joshellis

Yeah sorry to be ignorant, I'm sure the terms are used interchangeably. Hmm... underside of a unibody... undercarriage? underside? vehicle train??

Cool thanks Nunya. Yeah the cupholder issue is a PITA. My main motivation for the bench seat is so that is easier for my g/f to give me.... umm ....ah... for the sake of being suspended and losing access to this wonderful resource, I wont finish that sentence!!

I am by no means a pro, but I would check the 4x4 train for operation. 2HI-->4HI below 25mph (40kph?), maybe even jack the whole thing up and engage 4HI/LO, cycle through the gears, etc. I also read that the previous owner replaced the radiator at some point - an indication that it may have overheated in the past??

I'm pretty sure 15" is standard - my current PF has factory lego wheels which fit 31x10.5x15. I've read that 15" is a desirable size for 4x4s cause it still allows for a nice and meaty sidewall. GQ Patrol/Y60 Safari is the same stud pattern as the D21, but the center hub is slightly wider in diameter on the Troll, and the wheel offset is different. So they would stick right out from the fenders and then you'd probably need fender flares, cert etc. A direct swap that I recommend is Toyota 6 stud rims from a 40/50/60/75/80 Cruiser, solid axle pickup (Hilux) or 4Runner (Surf). Over there they are much more readily available and cheaper than Nissan ones. For my last PF in New Zealand I picked up a set of 15" rims from a Toyota pickup, painted them and put on 31x10.5 MTs. This tire size will get you pretty damn far and requires no suspension work. My ones were offset a little wider than the originals, which gave it a meatier stance and wider track. Here are some before and after photos. Before - standard 15" steel rims - purposeful but agricultural, w/ 31" Firestone MTs After - Offset Toyota 6 stud w/ 31" Hankook MTs BTW, my medium term goal (5 yrs) is to import a TD42 GQ Patrol (or preferably a JDM spec Y60 Safari) over here to the US. This has never been done before, requires a lot of work & $$, but hey, this is America, and anything's possible! This vehicle is in my opinion the most durable & charismatic 4x4 ever built. It eats Land Cruisers for lunch, and is near impossible to break.

Oxymoron - a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms. Chassis - ladder frame (plus running gear) Body on frame - what we like Unibody/unitary construction/monocoque - what you are referring to

Camera shake made me motion sick. Excess caffeine? Methamphetamine? Looks like fun getting her a little wet and dirty (the Pathy that is...)

Yeah I agree a pedal ebrake would be functional, my only concern would be that every time I used it, for a split second it would remind me of being in a junky Cadillac or something. And electronic would no doubt be sweet, but I'd worry about destroying it offroad (water ingress etc) Thanks for the tips guys. Good to know a HB seat will fit. Is it plenty comfy? I've never driven an HB. Speaking of junky, my friend's 2007 Cadillac CTS, with under 30000miles, just lunched its own tranny. Then again, a 2007 is old by domestic manufacturer standards, right??!

Hi I think it would be quite cool to rip out the old seats/console in my rig and install a bench seat. I'm comfortable with relocating the e-brake, probably to the dash area ala D21 HB. But my questions are; has anyone done this? And if so, whats the best size? Ranger Danger? Tacoma?

Why not go through the US?? Do you have younger brother syndrome??

Can that bumper be purchased off the shelf?

Now we're talking...

