OK, so some of you have been tuned in that I've ended up with a bit of a project on my hands that has......grown. 2004 Vogue 4.4p which is in otherwise great condition, have had to strip out a lot of the rear end already to swap out air pistons and top arms. Given that this isn't a running vehicle, and my reasons for buying it were for the winter which by the time it's back on the road I'll have missed anyway I'm now not particularly restricted for time and also enjoy the benefits of being my own boss which is how I'm able to devote so much labour in the first place.

So - do I go the whole hog and strip out the entire rear sub-frame which looks at the moment to be in decent enough condition, clean it, get it dipped etc and put it back on? Is it worth the doing??? Or am I vastly overthinking this? Because I'm at that point where it wouldn't be a massive undertaking to get it off (I think..) as so much of the rear end is now on the bench anyway. However, and importantly, this is a driveway project - I don't have access to a lift although the local farm lads would I'm sure lend me a telehandler for some beers!!

If it looks in reasonable condition and the bushes are OK, I wouldn't bother - you'd be creating pain for yourself with the exhaust, propshaft, rear differential, park brake module etc. If the bushes are getting slack or torn, then absolutely, yes. Although you will end up changing a lot more than necassary 'while its out'... You'll also end up replacing the rear brake pipes, 'because its not much more work', then it'll be winter again...

Graculus said:

If it looks in reasonable condition and the bushes are OK, I wouldn't bother - you'd be creating pain for yourself with the exhaust, propshaft, rear differential, park brake module etc. If the bushes are getting slack or torn, then absolutely, yes. Although you will end up changing a lot more than necassary 'while its out'... You'll also end up replacing the rear brake pipes, 'because its not much more work', then it'll be winter again...

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Yerrrrhhhh...... I think since I posted this earlier I've had a bit of a sense check due to just those reasons! I also had a quote in to shot blast and hot dip and it came in well over £1500

try and get a good secon hand one when they are about . I use a flap disc toremove surface rust then use hammerite . ive doneone already formy two old girls as i always get an advisory onn the rear subframe . Yes imon doing one forthe front as well just in case . yep im a l322 lower . They tow great compared to my p 38 auto 2.5 diesel . those extra 500cc make a BIG difference when youve 6 bullocks on board and a mountain to climb before imon the main tarmac roads