where to start ????

hey all
just bought a mk wagon with a 253 holden v8 in it apart from that totally stock
and im sure use have all heard it all b4 but i want to make it b able to go pretty much anywere but on a budget so WHERE DO I START lol im looking at 33 11.5s been told to go the bit skinnier tyres ??? rather than the 12.5s ???? ive never owned a 4wd but i had to have this as soon as i sore it so much potential haha ive always been in to fast cars and v8s and shit like that am a mechanic so can do any thing mechanical just not sure were to start so any help or tips would be greatly apreciated
cheers adam

Not sure if a spring over is suitable for yours, but "MadMK" will be along soon or the rest of the "M" boys to sort you out, I'd atleast put a 2" body lift on it.

Tyres, lift, then lockers is a good starting point but the hard bits which brand? Chuck up pics as your troll progresses, and have fun


Tap, Tap.......Who's there?

Mk's are a good truck, chuck some 33s on, 2 inch body lift, lockers, sliders, winch and some rated recovery points, remember, DON"T snatch from the towball.
Towball recoveries can KILL.
Enjoy your newfound plaything and above all stay safe.
Plennnnnnnnnty of info on here about staying safe.
Cheers, the ferret.

cheers guys and mite go get the 33s tomorrow and body lift very soon after and are all air lockers ??? the same or is there a bit cheeper way around it unless im looking at the wrong thing i dnt realy no much at all about 4wds and then i will embark on bars and sliders just not sure about how to mount a winch in a custom bar do i mount it to the bar or the chassis or ???? and how do you tell a rated shackle from a non rated shackle and wat other recovery items should i get and also will a hand winch do untill i can get a elec one what do you guys always put in ur truck b4 goin out on a weeknd ???????

and also whats the best way to make a twin gate rear bar need two jerrys and a spare ????

Quote:

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Originally Posted by silly one

cheers guys and mite go get the 33s tomorrow and body lift very soon after and are all air lockers ??? the same or is there a bit cheeper way around it unless im looking at the wrong thing i dnt realy no much at all about 4wds and then i will embark on bars and sliders just not sure about how to mount a winch in a custom bar do i mount it to the bar or the chassis or ???? and how do you tell a rated shackle from a non rated shackle and wat other recovery items should i get and also will a hand winch do untill i can get a elec one what do you guys always put in ur truck b4 goin out on a weeknd ???????

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If it's a good solid roobar and not a rabbit bar, mount the winch to that.
Rated shackles are stamped with the safe working load.
A hand winch is ok, but all made in China, enough said!!,
You can use a hi-lift jack as a winch (dunno about the cheap Chinese ones tho)
Get yourself a good Quality snatch strap, some rated Shackles and some rated bolt on recovery brackets for your 4by.
Dont forget the snatch strap dampener, this could save a life.
TIP!! spend some time searching "towball recoveries" and google "another death by towball"
I don't want to spoil your fun, just want you to have fun and live to tell the tale.
Welcome to the forum mate, enjoy and ask what ever you need to.
Have a good look at the pic Att Cheers, the ferret.
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/t...rret/strap.jpg

First thing spose is what sort $$$ you wanna spend ???
Is it a driver on the road or a weekend trailer toy ???
Spring over axles, not legal for road use,2 " body lifts have to be approved, 2 " suspension lifts fine, 33 " tyres can be touch and go road legality wise
Checkout your states relevant road laws on their relevant website

The 253 isnt anything to be overly exicted about , a turbo diesel will give you a run ,and use less fuel doin it
But if you love the noise, the fuel usage go for it
First time 4bying, take it out as it is, get used to it and see what the car can or cant do and see how you go
Many have come unstuck with all the gear and over confident attitude, than a stocker with a good driver

Body lift kit about $100-$150 , half a days work (providing the bolts arent rusted to buggery) plus any mod plate required
Theres a few other things youll have to do, shifter floor plate mods,clutch line mods, lower rad shroud removal
2 " suspension lift , new around the grand, mite as well get full greasable shackles while you at it, more cost
Tyres, a full set of newies, even in a 31 " will sting ya another grand

4x4 and cheap , dont go in the same sentence

Types of lockers are
Air by a compressor
Elec by solenoids
Vaccum (factory on newer models GQ on)
Auto (mechanical)
Prices from approx $1500 or $400 for auto

hey its my work hack at the moment and cum weeknd plan to get out and yeah i know the 253 aint that great but love the sound of a v8 and if i decide to il prob pull the 308 out of my torana and put a twin turbo set up on it and then prob go soa set up but yeah at the moment im thinking 33s 2'' body lift a set of comfy buckets and then start making sliders and stuff and as 4 fuel usage im a tuner specialise on carbys just got 430ks from 70l so i didnt think thats bad as my mates 300c only gets 460 to 70l is a 6.1 tho i spose lol

thanks growlers
just curious as ive never herd of them b4 but what are auto lockers how do they work are they any good and were do i get them from

Get it on the road - legal.

Dont go over board with you mods - as large tyres & lift = cop magnet

you really should learn how to 4wd before putting in lockers, lockers will get you further yes, but for the inexperienced it is further into the sh!t, the first mods should be decent suspension, decent tyres, recovery point/kit,

yeah good point tank lol specialy wen its got a loud v8 is all engineered tho carry the certificate in the car
and recovory points and kit is all underway also was just curious about lockers as it was in the list some one said i should do

Quote:

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Originally Posted by silly one

thanks growlers
just curious as ive never herd of them b4 but what are auto lockers how do they work are they any good and were do i get them from

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Check out this link mate http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=29 for a good run down on the operation of an auto locker. As others have said though, this would be on the end of your list as they can take you to places that you may find yaself really not wanting to be in, ie far and steep enough up a hill that the probability of rolling is all to real

I done a 2 inch body life (i got it for nix) mainly to lift the LPG tank. The tank does not hang below the chassis rails.