Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ok, after some good rubber what would you blokes suggest as the next mods in order of priority?

I'm thinking of the following

1. 60mm susp lift. I'm still not sure whether to get a complete off the shelf kit ($1300 + labour), or just wind up the front and get some custom or TJM springs and dampers.

2. take a rear seat out. Cause I'm 6'3" I'll take out the one behind me to get plenty of seat travel. Is this pretty easy taking it out? Any tips?

2.5 Bullbar - roos and trees can be a health hazard.

3. High flow exhaust and extractors - the 1.6 aint no firebreather - a few extra neddies would be nice.

4. 2inch body lift. There is no way a pencil pusher like me could do this myself like some of you fellas have done. Any idea what it would cost to get a 2inch lift like Ferwoaza or Mikes from a 4wd specialst workshop?

5. Snorkel - does a Patrol one really fit with a few mods?


Any guidence would be much appreciated

G'day and welcome to the BB Always great to see another Feroza

Ya want new rubber......does that mean bigger ??
If so, then you need a 2" body lift and slight suspension lift to make then fit. Down side is you loose gearing

As for paying $1300+.....you've gotta be joking You can get someone to make some longer shackles for the rear, and just wind the torsion bars up (a little bit - to retain some travel) Don't forget to get some longer shocks. I think David (Murcod) recommends Koni's or Bilsteens or something that can be revalved if necessary....not Rancho's !

Body lift Blocks are available at most places, but I recommend you have a chat to Cheezy (03) 9761 8111 about getting some blocks and longer bolts. He can also design a nice tube bar for the front, sides and rear winch compatible if required.
As for ARB Bars....unfortunately they are no longer made, and you would be lucky to find one in a wreckers. I have an OE ARB Winch Bar on mine, but am waiting for Cheezy to draw up some plans for a tube bar.....they look really cool

As for taking out the rear seats.....easy job, 2 bolts for each seat, just replace the bolts back into the floor once the seats are out. I don't think there are too many of us here that still have the rear seats in !!! Extra luggage / dog space
I too am 6'3" and have looked into making brackets to mount the seat further back......without success !! Good luck in doing it and I would be interested to see the results and how you did it....if you can !!

As for the 'Neddies'.....I can't really talk about that.....as I have a transplanted 3.8L V6 + Hilux running gear in mine

As for snorkel....I have a custom one....Andy on this BB (from WA) has a standard AirFlow Snorkel, but I'm not sure if that is from a Land Rover or Nissan

Keep us posted with some pics of your beast, and it would be good to catch up for a drive at some time, Gembrook good for you ?? Toolangi ??

Cheers

Welcome aboard

What size tyres do u wanna fit I've got a set of 235/75/r15 inch muddies with 40mm of suspension lift.
If u plan on going over 40mm wind on the torsion bars you'll need 2 trim the top bump stops.
If u plan on running 31inch tyres you'll need both suspension and body lifts. I was quoted $600 for a body lift from a good mate who runs his own 4WD workshop on the gold coast.

If your after extractors u could try genie or even lukey(carline mufflers).

Thats my 2 cents for now

Thanks for the tips fellas

yeah, in the catalogue the 4X4 store showed me it was $1300 for torsion bars, leafs and shocks. I think it was tJM. Thanks for the heads up on that though!

And I have 235/75R15's already. I m looking to get some bigger rubber after I get my 2 inch susp lift - id this avisable?

Betsy, yeah, Toolangi is good. I've been there a few times. I'll be doing a few weekends away later in the year. The g/f is going O/S for four months and I will be taking advantage to go 4wding as much as possible.

The friends I ususally go with are good people, so we should defintaly meet up and do some tough trails. They have a Surf and a navara ST-R TD which are nice, but I dont think could match a lifted Feroza with a V6 - that sounds unstoppable. Its not ur hilux based V6 Feroza in this months 4X4 monthly is it?

