Which mods should i be concentrating on getting first.

[happygu]

It all depends on what you want to do with your truck Ben.

For years, all I had was 2 inch lift suspension - to protect the body sills, and give me a little more clearance, and I ran standard 31 inch tyres - because most of my running around was in flat desert country.

Now, I am always up in the Victorian High Country, I run 33's with my suspension lift. On my first solo trip up into the Vic High Country I ran myself into a fair bit of trouble - couldn't get the truck out, and had to abandon it and walk out till I found someone. This made me quickly realize that I needed to be self sufficient so I went and bought a winch ..... getting stuck always starts to sort out your priorities



I think that your list is pretty good to start off, but I would do the following basic mods to get you going, and then reassess after doing a few trips - finding out what you like doing, and will continue to do, and then go from there
1 : 2" Lift Suspension
2 : Air Compressor
3 : Dual Battery System to cater for Fridge and Accessories
4 : Tyres



My list of mods is as long as my arm, as I now have heaps of gear in my truck, but I have built these mods up over a twenty year period - based on need, and not on magazines or what the bloke down the road has.



Things I don't have that I would like are Lockers, but for most of my trips they aren't needed. If I do get a locker, it will be front only - as I don't want to lose the benefits of the Nissan rear LSD......


Mic

[Hodge]

It all depends on what you want to do with your truck Ben.

Nailed it right there mate.
Buy / install stuff as you need it. That way you will work out what to get next as you go ...

[mattpatrol]

The winch would be my first priority as it gets you out of the gutter especially if you travel solo like me. When you do get them post up how much it was to fit and buy as I am planning on getting one myself.

[happygu]

The winch would be my first priority as it gets you out of the gutter especially if you travel solo like me. When you do get them post up how much it was to fit and buy as I am planning on getting one myself.

Matt,

In my opinion you can do a lot with an air compressor and different tyre pressures - fix a leaky tyre, travel further in a lot more comfort, climb rocky or sandy hills, gain much better traction, meaning I would go a good quality compressor first so you can pump the tyres back up when you need to.

25 PSI for good dirt tracks
17 PSI for sand

you can also drop as low as 8/9 PSI for emergency situations to extract yourself out of sticky situations, as long as you dont try to steer left or right so your beads dont drop off the rim.

Mic

[Rock Trol]

I second the air compressor and deflator as being a priority. Airing down to suite the conditions (and then back up) would have to be the best off-road alteration you can do to the car when off the black top.
Anything else just adds to it.

[happygu]

You could put it in a different way ... I use my compressor every time I go out, and most often multiple times ..... I can't remember the last time I used my winch ( probably because I manipulate the tyre pressures to suit the conditions ), but it is great knowing it is there when I need it.

For $400 tops, it is a great bit of kit, and essential too.

[threedogs]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121289905...84.m1423.l2648

I'll be buying this when funds allow. good thing other than tyre inflation you can blow dust off gear or airfilters if in a bind.
I'll be fitting a 2-3 gallon tank underneath very soon . You could even run air tools to a certain degree.
Be wary if you mount the compressor under the bonnet as under bonnet temps may trip the thermal switch in the pump.
You might be better making a purpose built box for your compressor to keep it nice and clean and easy to store

[happygu]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121289905...84.m1423.l2648

I'll be buying this when funds allow. good thing other than tyre inflation you can blow dust off gear or airfilters if in a bind.
I'll be fitting a 2-3 gallon tank underneath very soon . You could even run air tools to a certain degree.
Be wary if you mount the compressor under the bonnet as under bonnet temps may tri the thermal switch in the pump.
You might be better making a purpose built box for your compressor to keep it nice and clean and easy to store

John,

Mine is under the bonnet, and has been fine as I mounted it away from the Turbo side - so it can work fine .... but I do like your advice.

I am a space junky, so I like to have it all sorted and permanently mounted, but friends who I regularly go away with have theirs in plastic boxes they pull out of the back of the truck, or have them mounted in the cab under the passenger seat .... so I say find a good spot that works for you - as long as you have one.

[threedogs]

My mate in an 80 had his under the bonnet and would not work
so It all depends which style pump you get in the first place.

Not many places to mount a pump under the bonnet if your dual fuel ABS or dual batteries.
I had the "big Black pump" thats what its called and recessed it in the 1/4 panel of my other
4x4 boy was that a great pump, Cuppa has the same. I brought mine easy 20 years ago now.
The pump I have atm is shite cuts out after 5min if that. Thats why I'm buying the other one.
Ill pull mine aprt and see if it'll work without the thermal overload

Avoid using your compressor via a 12v cigarette plug it wont cut the mustard
fit a 50 amp anderson style plug or fit strong alligator clips for direct connection to your battery

[liftlid]

I would class a compressor as recovery/ required equipment more than a mod.
The first mod you need is decent Tyers and then learn to drive off road.
find out what terrain you like to drive.
then decide on what mods you need