[3 Link ?...or what other options maybe ?]

Pugwash, Sorry your'e wrong. Perhaps the commercially available 3 link systems are too weak, particularly with portal axles. But as I have built 3 extreme vehicles, 2 with portals, all with upper 3rd links that are used as daily drivers in stop start traffic in addition to offroading in difficult conditions without issues i cannot let your statement go unchallenged.

Master Splicer. The phenomenon you describe when reversing is as expected with a 3 link with lower 3rd. When the Safari Guard unit which had not been fully developed at that time participated in the

'' Defender Twist Off" in the USA some years ago. the system suffered a catastrophic failure during heavy braking . The diff toggled up snapping the propshaft and the truck overturned. Braking whilst travelling forward and reversing imposes the torque reaction forces in the same direction.

If the single 3rd link is placed closer to the axleshaft centreline than the links on each side then it is obviously going to be subject to much more compression and tensile stress. If the single 3rd is placed at double the distance from the axleshaft centreline as the links on each side then the forces on all links should be about equal. It is impractical to do this on a commercial 3 link because that would further compromise the already poor ground clearance these units give. The only way I can see these kits working correctly is if all link end bushings were replaced with non compliant ball joints, but then noise and vibration transmission into the cabin of Defender type Landeys may be annoying.

Bill.

I agree with you Bill al the way but still many people don't realise this at al. When you buy things first time you think it sshould be good and i was one of the very first ones. Til you start to realise these things or even see it your self. And to go and say lets replace al the bushes for rose joints that's something i wouldn't do because then i would take it to another direction. I have tried it and it works makes it lot better and a lot more noise. Advantage is again that you can really hear very clear if everything works in proper order. Vibrations where never any issue really.

[Beadlocks?]

ANYONE Got pics or info on Matt Lees DOUBLE Beadlocks pics would be good.

Spoke to Matt, he is up to his eyes at the mo, could only send me pics of singles...

Want to know exactly how they work, and pics too ?

Nige

This wil tell you exactly how the system double beadlock is working. They are al working more or less the same way.

This is Hummer based but that doesn't matter really

http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/tech/bil.../PR-Hummer_Rims

[Rod ends, heims and spherical joints.]

I have just bought some spares from currie enterprises, very reasonable prices but the shipping charge is astronomical. Very easy to deal with via e-mail though.

I have a metal to metal ball joint on my panhard rod, its done a couple of challenges and is knackered, (Scorpion). Apparently, greasing them makes no difference.

Scrap people are using a very poor quality joint,no greasing wil change that

[Rod ends, heims and spherical joints.]

I have used rose jouint for couple of years right now and i don't agree with any of the statements about they are wear out very fast greasbles aren't weaker etc. I have used and abused them for some time and non of them is ready for the bin.

I the time i was looking for joints only wanted the greasble ones. I never have any bad feelings about them. They have done more then 50000 without any problem.

But it's a good joint made out of chroom moly steel. Not a cheap crappy one. The only thing you have to do is grease them. When you are not willing to grease them don't even start because then the above story's wil become thrue.

Btw i have now rebuildble ones myself just as a tryout and they are the strongest on the planet. Buying them is expensiv 110 US but rebuiding is very cheap 15-20 dollars and fully adjustble as wel.

What Gigglepin is offering is again a very good and wel made joint but they cost some money. They wil last longer as wel much longer as wel.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/P...ints/index.html you can check this link as wel then you know where we are talking about.

there are several good joints for sale but they are al costing money

[3 Link ?...or what other options maybe ?]

You are the same as the one i sended the rear MM winch photo's aren't you?? Hybrid from hell is the name??

When that's the case then i only can say i never had any reply on them,even it took me some time to collect the info ou requested

[3 Link ?...or what other options maybe ?]

I have driven since 2000 a 3-link from Safarigard,never had really problems with it. Not on the road or of the road. I have to say that the setup of the springs and shocks can result in a totally other driving car as before.

I always had the impression that even changing the pressure in side the shocks made the handling different. But a Def on extrem tires is not driving as a go cart really.