FeroziousSXPII wrote:Its not ur hilux based V6 Feroza in this months 4X4 monthly is it?

Yep that is the one...

hi mate, i got a 60mm suspension lift done in maitland new south wales for $600, it included new rear leaves, bushes etc... new shockes all round.

as for a body lift you can do it your self, i got it down to 1.5 hours. i had to use an angle grinder for 2 bolts that had rusted in place. i went to a scrap metal yard and got industrial grade metal solid tubing and had it cut to 50mm lenghts ($30) the got holes drilled 10mm wide ($40) wish i had of gone 12 mm or even 15mm as it is easier to find bolts and nuts for, ( high tensile of course) then I had to get the bolts and nuts and washers. measure everything twice and went out and bouth them. $15 in total for 10 bolts, 20 washers. got home they were to short. i kept them (might come in handy some where else) and just went out and bought new ones. You can see how i got so good at it. had to do it twice. if you get the holes drilled a little larger you will have better luck with long bolts so that you can fit washers and some rubber between the chasis and the body mount and rubber between the body and the lift kit. Hope you follow my essay here.

it can be done on the cheap. i am running 9.5r 15 on 15x8 and it looks good. So i think. my feroza is the narrow body so it looks like a tonka truck. shop around. you can go with the people like tjm etc... but it will costs a lot.

the other option is to leave it standard. they are good standard. i have lost feeling in my sterring, and going up hills just isnt wat it used to be. on the up side it doesnt rev as much with the bigger tyres. I had to get a spare fixed the other day( little accident with a tree that didnt want to move) the guy said i could fit 32" under, but i will need a step ladder to get in. and i think he was trying to sell me $300 tyres each. ouch

have fun with it. the more work you do your self the more you will know your little girl/boy.

ciao

pidoca

ps

sorry for the essay

Hi and Welcome!

As Besty said beware of Ranchos..... Leon has got some (RS9000X) and has found them very hard- even on the softest setting. The problem is they will sell you whatever shock will physically bolt into your Feroza- the internal valving isn't changed to match the weight and spring rate. The shocks that Rancho sell to fit the Feroza are the same ones used in a Ford 3/4 ton truck.......

I've got some Bilsteins in mine; Koni no longer make the fronts and the local importer refused to get any rears in as they would have to buy a couple of sets! The rear Bilsteins are actually about 1-2" longer extension than the stock factory ones I removed. If you want longer again contact Quadrant Suspension in Melbourne and they'll custom make some for you. Their service is excellent.

As far as replacement rear leaf springs and torsion bars goes there are a number of companies that sell them. Carolls make some to fit - they're on the web; and also Dobinsons http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/html/cat ... ihatsu.htm . Remember a lot of the expensive 4WD shops don't have spring making facilities (nor shock making facilities) and just buy from other companies and paint them another colour etc and charge the earth for them!

As for snorkel....I have a custom one....Andy on this BB (from WA) has a standard AirFlow Snorkel, but I'm not sure if that is from a Land Rover or Nissan

What the !!! , Oh , I get it the Land Rover thing was a joke , My original air filter ( Box ) was cut up in and out take was redirected , turned upside down and brackets re-welded and bolted back up . The 75mm tube was mandrel bent to suit and the air ram came from ORE

Here is how I've done my mods to date..

- Rig came with 2.5" suspension lift when I bought it running 235x75R15 Tyres (around 29").
- Removed Sway Bar
- MRT Rampod Airfilter (www.mrtrally.com.au)
- Welded front diff after cracking housing (totally locked front now)
- 2" Body Lift and 31" Tyres

Those are my offroad performance mods..lots of other little things have been done like installation of custom rear cargo unit (Mike Henneseys old one), CB's, CD Player etc..

Ferwoaza wrote:..lots of other little things have been done like installation of custom rear cargo unit...

Ahhhh, that would be the one we're waiting for pics of......



BIG HINT

You're NOT really subtle about wanting pics !!



