I have just spent some time looking at the ACE Answers bits and had a real laugh looking through the 4WD section.
I am in Perth, Western Australia, and the reason it was a laugh for me is that when we use 4WD, we do it for FUN.
In the depths of our winter we MIGHT get the odd nighttime minimum that approaches 0 degrees celcius, but it has never snowed in Perth, and only rarely snowed in the mountain ranges about 400km south east of Perth.
So it is with some giggles that I read about people using 4WD to get out of their driveways and the like.
When I go 4WDing it is off-road, usually sand tracks or along the beach.
Ours (1990 MasterAce Surf, auto, 2CT) is pretty good in sand, and the perfect bus for our family of (nearly) six to get away.
By the way, we have just had three consecutive days over 40 degrees C, and today is a little cooler - I think only about 35! - but the townie hasn't overheated - Yet!

Dave.

- (#7636) Dave, 11 Mar 03

Carry on talking like that to us weather challenged Brits and you might easily fall out with a few people Dave! Enjoy your 40 degrees and the 4WD, hey I'm feeling lucky that it's just after 7am, it's light and just stopped raining. No ice, no snow, and I haven't had to use my 4WD, that's good enough for me in early March.

Ian

- (#7637) Ian Dunse, 11 Mar 03

Don't worry about the weather over here - at the moment it is too Hot.
I really appreciate the cool (not cold) winter, and most of the time the warmer weather is great, but in the middle of summer it is too much - not that I would swap with you guys though!

The real point of it was to inform you guys that these things actually seem to be quite reasonable in serious off-road situations.

The small wheels and independent front with short travel will stop us in the rocks, but even on fairly rough tracks and up boggy sand tracks the little bus just seems to keep going.

(And if I really wanted to lay it on I would talk of white sandy beaches, clear blue water in beautiful bays, incredible sunsets over the ocean, and of course the cricket - but I don't want to do that!!!!!!!!!!!)

Happy driving, in 4WD on anything slippery,

Dave.

- (#7638) Dave, 11 Mar 03

Ok, ok, get back to your amber tubes and throw another dingo on the barbie! Now where did I put my thermal undies .........

Ian

- (#7639) Ian Dunse, 11 Mar 03

G'Day Ian.
Sorry about all that - I just couldn't resist it.

I don't know what you guys consider top cuisine, but over here we don't eat dogs of any sort - except hot dogs!

And I don't drink the Amber stuff either - I guess I'm not a 'real aussie'.

Now, to get serious. (for just a moment)
I am thinking about getting a suspension lift for the townie, so I can fit 15" wheels and tyres to improve the off road ability.

Has anyone over there done this?
Any tips or traps?

Is there much call for it over there?

Are there any other performance tips?

Most of the people here on the site seem to be mostly concerned with just keeping them running well. Mine seems to be going fine, but for off road work in the sand it could use some more power.

I have been thinking about the suspension as mentioned, but also about a big bore exhaust (within reason). Is there anything cheap that people have discovered - aside from that little screw on the fuel pump - to improve the performance.

Dave.

- (#7640) Dave, 13 Mar 03

a lift is possible- check out Hilux and 4runner kits, the torsion bars might just fit. Bu be aware that lifting an IFS system too high will result in knackered CV joints in no time at all...

Power? Other than turning the fuel up and optimising the timing, then you're into intercooler territory :-)
K&N filter and ensuring the inlet isn't clogged with carbon wil help tho.

An exhaust won't increase power noticably but will speed up the turbo's spool-up

- (#7641) david miller, 13 Mar 03

The 4X4 groups over here talk about anything up to 25% increase with a well designed, free flow exhaust.

My Father-in-Law's Diesel Nissan Patrol was noticably more powerful with 'extractors' fitted.

The people on the Hilux surf site over here talk about 2.5" and 3" systems that give big power boost, and increase economy. (mutually exclusive I would have thought!)

The only downside for us would be more noise, but these guys seem to think that is a bonus!

As to the CV's - I wouldn't look for too much lift, just 'enough'.

I will check the cost on the exhaust, and sometime over the next few months hope to do it. I will report back then.

Dave.

- (#7699) Dave, 13 Mar 03

I have spoken to an exhaust bloke about more power and he says that a 2 or 2 1/4 inch system will give a boost in power, a small increase in fuel efficiency, and not much more noise, all for about $280 (AUS).

This is a custom system, and he assures me that a more efficient system will give both more power and slightly better fuel. He also said that the turbo 'smooths the airflow' and this means that the exhaust doesn't get loud unless you go really extreme.

He said that 2 1/4 inch was big enough, more would probably be detrimental to performance.

Dave.

- (#7796) Dave, 24 Mar 03