Defected

[Bigrig]

I've stayed out of this one for good reason ... however, as per another post I put up recently I swapped the suspension on another GQ (3" lift, new sway bars even, extended link pins, new offset radius arm bushes, new bushes all round), and after driving it, I'd put it up against any (and I mean ANY) variant old or new off the showroom floor. This thing is dead set the firmest suspension (still comfortable) patrol I reckon I've ever been in - improved braking due to no forward/rear "slump", improved handling and cornering, and far better response at the wheel (couldn't understand that one truth be told, but just feels 'toight like a tiger' ... lol).

Absolutely agree on anyone running the gauntlet with illegal setups (no matter how inane the legislation is perceived) - if you do it, you get pinged and pay the penalty - simple as that ... contest it and attempt to debate it and/or make excuses all you like, but its no different to running a red light ... sure, there was no other cars around at the time, but that doesn't mean you can pick and choose when you comply with the rules. It was red, and you're in breach if you run it ...

Now before anyone who doesn't know me jumps on their high horse and attempts to inform me what I've stated incorrectly, or what "I don't know", or that I'm "no expert", you're absolutely correct on all counts ... as all setups and most cars are different in some fashion and what I've just said may not apply in all (and many) circumstances ... and on top of that, my rig is without a doubt NOT as safe as it was the day it rolled off the showroom floor - not just because it's lifted (although engineer complied), not just because of bigger tyres, and not because it's got a heap of mods ... they all contribute no doubt ... but just as importantly, it's not as safe because it's 20 years old, the roads are more populated, the road rules and build design rules of cars have changed, and I'll never (without serious coin and compromise) be able to match current setups due to only having twin piston calipers, due to having live axles, due to having a centre of gravity designed without body roll issues in mind (or certainly not as good as today's trucks), and due the limitations of safety enhancements available for the rig whether I wanted them or not.

My long winded point - irrespective of what you do to your rig, take accountability for everything YOU do to it as YOU'RE the one making the decision. Make it as practical and functional as possible with absolute consideration for safety, performance, legal compliance, and your personal use in mind ... if you still fall foul of legislation, then that's YOUR fault - not mine, not a pedestrians, not the other drivers, and not the government ...

I'm by no means the best driver around, but just about every second I am behind the wheel, I consider the car I'm in and it's capabilities (bearin in mind I had a Grange, a 6.0ltr Clubsport, and a supercharged Spec RB before this patrol - so not just talking our behemoths here) and as such, drive appropriately - accidents do happen, that's why they're called accidents and not purposements (yes I made that word up!! lol) and we generally can't avoid them, but we can make them less of an impact on everyone involved by driving appropriately with consideration for all road users as well as wandering wildlife, and hopefully, just maybe, irrespective of the accident, you'll have been prepared and the outcome is one that you and everyone else walks away from saying "wow, that could've been far worse" ...

Fingers crossed, those "accidents" haven't found me for a long time (over 20 years since I've had one) and I do about 25000-30000 on the road every year ... that doesn't mean I'm good, I'm simply a little more prepared and pre cautious regarding the vehicle I drive, how I've set it up for my personal wants, and subsequently how that setup affects its (and my) ability.

I've been picked up for no mudflaps (now have them), non compliant steering wheel (not a sports wheel or anything like that, but still not compliant and I accept that), but have a lift, have mud tyres, have lockers and other assorted goodies that make the truck a weapon off road - and that is all mod plated/engineer certified and as such have NEVER had a problem.

If you run 35's - why? If you run a 6" lift - why? Unless you're competing I don't get it - a good driver in an average setup truck will go further EVERY TIME over a poor driver in a monster truck ... and unfortunately, most (yes, I'm using a wide brush but don't mean to categorise every person) people in monster trucks do it for two primary reasons - 1. It just looks good, and 2. I'm not good enough at the wheel and wish to compensate for it ...

More than happy to set up a challenge to prove the theory - I'll go in it, but more
Importantly, I'll get someone like
Hekarewe or Ben-e-boy or NissanNewby behind the wheel of a standard truck, and my money is on them getting further than you ... they are awesome wheel workers, and having watched them, I feel embarrassed at my lack of capability when I thought I was a star - and 2 of those 3 blokes are 15 years younger than me (and I'm not 40 yet).

Ahhhhh ... that was an effort ... lmao ... thumbs are worn to stumps as I typed this on tapatalk on my iPhone!!! Lots of swearing at the spellchecker and my missus thinks I'm a mental case who yells at inanimate objects like phones!!!! LMFAO!!

EDIT: just spoke with the missus who's the national sales manager of a major suspension outlet, and the fact of the matte is two fold:

1. If cars were built for safety and not simply by the cheapest bidder using the cheapest components whilst still meeting ADR compliance, we'd be paying twice as much for them.

2. In reference to point 1, this is fact - there are 4 known variants currently available that are sold in Australia where the manufacturers suspension specs are nowhere near the safety and performance level of aftermarket kits available - these are the D40, Hilux, BT50 (Ford Ranger is the same and doesn't count as a different variant for my argument) and the Colorado. There are more, but after testing, all 4 have been proven to have increased braking and cornering and load capacity performance with the removal of the OME setup and replacement with another kit (name withheld, but PM me if you want it). This again, is absolute fact, so yes, SOME vehicles are enhanced and are absolutely safer with aftermarket parts applied ... not all, but I'm sort of sitting on both sides of this discussion - proving points for both sides of the debate ...