Mind you.....you did promise them a couple of months ago Murray !!

Thanks all for the help

btw - Ferozius I just noticed - sorry for stealing ur username - sorta

I dropped the ferocious in for a 90,000 service and new radiator today and asked them about making up some longer shakles and winding up the front torsions

Basically he said that torsion adjustemnt would make the ride too hard and they dont make longer shakles because it creates Roadworthy problems, and basically steered me back to the expensive off the shelf kit.

Now this mob does good work so they are not dodge, just obviously pretty mainstream. I might take the fercious down to Morwell Springs or somehwere local to see what they say...

How is the ride after winding up the bars? And anyone have any trouble with roadworthyness of any of your suspension mods? I know I'm sounding like a pussy but I just want to get some impartial advice.

Yeah....my user name....that WAS the first thing that I noticed !!

No problems.....so long as you drive it like me


As for winding up the torsion bars.....yeah it does change the on road characteristics of the car....but......you alter your driving style to match. It takes a bit of driving around to notice much of a difference, but you can get a small (30-40mm) ammount of height from winding them up.

They probably aren't interested as they could make an extra grand or so selling an aftermarket kit to you. Have you looked into getting some 'Climax' or 'Revolver' Shackles for the rear ?? Instead of getting longer shackles made ! Lockable for on-road....removable pin to extend the shackle off-road !!

Andy in WA, I know, does have these ! (soory 'bout the stuff up with the snorkel.....I thought it looked so good it must have been 'off-the-shelf')

FeroziousSXPII check your pm's

Alright, I'm back - you just cant take a mans user name like that, until I at least get my suspension and body lift and 31's I dont feel worthy of the tag Ferozious!! One day though.....

anyway... the mechanic reckons the small amount of water leakage I'm getting is coming from the water pump, which means a new pump and another few hundred bucks I guess :nonono: And I may aswell do the timing belt aswell considering its at 90,000. This prob puts the susp lift on hold at this stage - they did a good job though, Fearoza runs nicely.

How do you adjust headlight beam angle? I can't find a dial in the cabin

Nice Name change !!

FEAROZA wrote:anyway... the mechanic reckons the small amount of water leakage I'm getting is coming from the water pump, which means a new pump and another few hundred bucks I guess :nonono: And I may aswell do the timing belt aswell considering its at 90,000.

The dreaded water pump. Mine went about three months ago- luckily for me I had a week left on the warranty. Supposedly the car yard reckoned it cost them around $160 just for the pump. The timing belt needs to come off to do it, so you might as well get that changed, a genuine Daihatsu one only costs $55 from memory. Check your other drive belts too as they will have to come off so it would be a good time to change them.

- yeah, I was figuring about $160, thats what it cost for my old 93 Lancer a few years ago for a new pump. Plus labour of course.

Thanks for the tip on the drive belts too, I'll have a chat to the guy about doing that too. I figure even if I could get away with another 20,000 km the things are probabaly original and therefore over 10 years old, so I'll take your advice and get em changed.

Does anyone have any trouble woth low beam headlights? maybe I need to just adjust them some more, but they seem really bright 5 metres out front and then pitch black, like a spottie actually rather than a headlight!

I'll get a quote for the suspension lift in the next week or so from the local spring manufacturers here and you can let me know what you think. Then I'll think about ripping out those back seats - cant wait.

You need to get some new headlight inserts (H4) or if ya want, get some new sealed beams from a Hilux (fits straight in)

I got 90/130 in mine !!

