Phil's 2003 TJ Upgrade (finally!!)

[johnsy]

Yeah, finally got the go with putting some $$ down for some much needed upgrades. The stock tyres are bald, there are some things that need fixing, and too many scrapes underneath to warrant NOT upgrading!

I'm currently looking at one of the two kits on 4WD1.com (http://www.4wd1.com/TJ-Wrangler-Suspension.htm) but not 100% sure yet. The basic idea is:

Lift 2.5 Inches
Tyres 32's or 33's All Terrain

Plus some other stuff to make it look cool, but I'll go with just the lift kit and tyres to start with. Here's what it looks like at the moment...

http://www.promojovideos.com/jeepimg/Wide.jpg

http://www.promojovideos.com/jeepimg/Travel.jpg

http://www.promojovideos.com/jeepimg/Climbing.jpg

So yeah, any pointers on where to go with this upgrade would be appreciated - I don't want to spend over 3-5K at this point - hopefully to get rubber and springs that'll dramatically increase my RTI and clearance.

[johnsy]

if you're wanting to increase your RTI, look into after market control arms. Rubicon Express Superflex arms for example. :)

Hmm - can this still fit within a 5K budget? I always thought long-arm meant 35s, SYE, and everything else. Can you point me to an URL on the superflex?

Thanks for the reply :)

[johnsy]

Superflex arms are by rubicon express, not longarms, still shortarms.
Give Wooders a call and talk to him about a decent lift.. Anything is better than Rancho :p

Superflex arms link: http://www.wooders.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=370_40_169&sort=20a&page=3

Excellent. Not a bad price either. Now I only need to decide between the 3.5" or the 4.5" kit.

Since my first post I haven't seen anything other than a smooth sales writeup on Rancho that speaks well of their suspension kits - great at shocks but sub-par on their kits.

I noticed you are in Brisbane - do you know a local (or even better a Gold Coast based) reseller of Rubicon Express? Are you member of the Brisbane Jeepers?

Thanks for your help.

[Will239]

Excellent. Not a bad price either. Now I only need to decide between the 3.5" or the 4.5" kit.

Since my first post I haven't seen anything other than a smooth sales writeup on Rancho that speaks well of their suspension kits - great at shocks but sub-par on their kits.

I noticed you are in Brisbane - do you know a local (or even better a Gold Coast based) reseller of Rubicon Express? Are you member of the Brisbane Jeepers?

Thanks for your help.


Wooders can put together a 2.5" kit for you. It uses the 3.5" parts but with the 2.5" Springs (also good if you decide you want 3.5" springs later on). Superflex arms desribe the joint used in rubicon express arms. Rubicon express make both longarms and shortarms that can still be both called 'superflex' - its just the joint they use on their arms. You can have longarms, 2.5" lift and 32's if you want, but its probably overkill, and much more expensive.

You will definantly need an SYE with the 3.5", and lower ratios with 32s/33s. it depends what you want to go for. with 2.5" other mods are required to get the same flex offroad compared to 3.5". (fender trimming etc).

[johnsy]

Ok, so I've locked down the kit I'm buying.

FYI Wooders were great! They are into working with your budget and completely honest. REALLY helpful and even suggested that he'd prefer to see me investing in some good tools than to spend $600 on getting someone else to install it for me - how's that for honesty! Another company completely rubbished what I was doing and proceeded to tell me that the only system worth looking at was around $5,500, and that was without rubber.

Ok so here goes...

Lift Kit - Rubicon Express 3.5" Superflex Kit (http://www.wooders.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=370_40_168_414&products_id=69)
Slipyoke - Slipyoke light, rear adjustable arms, lower shock relocation brackets and rubicon express driveshaft
Additional - Front adjustable panhard, Rubicon Express shocks.

TOTAL LIFT KIT - $3,635

Now I just need to decide on the rubber. I like the Mickey Thompsons, so I'm budgeting around $350 / tyre (x 5) for 33" x 16" rims x 10.5-12.5" wide (although over 10.5" I'll have to get extended flares) -
TOTAL FOR TYRES - $1750.

http://www.promojovideos.com/jeepimg/mtz.jpg

TOTAL LIFT + TYRES = $5444 inc postage

I'm not going gearing yet - I'll suck it and see how it goes. As it is I can't use 5th gear, so this may make it a bit worse. We'll see.

