Robo's ride

[Robo]

Haven't had much time this week to spend on Pat to re-organise the wiring around the battery.
Made a start today removing a power cable for the UHF's and connecting it to Aux fuse box inside the cab instead.
Then started on a USB and volt meter install.
Removed cig socket & used it's power for meter, very easy job.
And took some power from said fuse box via a switch then onto USB twin socket.
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Only down side should of bought blue volt meter to match USB, but didn't know USB led was blue till I got it hooked up.
@ $3 a pop , ebay, not fusset it will do for now.

up date--The red isn't bad actually, it looks bright in the pic but that's only picture flair, it's not that bad/bright really, and colour match well the usb is only on when needed not live all the time due to switch.

[Robo]

Worth a look at, a bit of fun.
https://youtu.be/jxTvMaJBT3c

[NissanGQ4.2]

Worth a look at, a bit of fun.
https://youtu.be/jxTvMaJBT3c

If only I could afford 1, If only I had somewhere localish I could drive one............looks like fun, would be more fun on a dirt bike though

[Robo]

Mothersday getaway.
Thats our van 22ft, 4.2ti is a must have imo.
Bulahdelah hills are no match for this car towing any more since turbo and pump upgrade.
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this van has alot of storage space ,for free camping it's fantastic
Utility1.jpg

[Robo]

Cleaning out garage today, boring, get some chores out of the way before I finish wiring winch.
Found my old GQ lower rear stock arms and a set of new bushes, so out with the old rubber and in with the new.
Had previously fitted some Longer +11mm stronger arms on GQ mav, so they are now going on "Pat" GU in the near future, and old/newbushes arms back on Mav.
Bit of a waste of time but better to use the bushes up than waste away in draw, and Gu still has stock weaker lower anyway.
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[Robo]

Pat rolled over 300 000 ks today, and still going strong.
actually better than new, given upgrades made.

[Robo]

The Koni 82 series adjustable shocks on all four corners feel great day to day but have felt a little soft towing our van.
Remember reading on here somewhere and thinking the same" bit soft" for the load.
These are adjustable so I've wound em up 50% ,they do feel much firmer around town & cornering flatter etc.
Hopefully this will be enough to control van without needing to make em to harsh as a daily driver.

Fyi for 82 series Koni shocks.
These shocks have adjustment for rebound up to 100%.
Factory default was 0% ,as in minimum setting.
Turning the body clock wise (c/w) increases.
Counter clock wise (cc/w) decreases setting.
There is only about 2 & half turns available for 0-100%.

"Cant stress enough", be careful finding engage position of key way, and do not force when turning.
It's so you don't damage anything, mine were easy to adjust and yours should be too it's a precaution koni stress.

Maintain shock in near upright position as possible.
Secure in vise etc not to damage ends etc
Extend to full length and using some-thing long n thin remove rubber bump stop.
I used a piece of fencing wire.
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There is a inbuilt key way in the bottom of the shock, which by compressing shock, now the rubber stops is removed, "carefully as not to damage the key way" engage it.
You can feel/see fingers drop in when key-way lines up.
If yours are set factory default, by turning "gently" cc/w will be nil to very little, before no more turn available.
This is were you stop and can then turn c/w to figure out where you want to set it at % wise.
To disengage key way-- extend shocky an inch or so before you turn shaft again.
Don't forget to replace the bump stop.
It is very simple job, little time consuming if like me, R&R from car to do em.
Koni have instructions & video on their site if ya want.
http://www.koni.com/Cars/Technology/Adjustment-Guides/

[Robo]

Update on the shocks being adjusted firmer.
We found the setting was way to firm in Pat.
I thought we could live with the firmer setting, but it was not a desirable setting for day to day use at all.
The firmer +50% setting removed alot of flex in the suspension and created a sea-saw effect to the car making it like a stiff board, like driving a swb with stiff suspension
And also had the same effect when towing it was very notable that a firmer rebound setting was not working as hoped.
I'm now thinking it's only the 200kg constant load springs need help when under caravan load.
Might look at bags for help when towing, and deflate when not towing.

Shocks have been reset to + 20%, much better daily ride now.

Thinking back over past setups--
Originally we had +200 spring in Mav GQ with bags and ome shocks but as a daily it was to stiff.
Then after changing to lpg tank rated springs (as they were called) keeping the bags & ome shocks we settled for that as ride was much better for our given daily load.
And after changing to koni 82 series shocks, Way way better again, you get what you pay for in a shock I guess.

So that in mind guessing the final setup in Pat GU could be +200kg springs + bags and koni shocks.
Time will tell.

[Makka]

Hey Robo i think the GQ lowers are shorter than GU lowers

[Robo]

Hey Robo i think the GQ lowers are shorter than GU lowers

Thanks for that, I'll compare em when I get time, and not raining.