Vehicle decision KJ Vs WG Advise Please

[glend]

There are a bunch of KJ guys towing camper trailers (the heavy Odessy, etc) across the Simpson right now. I tow a 6.5 metre powercat with mine (KJ CRD auto) and my camper and it does the job just fine. You will need one important mod - stick some Polyair bags inside your rear springs. The bags will allow you to control the level and firmness of the rear end, which allows good load balancing depending on towball weight. When not towing you can deflat the airbags to about 4psi and then they are just acting as bumpstops.

Re the turbo hoses, if it doesn't have a Provent stick one on (it will probably be too late to save the original hoses but you could stick a set of Samco hoses on and never worry about them again). Total cost:; Polyairs about $300 delivered (you can install yourself); Samco hoses $400, Provent $200.

[Hagar]

Polyairs are one of the mods I intend to fit, but thanks for the confirmation that they are required. The mods I have been thinking about if the KJ is the right choice are
Winch Bar (ARB TJM etc)
2 inch Lift OME (have been reading about the iconic stu lift)
245-255 70 R16 AT tyres.
Compressor.
Poly Air bags.
Roof Cage.
Fitment of my warn 9000lb

Any comments on this selection?

If towing heavy loads what are the comments on fitting a transmission oil cooler?

In regards to the Roof Rack does anybody know what the maximum roof load is?

Thanks again for the help

[glend]

The bar and winch will affect the springs selected for the lift, and Stu's specs for the front of the diesel offer you some choice there. I believe there are now OME options there are well but well need to hear about that from the others. Re the tyres 255s are a fairly strange size, and you'll have more options with 245/70s and get the LTs (Light Truck construction if you have a choice).
Polyair bags will require different bag lengths between stock and lifted. The kit quoted on the Polyair site for the KJ is for the stock spring size. Stu is a Polyair agent and can supply the longer bags with any springs you get from him. Talk to Polyair about bag length if you go with OME. I know there is a spacer available to allow Coilrite standard bags to be used in a lifted KJ.
Make sure whoever does your lift understands what your going to be hanging off the front end.
I've never had to add another transmission cooler (the KJ CRD has one) but I believe others have. Good luck and let us know what you do.

[mkh]

Don't get me wrong now I like jeeps but for a Van that size and weight I'd probably be looking at a Patrol or Landcruiser like Snail suggested. The Jeep diesels have plenty of grunt to pull that kind of weight but the strain you are placing on the vehicle is pretty big.

[damo4runner]

The new OME diesel springs are fine I have them an ARB winch bar and a 12000lb winch connected to it and they haven't sagged.

[sjb]

load limit for roof rails on KJ is 68KG i think.

[Hagar]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the info, good to know roof weight cheers. Guess it will be an aluminium roof cage.

In response to mkh;

I have a couple of problems, one is the old standby of budget around 30-32K. I want a proper 4WD diesel auto with less than 100k and an extended warranty.

The Second is that the GF who will be driving the vehicle on return does not like overly big cars, I was planning on a Rodeo Dual Cab but after test driving it was not a popular descision. This is fair enough as she will have to put up with it daily.

So a Compact - medium wagon 4WD that fits the budget, has a strong diesel, a high tow rating, serious 4WD potential and is relatively new. Any other suggestions on what fits would be appreciated.

Thanks again everyone keep the info opinions coming!