[stroked]

claws are good gear..
that and pro comp xtreme terrains

[flexytj]

stick with the mtz as it is a much better built tyre than a bighorn and is not as noisy on the road either out of all the mud tyres i have owned ( 12 sets in 2 years ) the mtz have been the best all round tyre to date and have had the best wear rate and the least road noise the next best thing for a round use including road use would have been the maxxis radial trepador but it wore alot quicker and the lugs round of quickly due to there softer compound rubber compared to american built tyres like mt , pro comp , bfg , goodyear etc .

[johnsy]

What about BFG's? I've been told they're the only ones with 6 ply all the way around, including the sidewalls (whatever that means)? It would be nice to keep it under 5K as that was the budget - I'll definitely give the bighorns a look over.

[Aaronsjeep]

Good to hear :)

With tyres do you care if they're loud on road? will you be doing a lot of off road stuff? if so, what terrain are you most interested in?

I've had 31" bighorns and now have 33" bighorns and love them. great on road and great off road. They've been compared with the KM2s before and for the huge price difference, Bighorns are definately the best buy. Obviously do your own research first, but thats my opinion. :)

shouldnt you being tooting A radial trepadores horn for various reasons Ab? definately better tyre than a few of the above mentioned.

Nice work on the sponsorship btw.**)

[Judd]

From what i have read and heard, Big Horns won the test on best all rounda and i read that some one thinks they preform a lot like bfg's without the price tag.
I have km2's and they seem pretty good to me, on road/off road/mud/rock, they seem to handle it well, in sayin that my mate has big horns in a 33x12.5 and they seemed great when i seen them in action, another mate just put some big horn 35x12.5's on this arvo so ill see how the compare to my km2's

Cheers

[flexytj]

What about BFG's? I've been told they're the only ones with 6 ply all the way around, including the sidewalls (whatever that means)? It would be nice to keep it under 5K as that was the budget - I'll definitely give the bighorns a look over.

bfg km2 , pro comp extreme mud terrain , cooper stt , mickey t mtz , goodyear mtr all have 3 ply sidewalls in the size you are looking at .

bighorns, buckshots , federals , hankooks , nankangs , etc all have 2 ply sidewalls .

[johnsy]

I haven't seen anywhere online yet with prices for the bighorns - any pointers there either as a URL or some prices?

AB my Jeep is a toy, so I'm not really setting it up for on-road. My main goals are to get the height so I'm not whacking everything under my car (ouch) so tires suitable for rock crawls, and secondary goal to have more traction when hitting the mud.

I've got until the lift kit is installed before needing to decide on the tires, so it will be the balance between price and performance.

How much am I sacrificing in grip by only having 10.5" wide rather than 12" wide? I don't particularly want to fork out the extra $700 for flares yet, but it would be good to know.

[Aaronsjeep]

bunnings garden edging will do the trick!
nothing wrong with a skinny mud tyre.. alot of support for them working well offroad

[flexytj]

or save some money and buy 15 inch wheels and tyres ( most brands of wheels and tyres are cheaper in 15" not all but most ) and buy some wider flares .

[johnsy]

Ok about to order, just a couple of concerns...

In QLD anything higher than a 2" lift is illegal. So what do I do if the cops defect me?

Also what do I do for insurance? I've also been reading that no-one will insure me if the car has a lift kit on it. Is this true? Seems hard to believe.

[johnsy]

Ok about to order, just a couple of concerns...

In QLD anything higher than a 2" lift is illegal. So what do I do if the cops defect me?

Also what do I do for insurance? I've also been reading that no-one will insure me if the car has a lift kit on it. Is this true? Seems hard to believe.

Ok, just spoke to AAMI and they said it's cool if I want to put a lift kit on - the vehicle is still covered - just may have to pay an extra premium to cover the extra value added to the car, which shouldn't be much.

Anyone in QLD been defected before? If so what happened after that? Obviously you wouldn't take your kit off, so how do you get around it?

[bally12]

Mate if you getdefected it's a real hassle. In most cases you will have to go back to legal lift height to get the defect removed then put your other lift back in....

I had a cop try to defect me when I was back home in qld over Chrissy but then he saw the act plates and just walked off..... Best way to find out is go to main roads and ask them very precise questions sothey have to look it up, not just mumble away some general rule/law.

