Monster wagon

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 4:19 pm

Running low on cash so I just grabbed the rims for now. Alloys later perhaps.
I have gone for these wheels to try and avoid having to use spacers, but if it turns out I need spacers anyway then this means I can use practically any wheels, probably go back to Subaru ones then.

Yeah, the transfer case conversion may come later. I figure that is about the only further major modification I could make to the wagon. But for now I want to run it like this for a while, make it earn it's keep for a while!

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:36 am

Have now re-done the custom clutch pedal setup in the wagon. Works perfect now. Ever since it was done way back when the hydaulic clutch conversion happened during the EJ20turbo conversion, the friction point has been right on the floor even at maximum adjustment. I re-welded a new bracket onto the pedal with the pin hole a good 15mm further forward. Friction point is at a great place now with plenty of adjustment either side.

Anybody know of any 235x75xR15 offroad tyres going cheap in WA?

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:22 am

$200.00 for 4 new ones in PWRX Quoka

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:47 am

Seagull PM sent

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:03 am

Can't wait to see the build Andrew. Hey, I've read quite a bit about the pit, rego etc. wonder if Mad Max is somehow responsible for the inspections you fella's have to go thru

.....but seriously what brought about all the regulations regarding vehicle mods?

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:11 pm

On a side note subuaroodude, Graylands WA(thats west oz) is where you go when you have lost your marbles...

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:38 pm

Well she is mobile...

Drove her abit yesterday, front end was abit squirmy when trying a few smallish swerves to see how the handling was. I fitted the front swaybar and that helped quite alot. She should feel even more sure footed when I get some decent tyres. The ones that came with those black rims are terrible.

Today I drove her about 70kms, a few short runs then a nice long one down Tonkin/Roe highway.
Still early days yet, lots of things to iron out to get it driving smoother. I need to get the tailshaft re-made as several of the uni joints are very badly gone (you can move them around with a clunk clunk with your hands when stationary).
Engine has proved to be running fairly rough when driving (it idled fantastic before!). It was fine last time I drove it but that was a very long time ago. I'm tipping an o-ring of some sort in the fuel rail or one of the injectors might have gone bad so that needs further investigation.
Also discovered a front inner CV boot has a small tear and it's throwing it's grease out everywhere.

Tomorrow some places should be open for business again so I will be shopping for tyres!

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:58 pm

Couldn't help myself, just bashed up a few offroad tracks out the back of the estate. Terrible traction with these tyres of course. But the new front suspension seems to love all the bumps, she just sails over them with barely a hint of me needed to slow down

Never had that feeling in an L series before.
Mission for tomorrow - get the tyres!

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:13 am

chriSTIan wrote:On a side note subuaroodude, Graylands WA(thats west oz) is where you go when you have lost your marbles...

hehe, same in the states. Sorry guys, I didn't mean to hyjack this thread. I'll start a new thread.
curious in the states, Mark

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:37 pm

i went saw the wagon the other day.....shes definetly looking much better now its finally back on the road ahahaah!! needs some tyres and will look mean once again

dave

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:13 pm

Got the tyres today - some 29" AT's. I'm still thinking a quick coat of silver paint will make the wheels look abit better. Only temporary until the right set of mags comes up forsale.
I took some pics a few mins ago;

The boot is full of 5 rims, 5 tyres, 2 large trolley jacks and about 70% of my tools.

Heaps of odd jobs to do to bring her up to scratch now but shes basically done for now.

Post by **Alex** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:23 pm

lol looks like a massive ***n cockroach on steriods!!!!!!!!

alex

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:27 pm

heh thats one big wagon these days

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:16 pm

wow we'ved waited years for this car to be mobile again- seriously! lookin great. lets have some more info on the tyres if ya dont mind- $ and brand

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:29 pm

I paid $88 each for them. secondhand from Wanneroo 4x4 wreckers. 235 x 75 x R15 AT's. They are "Terra Trac Radial A / M". Pretty good tread, I'd say 80 to 90%.
And hey, this thread was only started about 1 year 7 months ago

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:26 am

Mean looking wagon AndrewT. Will you have clearance problems at the front of the rear wheels? With your 6" lift are you happy with street performance and handling at speed? If I did similar to my wagon it would be my daily driver and I would appreciate your opinion on such.
Mark

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:28 am

Front;
- At full lock the inside of the tyre scrubs *slightly* where the Liberty control arm mounts to the body. This is really unavoidable, you get the same thing with these size tyres on a Liberty. No real way to increase clearance there, even with big wheel spacers you will still have the issue. But it's only a small amount of scrubbing and only at absolute full lock (which is always at low speed).
- Also the tyres cause the front lower part of the guards, but that was easy to trim about 10-15mm off them with the grinder. You can see where I did this in the side-on pic above.

Rear;
- When going over bumps, the inside of the tyre was scrubbing against the rubber bumpstop slightly. I've now fixed this with a 7mm wheel spacer. I will likely get some larger bolt-on spacers in the future to bring the rear wheel track completely inline with the front wheels, it's still narrower at the rear at the moment.
- The tyre was also catching the front lower part of the guard (right at the bottom near the edge of the rear door). Even L series with 3" lift and 27" tyres do this. I have folded this lip back on itself abit with a large hammer now and it seems to have done the trick although I am yet to do any hardcore offroading. I may have to resort to cutting it slightly if it still poses a problem.
- The rear mudflaps were srcubbing slightly when going over bumps. I have just cut a small plastic section of the mudflaps off (the little bit that juts out for no apparent reason) and that's resolved it.

So all in all very little scrubbing so far, nothing that was really damaging the tyres anyway, and all easy to resolve.

Performance seems fine. She still drives very well off boost even with the large tyres.

Handling is surprisingly good. With the Legacy "sporty" power steering rack (less turns to lock, very sensitive), turning corners is a breeze. She holds the road very well on large bends with alot less body roll than expected. It does feel very weird being so high up. The driving position really does feel like a "real 4x4". I've adjusted my seat to the lowest height setting to counteract it.
Still lots of improvements to make to it's driving style. I still need to put in the new balljoints and steering tie-rod ends and get a wheel alignment plus get them to set the camber properly (I've just done it by eye). Also I need to get the tailshaft uni joints fixed cause they are absolutely buggered and causing some vibrations. These will come in the next few weeks.

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:04 am

Thanks Andrew, sounds very encouraging. Sweet ride, wouldn't mind having a similar wagon.

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 11:12 am

can we set a date for a light 4x4 trial run?

GOD · Post by **GOD** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:46 pm

Looks bloody impressive Andrew. But what's that bar hanging down under the front number plate?

Subafury wrote:can we set a date for a light 4x4 trial run?

I could be up for a bit of that. My car isn't regoed yet, but I can always get a permit to drive it "to and from a place of repair" which happens to be in the bush somewhere

Dane.

BTW Andrew, you can have my spare auto tailshaft next time you're in the area.