lazy axle! easy to do???

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Originally Posted by BigJon

We have 8 LandCruiser 79 Series with GVM upgrades to 3700kg.

They are all used at about 3400 - 3500kg over all road conditions, from highway bitumen to corrugated outback tracks.

They are all hanging together just fine and all that was required for the GVM upgrade was better rear springs. We also fit rear airbags and decent dampers.

Definately not a waste of time. Upgrading the entire fleet would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, GVM upgrades are cheap and effective for us.

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We did that 10 years ago,the Patrols cracked in half and the cruisers cracked hangers and shackes.All GMV upgrades do is move the load to the next weakest part. Pat

Craig
You couldnt GIVE me a new Canter!!!
We have them at work.
Not 4x4 but sereious POO!!
Andrew

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Originally Posted by PAT303

We did that 10 years ago,the Patrols cracked in half and the cruisers cracked hangers and shackes.All GMV upgrades do is move the load to the next weakest part. Pat

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As I said, we haven't had any issues so far, only time will tell.
The GVM upgrades are issued by an engineer and he didn't have any qualms about allowing them.

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Originally Posted by BigJon

As I said, we haven't had any issues so far, only time will tell.
The GVM upgrades are issued by an engineer and he didn't have any qualms about allowing them.

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Yeah I have some concerns, but a lot would depend on application, loading and the quality of workmanship. I have seen quality and absolute tripe workmanship.
Though I personally would not load anymore than 2000kg on them regardless of ratings.

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Originally Posted by PAT303

I had a Patrol 6wheeler as a work vehicle,it was done in Queensland by 6 wheeler,most likely the company Craig is talking about.All up it was a PITA,the lazy axle would chew through tyres like no tomorrow on tar and it also steered by the rear with a load on,it was down right dangerous in the wet on a winding road or going around roundabouts.It had one last problem that it would unload the drive axle when reversing up a gutter and psin the drive wheels so I got stuck quite often in the pit,all the time actually.IMHO I think all the GMV upgrades etc on 4WD's are a waste of time as you are loading the vehicle past it's strength,if you want more load carrying capacity buy a 4tonner truck.It costs more to buy a 4wd and change it than what a truck built to do the job costs. Pat

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Pat, I think that is why a lot of people have stopped doing the conversions or at least dont highly publicise it anymore. 5 or 6 years ago there were quite a few doing 6x6 conversions, I only know of one now.
Personally I would do what a friend has done here and cut down a 100 series and put a full length tray on it with beefed up suspension, but still does not carry any more than a tonne on the back. Departure angle suffers a little but not that bad and I have not seen it hung up yet.

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Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Craig
You couldnt GIVE me a new Canter!!!
We have them at work.
Not 4x4 but sereious POO!!
Andrew

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I had the 2008 model as a 4x4 fire truck and thought it was OK. O par with anything else.
:p

Might not be too bad. To give you an idea, a guy in the LROCB got his 110 ute lengthened to 130" by a place in Brisbane that normally does similar work on trucks. IRC it cost him $1800 drive in drive out with a mod plate.

Now that is only about 1/3 of the work of a lazy axle conversion. So bank on at least $6k - if not more.

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Originally Posted by PAT303

We did that 10 years ago,the Patrols cracked in half and the cruisers cracked hangers and shackes.All GMV upgrades do is move the load to the next weakest part. Pat

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Yep, in the pits just down the valley from here the coil sprung rear Patrols would crack the chassis just behind the rear axle (it'd break off) and the leaf sprung rears would crack the chassis at the rear hanger.
Nissan to their credit beefed up the vehicles in these areas pretty promptly, but I know even a few spray contractors that broke their Patrols in half.