[johnsy]

Still waiting for Wooders to get the parts in to send my kit, but will hopefully be installing the front part of the car this weekend - I'll have to install the rear springs and bumpstops another time :(

Just a question RE tires... I've calculated that 33"s combined with my kit mean that the car will have a total of about 7" of lift - this seems very high! How much more dangerous would 7" of lift be considering the higher point of gravity? Wouldn't it be safer to put on, say, 32"s? Does anyone run this amount of lift and still feel that their Jeep is safe?

[Wooders]

Just a question RE tires... I've calculated that 33"s combined with my kit mean that the car will have a total of about 7" of lift - this seems very high!

Slight maths error there mate.
29" Tyres (stock) to 33" is a change 4" diameter.....But of 2" in radius (lift)
ie 2+3.5 = 5.5" total lift.
Depending on the tyre width and rim offset you will also have a wider stance to help offset this.
But like anything the most dangerous component is behind the steering wheel ;)

[johnsy]

OMG - I'm shattered!!! Well I didn't get the entire lift kit fitted, but I got the majority done. Me and a mate worked on it today and got the majority of the front end done (lower control arms, shocks, springs, brake lines, bump stops, panhard) with only the quick releases to go along with alignment and bleeding the brakes.

On the rear I completed the lower and upper adjustable control arms, the track bar relocation kit, sway bar end links and the springs.

All that's remaining now is the slip yoke eliminator and CV driveshaft, shock relocation brackets and installing the shocks. I'll put some photos up of the install tomorrow when (hopefully) I finish the install. It's amazing just how high 3.5" really is - it's somewhat daunting looking at the Jeep now!! Not having second thoughts, but it does look like I've compromised the stability - and I don't even have the tires on now. It's definitely made me decide to put 32's on rather than 33's. 33" would be too high. I think having the old 29's on makes the car look very top heavy so just having the bigger tires on will add to the stability.

Does anyone know a good way of adjusting the front panhard? I can roughly do it, but a measured result would be better.

Thanks so much for your help guys, my truck is looking awesome!! I've just got to tame the beast now :)

[bally12]

The difference between 32's and 33's won't be that noticable mate. I'd just go the 33's to fill out the guards as much as possible.

[Wooders]

Sounds like you had a productive weekend then.
The 3.5" will initially appear huge - but it's surprising how quickly you become completely accosomed to it - and even how "mild" it will seem over time.

As for adjusting the front panhard - The way I like to do it is:
Full weight of the vehicle on the tyres.
Panhard disconnected from the frame.
A Plumb-Bob (string with washers) to measure the tyre sides relative to the flares.
Turn the steering wheel to move the body L/R relative to the axle/tyres.
When happy with the position just wind the Panhard TRE in/out to the required length & refit.

Don't forget the pics!!

[johnsy]

Pics are coming! Here's one of the completed kit and trying out the wheel travel.

http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/IMG_0915.jpg

It looks a bit weird with the 29s on and they're bald as. As it is it's still significantly lacking when it comes to traction offroad! That being said I'm really impressed with the increased wheel travel and the ease at which it does it.

So the kit has been installed, however having a few issues at present...

1. I'm getting a vibration on acceleration and deceleration which can be, in my opinion, one of two things. When cutting the output shaft I noticed that it was a bit bent, however when it was cut it didn't seem so prominent. The other reason could be that the angle of the diff isn't enough. This is as it looks at the moment...

http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/IMG_0916.jpg

I spoke to Dave from Wooders and he said that this could definitely contribute to the vibrations. The angle needs to be so that the diff is pointing the same angle as the driveshaft before it reaches the CV joint.

http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/IMG_0916b.jpg

2. I'm getting severe death wobbles! I haven't done a basic alignment yet, so this could be causing it, but I'm also going to ensure that the panhard isn't moving about. I'm also just going to check the torque of each of the bolts.

Thanks so much to the wooders team for helping me out thus far - I'm SO glad I didn't get the Rancho kit - I'm confident I wouldn't have the level of after sales support as I have from Wooders. WELL recommended!

Anyway, big day tomorrow! Hopefully I'll have it fixed and new tires installed before Friday when I'm hoping to go to Coffs Harbour for a holiday and play :)

[Fat Chili]

Stick with the 33's mate or you'll regret it. Don't stress about stability off road, it will be fine and you'll love it. Many of us have had the same set up and gone bigger, my TJ's has a 4.5 RE lift, 20mm of spacers on each corner and 35"s and it is stable (when used). spacers will be getting taken out some day soon though, no longer needed.