Then i build them my self ,because a had some problems with the space what was lost underneath the axel, but this again was causing me to get the trackrod removed. My disign is totally different from what i have seen so far. Trackrod has to go and hydr.steering ram is doing the job. Panhard rod has to go as wel. During the Croatia Trophy 2005 my panhard rod came of the car taking with him the complete chassis rail on that side. Car wasn't to steer anymore. But this was also because of the extrem articulation in the front axel 16 inch shocks. This was working ok but the side to side movement of the axel was from another planet.

But the forces controled by the panhard are very extrem. Now i am trying to tackle the same problem with a 4 link system and the panhard rod is gone. Hydr.steer gives me more freedom in working really.

But i would like to point out a negative aspect of the Safarigard 3-link setup what i never have seen anybody writing/talking of.

When you are really heavy backingup the car into a steep bank and it really needs to be done with some power/speed then you can see something really strange going on. It's not really strange anymore as you realise what happens. The rubbers inside the 3 member are completly compressed,both sides and on that same time it's almost if the axels is going to turn arround it's own axel. On that time during Croatia it was causing a hughe dent underneath the engine. I have to say that we used bigger propshaft with drive flanges of 100 mm in diameter. But on the same time when this happens the angle of the differential is changing completly as wel. In my opinion the rubbers are part of this problem and the 3 members center is really close to the centerline of the axel casing. What i realised there in the field was that when it really would be able to flip over then you never can bring it back into the position as it should be. Of course everything would be twisted and bend.

How ever that is just the only big but from my point of view of the Safarigard unit.

The complete set is very nicly made and very wel welded. Even the paint is from a very good sort. Bolts washers it's al there.

Would i use it again , don't think so because i would like to move on with making/trying things. Many times it's one step forwards and in another field 2 steps going back. Til you have sorted that problem.

Hope this is any help in your discussion.

[Goodwinch new G12]

yep - I run electro valves Rob, keeps my hands free for throwing things at my navigator

Huh then i was mistaken thought you had manual operated valves. You are right it's important to throw something when you want. You had never any problems with the solenoids when you where acting as a sub marine???

[Goodwinch new G12]

Field testing is cool - good to hear Andy, my Boggers are only a few km's old, maybe 10 at a push but Ive not been very nice to them I think about 5mm tread loss?!?

yep - I like 2 amps - not quite as good as Daans 0A but it'll do for me

You don't use a hydr.electric operated valve are you Jezz? Thought you used mechanical valve so no amp draw at al is there??

[Goodwinch new G12]

mmmmm 2amps max draw

soz - couldnt resist

You really like that one don't you Dolly

[roof racks......ideas please]

send me your e-mail addres i wil send you some photo's

[Beadlocks?]

Hi Dolly,

Does this mean your gona Break Petal?...???

I hope not as i'd still like to see her performat least once

Wot wheel base you thinking..?

Still got Russia in your blood...?

Can't convince you to perhaps to do some UK events or other styles..??

Look forward to seeing the new truck and which new inovatuiions make it on to it.

Master splicer.......

These rumours get everywhere......

Missing you lover

Not sure if i mis you as wel????????????

Jim

[Beadlocks?]

I hear rumours of two springing up in the UK, next year should be interesting and I wish them well

I cant do AFC, just too poor at the moment, the team has given me my orders as to what needs to be built for next year and to me that takes priority over everything else, when are you heading of to Sweden?

I heard the hydr.winch rumour even here in Holland. Should be a very wel know company who puts it on the market. But don't know who it is. Just rumours really.

Yes house is sold. People who bought wanna sell there's first. Then i am of to Sweden and maybe i wil miss these bloody "stroopwafels"my self. But it wil not be easy to get my Def on Swedish plates.

Dolly what are you up to with your new build truck or is it al secret????????????

[Beadlocks?]

Rob, I do miss my stroopwafels, but not much else from holland. Hope to meet you on the AFC, I have entered the event as well. I got a set of second hand second airs, But I dont think I will have them fitted before the AFC. Interested to see how they will work, having heard mixed opinions of these.

Tot ziens,

Daan

Wel daan could bring you some since i am coming from the wooden shoe country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beadlocks?]

Rob - Ive always been a fan of Johns work so good to hear you have the same opinion - I wondered if you had bumped into these guys Weld Wheel Inc - the fun and games of Dutch/English I think we come over soon to see Leo (we've run out of Stroopwafel ) - maybe we can hook up for a beer or two?

