Stop me going to the dark side

Well my Frontera has had no use since about April when I pinched the battery for my Astra. But since the beginning of September when I gave my company car back, I've been using it every day. Other than it needing a battery (which I've obviously now got) the front right autohub wasn't locking and the handbrake cable is stretched cos I over-tightened it. I got a 2nd hub and swapped it over. I'm still not 100% sure if it's locking in though.

So I went out today for the 1st time in months to do a bit of off-roading with my mate who has just bought a Disco 300TDi with a 5" lift, 35" mud tyres and a winch. I was on standard suspension with road tyres (fronts down to 2-3mm of tread too). Not surprisingly, I got stuck in mud a couple of times and he had to drag me out. So I got home and started looking at Discos.

But then I started thinking, for a fraction of the price of buying even a cheap Disco, I could probably get my Frontera to a decent off-road standard, but I need your help.

I would like to make the following improvements to the Frontera so I can use it off-road, but still drive 15 miles each way to work:

- handbrake cable replacing
- front hubs checking to make sure that they are locking in properly (I'll get some manual ones in the US at the end of October)
- front torsion bar winding up
- 2" suspension lift at the rear
- 31x10.5x15 A/T tyres (I have 15" rims with 235x70x15 BFG M/T on, that are fine with standard suspension, but will be too small once it's lifted, and not great for commuting)
- EGR valve blanking off (I have blanking plates)

Other than that, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, so it'd be a shame to replace it for the sake of a few bits and bobs. BUT, and here's the big one, I don't want to take it to a garage that knows nothing about Fronteras or that will charge me the earth for doing stuff (for example, I got quoted £20+VAT each to have tyres put on rims). I'm guessing if I had all the parts, then the above would take an enthusiast a relaxed day to do. So, is there anyone that's close to me (within 50 miles, but ideally closer) that wants to earn a few quid (is £100 reasonable?) or have some parts (15" Berg split rims, the BFG muds, etc) to sort my truck and stop me defecting to the dark side?

hi ya matey

keep ya fronty and spend a few bob on it, i should think there is some one in your area who belongs to FOG who would be willing to lend you a hand...........pete

Looks like you've got the very sort after 2.8 SWB A - that in it's self says a lot about keeping it - especially when you hear about Landy people wanting to put the 2.8 engine in their motors.
Personally, for doing that sort of road mileage, I would run it on normal road tyres/A/T for normal everyday use, then look out for a cheap set of steel wheels and put a set of more extreme M/T tyres on the steels and swap over for playing. That way you'll keep your road ride comfort, keep the fuel economy and not wear your M/T's out so fast.
As regards your autolocker - have you checked out if the CV drive shafts are OK. Could be something as simple as the circlip coming off the shaft. From under the front wheel, grab the drive shaft (between the suspension arms) and pull the shaft back towards the middle of the car. If it as noticeable movement that will give you an indication that something is not as it should be with the outer CV shaft.
When playing last, did it pull OK up steep ruts/hills indicating that the 4 wheel drive is working properly? If it didn't and you had no pull on the extreme ruts might be worth looking to see that the front diff is not busted. For my money, the safest way to check the front diff is to jack the car up and lower it back onto axle stands so that all 4 wheels are off the ground. Start it up and engage 4 wheel drive, put it forward gear and see if you have got drive to both a front and rear wheel.

2.8 SWB and you want to get rid?? :roll:

erm.. ahem -

did you know - honest Guv.. its worth about £50.. i'll be doing you a favour if I it off your hands.. Ok - Ok.. £75 if you leave the tax on and half a tank fuel :wink:

Jokes aside.. the 2.8 SWB is a goodie.. theres a couple at the SE Picnics - and where mere mortals (Me petrol 2.0 ) struggle, these things just pootle up on tickover, tons of torque...

My martha is a 2.0 and basically has a set of 31/10.5/15s on it and a 2" lift.. and for a 2.0 is MORE than capable offroad, other than the tyres and the lift - bog standard.

pound for pound.. keep the Fronty, you already have it, you know the problems, and for next to nothing (relatively) you can have a sorted car.

Buying a disco is an unknown.. if its a good one, congratulations, if its a bad one, make friends with the bank manager... both the frontera and the darkside have 'known' problems..

Disco's are great - sorry - fantastic all rounders, the accessories / shiney bits / off-road mods list is something being a Fronty owner (or a Suzuki!) owner can only dream of...

I didnt buy my Fronties to be part of the bolt on herd.. I just like them and their charm..

The lift, and handbrake cable can be done in a morning, the tyres - as mentioned above, get a set of muddies on seperate rims for playtime..

John

John

and your not to far from me and drift, if you need help, and jay it has coils not shackles

Here is what I did on my 2.8 Trooper. You have the same engine and the priciple is the same. The only thing you have to worry about is by removing all the vacuum hoses is you lose the quick warm-up system (which I never use anyway) Also you dont have a top mounted intercooler but the hose that you need for the top of the fuel pump should be attached to a nipple (phnarrr) that is found behind the cylidrical part with "2.8TDi" above the rocker cover.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=32950

At a later date I am going to remove the quick warm-up flaps that sit after the turbo. One in the inlet before the intercooler, the other in the exhaust just after the turbo.

Thanks for all the comments and advice guys.

It's not that this site isn't a wealth of information about how to do stuff. It's the fact that I don't have the tools, skill, time, space or ability to follow these instructions. Hence I asked for help with an offer to pay, rather than just expecting favours.

Andy, last time I came to yours you had a lot of stuff on with your own truck, as well as others coming round too. If you're happy to help, then let me know when it's convenient. I'm away from Tuesday but back on Thurs 30th. You saw the mess I made of tightening the handbrake though, so don't expect me to be much use.

will make a day of it on your truck,

did you get round to making the spaces,

No. I got the EGR blanking plates done. Remind me of the dimensions - I still have the spring.

Im more than willing to help out, dont want any money either

Freeeeeeeeee

do what v6 done, bring baps, bacon, and sauce, and hand them to the wife, the run like wind

all depends on what lift you want, the way i look at it,

cheep,
2" spaces, wind up torsion bars, £60ish, depending on your spaces, mg mark is selling them, or make them your self, (space mus be at least 2" inside the spring and about half an inch wider at the top for the spring to sit on, then another 2" above the spring,

next price up,
2" spaces, new springs from milner's, torsion bars, around £120,

next price up,
2" spaces, new springs, torsion bars, and new PLUS 2" rear shocks from lama4x4, around £200.

eventually with the top two, you will have to get new shocks for the rear,

was going to as alex to do some spaces, but he has not been on for a while,