If you want to borrow some 33"s on 15 x 8 alloy rims just to assess the ride PM me, I'm not that far away from you on Tambo Mt.

[johnsy]

I thought this to be interesting - the other kit I was considering was the stage 2 RockCrawler kit from Rancho. If there's anyone that's considering this kit, don't!

Firstly the price. The Rancho kit sells for about $3500 where the Rubicon Express 3.5" kit sells for $1700. Add the Rancho steering dampener and the 9000 shocks and it's still way cheaper than the Rancho kit.

Additionally look at the difference between the acclaimed ramp travel index of 1100 on the Rancho kit versus the Rubicon Express kit!

http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/IMG_0915b.png

[johnsy]

Stick with the 33's mate or you'll regret it. Don't stress about stability off road, it will be fine and you'll love it. Many of us have had the same set up and gone bigger, my TJ's has a 4.5 RE lift, 20mm of spacers on each corner and 35"s and it is stable (when used). spacers will be getting taken out some day soon though, no longer needed.

If you want to borrow some 33"s on 15 x 8 alloy rims just to assess the ride PM me, I'm not that far away from you on Tambo Mt.

All good, I'm gonna go the 33s :oops:!

[Fat Chili]

All good, I'm gonna go the 33s :oops:!
If you want to save $$$ and only buy 4 new tyres, give me a PM with your contact details as I have two 33"s that are still legal in the tread depth department that I want to give away - They are MT Baja radials....only good for spares or a trailer though.

If Johnsy doesn't want them and anyone else local wants them PM me.

[supemad_one]

Sounds like you had a productive weekend then.
The 3.5" will initially appear huge - but it's surprising how quickly you become completely accosomed to it - and even how "mild" it will seem over time.

As for adjusting the front panhard - The way I like to do it is:
Full weight of the vehicle on the tyres.
Panhard disconnected from the frame.
A Plumb-Bob (string with washers) to measure the tyre sides relative to the flares.
Turn the steering wheel to move the body L/R relative to the axle/tyres.
When happy with the position just wind the Panhard TRE in/out to the required length & refit.

Don't forget the pics!!

I thought mine looked massive on 30s (waiting on savings to increase size) and 3.5inch lift. Now i think i wanna go bigger ;) ;)

[Jeeps]

This TJ is coming along nicely ;) If you're after the tough look/stance, then 33x12.5 is the go. I reckon 33x10.5 gives much better fuel economy as there's less rolling width resistance, but they don't look as tough, and TJ's are all about the look.

I didn't see anywhere listed that you've had the ratios done. I'd be saving up and getting those done next. You'd be looking at about $1200 to get the supplied and fitted. Give wooders a call, he supplied mine.

And stay away from logan road from slacks creek right through mt gravatt. That's the hot spot and the traffic police in that area are real keen to defect anyone and anything.

cheers

[Shauny B]

Go the 33s mate, i got them last week like AB said there not that bad.

[johnsy]

Yep, went the 33s and it's sweeeeet!! In fact they seem to have balanced out the 'stilts' look when on the old 29s. REALLY happy with the look, the 33s don't look too big and the 285x75 16" width looks the perfect balance. I do notice the gear ratio problem - using my clutch more agressively in 1st gear and low range I don't have as much low-speed control for when rock crawling - will definitely upgrade in the future, but not entirely important yet.

Ok the death wobbles are sorted! I checked all bolts and ensured the torque was right. The panhard was a bit loose which definitely would have contributed, but not completely eliminated when I'd done this. Got the 33s on and all fixed! Drives beautifully now. It's just the sye that's still not right. Still have a driveshaft vibration after pitching the diff up a bit but nowhere near as much. Dave (Wooders) said it looks like it's pitched too high now so take the upper control arms back the other way a bit.

I've taken pics but forgot to take my laptop charger to Coffs (doh) so will post them when I get back.

One quick run I did amazed me. I looked at one section where there was a half-metre step up and wasn't sure if it could do it - no worries!! Didn't even scrape. I was very impressed. LOVE the RTI now!!

[johnsy]

Here are some of the before and after photos...
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-1.jpg

http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-2.jpg

http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-3.jpg

Before
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-4a.jpg

After with 33s
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-4b.jpg

Before
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-5a.jpg

After Lift
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-5b.jpg

33" Tyres
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-5c.jpg

Lovin' the wheel travel!
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-6.jpg
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-7.jpg
http://promojovideos.com/jeepimg/BNA-8.jpg

[stroked]

looking good mate

[Fat Chili]

Oooh, I'm having flashbacks - looks good.