Don't know them never heard of them eather. first impression is that they are building race parts,and then realising that you can make money with beadlocks.

Thought i would see you in Scotland,AFC!! Have seen your name on some entry list on the web,but when you are at leo's let me know. Jezus al the English speaken people i know are cracy about "stroopwafels".

Had somebody over from the States,he took a complete suitcase full of them

You heard something about a complete new hydr.winch what comes on the market in the UK??

[Beadlocks?]

I think I was being blind Rob, Ive just re-read it - they are rockmonsters

"So, you say they are top quality?

They are designed and manufactured by Hutchinson Wheel.. These are the first wheels Hutchinson has built for the recreational 4WD crowd. They are more accustomed to satisfying their military customers such as the US Army. We figure they can do the job."

quote from thier website, nice gear but limited on choice of sizes

Have you had any dealings with weld wheels? I gave up trying to get through thier robo-phone system in the end

Hi Dolly,

It's a pretty misty world these beadlocks in the States. The general director of Allied racing wheels is Greg Mulky and he's a very plesant man to talk to. And the contact came on very strange way because normally you never wil have the change to talk with him.

Greg has bin involved in many rim companys in the States and he is a very wel experenced man in the rim world. Think he's also the general president of the US rim association. I looked that up on the internet and found several articles about him.

Anyway i was asking for info on the Aluminium Monster wheels and there our story started. These people where looking for someone big to sell a few containers to Europe and if i could help them out. I certainley couldn't pull this of so i gave hime a few contacts in the UK and he took it from there.

he offerd me some of these Monster wheels because of my help and i revused them. On that time i was already going for Stazworks rims. Even Mulky really wanted me to drive his wheels as sort of a mobile billbord i didn't accept the offer. Funny thing is that after that our contact only became much much better.

I have seen his rims and they look good but and that's a pretty big but their quality isn't really what you would like. The ones i have seen had a black paint on them,powdercoat it was. But the rims where original chrome. Don't have to explain to you what happens if you powdercoat chrome without any thing else. So al the paint came of very quickly. Just a stone is enough. And we hit some of them at least i do.

The other thing with these rims was that some simply didn't liked them at al. Uk people who bought them,because there clamping force wasn't enough. The person who told me is very experienced driver and isn't telling any bull. He only told me and have never seen his opinion on any forum site. He thought they where carp specially when you use them hard.

Weld wheels my opinion? I have welded several sets my self without any problems.But al one side clamping,pretty straight forwardjob really nothing difficult. At least i didn't had any problems with them. Al my rings where lasercut. line them out on top of the rim and welding.

Sended a complete set to the UK and this guy brought the rims with my rings to the proffesionell welding shop. The fubard his complete set of wheels. In the speed range from 55 til 85 km/hour you couldn't drive the car because of extrem vibrations in the steering. So for the "proffesionels"it was to difficult.

The double a never did for more then 1 reason. The pressed center as Stazwork uses is impossible for me to do. He's using a 500tons press to make them. Then the other thing is they are buying there rim parts over there. It's little difficult to discribe but the whole rim is made out of peaces. Ring center etc.

And last thing what is the most important for that kind of money i can't make them at al. As i wrote you before he has made me my rims how i wanted them. Special steel special inner poly ring. The normally pressent bead ring what's on every rim on the inside taken off. Special when you are using double beadlocks you don't want that beadlock device on your rim. because when you want to seperate the two parts of the rim then that should go fast and easy and not that the bead is getting stuck on the internal bead holder ring what's pressed into every rim.

As for Hutchinson they didn't wanted to do anything for me.But that's now almost 2 years ago and since then i never spoke with them anymore. Many of the US rim shops are just interrested in your money and they haven't any idea where you are talking about. I had some who had not a clou what a double beadlock was even it was on their website. Stazwork was totally different but he's just a very small player on a hughe market inthe US. But everybody i talked with in the rokcrawler scene said that Stazworks where the rims to go for. And that's what i did and didn't regrett it one moment. Only once when they had lost my pallet with rims in the London Harbour and afterwards i had to pay extra because of storage costs.

