Might be coming back to the fold.

[charliebrisbane]

I sold my p38 in 2009 after paying a few grand every time I took the car to the shop for computer problems and all the rest.

I have owned a Jeep Wrangler in between times (I know, yes I bought a Jeep) but you will be pleased to know (or not) that I did a big end bearing after towing off road and replaced the engine at 75,000km and have had recent similar damage. The 3.8 litre is just a weak engine.

I always think of my Rangie and am thinking of joining in again.

I realise I can get one of the later p38's for quite a low price ($15,000 or less). I could buy a new fourby for $40-50K. But figured I could buy a decent p38 and spend the money on doing it up the way I want. i sold my p38 for $18k and was not happy to only get that much for a 2001 but am happy now the prices are even lower.

I was running 275 mud tyres on my 18 inch rims before that came to about 32" in diameter. I bought the Gen III speings and raised it a bit which helped but still had rubbing. I was wondering if anyone stocks gear sets higher than the 4.11's. I would like to run 35's on the car and re-gear to suit. Probably around the 4.5 mark?

Although I did have problems with the p38 I loved it. It looks like after a quick look around the forum there area lot more fixes and ways around the problems. I would want to retain the EAS and see that people are doing 2 inch lifts. Who does the most complete 2inch lifts? Hardy was on here years ago but it looks like he has shut up shop. Any other good contacts?

I will post other questions as I go but am seriously considering getting back into the p38's.

The main reasons are:

2 live axles

ability to lock back and front diffs with ARB

cheap enough to spend some money on to get a good offroad/on road set up.

Good size (not too big like 100 series Land Cruiser)

Still looks good

Oh and by the way did anyone set up a good looking snorkel?

Cheers,

Charlie

[mtb_gary]

charliebrisbane

Hopefully welcome back in the near future. There have been a few snorkels around, majority of them custom made. There was a rather fragile one out of Europe (Italy from memory) and there is also one commercially available from Lucky8. The drop in the $AUS vs $US has made the Lucky8 a bit more expensive. IMHO the appearance of the Lucky8 wins hands down. As for diff ratios, the only offering I am aware of is the Ashcroft 4.11.

Good luck with your purchase and keep us posted

Gary

[Grumbles]

You're one sick puppy Charlieb...... I like the way you think:D

I did similar to you - ran away from my LSE Rangie - well almost........I kept it but relegated it to occasional casual use and bought a Pentastar Wrangler. It was a great car but is gone now due to dealer shenanigans.

Hope you find the right Rangie - enjoy the ride which I am sure you will.:D

[benji]

So the grass on the other side of the fence cost just as much.
I believe the v6 chrysler 300c uses the same motor. A chapy did the big ends in his to and had to wait 3 months for shells from America.

So:
With the lifts we've all made or own, and I'm pretty sure they're all different. You've read the sticky thread obviously.
Currently there's no one making these for sale.

With the snorkels, lucky8 in America is making a snorkel, and it looks great. Others have made the own, but like the lift it seems to be a lot of work.

All the computer stuff now can be done with a nanocom or hawkey, which are about 400.
Hope this helps.


Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[TheTree]

Good luck with your search mate

Ashcroft also do various goodies like lockers and ATB Diffs

Steve

[charliebrisbane]

thanks guys. Got a couple in mind. Will see if I have the guts to do it.

[FANTOM P38]

Hi Charlie good luck hope you find the ideal beast.
IMHO i would forget the ARB' & go for Ashcrofts. much better suited to Landies & stronger / more reliable, not mention more cost effective.

As for snorkels most of us have done our own - not as much work as you might think just needs patience. Davidsonm & myself have come up with fairly good looking ones that suit the P38 worth searching here for ideas.
feel free to pm if you have any questions.

[Keithy P38]

Good to see you're interested in returning! A few things have changed or improved since you departed!

Lift kits are (as mentioned above) all home made. It was an interesting period designing kits, and a few have been done up in CAD - mine included, if you'd like something you can take into a shop and have them cut for you. It's a personal thing, the sticky thread is something that you could draw inspiration from!

Snorkels are the same. Sean (davidsonsm) and Martin(Fantom P38) have done a great job on theirs, Lucky8 sell them out of the states, or you could go stainless like a few of us have. Again, budget and personal taste are what will help you decide. The lucky8 one will work out to be slightly more expensive than my stainless one was, but it does look good.

Good luck!
Keithy

[charliebrisbane]

Thanks for the further replies. More food for thought.

I just moved house and it seems that has taken over from buying another car. Will be looking again in about a week me thinks.