Forum:
Im looking to purchase a Fourtrak F70 to use off road at the weekends but it will also be my daily drive. Ive been doing some research into suspension modifications and Im a little confused!
I want to put larger tyres on and see if I can improve articulation but without making it too unpleasant to drive on the road. Im not sure whether to use extended shackles or lift springs or parabolic springs or do a body lift or any combination of these?
Anyone know where I can get uprated springs or parabolic springs from?
Also whats the cheapest way to get locking diffs (without welding them)? Ive heard something about swapping Toyota diffs?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
David
I would go with the body
I would go with the body lift, if your going to lift at all. What tyre size did you want ton geton it? Body lift alowes for bigger tyres / mors axle articulation, with out lifting the cars centre of gravity as much as a suspencion lift. This is good for on and off road stability. It also means your not playing with the cars suspencion / running fear / steering geomitary. Also a good thing in a car you want to use daily on the road.
As for diff locks, I belive the term hens teeth would be appropriate. Fiddle brakes are easier and cheeper to sort. Not sure about the legality on a road car though. Have known people put them on road cars, but whether thats just couse their MOT man is a friendly type or not I couldn't say.
For the springs, there are any number of companies advertising in most 4x4 mags. Millner Conversions are as good a place to start lookling as any.
Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.
f70 modifications
hi i have parabolic springs on my f70 3 in lift procom plus 2 in shockers very good off road and good on road
Hello Robert
Hi mr Howard, just wondered if you could possibly please tell me what shockers you have used and wether you have changed your brake lines for longer ones etc where you might have got them from etc, help would be great cheers.
Full of ideas but no time to do them!!
www.bloodredoffroad.com
www.milneroffroad.com
eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6d%75%64%6e%75%74%72%75%63%6b%40%67%6f%6f%67%6c%65%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%22%3e%6d%75%64%6e%75%74%72%75%63%6b%40%67%6f%6f%67%6c%65%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b'))
youtube: Redfourtrack
f70 modifications
hi parabolic springs from hst from netherlands visit there website .shockers from procomp es3000 i think i adjusted the brake pipe mountings a little. mabe a little bit expensive but works well offroad and onroad.the springs are now sided for righthand drive cars now and may need a bit of adjustment to fit ie different shackle bolts cheers
Springs and things
If its going to be off roaded alot and driven steady on the road, then you cant beat a suspension lift with some sort of heavy duty springs to help hold it up, the reason i say this is you have to think about your breakover angle, departure and approach angles on your chassis which you cannot get on just a body lift, all this does is allow for the ease of fitting larger tyres.Dont go to milners to buy there springs, as great a company as they are they sell standard stuff fot daihatsus, youll be stiffer then an iron girder. Go on the internet look at procomps leafs, i found a jap company in leeds i think it was where i got some crackin heavy duty but very flexible leaves cos they use thinner metal but xtra leafs etc. Longer shackles are a doddle, but then you need longer dampers and brake lines (which im in the process of looking at).But the magazine total off road - it will open your eyes into modding - its a great read. As for diffs trace back the forums in mods section cos there is a thing about diff locks in it and where to find em - but youll be lucky!!! hope this helps
Full of ideas but no time to do them!!
www.bloodredoffroad.com
www.milneroffroad.com
eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6d%75%64%6e%75%74%72%75%63%6b%40%67%6f%6f%67%6c%65%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%22%3e%6d%75%64%6e%75%74%72%75%63%6b%40%67%6f%6f%67%6c%65%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b'))
youtube: Redfourtrack
Need A Lift
Suspension lift, definately! this allows bigger wheels and tyres to be fitted, suggest fitting adjustable shocks, this allows them to be tailored to both road, and off road use.
Larger wheels increases the under axle clearance, thus improving off road ability; do not forget to recalibrate your speedo as you do not want speeding tickets.
Body lifts often entail more work than is envisaged, flexible brake pipes, wiring, water pipes, etc all need lengthening, soon all the problems before, and often corrected them.
Suspension lifts are easier, and provide better results for less financial outlay, in future you still have the option of a body lift, if you require it.
Why didnt I think of that!
Assasin: Adjustable dampers! What a great idea! Any idea of makes and where I can get some from?
Robert H Howard: Where did you get your Parabolic springs from? I have had a look around but haven't been able to find any for the fourtrak.
Shocking
Most manufacturers do a range of shocks, Milners or Scorpion Racing are pretty good.
ARB used to supply a kit for the Fourtrak, not sure, but I think it was either imported, or a modified Toyota item, not even sure if it is still available.
In addition you will need the compressor, control assembly, and all the pipework, suggest using copper brake pipe. Last one I fitted was several years ago, a special tool is required to spread the axle opening to allow the unit to fit, made a screw type one.
Can now supply you with information
Diff lock used was a Mc Namara, these replace the original diff, you will need the matching driveshafts (seriously heavy duty) and the compressor.
Drive flange adapters were available to allow their use in Fourtrak models.
Sorry for the delay, as I have had to make some calls, and wrack the old grey matter, as the vehicle was sold in 1994, hope this is of use too you.