[Gilkon]

Hey,

After searching wide and far for a decent moded Zook I've decided I'm going to build my own (mainly so I know it's not thrashed and I want a project). I want to do rockcrawling trails etc and be capable enough to tackle tuff stuff, but still be able to drive as an every day car. I have a rough idea of what I should get but I need more guidance.

I've read lots of threads about choosing a coily or a leafy but none seem to give me a decent answer on what to choose. I know leafy's are supposed to be more comfortable on the road but what about off road capability. Anyway other than the leafy or coily debate what are the essential/first upgrades? Body lift, (depending on coil or leaf) suspension lift, how high should I go? Should I get auto lockers? Would reduction gears be one of the first things to get? Would 6.5's suit? What size tyres should I get 32's? A steering dampner?

I have about 7.5k to put towards this project striaght up and saying I could get a decent coily or leafy for 4k how should I upgrade it not having to worry about labour costs cuz I'll do it myself or by mate.

Any help would be great guys!

[Ben_Sierra]

Leafies are easier to modify for offroad, on account of there being a much wider range of aftermarket parts available.

Some people say that coilys are more comfortable on road, but I disagree. As long as a leafy has good springs and shocks in it (not 20 year old factory suspension) it rides just fine.

First thing you should do, is wheel the crap out of it. Find out what its limitations are on the terrain you drive, and then modify to suit.

This will let you modify it to the exact requirements of your terrain, and also give you experience wheeling it stock, which makes you a much better driver IMHO than going straight to a heavily modified point and shoot rig.

[skyman]

Quote:

First thing you should do, is wheel the crap out of it. Find out what its limitations are on the terrain you drive, and then modify to suit.

I agree 100%, I think you would be really surprised what a stock Sierra can do.

I would also add that it would be a good idea to wheel with guys who have been into it for awhile and learn what mods are good or bad from them.

I have learned a lot,and saved a lot of money by listening to the guys who wheel Samurai's here. They saved me from buying aftermarket rear axles as an upgrade (told me they were brittle),also save me from buying boggers (said they suck on our side hills and terrain) they were right.

I think a stock coily would be harder, and more expensive to modify, due to the chain driven transfer,and weak factory link setup.

I would recommend looking at a LWB Sierra if you can find one. They can carry more gear,and are more stable for hillclimbs.

Be prepared though, modding Sierra's gets addictive. Kinda like spicy hot potato chips., you know you shouldn't do any more, but you just can't help reaching in that bag.

[Microwire]

Yeah I agree with the above, I wanted a zook and had all these plans etc to make it capable but after I bought my Vit I've taken it on all sort of rock tracks and it's nearly stock except the wheels and longer rear shocks. You'll be suprised how far a stock zook goes. It won't be entering any rock crawling comps in standard form but it'll deffinitly give it a bloody good go.

Like Ben said just run a stocky first. Buy yourself a good zook that doesn't have rust and has a good drive train then add on things as you find it's (and your) limits.

[Gilkon]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will have to keep a keen eye out for a leafy around my area. They all seem to disappear so quickly. Do you guys suggest doing any mods at all? maybe tyres and a body lift just to get the initial grip and travel?

[skyman]

Nar I wold not lift it all at first.

Maybe grab some aggressive tires as big as you can fit without lift. For my first 4by I used some aggressive snow tires, and had excellent results. Good enough results to piss of people who had mild lifts and money in their rigs ;D

The more I think about it, Just run what you have at first then, if you feel like it buy some tires that will fit without a lift. At least see what it can do stock first

Some of the best fun I ever had was in stock rigs with stockish tires. You don't want to buy things twice, especially because 4by tires and parts are expensive. You only want to build it once, and spend that money in the right spots ya know?

I sometimes wish I would have wheeled mine a bit more stock myself.

[Microwire]

I'm running A/T's at the moment and they are doing quite well. See how you go, a tyre taht bags well will do great on rocks. Body lift is only good if you wanna fit massive tyres IMO. Like was said above see how you go. If you need more flex change up your suspension. if you need better grip and a little more heigh put different bigger tyres. Like I said I've only had tyres and longer rear shocks and I've gone places I thought I probably shouldn't. It also depends on the line you take and how good a driver you become.

[neofitou]

The only mod I did to my first sierra was 215s. It out drove all my mates and was heaps of fun, I didnt need anything else.
I gave it away when the engine blew and spent way to much money on a few Pajeros and then got another Sierra. Best choice EVAR.

Go to Drive.com.au and setup a customised search that emails you whenever one is availiable in your area private adds and ebay autions all show up. Brisbane has the highest density of sierras I think so that helps.

Get it and give it a really good service, flush and change ALL the fluids, new plugs filters etc.

Once you've driven it for a bit and have a better idea of the terrain your keen on and whats in your area, think about mods.

Lockit and drive it. Lockers are the new flex
Depending on what your driving choosing a good combo of lockers will do much more for the car than tires or gears.

No Body Lift. Low is the new high.
Bumpstops and a hammer, and a grinder are all that is needed up to 31s, which is a good size for a DD.

Gears
Any tire bigger than a 215 and you should get some transfer case gears. Ratio will depend on tires and terrain.

Rear suspension is the new front suspension.
If you want more comfort and more flex or bigger tires, a RUF (rear up front) conversion is what your after. There are a few ways to do it, I did it the most extreme and engineerable way (gwagon's method).


(Gewagon)Steves writeup for new sierras:
http://www.vic.suzuki4wd.com/forum/view ... ?f=5&t=385
is handy.

[Gilkon]

Thanks guys it's all good advice. I'm on the lookout now for a stockish leafy lwb. I just have a few more questions, if you don't need to upgrade much why not get a coily? Haha no one siding lay it down straight.