[Fat496]

Ok guys, I'm new here so please be kind...
I'm looking to build up a weekend trailer queen, and I'm after a bit of advice. I have decided to go in either of two directions, after ruling out a patrol (too heavy) and a hilux (meh...)

A) Sierra, engine and trans conversion, hilux diffs

Or

B) Vitara, SAS, hilux diffs

Either option would be auto trans, unregistered, 37's, caged, etc
I'm a boilermaker by trade, so fabrication doesn't scare me in the slightest, but I've done a few engine swaps too
so I have an idea what's involved.
This will be a (semi) budget build, so I'm really just after pro's and cons of each.
Personally I love the look of a balls out vitara, but I've also been bush with want33's so I can appreciate just what a Sierra is capable of. I've probably got a better chance of finding a cheap vitara that hasn't been raped I feel, and I could avoid doing an engine swap that way.

By all means go nuts with the suggestions, I haven't really made any firm decisions bar auto trans and big tyres.

If you could start fresh with either platform, which would you choose...?

[atari4x4]

If you going to all that trouble... build a Vitara, nothing worse than being out driven by a girls car, even though it's been SAS'd it will still be priceless everytime.

It will already have the 1.6 in it & auto's are a factory option.

[GRPABT1]

LWB Vit, got the wheelbase for an all out build on big tyres.

[Red89]

atari4x4 wrote:

If you going to all that trouble... build a Vitara, nothing worse than being out driven by a girls car, even though it's been SAS'd it will still be priceless everytime.

It will already have the 1.6 in it & auto's are a factory option.

x2 for the same reasons as well, will be the same way I will be going if I have to start over again.

[MrRocky]

hilux diffs are gay, do a lwb vit but pick some different diffs

[atari4x4]

i'd be looking at the trail tough kit, even though you've got the fab skills by the sounds of it the TT kit would take all the guess work out of trying to set up the links etc.

check out RIKSTR's build viewtopic.php?f=4&t=23576

[stocker]

X1000000

On the lwb Vit

. if your going for a trailer queen why not go 60 series diffs?? Will be wide enough to clear some big rubber whilst being able to flex well

[SierraDan]

Offset rear pumpkin on 60 diffs.

[Fat496]

atari4x4 wrote:

i'd be looking at the trail tough kit, even though you've got the fab skills by the sounds of it the TT kit would take all the guess work out of trying to set up the links etc.

check out RIKSTR's build viewtopic.php?f=4&t=23576

Yeah I've been keeping an eye on that one. But I had read wrong, thinking he'd paid $4800, plus $1100 postage and $750 duty. Just had a look on the trail tough site though, and it must be $4800 all up which is quite reasonable considering...

[Gwagensteve]

LWB vit.

Steve.

[evski]

Why the beef with HiLux axles? Ive had three zooks, and two hilux's now and have never had a problem with lux axles. They offer more clearance than a 60 diff, have excellent aftermarket support, and there is heaps of info out there on them. Personally im keeping my zook axles as I'm only going to run 31's, but I would take a front Lux axle over a gq any day of the week.

[Gwagensteve]

Hilux diffs are narrower then Vitara, so you need offset rims etc to make them work. That's an issue in the front, where scrub radius starts to present as an issue.

The rear is semifloat, drum braked and centred, all disadvantages IMHO.

There are workarounds for all these issues, but I think it's better to start with wider diffs from the outset.

Post 1991 70 series or any 80 series would be ideal - high pinion hilux sized front, floater rear with easy discs.

Steve.

[SierraDan]

Gwagensteve wrote:

Post 1991 70 series or any 80 series would be ideal - high pinion hilux sized front, floater rear with easy discs.

Steve.

Agreed. 80series stuff for a vitara and 60 for Sierra in my opinion.

[stocker]

hehe... im still learn-ding... then again i suppose every one is...

You've all got me curious, how much wider is the 80 Axles Hub to hub vs The Vitara's?

I Want to do a SAS To my vit also... just another thing on the to Do list

[Fat496]

SierraDan wrote:

Offset rear pumpkin on 60 diffs.

So is this a good thing or a bad thing? I've been offered a pair of 60 series diffs at the right price (free), would these be a hassle or could they be made to work?
Also I vaguely recall hearing once about how 80 series diffs are prone to breaking in reverse (something about the angle the teeth are on maybe?)

I love the idea of the trail tough kit, but would really prefer to nut it out myself. There have been enough Sas'd vits done now for me to be able to see what works and what doesn't, and I'm sure if I get stuck then you guys will be able to help.

[Red89]

60 series diffs are fairly popular, offset or not is fairly irrelevant when you are talking about a trailer queen with 100+ WB.

[got_bar_work]

Isn't a1 vit on 60 diff
Get the bearing for the back of the auto then run a Sierra tc with 6.5 then 5.29 in the diffs and u should be fine

[atari4x4]

yeah A1's "team prirate" Vitara is on 60 series diffs, so is Bazooked's new build & it looks cool so far

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic ... b4b071fd22

[Built4thrashing]

I reckon a SAS V6 GV would be awsome. Would have to use an early model with out ABS and air bags.

Body lift it and chop the guards and you'd easily fit 35's and with some t/case gears you'd still have power to turn them.