steering wheel to make it comfortable I reckon. i find them really uncomfortable and that is saying alot considering I drive the Zuk

grimbo wrote:It'll take more than a modified steering wheel to make it comfortable I reckon. i find them really uncomfortable and that is saying alot considering I drive the Zuk

no ya don't, it sits in the shed




(i know i'm a few days slow, but i couldn't resist)

stumped wrote:

grimbo wrote:It'll take more than a modified steering wheel to make it comfortable I reckon. i find them really uncomfortable and that is saying alot considering I drive the Zuk

no ya don't, it sits in the shed




(i know i'm a few days slow, but i couldn't resist)

Blam, Blam, Blam, Grimo gets shot down again
Peter.