Are you building a Mud Monster or a Pavement Princess??
If so you can have your own thread in this section.
This section on other websites has led to arguments and contention. People are posting pictures of their pride and joy and therefore CONSTRUCTIVE comments only please!
I have spoken to Glyn at the workshop and he is happy for me to post his details, Mansfield 4x4 07455 156889. They have considerable experience with all 4x4 makes including 2 door tray back conversions. Some heavily modified motors in the yard, and a nice bloke who stopped till 7.30pm on a good Friday to sort the job.
I have put 30 road miles on the car and WOW, what a difference.
A local fast A road has rumble strips at a junction and hitting them above 45mph used to confuse the suspension so much that the car almost floated over them, feeling very light and skittish. Now at 50 mph, I can feel each bump and the tyres are firmly on the road.
Generally feels much more planted and steering input seems more solid. More confidence inspiring and a much nicer place to be, fewer rattles and no crashing or bouncing, a clear improvement.
For a road car, the combination of fresh standard springs, new seats and quality dampers have been great. Combined with the BFG's and believe it or not the K&N filter ( which has improved low end torque?), this lot has made a nice car look and feel more substantial. Total cost £1300 parts £200 labour.
The build will be going quiet now, got to save and scrape for the exhaust, throttle bodies and ECU, set up tune. Some smaller jobs, bushings, rods etc. as I potter along but it'll take a few months to save for the big hitters.
Got the chance for a proper run out today, lower peaks up to Castleton, the car is great on tarmac, as comfortable as anything with live axles.
Super impressed, a real change and worth every penny.
Some proper road rivers on the little lanes, found a couple of "whites" but discretion was definitely the wise choice.
The car has been exercised a little on road and off, some observations:-
Tyres - BFG AT's KO2 215/75x15 on standard alloys with no spacers. Without doubt the single biggest improvement, wet/dry tarmac is surefooted and predictable. Off road and in snow, they have really surpassed my expectations. Even in muddy tracks only my poor throttle control caused slip, they really are "that" good. I even find the hum from them at 50 pleasing. Sidewall flex has taken the sting out of speed bumps.
Suspension - AVO shocks and KYB springs, superpro 15mm seats. This set up has proved to be spot on in terms of what I wanted, on smooth fast A roads it is as composed as the wife's Civic. Off road, weight transfers more gently and there is no crashing. Yet to find a situation where it has been anywhere near outfoxed by the road.
K&N panel filter - Very surprised at low end torque improvements, a couple of local 30mph hills had to be driven in third when the engine was cold, now she happily chugs along in fourth.
Super unleaded 97ron - Again very surprised at how the M13A has behaved, again more low down torque, smoother tick-over and much better pick up. VVT is really noticeable, a definite surge. For the extra fiver a tank, I will use it on every fill now.
During the bad weather I ran 24 front and 26 rear, as the weather got better and speeds increased, drag was noticeable (flat road 30mph and take it out of gear, see how it slows).
I have only just put it up to 28 all round, this has hardened the ride but sidewalls are stiffer and give less roll. I am going to soften my suspension by a click, front and back to compensate.
Rolling resistance is definitely lower and they are quieter.
I haven't really done anything tricky enough to warrant dropping the pressures so low, as yet.
Running home from a trip to the desert at 10psi is a fond memory in my old swb cruiser, didn't need brakes, taking your foot off the throttle felt like braking...
The Quaife ATB diffs are available, rear only at the moment £774 with vat.
Bloody expensive but a top piece of kit, driven escorts and mini's with them fitted, much better than a plate type LSD, no snatching so much better on road manners. When the arse steps out it's smooth and predictable, easily held with a little throttle and a smile. Really can't recommend them enough.
I was hoping to sort the exhaust soon but this has got to come first. A bigger improvement to the cars abilities and performance (safety).
It should perform very well off road too. Effectively splitting torque from the slipping wheel, so maintaining drive across the axle with no snatch or jerk as it applies power.
Ultimately, a locker is best off road but with the benefits that the ATB brings on tarmac, it's a top choice for a road car that does a little green laning.