But whats the go with the Rubicon hood sticker http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo198/Fat_Chili/Emoticons/twak.gif

[johnsy]

Oooh, I'm having flashbacks - looks good.

But whats the go with the Rubicon hood sticker http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo198/Fat_Chili/Emoticons/twak.gif

LOL I was waiting for someone to ask that. You're the first to ask after 2 years of owning the Jeep! It was on when I bought it. I'm kind of justified in keeping it on now considering it's a Rubicon Express upgrade. When looking to buy the Jeep I thought that it must have been a rubicon - no such luck!

I took it offroad on the weekend and I love it - so much fun! I haven't scraped once. However I am looking at getting lockers put in the front. I'm finding that when I get the flex the weight distribution isn't as impressive as I thought it might be. Admittedly I didn't drop the tyre pressure which didn't help for climbs, but lockers would definitely help the front end. Anyone have the Lokka kit?

http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=29

I know it's considered to be 'cheap', but they do have a 3 year UNLIMITED warranty, and they said that they have never blown a diff housing because of a failed locker. I don't mind the clicking around corners if it saves me $1,000 in getting air lockers.

[johnsy]

Here's a couple of pics from the weekend...

Luv da flex!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4766567524_910463337a.jpg

Hmm - better rethink this one :P
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4765926883_cf45df8d18.jpg

Jeep to the rescue!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4765910269_dfb5bf8d7f.jpg

There are more pics in the gallery...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10292140@N04/sets/72157624306683163/detail/

[bally12]

i wouldnt have thought that it would be all that good for the steering, suspension components to have that much weight on them like that when you stand on it???? but your right that has really good flex:)

[johnsy]

i wouldnt have thought that it would be all that good for the steering, suspension components to have that much weight on them like that when you stand on it???? but your right that has really good flex:)

Ummm - OK :shock:! I'm pretty sure that it'll live :P

[bally12]

did you get upper and lower arms with your kit or just lowers?

[johnsy]

did you get upper and lower arms with your kit or just lowers?

Just lowers for the front end - adjustable uppers for the rear and lower fixed for the rear. You need to adjust the uppers to twist the diff to point up for the drive shaft. I'd like to know if there is any benefit to putting adjustable uppers for the front. The stockos look pretty lame compared to the lower arms you get with the RE kit.

[brenttj]

Yeah I got a 4wd system lokka just awesome a little heavier steering but not bad can't tell on sand or in mud and unlocks how its suppose to just plain good

[Southy]

LOL I was waiting for someone to ask that. You're the first to ask after 2 years of owning the Jeep! It was on when I bought it. I'm kind of justified in keeping it on now considering it's a Rubicon Express upgrade. When looking to buy the Jeep I thought that it must have been a rubicon - no such luck!

I took it offroad on the weekend and I love it - so much fun! I haven't scraped once. However I am looking at getting lockers put in the front. I'm finding that when I get the flex the weight distribution isn't as impressive as I thought it might be. Admittedly I didn't drop the tyre pressure which didn't help for climbs, but lockers would definitely help the front end. Anyone have the Lokka kit?

http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=29

I know it's considered to be 'cheap', but they do have a 3 year UNLIMITED warranty, and they said that they have never blown a diff housing because of a failed locker. I don't mind the clicking around corners if it saves me $1,000 in getting air lockers.

Yep i have got one on the front with the same kit as you with the rear adj uppers but with 2.5 springs and 31's. (mine is even red too) got it all on just in time to run it through its paces out at Landcruiser park on the weekend. Was absolutely unstoppable. Was very impressed with the lokka. Hardly noticed it until i found i could do lines first go my mates patrol with 35's unlocked took a few tries to do LOL! Steering is just a touch heavier onroad but nothing annoying and there is some slight clicking but for $400 to your door its just awesome! Cant recommend it more.

[bally12]

Yep i have got one on the front with the same kit as you with the rear adj uppers but with 2.5 springs and 31's. (mine is even red too) got it all on just in time to run it through its paces out at Landcruiser park on the weekend. Was absolutely unstoppable. Was very impressed with the lokka. Hardly noticed it until i found i could do lines first go my mates patrol with 35's unlocked took a few tries to do LOL! Steering is just a touch heavier onroad but nothing annoying and there is some slight clicking but for $400 to your door its just awesome! Cant recommend it more.

you do camp road and air locker ave?

