[saph]

Hi there newb doing his research on a sierra and what they can do as a sort of 1st 4wd (current car is a sad ford laser cant get 4x4 guts into it)

Has anyone here chopped and put in length to their sierra? was hoping to so i can fit a slim fuel tank in the gap.

Thanks

[MrRocky]

Wouldnt it be easier to just fit a long range tank ?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 85&alt=web

[bumstein]

Or if your dead keen, get yourself a LWB. But really either one you get a long range tank is easier, cheaper and going to get more fuel onboard

In regards to what they can do as a 1st 4wd, you'll be pleased to know they do everything

Advice from me, don't go trying to mod everything and make it a monster truck. Doing this usually ends up with something that is fair unusable.

So!! Got back here with your ideas, and bask in the many years of modifying knowledge. If general consensus says it's a bad idea, take it on board. We aren't criticising or poo pooing your idea, we're sharing the experiences that we've had before

Go conservative on the mods and you'll have a great time with your car!!! Look forward to seeing some pics of it

[Gwagensteve]

I'm a bit confused about what you mean. Do you wish to extend the wheelbease of a SWB sierra to increase room under the car for a fuel tank? If so, as has been pointed out, you can buy a LWB sierra. It's relatively easy to install a second tank under them, be that a LWB style side or a cab chassis.

Extending the wheelbase is basically extremely difficult to legally approve. My understanding is the vehicle must meet current ADR's once extended, which is why stretched late model 4wd's are common, but it's rarely applied to older vehicles.

Third question- why? Sierrras have a tiny load capacity- increasing fuel range substantially and stretching the wheelbase implies you're going to load that extra space up and end up with a heavy car. A heavy sierra isn't a good outcome.

[MrRocky]

I gathered he meant chopping a section out of the guts and inserting an upright type fuel tank between rear wellbody and front cab ???

[sideways]

FWIW I measured it up the other day and the Jimny tank (which mounts between the rear axle and transfer case) looks like it will fit in a SWB Sierra. There's a few dimensions that go down to the cm but it could be an option.

[saph]

thanks everyone

i found long ranger had a 70 liter tank long after posting this while i was trying to prove something

[bumstein]

Cool for cats so tell us what your Sierra plans are!

[saph]

the plans?

well once ive finished reading the amount of info on here and get it.

Install the fuel tank ive found from long ranger

Get some lift and tires on it seems the go is about 30's or so with new gears

A nice long shakedown trip up into the vic high country and then some further mods with whats deemed from the trip.

[bumstein]

Yeah 30's are good with a 1ltr transfer case. That should be about spot on for gearing. With plenty of fuel in the long ranger tank you're doin well.

Think about a mini spool or locker in the rear if you think you need it.

Tank guard. They're worth their weight!

Upgrade suspension a wee bit, maybe up to 2" lift.

Bar on the front and driving lights.

Remove the rust catchers (plastic will cover) and if you can (presuming the sills aren't already rusted) make it look pretty without the cover

IMO that's all you need to do your zook will be incredibly capable and you'll be able to drive heaps of cool tracks as is!! Any other mods you can think about once you've had a great play with the car and have a better idea of what you want to get out of it

Enjoy

[saph]

thanks for the info.

yea defently going the locker route gonna have a few liters of air onboard for other uses (tires, airhorn, what ever else).

totally forgot about the bar ive seen the damage ol skippy can do without one.

ive got experience with rust (my poor current car has patches in the roof that are now fixed tho were soaked in rust converter)

ive seen what the 0 dollar zook from 4wd action has done so far and its nuts.

[bumstein]

And read this thread. It's pure gold

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=52270

[saph]

bumstein wrote:

And read this thread. It's pure gold

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=52270

thats the exact thread i read before posting and thats given me most thought

[bumstein]

Great work mate. Your on the right track

[saph]

thanks im learning a ton from here

also best place to do a engine conversion?

[Gwagensteve]

Your garage.

[saph]

Gwagensteve wrote:

Your garage.

i aint that lucky to have one nor the tools

[bumstein]

My suggestion is don't do one. Yet!!

The 1.3 is fine. Not overpowered, but fine. Drive it and have fun!! As long as your geared correctly (ie, 1ltr transfer gearing with your 30's) then it will be fine!

Give it time before you choose your engine conversion, when you choose the right one then take Steve's advice and tackle it yourself start tinkering with your zook and learn about the car. Enhancing the fun you'll have.

Head out on drives with some of the dudes that live local to you and you'll have a network of guys who might be able to help you with it

[saph]

ill defently drive it about first and do some good runs

also sorry if bad spelling at times im still on alert for any fire nearby my place

[MrRocky]

I agree drive the 1.3 till it dies, gearing via a 1ltr transfer case or 4.1 diff swap or both will feel like +20 hp

[saph]

MrRocky wrote:

I agree drive the 1.3 till it dies, gearing via a 1ltr transfer case or 4.1 diff swap or both will feel like +20 hp

well i hope it wont die to early since its gonna be a slow upgrade path untill i get another job

who would have figured aged care one of the biggest jobs going right now has a low job rate for people just finished cert

[bumstein]

saph wrote:

also sorry if bad spelling at times im still on alert for any fire nearby my place

saph wrote:

i get another job

who would have figured aged care one of the biggest jobs going right

So your on alert for fires at ages care homes?

[saph]

bumstein wrote:

saph wrote:

also sorry if bad spelling at times im still on alert for any fire nearby my place

saph wrote:

i get another job

who would have figured aged care one of the biggest jobs going right

So your on alert for fires at ages care homes?

no im at home currently on alert from any advancement of the one thats still burning

my job training is for aged care but no one is bloody hiring

[bumstein]

Haha oh right!! Coz that would have been weird!!!

Geez, hope the fire abates

[saph]

bumstein wrote:

Haha oh right!! Coz that would have been weird!!!

Geez, hope the fire abates

haha yea much rahter the giant alarm system goes nuts i would hunting down fires

yea they are sitting there tonight poor buggers gonna get chilly tho i guess they have a few hundred degree fire to keep them warm along with their gear

[saph]

heh wow found my very old idea

ok after a ton of thinking im going with the advice here for sure much faster then paying for stuff that seems dumb now

also pol air pic of where that fire was thats near the caloundra airport