Steve_M

I would probably be looking for a set of 80 series axles. These in UK spec came with lockers front and rear, are very strong and would add a bit of track width to give you a bit more stability. The 70 series axles are probably a little to narrow (about 1400mm) and are a popular swap under suzukis. 40 and 60 series would probably also be suitable but I don't think would be all that easy to find.

This thread would suggest that its gone. Steve

Have a look at http://awdc.co.uk/data/awdc.nsf/Forms%20Page!OpenForm

Ashcroft's offer a modified transfer box to increase the high ratio gearing, details are here. This set up was fitted to the lightweight I had by one of the previous owners and it certainly does help with the road going gearing in most situations.

As an alternative to spacers for the hilux axle I believe it is possible to use the hubs from a later IFS model which add about 1.5" either side to the track width. I think this is covered on pirate4x4 or ih8mud forums, I can't remember which now.

I think the one you may be thinking about is here on Pirate4x4, I think someone posted a link and some pictures up to it a while ago. Toyota axles and a big cummins diesel.

autosparks should be able to supply the bits you need.

As Mark says I bought the lightweight from him and would agree with all his comments regarding the engine work, great fun but if it hadn't already been fitted I wouldn't have done it myself due to the cost. I have now sold it on to a guy in Kent who was looking at it mainly for road use and as a military buff, as I realised that it didn't have the control I wanted for offroad work and I was just going to end up wrecking something that a military euthausist would be keen to have. The funds from it are going to go towards something more suitable for my needs. Having said that I do often regret getting rid of it as it was a huge amount of fun. Steve

That explains how I was able to catch you up despite not leaving the campsite until much later. Passed you as you joined the M3, although I have to admit I was cheating a little by doing the trip in my car rather than the 109. Steve

A few more,

Mark, I think he posted it over several seperate threads as he went along but I think that the main ones are here and here Steve

This Fourtrak (Rocky) was there last year in proto class, I guess it is the same one.

Clicking here should take you to the start of the vehicle enquiry section on the DVLA site. Steve

Paul, Have a look here, pretty sure I have heard that they may be coming back under a slightly different name though. Sowden tyres always used to stock them. Steve

Rocky Mountain parabolics are worth looking at, I have had them on a lightweight (already fitted when I bought it) and I have recently put some onto my 109 and have been happy with both sets. Steve

There is a guy on difflock who posts as k9rdj who had similar problems after he bobtailed a vitara and declared it. In the end I think he abandoned the whole thing and just stripped if for bits. You can see a few threads he started about this if you search in the suzuki section of difflock.com for posts containing phrases sva and/or stumpy with k9rdj as the author. Probably not the kind of thing you wanted to see. Steve

I had a feeling that might be the case. So plus points - more room I would think probably will hold its value better long term negatives- not so comfy wouldn't have thought that it is as safe There are probably loads more on both sides, I try and think of a long list of positives for you. I suppose you've got a point there, hadn't really though about the laning side of things. Steve

Rich, I would have thought that the main question is once the Toyota axles are on your Disco 1 how often are you really going to be using the shiny one off road? I would have thought that the answer is not much. Personally Rich I think you should stick with what you have got, I don’t think the defender would be quite so family friendly. Have you run this idea past Kyrisa yet or are you trying to build a reasoned case to present first? I can't see her being to keen. Steve

Some lists of ratios on the follwoing page, http://www.difflap.com.au/ratios/n-r.htm Steve

Some more photos from 2007 event http://www.gonzo4x4.be/fotoindex.htm

Poor quality photo unfortunatley as it was taken with my phone but here is Paul (Moose) waving a wheel.

Just seen this link on difflock, looks as though it could be useful. http://www.metalgeek.com/static/cope.pcgi Steve

The second one looks like a military style roll hoop and will be fixed on top of the body cappings so doesn't have the strongest of foundations. It will provide limited protection but not much and they are designed to be used with soft tops so it would probably be a struggle to fit with a hardtop. I don't really like the look of the first one either as the backstays only appear to mount on to the body not the chassis and there is no trianglation in the main hoop. Steve

Mine was also on the wing in a lightweight with a full soft top.

If you are only looking to seat three people could you not do this across the front row with a central seat? I know you lose the space for a cubby box but it may be the easiest solution and frees up all the space in the back giving a nice large box shaped space to work with. Only problem (apart from the loss of a cubby box) with a third seat in the front is that you may not be able to fit a child seat onto it as it may be too narrow.