[Southy]

no we didnt get to them.. had planned to do some of the harder ones on the sunday but to be honest none of felt like it after the drinking sat night. Did a couple of the easier ones with my brothers rocky and the patrol saturday and then finished on the test track sat arvo. Is camp rd the one with all the wombat holes? I wanted to give that a go but camp rd on the map is really long? didnt get to see hilux hill either. Gotta go out again soon.

[johnsy]

Yep i have got one on the front with the same kit as you with the rear adj uppers but with 2.5 springs and 31's. (mine is even red too) got it all on just in time to run it through its paces out at Landcruiser park on the weekend. Was absolutely unstoppable. Was very impressed with the lokka. Hardly noticed it until i found i could do lines first go my mates patrol with 35's unlocked took a few tries to do LOL! Steering is just a touch heavier onroad but nothing annoying and there is some slight clicking but for $400 to your door its just awesome! Cant recommend it more.

Yeah I figured. For $400 you could go through a few blown Lokka systems before you've paid the initial outlay for an ARB air locker system. And that's if it blows at all - in their online writeup they say that it'll way outlast a stock diff setup and there's heaps less stress due to less shock to the diff. When a wheel starts spinning in the air (stock) and then comes crashing down, this puts enormous stress on the diff and can sometimes blow it completely. With the wheel locked this can't happen.

I may be wrong, but I would think these type of locking systems to be better than air lockers. If your air lockers are engaged and you want to turn a corner, this too will put a great deal of stress on the axle and diff, especially on hard surfaces. And if you accidentally leave them engaged when going on to tar... well... not good!!

[bally12]

Is camp rd the one with all the wombat holes? I wanted to give that a go but camp rd on the map is really long? didnt get to see hilux hill either. Gotta go out again soon.

hilux hill is pretty decent, the most driven part of camp road is just the wombat holes at the end, no one drives the first bit, its just a dirt road. the wombat holes arent hard if you know how to drive them though, i got up the 3 different lines on 31's unlocked, 4th time though i blew my rear uni apart.

[sully-NT]

What about BFG's? I've been told they're the only ones with 6 ply all the way around, including the sidewalls (whatever that means)? It would be nice to keep it under 5K as that was the budget - I'll definitely give the bighorns a look over.

If your still looking for tyres don't look over Kumho KL71's for a mud tyre they are silent on the road and perform awesome off road. they won Europe 4wd tyre of the year 2009 or 2010 and are priced pretty reasonably. I'm running these on my TJ (33 12.5 15's) and last year I toured Australia (16000 Kms) on a set of Kumho AT's. got back to Darwin and they still looked almost brand new with barely any wear at all. That was driving on all types of roads and off road. prior to my switch to Kuhmo I was ridding on Good year Wrangler MT's. these wore pretty quick up here in Darwin then came bloody loud as they wore out. Kumho doesn't seem to get a good wrap but as I've been using them for the past 8 months, 2 different varieties I've really put them through there paces and can not fault them at all. At least have a look into them!

[bally12]

i personaly wouldnt touch the kumhos, they arent an aggresive looking muddie at all.

[Will239]

the front upper arms are much stronger amd the better superflex joints can help with suspension travel.

If they are adjustable, they can also be used to adjust castor.

[johnsy]

Where are the wombat holes? Would like to find some new 4wd places now ormeau is closed. Anyone planning a trip?

[booflux]

I ran the 4wd systems lokka in my old Lux when it was IFS and it was the best bang for buck mod I did. I never had an issue with it and neither have the ones I have fitted for mates rigs. The only disadvantages imo are turning circle on tight tracks and they dont like tyres much bigger than 35s. But unless comping your truck that shouldnt be an issue.

The wombat part of Camp Road is just off the main road on the left hand side heading toward the camping grounds. I am heading up to Cruiser on Saturday with some mates and will probably punt the TJ up there and see how it compares to the old Lux.

[sully-NT]

i personaly wouldnt touch the kumhos, they arent an aggresive looking muddie at all.

You don't know what your missing out on! They perform and out last the Good year Wranglers and are cheaper.

[stroked]

on the subject of procomp, xtremeterrains have barely ever let me down. never punctured or rolled a bead slippery in wet on the road but otherwise.. ********ing awesome. i have put 70,000klms on them and i would claim they still have 20% tread on them! yes! 20%!!!