Hey guys,
So im finishing up uni this year and am going to have money next year, I want to get into offroading more than I have i.e a properly setup truck. The chassis on the 87 bighorn is becoming a bit of a patchwork quilt with weld up jobs, likewise the body becoming full of bog. However even after 340km on the clock it still runs bloody good. Its been in the family since 94 and used to get used on the beach which must have led to the rust over the years.
Im looking at a 92 3.1 bighorn which has had a 50mm body lift (bumpers adjusted too) and 50mm lift springs put in the rear, and the front wound up. No ball joint flip so from what i read that would be on the list of things to do.
Now the first question I have is should longer shocks have been put in? Because he has just left the standard ones in there. Will I get the most out of it as is?
As for if the vehicle is worth it, i expect a set of springs would be less than $400, and if new shocks arent required then lifting one of these 50mm is pretty cheap really. I see 50mm body lift kits on trademe for $160 too. The truck has 33" AT's on it (poser truck heh), would need mudders for me. The truck looks mint and fully serviced, just run in at 170km, and its an auto but then hey lots of ppl seem to like them offroad, and supposedly they are easier on CVs right...
Im reasonably mechanically minded and keen but dont know how easy it will be to do the stuff myself.
If I was to keep the old 87, how much would I be looking at to lift the rear 50mm? Im a bit reluctant to modify it though because if im winching or being pulled out the chassis is likely to snap in half haha, however its my cheapest option
Are extended shackles sold or do you need to know someone with a machine shop? Or is it better to add a leaf?
As for flex however my experience is that the coil sprung rears on bighorns flex a lot better.
Neither trucks have LSDs in the rear and damn lockers are expensive, but i think thats an investment id have to make (or hunt for LSDs at wreckers, if they are comparably cheap)
Sorry about the thesis haha and thanks in advance