Hmm well I dont see 'Clear Creek' listed in the 75 trails in the index. Of course they are on State property, what are the other alternatives? Wheeling in someone's backyard? The Twilight Zone?? That's the whole point of the book; to first advise you of regulations, licensing, fees, legalities etc. Then, theres the trail descriptions, with GPS waypoints. And theres emergency/survival information, recovery methods, high detail maps, trail grading system, contact details of OHV/SVRA offices... AREA 1 Mt. Shasta, Redding, Eureka, Santa Rosa 1. Mt. Shasta Loop (Easy) 2. Bowerman Ridge (Easy)* 3. Shasta Bally Peak (Easy)* 4. Lost Coast, Redwoods (Easy)* 5. Cow Mountain OHV Area (Difficult) AREA 2 Red Bluff, Grass Valley, Downieville, Gold Lake 6. Peligreen Jeepway (Moderate) 7. High Lakes (Difficult) 8. Stag Point (Moderate) 9. Cleghorn Bar (Difficult) 10. Poker Flat (Moderate)* 11. Gold Valley (Moderate) 12. Snake Lake (Difficult)* 13. Deer Lake (Moderate) 14. Sierra Buttes (Easy) 15. Tyler-Foote Crossing (Easy) AREA 3 Auburn, Lake Tahoe 16. Bear Valley Loop (Moderate) 17. Fordyce Creek (Difficult) 18. Signal Peak (Difficult) 19. Shirttail Canyon (Easy) 20. Mt. Watson (Easy) 21. Blackwood Cyn., Ellis Pk.(Moderate) 22. Hell Hole (Difficult) 23. Rubicon (Difficult) 24. Barrett Lake (Difficult) AREA 4 South Lake Tahoe, Arnold, Bear Valley, Sonora 25. Strawberry Pass (Difficult) 26. Deer Valley (Difficult) 27. Corral Hollow (Moderate) 28. Slickrock Trail (Difficult)* 29. Niagara Rim (Difficult) 30. Eagle Peak (Moderate) 31. Dodge Ridge (Easy) AREA 5 Bridgeport, Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop 32. Bodie Ghost Town (Easy) 33. Kavanaugh Ridge (Moderate) 34. Copper Mountain (Easy) 35. Horse Meadows (Easy) 36. Deadman Pass (Easy)* 37. Backway to Inyo Craters (Easy) 38. Laurel Lakes (Moderate) 39. Sand Canyon (Moderate) 40. Wheeler Ridge (Difficult) 41. Buttermilk Country (Easy) 42. Coyote Flat (Moderate) 43. Silver/Wyman Canyons (Easy) AREA 6 Big Pine, Lone Pine 44. Mazourka Canyon (Moderate) 45. Armstrong Canyon (Moderate) 46. Movie Rd./Alabama Hills (Easy)* 47. Swansea-Cerro Gordo Rd. (Moderate) 48. Racetrack via Hunter Mtn. (Moderate)* AREA 7 San Jose, Coalinga, San Luis Obispo 49. Hollister Hills SVRA (Difficult) 50. Old Coast Road (Easy)* 51. Prewitt Ridge (Easy) 52. South Coast Ridge (Easy) 53. Pichacho Peak (Difficult) 54. Oceano Dunes SVRA (Moderate) 55. Pine Mountain (Difficult) 56. Garcia Ridge (Moderate) 57. Twin Rocks (Moderate) AREA 8 Fresno, Shaver Lake 58. White Bark Vista (Easy) 59. Mirror/Strawberry Lakes (Difficult) 60. Coyote Lake (Difficult) 61. Brewer Lake (Moderate) 62. Bald Mountain (Difficult) 63. Swamp Lake (Difficult) 64. Voyager Rock (Easy) 65. Dusy/Ershim Trail (Difficult) 66. Spanish Route (Difficult) AREA 9 Bakersfield, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Mojave 67. Monache Meadows (Easy) 68. Sherman Pass 4x4 Trail (Difficult) 69. Rancheria Road (Easy) 70. Freeway Ridge (Difficult) 71. Jawbone to Lake Isabella (Easy) 72. Jawbone OHV Area (Moderate) 73. Bonanza Gulch/EP15 (Moderate) 74. Opal Cyn./Last Chance Cyn. (Moderate) 75. Rand Mountain (Moderate)

Having been here for 6 months now I'm starting to get settled in and ready to get some dirt under the tires. Plus it would be good to learn about environmental regulations etc here, so I dont accidentally put my foot (tire) in it without knowing. After googling and googling I found only one book with great reviews right across the web, not just big online bookstores. It has over 75 trails in Northern California! This author has a series including Arizona, Utah, Colorado & 3 other states I ordered my copy & and when it arrives I will post a review. I thought I'd mention it.. these could be really useful resources for NPORA members across the country, w/ club trips, meetups etc Amazon was the cheapest place I could find, only $17!: Guide to 4x4 Backtrails ps And no, thats not my affiliate link!!

That what you jokers do over in 'straya?

Energy & sugar boosting non-perishable food (Chocolate, trail mix etc) Methods of retaining body heat and still be able to move/work/fix/dig (thick wool socks, woollen jersey, wool hat, wool mittens, maybe an entire woollen jumpsuit. Must be real wool though, NZ wool is best.) Isopropyl alcohol/disinfectant for general protection from the bacteria/sickness Caffeine pills for alertness Hemp fiber & knife (101 uses)

I removed the AC system from my 87 because frankly I dont need it and could do without the weight. I notice the alternator is mounted really low, susceptible to water damage etc. Does anyone know if it will bolt onto the AC compressor bracket without too many dramas? I spy nice and high and dry.

I'm going to do an electric fan swap in my 87, I think two 10" fans would be quite nice and from reading topics here, by all accounts they should fit. Now heres my question.. purely for aesthetics I think mounting them from the front would be quite cool (ie where my AC radiator used to be) Is that a stupid idea in terms of windflow/efficiency etc?

You guys are right, it would be a one of a kind truck if ever there was.. I like it how the leafy Xterra massively outflexes the 4 wheel coil Disco. Of course hardcore Landy enthusiasts would know that that one is a phony! CT spec rigs had no suspension or fender modifications whatsoever and were shod w Michelin 7.50x16 XCLs (31.6") Proved to be an outstanding combination

Right but the Ford is a dedicated utility truck and the leaves are used to carry sh*tloads of weight without sagging, y? Whereas we dont really have to worry about that, we're more concerned w reducing weight. See from an off road perspective I dont think its that weird. Heavy engine up front, the leaves will carry that without sag. Close to the same level of articulation as coils could be achieved. Higher load capacity makes bigger engine swaps possible, plus leaf springs spread the weight over a larger area of the chassis which allows for a much greater degree of weight distribution & more control over vehicle roll.

XJ Jeep Cherokee has leafs in the back and coils in the front. Is that 'rediculous' too? (sp)

Talk more about the frame plz 94. Its not good? I thought they were real strong.

Coilover front, right? One thing I find curious about the Cherokee front is the use of universal joints instead of CVs or ball-joints. Quite like the old XJs, of course parked next to a D21 its a no brainer, but credit where credits due.

Yeah, look at us newbies, enthusiastic as hell!

You did the electric fan conversion?