Thread: lazy axle! easy to do???

I believe there are companies that do this sort of thing - I actually followed a Landcruiser with one on the road yesterday.

John

You see a few about. Probably quite expensive. Chassis to be lengthened, load sharing suspension to be supplied and fitted, brake system to be installed and probably some changes to existing brake system for extra capacity. All to be done according to Hoyle and suitably inspected and plated to the satisfaction of the relevant state authority. Perhaps buying a bigger vehicle would be a better idea. One of the 4WD Isuzu, Toyota, or Hino small trucks.

I agree with Brian, would be cost prohibitive. And consider that your turning circle will be significantly worse, longer wheel base + multiple axle groups (tandem) don’t like allowing the vehicle to turn. Rear tyre life shortened as well.

It all depends on what you call expensive and wether you are planning a lot longer tray etc.
If you are only looking at weight carrying capacity it may be a wate of time on a standard wheelbase 130. You would be better off going down the suspension upgrade route, eg a 5 tonne air suspension upgrade, but you would have to get it certified to carry the extra weight legally. This can be done.
If you are talking about extending the chassis and a longer tray then there are three options.
Option 1 : Extend the chassis and upgrade the suspension to an air ride system (Cheaper if you do not use air suspension and say go for a 1 -1.5 tonne rating). Cost is around $12k fully complianced. I had an Nissan Patrol ambulance built and this was the cost of the chassis and suspension mods only (The ambulance rating allowed for 5 tonne).
Option 2 : As per option 1 but with a lazy axle. From looking into it around $15-18k depending on what type of suspension you intend to run and what weight limit you want and from memory this included a tray.
Option 3 : Was a 6x6 conversion and was about $25k. There were very few companies doing this and I am not sure if any still do it.

I tossed up options a couple of years back and to get say a 100 series cruiser converted to either lazy axle or 6x6 was going to cost between $18-$25k depending which way I went and included cutting down the wagon body and finishing in factory trim. The only 6x6 conversion I could find was in Qld and the name escapes me at present, but there are a lot of companies that will do the chassis extension.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

You see a few about. Probably quite expensive. Chassis to be lengthened, load sharing suspension to be supplied and fitted, brake system to be installed and probably some changes to existing brake system for extra capacity. All to be done according to Hoyle and suitably inspected and plated to the satisfaction of the relevant state authority. Perhaps buying a bigger vehicle would be a better idea. One of the 4WD Isuzu, Toyota, or Hino small trucks.

Probablly bang on Brian. I am considering a Mitsubishi Canter 4x4 truck as my next vehicle as it is about the same cost as buying a new 130, with a heaps bigger tray.

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

Thank you all for your honest and helpful knowledge.
Going by what has been discussed it would be a necessity to to replace the engine as it would be then under powered pulling 5 t of wood ( last two winters though )
And the wife was reading the answers with me.Wont mention what she just said about the cost
Thank you all & cheers

Originally Posted by PAT303

.IMHO I think all the GMV upgrades etc on 4WD's are a waste of time

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.