Shreq. A mid life crisis

[twisty]

It’s my great pleasure to present “Shreq”.

Purchased June 2011, Shreq is a ’98 GU1 with 192,000 km on the clock, auto, 4.5l dual fuel (petrol/lpg) and a broken radio. I was only looking for a 4x4 with duel fuel and auto and think I did okay.

2011-06-05 12.28.03.jpg DSC002352475.JPG

I want this to be a record of the build and the decisions that I make. I’ll update the original post as the build progresses. All pictures are in my albums.

Problems so far. None. Except ... the speedo reads slow, about 10%. I also suspect I have a rear locker diff due to the “shudder” on tight corners on tar (edit. HG39 diffs fitted LSD rear). I suspect Shreq has had bigger feet in the past and this may account for the rear diff. Perhaps Shreq was previously owned by someone with some idea.

Favourite mod so far. The sun visor and window tinting. I like the look and the protection provided (shade on my hands from the visor). I had a sun visor on my old WB Statesman and loved it.

Modifications so far.

• New radio. Sony DSX-S100.
• Wool seat covers.
• Weather shields left and right.
• Recovery gear. Haymen Reece tow hitch, 4500kg + 3000kg snatch straps, 2x 4500kg bow shackles, equaliser strap.
• Uniden UHF. 2x 2watt 80 channel handheld.
• 150 l/m 12v air compressor.
• Rear air deflector. Genuine Nissan.
• 600w inverter. ALDI.
• Fire extinguisher BCF.com.au
• RHINO-RACK Pioneer Platform Roof Rack 2100x1400. Front/Side hoop rails. Six brackets.
• Awning
• Window tinting
• New Battery
• Door open light (in dash) flickers on/off. Fixed DIY. RHS barn door (big) bottom support bracket rubber distorted. Tape up but requires new rubber.
• Sun Visor
• Ironman roof top tent
• Cargo Barrier.
• Uniden 80 channel UHF
• Front recovery points
• Tail light xmas tree.
• Wholesale Automatic Transmissions – Extreme with Nomad valve body
• Heavy Duty 3 Core copper radiator with brass tanks
• Snorkel

rooftoptent01.jpg DSC00210264.JPG


Wish list, rough costs and notes.

Dual Battery system
Barn door extension and gas struts.
Extend diffs, gear box, transfer box breathers.
Under body armour. Harris Hardcase.
2” heavy load (heavy duty) suspension lift kit
Braided brake lines
Rock sliders. Use square tube instead of round tube. Square tube is three times stiffer than round tube. http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...d.php?p=558981
Winch bar
Winch
Front diff locker
Long range Aux fuel tank, as the gas tank takes the place of the original petrol tank, 80 litre http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=25

Stay tuned

[Gerrit Loubser]

... the speedo reads fast, about 10%.

On most cars the speedo is a little optimistic, often to the tune of 10% or so, but tyre size does directly affect this of course. What size tyres are currently on your Troll? You might find that you have 245/70R16s or something instead of the standard 265/70R16s or 275/70R16s. Shreq does look a little long and low in the piccies .

I can tell you that my speedo is just about spot on with 285/75R16s fitted.

Also do a bit of a check of the odometer accuracy (ideally against a GPS). You might find that the odometer is rather less optimistic than the speedo, so bear that in mind once you have fitted bigger tyres when calculating fuel consumption (and service intervals, I suppose).

I also suspect I have a rear locker diff due to the “shudder” on tight corners on tar.

You should be able to figure this one out by lifting one of the rear wheels off the ground and supporting the axle on a trestle (remember to chock the wheels that remain on the ground so that the vehicle can not roll). Place the transmission in neutral, release the park brake and crawl under the vehicle. Now try to rotate the rear propshaft by hand. If you have an autolocker in there, it will lock up and you won't be able to rotate the propshaft once the play has been taken up.

[twisty]

On most cars the speedo is a little optimistic, often to the tune of 10% or so, but tyre size does directly affect this of course. What size tyres are currently on your Troll? Also do a bit of a check of the odometer accuracy (ideally against a GPS).

You should be able to figure this one out by lifting one of the rear wheels off the ground and supporting the axle on a trestle (remember to chock the wheels that remain on the ground so that the vehicle can not roll). Place the transmission in neutral, release the park brake and crawl under the vehicle. Now try to rotate the rear propshaft by hand. If you have an autolocker in there, it will lock up and you won't be able to rotate the propshaft once the play has been taken up.

Thanks Gerrit. My first error, the speedo reads 10% slow (original post ammended) and I've confirmed against my gps. Perhaps a previous owner had bigger feet on.

Currently tyres are 265/70R16, however, I like Kats solution below to solve the speedo problem. The 2nd pic is a crop from a panoramic pic and does look long and low. Not much I can do about the length but height WILL be ... adjusted :-)

Next time Shreq is wheels up I'll test as you suggest.

Thanks for looking.

[Gerrit Loubser]

Ah, OK. Perhaps a previous owner had the speedo re-geared or something.

I am obviously not that familiar with the used Patrol market in Aussie, but $11,000 does not sound like a lot of money for the amount of vehicle that you bought yourself. Shreq looks tidy .

[patch697]

Nice rig twisty, I hope I have a mid life crisis just like it.......hahahaha

My speedo is also out by about 5 or 6 ks ( if the speedo reads 100 im only doing 94/95) also checked off my sate nav.

Im tipping you have an LSD (limited slip differential) fitted as these are quite common in Patrols & will get a bit of shutter on occasions when cornering.

I will watch this build with interest.

[katwoman]

Very very nice. Katrol's speedo was same. Went from 31s to 33s. Problem fixed.

[Maxhead]

Shreq looks good Twisty, and looks like the mods are coming along nicely.
You won't notice the speedo being out when you're up at the Brindies...lol

[twisty]

Thanks y'all. I'm pretty happy with Shreq. With plenty more mods to come I'll be busy ... and mostly broke.

Im tipping you have an LSD (limited slip differential) fitted as these are quite common in Patrols & will get a bit of shutter on occasions when cornering.

My mechanic told me it's a locker but ... I don't believe I would be that lucky. Either way I'm happy.

Katrol's speedo was same. Went from 31s to 33s. Problem fixed.

Thanks Kat, my prefered solution as well ;-)

You won't notice the speedo being out when you're up at the Brindies...lol

hehehe ... speedo not required in 4x4. aahh ... the Brindies are calling ... "twisty, twisty, come scratch your new visor"

[AB]

Very nice mate, looking forward to seeing Shreq grow!!!

[Sir Roofy]

Like it mate, not sure about the visor tho like the theroy but not the drag