I have a 1990 classic, with a 300TDI,which I use everyday to get to work (when not on my XT600!) and to tow a huge variety of trailers that I have...
it's got a short shift 5 speed through a borg warn transfer box. I have a winch fitted to the front (plus a load of iron mongery for towing/pushing and recovery) and a heavy roof rack (where I keep the spare) so the front end sags badly and I had next to no axle articulation upwards (I managed to rip the bumpstops off on a play about on the plain !)
I had standard springs / shocks and wheels but wanted a more aggressive look and to increase the ride height and ground clearance, so I bought some Britpart 2'' springs and a ploybush kit.
I left the standard shockss, brake hoses and radius arms in. I then cut the wheel arches right back and fitted some modular wheels with insa turbo 235/85/16 special track tyres. I also fitted some rock sliders whilst I was there.
I noticed a change in handling straight away, but I expected that as I did not bother to correct the change in castor, so 0 castor and massive 32 inch tyres was bound to make things 'spongy'- but as I just pootle about the plains and slow speeds and tow heavy trailers at low speeds, I didnt care that the streering is not for the faint hearted ! I dot go on motorways etc as I would just get deaf and very scared very quickly !
I have noticed that the front near side ball joint is ****ing oil - and I only replaced the seal a short while ago so maybe I will have to change the front radius arms for corrected castor ones - but being tight I am thinking of taking them to the local forge and getting them bent to suit (jigging this up could be fun - anyone done it ?) or maybe I'll just bung in a new seal and see how long it lasts !.....
The polybushes seem to take the extra strain of the unnatural suspenion angles ok (so far) but I have yet to out playing with the new set up.
I have cut the wheel arches back, and will be ordering some extended bumpm stops to prevent the insa's rubbing the inner wings... I will also have to adjust the wheel turn stop as the tyres hit the radius arm on full lock (or maybe I will just remeber not to go to full lock !)
so am I mad !?
and as for the 300TDI - a blown turbo, water pump, and alternator followed by a leaking sump.... oh and the usual ****ing P gasket and oil mist from the turbo ! but it does do well in the water and runs of bio fuel very well - and I love personal time with my engines..;-)
I am now happy with the rangies look (I must post a photo!) and it was already pretty good off road so with these tyres.....
it's got a short shift 5 speed through a borg warn transfer box. I have a winch fitted to the front (plus a load of iron mongery for towing/pushing and recovery) and a heavy roof rack (where I keep the spare) so the front end sags badly and I had next to no axle articulation upwards (I managed to rip the bumpstops off on a play about on the plain !)
I had standard springs / shocks and wheels but wanted a more aggressive look and to increase the ride height and ground clearance, so I bought some Britpart 2'' springs and a ploybush kit.
I left the standard shockss, brake hoses and radius arms in. I then cut the wheel arches right back and fitted some modular wheels with insa turbo 235/85/16 special track tyres. I also fitted some rock sliders whilst I was there.
I noticed a change in handling straight away, but I expected that as I did not bother to correct the change in castor, so 0 castor and massive 32 inch tyres was bound to make things 'spongy'- but as I just pootle about the plains and slow speeds and tow heavy trailers at low speeds, I didnt care that the streering is not for the faint hearted ! I dot go on motorways etc as I would just get deaf and very scared very quickly !
I have noticed that the front near side ball joint is ****ing oil - and I only replaced the seal a short while ago so maybe I will have to change the front radius arms for corrected castor ones - but being tight I am thinking of taking them to the local forge and getting them bent to suit (jigging this up could be fun - anyone done it ?) or maybe I'll just bung in a new seal and see how long it lasts !.....
The polybushes seem to take the extra strain of the unnatural suspenion angles ok (so far) but I have yet to out playing with the new set up.
I have cut the wheel arches back, and will be ordering some extended bumpm stops to prevent the insa's rubbing the inner wings... I will also have to adjust the wheel turn stop as the tyres hit the radius arm on full lock (or maybe I will just remeber not to go to full lock !)
so am I mad !?
and as for the 300TDI - a blown turbo, water pump, and alternator followed by a leaking sump.... oh and the usual ****ing P gasket and oil mist from the turbo ! but it does do well in the water and runs of bio fuel very well - and I love personal time with my engines..;-)
I am now happy with the rangies look (I must post a photo!) and it was already pretty good off road so with these tyres.....
