Cargo volume

**Mercguy** · 3rd October 2020, 07:58 AM

Just an interesting side note.

Had to go to mates workshop in CBR last wed to get my spare 5.6L m117 and complete rear subframe for the w124 Tmodell. These are physically cumbersome and heavy parts.
I had a large wire crate (ex-nswrfs) and my 60L engel already in the back and was only intending to get the subframe, but there were some more pressing issues of space etc, so some forklift shuffling occurred and suddenly the RRC had the back seats folded forward, the engel, the m117 and the complete (not disassembled, but in tact) rear subframe axle-to axle, and it all fitted.
Yes, I had to move the crate to the front seat, but in retrospect it could have been left in the back, but when you consider the rear end was 1600mm long, there was a bit of juggling.

I also discovered the nivomat is on it's last legs and the rear is sagging by about 2.5" with the load in the back (about 500kg tare wt)

But how about that for versatility. I've moved furniture and stuff before, and had to remove the rear seats on occasions previous, but to be able to achieve this task without prior planning was a minor miracle in my books. the subframe by itself was going to barely fit across the diagonal (as was the plan) with the engel and the crate still in the back, but having to shove an ohc v8 in beside it was certainly a challenge, but easily executed.

Also made me rethink a few things, but boy.... what a result.

There are two downsides:
1. floor height for lifting these heavy objects - without the forklift / hydraulic assistance it's a no-go.
2. It's not as voluminous as the back of the w124 T modell. In fact it's nowhere near as practical from a load space perspective, despite the same rough dimensions.

But these things are minutiae. The practicality of an old range rover (and the lack of worry associated with cargo-bay damage) with 375K on the original drivetrain is testament to the ideology that these things were meant to tolerate rough handling and take it in it's stride.
Pretty darn effective tool to have in your arsenal.

Now what to do about that nivomat and maybe reconsider spring rates in the rear.

**350RRC** · 4th October 2020, 08:11 AM

Years ago I came across an obscure site where the guy had replaced the load leveller with a front strut from a Mazda 323 with the spring on it.

Pretty sure he'd made it adjustable. The funny thing was the top ball joint was a direct match with the socket in the RRC A frame.

cheers, DL

**loanrangie** · 4th October 2020, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by 350RRC

Years ago I came across an obscure site where the guy had replaced the load leveller with a front strut from a Mazda 323 with the spring on it.

Pretty sure he'd made it adjustable. The funny thing was the top ball joint was a direct match with the socket in the RRC A frame.

cheers, DL

I saw that too , had pics of it somewhere as I was going to do it .
I ended up fitting kings progressive rate springs in the rear so never bothered.

**Mercguy** · 4th October 2020, 09:44 AM

Whoa, I'd be down for a mod like that. Anyone got pics? or is there a thread? not finding anything in search. (search tool has changed recently and not as effective as it used to be)

**loanrangie** · 4th October 2020, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Mercguy

Whoa, I'd be down for a mod like that. Anyone got pics? or is there a thread? not finding anything in search. (search tool has changed recently and not as effective as it used to be)

Wasn't on here, I may have pics somewhere.

**1984V8110** · 4th October 2020, 03:43 PM

Slightly tangential to the topic, but I had never seen reference to a Nivomat until this thread.

Having Googled Nivomat I see that they are a brand of self levelling Shockie. Do I take it that these can be used instead of the Boge levelling device, or is the OP using two Nivomats at the rear to get a similar effect to the single Boge unit?

I'm interested as my 110 has not got the Boge unit, but if there is a solution that replaces the Boge, then I'd be intrested.

Best Wishes

Michael

**DoubleChevron** · 5th October 2020, 08:52 AM

I'd say 500kgs is way more than a nivomat can handle. I regassed mine ... it "sort of " worked. But made the car feel unhappy towing. It felt like the towed load was pushing the body around over the back axle as the centre was carrying the weight, not the springs. It tows for more nicely with air bags in the rear springs!

**Mercguy** · 5th October 2020, 12:54 PM

Yeah, my application for the RRC isn't heavy towing or loading to excess like this particular occasion.
Normally it is perfectly OK, but given the age of the vehicle I am guessing that the nivomat has probably lost some of it's gas and certainly could do with some new fork oil and a few more bar of nitrogen in it.

I'll try to get in touch with WW in BrisVegas and see if they are still doing the reco on them. If so, I will send mine up for service. Don't want an exchange unit (and I'd prefer to keep it blue and not painted... I know they like to paint them for 'identification').

Will see how it goes.

Fwiw, the Koni's are still awesome despite the load.

Oh, I also only had 35psi in the tyres. Stupid me did not pump the rears up before leaving canberra, but hey.... it still felt like there was an elephant in the boot.

IMG_0064.jpg
Check out the saggy arse.

**Mercguy** · 5th October 2020, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by 1984V8110

Slightly tangential to the topic, but I had never seen reference to a Nivomat until this thread.

Having Googled Nivomat I see that they are a brand of self levelling Shockie. Do I take it that these can be used instead of the Boge levelling device, or is the OP using two Nivomats at the rear to get a similar effect to the single Boge unit?

I'm interested as my 110 has not got the Boge unit, but if there is a solution that replaces the Boge, then I'd be intrested.

Best Wishes

Michael

Michael,

The 'Boge levelling device' is referred to by it's marketing common name - a Nivomat. ZF-Sachs-Boge (Fichtel Sachs originally) have had many names for these devices, but Nivomat is the common "brand name" if you like, or the 'model range' name.

cheers

**gavinwibrow** · 5th October 2020, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mercguy

Yeah, my application for the RRC isn't heavy towing or loading to excess like this particular occasion.
Normally it is perfectly OK, but given the age of the vehicle I am guessing that the nivomat has probably lost some of it's gas and certainly could do with some new fork oil and a few more bar of nitrogen in it.

I'll try to get in touch with WW in BrisVegas and see if they are still doing the reco on them. If so, I will send mine up for service. Don't want an exchange unit (and I'd prefer to keep it blue and not painted... I know they like to paint them for 'identification').

Will see how it goes.

Fwiw, the Koni's are still awesome despite the load.

Oh, I also only had 35psi in the tyres. Stupid me did not pump the rears up before leaving canberra, but hey.... it still felt like there was an elephant in the boot.

IMG_0064.jpg
Check out the saggy arse.

About 30 years ago our new to be chief engineer drove from the east coast to WA with what was reputed to be a 5,000lb multifunction lathe in the back of his blue 2 door. That lathe was a monster and only just fitted with him having upright seating. I don't know how he was game to drive it, although he did say it was a bit of a slow trip.

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