So Jez to get back to your question are they top quality? Stazworks are for sure but the ones i have seen from Allied racing wheels where certainley not.And in US magazines the Rock-a thon is a very good rim. Maybe it is a s you don't care that paint falls of etc or maybe because these where going to Europe the quallity was different,don't know. I wouldn't buy them my self.

Hope this helps

[Beadlocks?]

High Impact are doing internal alloy double beadies

HERE

but by the look of them and the sizes they are available in Im guessing they are Rockmonsters from Hutchinson

These wheels are made by Allied racing wheels in the USA. It's one big company with several names. Talked to the boss time ago and that's what he told me. They have several sales points al over the States.

Thought that one of the Ibex boys have bought of him. Neil Redpath is the name. He sells some models,but not double beadlocks

[Beadlocks?]

What are those - Hutchinsons or something, Jez?

http://www.army-technology.com/contractors...cks/hutchinson/

These people are not willing to help/sell you any of there beadlocks.

[Beadlocks?]

Hmmmm

Have never seen these, always recognised a 2Beadlocking" wheel & Rim etc as the giveaway "ring of bolts around the outside " ...

How good are these then ?

And as I am sitting down - typically how much are they ?

Nige

16"x 8 cost you 225 US dollars. Had them speciall made with a special pressed center from another steel then John is using normal. The same i wanted with the poly insert he had to make them as light as possible and he did. For these specifications a payed an extra 25 dollar a rim.

i have now two complete sets of these rims and they are even better then you see it on the photo.

The only thing you have to keep in mind is that every bead it self is not the same in thickness. Mine where specially made for the simex and i tried a wrangler and that didn't fitt at al. The bead is much thinner as the simex.

The painting on the rim is on a very high level.

You can order the rims as you want them John is a very helpfull guy. Every offset is possible.

[Beadlocks?]

Like those dot complient ali ones. Are they available in landrover pattern?

Daan

Daan you are better of with John Stazwork rims much better.

[MM type R pump insitu]

we should be at Leo's very early on Saturday morning so anytime during Saturday daytime would be a good idea - give him a call and see if he has a preference

Wil cal Leo anyway. He came with this sugesstion time ago to hop over when you are driving to Russia.

Wil ask him what fitts best in his schedule.

[MM type R pump insitu]

Dolly,

You have a sharp eye. When are you at Leo's place? Next weekend you said!! Must take some time of,when i can. Let me know the time when you are over. Al ready so far??

[MM type R pump insitu]

Adrian,

I have done lot of testing to create a ,in my opinion good setup. Even i am chanching it again.

Used a twin pump setup PTO driven and that gave me 125 cc as a total pump volume.

Winch Mile marker

Tires 36 inch

Diff is 4,7

transfer box fitted with a crawler gear

And when al this came together i had a 1 : 1 drive assist

tank i have used is filled with about 55-55 ltrs

Al the oil is cooled by a hughe cooler what can handle a max of 120 ltrs a min. So that's the flow where i am working with. At least in that setup.

Tubing and hoses used 20 mm for the pressure and 22 mm for the return

So i took what the cooler could handle as a max and took it from there. Using a hughe 1 inch ports valve block and that's what you want because other wise it gets very hot. Systems with 15/16 and even 18 mm can't handle these flows. It's even a fact that the 20 mm is to small but some times you have to make a compromise. The hoses getting very thick as is the tubing,what makes it difficult to work with in some times very tight area's.

Hope this helps

[Memory Map Belgium??]

Have a couple of rallies and the National to do in Belgium this year,

Is there a mapping system which can be tagged ?? on to UK Memory map ??

doing a search, but thought I would ask the experts first

any help greatly received

1 : 50000 is on the market from garmin. not sure if you could run it with Memory map. But when you are using the http://www.ttqv.com/main.php?sprache=2 then you can run the Garmin in that software program

[TD5 Fuel leak]

You could have a leak there on the diesel cooler. There is a fuell line connection over there. It's some sort of a push pull connector what makes them connected with the cooler. Maybe one of them is not in good order anymore. I have never seen a leaking cooler before. I would go for the option that the line connections are bad. You can take the complete unit of and inspect it. I have done it before.

Rob