G'Day from me as well - good little beast you've got there

Biggest tyre you'll fit with out trimming anything & only doing Suspension Lift is 30x9.5 R15's - if you want to go 31x10.5's you'll need a 2" Bodylift as well.
Just wind up the Stock T-Bars 50mm up front & fit a set of beefy shocks - the TJM's will do the job. You want it sitting about 10mm from the upper bumpstops. Yes the ride will be firmer but removing the Sway Bar helps a lot, & you need it frimer anyway with the weight of the 31's & the extra height. I did go the Ultimate T-Bars in the end but they are not necessary up front - $400 is better spent elsewhere ( Lincoln Locker !! )
The TJM rear springs are OK - Ultimates are better if they are still available ( Peddars are local distributers ?? ) Either way a set of Extended Shackles make a big difference as well. ( Climax / Revolver are better again but require even more mods & $$$ to work fully ) If you are interested in the beefiest set of 2" Extended shackles on the market then email me offline & we'll talk
If you want max travel out of your rear leaves then there are a couple of mods you can do before they go on - first - open out the spring clamps so they are a Wide U-Shape & do not clamp the springs at all, merely guide them back together after they seperate ( if they are the bolt type clamp then undo the bolt & open them out a touch more ) You want the Spring Pack to seperate for max travel - you will gain 3-4" more travel straight away. Second - consider removing the Bottom Thick Flat Overload leaf if they come with one - you don't really need it unless you are really loading it up ( overloading !! ) - this will allow the spring to flex up as well as down & increase wheel travel.
Stick with the standard rubber bushes in at least the top Shackle Mounts - even better in all Spring Mounts as well - Urethane is horrible - to hard & restricts travel. Toss the front sway bar. Shocks down the back - make sure they are long enough - TJM's are probably fine again ( shocks are way over-rated for a 4wd in my opinion - especially in leaf sprung 4wd )
The ones reccomended for the Feroza kit may not be long enough if you fit extended shackles & do the spring mods for more travel.

Body Lift, Suspension Lift as above, Lincoln Locker front & Good 31" Muddies will take you a long way

Then look at Extractors / Sports Exhaust, Snorkel, Bullbar & whatever else takes your fancy.

Also - handy hint - TX Case Skid plate is a good idea if you get semi serious.

Have fun - Mike H.

Mike,
Thanks a lot for the good advice. I'm pretty set on 31's to get more room under the diff, so that will need to be stage three, after suspension and body lift.

LIke I said in my intro, your web page (RIP) and beastly Feroza was what convinced be to get a Feroza in the first place - I'm wrapped with it, so hats off to you mate!

Thanks to everyone else too, Its great to get such helpful straighforward impartial advice - ie. not from some mechanic or guy trying to sell you something!

I have standard widetrack rims 15X6 - what width is 9.5 as in 30/9.5? The same?

jeez, I ask a lot of questions I know - told you I was just a pencil pusher

MJHsurfin wrote:$400 is better spent elsewhere ( Lincoln Locker !! )
Body Lift, Suspension Lift as above, Lincoln Locker front & Good 31" Muddies will take you a long way

Is it easy to find lincoln lockers for the feroza?

Lincoln Locker = welded front diff.

You'd want to be doing some serious off road stuff to do this mod. Do a search and you should find various posts about the advantages and disadvanntages of doing this.

...

Once you Lincoln Lock your Front Diff you will never want it any other way
Whatever you put a front wheel on the Feroza will climb it if the tyre maintains traction - even with the other front wheel 3 feet in the air
On road the Lincoln Locker is irrelevent due to unlocker hubs....
Offroad the Feroza is such a weapon you won't even mind the slightly heavier steering, wider turning circle & more" return to centre" steering sensation - & after the first couple of trips it will feel normal anyway...
On really hard surfaces it can get a little hard to steer - but a technique called "throttle steering" is really handy
Get your lift, body lift & 31's muddies & we'll talk

Mike H.

Mike you need to buy another Feroza, I can tell you're missing it!

31x10.5 R15 = 31" tall / 10.5" wide R15 diameter rim - must be fitted to a 15x7" rim or wider - but don't - just fit it to a 15x7" rim.
30x9.5 R15 = 30" tall / 9.5" wide - widest tyre that can fit on stock 15x6" rim.

Later - Mike H.

Quick example of the infamous "Lincoln Locker"

Oops - forgot to add pic