Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi Guys,

New to forum, and it's been a while since i owned a 4x4 so i'm going to ask some (possibly) stupid questions.

Just bought a '99 GU wagon 2.8lt TD and would like some help with regards to mods. I'm trying not to let costs blow out too much on this vehicle as my garage houses a number of other toys. Although i could see use for the 6lt engine out of my Clubsport in the Patrol...

1) Want to change the current road biased tyres to something a bit more capable off-road. 16" rims. What is the biggest tyre i can run under it whilst keeping reasonable offroad capability & without having to do mods to the body. The suspension is currently standard. It'll do a lot of highway km's to get to off-road locations so i need to retain reasonable handling.

2) I'm considering a lift. Nothing outrageous, probably 2" or so. It's my wifes car and she's 5' tall, she still needs to be able to get in. Recommendation on good brands, rough prices and also what other mods are required at various lift heights would be appreciated. If nothing else the car needs to be lifted to meet the height of my off-road trailer from the last 4x4 i had.

3)Engine performance. I know the 2.8 isn't the world's fastest beast but some basic advice on little things to give a bit of extra pep would be nice. Success with K&N (or other) air filters, exhausts, etc.

Thanks in advance.

oscar wrote:Hi Guys,

New to forum, and it's been a while since i owned a 4x4 so i'm going to ask some (possibly) stupid questions.

Just bought a '99 GU wagon 2.8lt TD and would like some help with regards to mods. I'm trying not to let costs blow out too much on this vehicle as my garage houses a number of other toys. Although i could see use for the 6lt engine out of my Clubsport in the Patrol...

1) Want to change the current road biased tyres to something a bit more capable off-road. 16" rims. What is the biggest tyre i can run under it whilst keeping reasonable offroad capability & without having to do mods to the body. The suspension is currently standard. It'll do a lot of highway km's to get to off-road locations so i need to retain reasonable handling.

2) I'm considering a lift. Nothing outrageous, probably 2" or so. It's my wifes car and she's 5' tall, she still needs to be able to get in. Recommendation on good brands, rough prices and also what other mods are required at various lift heights would be appreciated. If nothing else the car needs to be lifted to meet the height of my off-road trailer from the last 4x4 i had.

3)Engine performance. I know the 2.8 isn't the world's fastest beast but some basic advice on little things to give a bit of extra pep would be nice. Success with K&N (or other) air filters, exhausts, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Bilstien 2" lift kit, $1099 will let you fit 33" tyresm BFG AT 285/75R16 would be a good option and then unichip of similar the engine

1. 285/75/16 BFG AT,MT,Good Year MTR,Cooper ST/C,STT
2.old man emu 2" lift~$1200
3.that 6lt will do

wait for 2.8 owners responses cos bigger tyres may really slow you and cause more frustration. 2.8 also have smaller drivetrains so just wait a bit b4 you fit that 6.0 lt ( be fun though)

Thanks guys.

From my research thus far i have deduced the following:

a) Probably want to limit my tyre size on 2.8lt to 33" otherwise i lose too much.

b) Lift kits in the 2" range are much of a muchness as long as they are a reputable brand. All i should need to do are springs, shocks, steering damper, castor bushes (i think that's what they are called). I'm looking for both the lift and the extra articulation (i know...7" would be better for that), not just lift, which i suspect is all some cheaper kits do. What are the regular TJM and ARB kits like in this area?

c) I think genarally Cooper and Goodyear tyres get a better wrap as the BFG's has lost abit of favour in recent past due to downturn in tyre characteristics and a problem with craop build-up on the rim lip which causes the tyre to go down.. My only other consideration is that i get about a 38% on all bridgestone products. Are bridgestone MT tyres OK? The cost competitiveness will certainly weight on the decision.

I'm prepared to lose a bit of get-up and go. I have an overpowered RWD car and a dirtbike for fast fun.

6lt engine would be interetsing...a wheelstanding partol But unfortunatley i couldn't do that to my 9 month old car and just have it sit in the garage with no engine. I'm just a regular joe so i can't afford to buy another spare LS2 engine.

Thanks again guys. Really appreciate the help.

Keep the info coming.

1) i just fitted 2inch tough dog lift to my 04 gu 3.0l couldn be happier alot of people say the tough dog no good but ive been involved with 4 cars with them and not a prob got mine for $1500 45mm adjustable shocks nice and big too, tough dog springs big bore steering damper. if you want to choose another brand i ould go for bilstien they do a shock and spring kit also.
also most would swear by the fact that you dont need a castor bush kit for a 2inch lift but after doin mine i have lost 3degrees positve castor. definatley recommend either castor bushes or get some radius arms like i just got. and if u dont belive your castor should be 3.3degrees do a castor swing on an alignment machine after the lift and see the difference.
rear brake line and rear diff breather also is at its limit with the 2inch lift.
2) fitted cooper stt 285/75/16 again very happy. did the pine forest at kangaroo island in deep mud not a problem at 30psi. did a beach also went down to 18psi through soft sand too easy. on the road also good did notice small power loss though and had too press the brakes a bit harder.
speedo 4km over at 100km/h
only thing ive noticed with bridgestone 4wd tyres they wear quite fast the factory allterrains lasted 40,000kms dont know bout their muds though.

just my opinions and experiences
good luck

just on tyre sizes

i've ran 295/75 16 bfg AT under my 3L (stock height suspension) and didn't really notice any loss of power.... they did srub a little under full flex.. but so did the stock 265's if i tried hard enough

currently running mickey thompson FCII's (back to a 285/75/16) and i find they are a better tyre (other than a little more road noise)

AndrewPatrol wrote:wait for 2.8 owners responses cos bigger tyres may really slow you and cause more frustration. 2.8 also have smaller drivetrains so just wait a bit b4 you fit that 6.0 lt ( be fun though)

Only drive line differences are Gearbox and lower diff gears (4.6). Axle are the same and transfercase is the same.