6 wheel cruiser
Submitted: Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 02:07
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Midge
Thinking about getting my Cruiser converted to dual cab ute 6 wheeler with a lazy axle or 6x6, undecided. Any pros and cons on a few of companies would be appreciated, Creative Conversions Qld, Specialised Vehicles Camden NSW, SVM Narangba Qld, I would like to hear pros and cons from all or any other companys.
Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 06:50
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 06:50
Hi Midge, can I ask why you want to do this ?
.
AnswerID:
347618
Follow Up By: Midge - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 16:46
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 16:46
Have to be able to put the camper on the back and tow a bigger boat
FollowupID:
615897
Reply By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 07:24
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 07:24
Midge,
Wide Bay Motor BodiesDarkside Conversions
I had my Cruiser converted by Darkside in Victoria, they engineered it for NSW and then I had no issues getting it changed over to QLD.
Cheers Kev
| Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.Lifetime Member
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Follow Up By: Midge - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 16:48
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 16:48
Are you happy with the workmanship off the conversion, is there anything to watch out for
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:51
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:51
Alan at Darkside Conversions is very good to deal with and he personally cuts each vehicle. He only does one at a time and is a perfectionist.
Make sure you get the conversion engineered for what ever state you wish to reregister it in.
Many conversion
places only charge for the chop and engineering and don't do the upholstry or respraying. This add up if you have to do they yourself.
Cheers Kev
| Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.Lifetime Member
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Reply By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 10:48
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 10:48
Midge
My experience with lazy axle is getting 'hung up' crossing humps. i.e. the lazy axle lifts the rear drive wheels off the ground and you lose traction at the drive wheels. Solution is ensure you cross at an angle so that one wheel is on the ground. Another, engage front wheel drive.
Here's a piccy of my beast .... (which I want to sell. What's it worth?).
Image Could Not Be Found
Malcolm
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Follow Up By: Midge - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 16:52
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 16:52
Who done the conversion on your rig, what is the
suspension on the lazy axle and are you happy with it, any faults. I wouldn't have a clue what it's worth. What size tray, Looks good.
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Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:41
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:41
Midge
Here's what the axle setup looks like (sorry for the grass - bit wet up here to move things at present).
Tray is 2 x 1.8 m (internal) - I use it as my work truck for going out to my block at Cape Bowling Green (Giru). If it hasn't been washed away :-)
Drove it to
Cairns (empty) and back once. I can tell you its no Nissan Patrol when it comes to ride quality. A good load on the back would have done wonders. Felt like riding a crowbar. Let the tyres down on the way back which certainly helped.
Image Could Not Be Found
If you just want to put a camper on the back I'd be looking more at a chassis extention only and sticking with 4x4.
HTH
Malcolm
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Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:48
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:48
too quick on the post :-(
The mods: 6x4 and turbo were all done in 2000. I don't know who did the mods.
Malcolm
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Midge - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 22:59
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 22:59
It may be written on the compliance plate under the bonnet or somewhere near it
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Reply By: Member - Matt (Perth-WA) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 12:13
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 12:13
Midge have a look here...
6x6 Aust
Matt.
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Follow Up By: Midge - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 17:06
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 17:06
Had any experience with this mob or do you know anyone who has
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Follow Up By: Member - Matt (Perth-WA) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:02
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:02
Nope none at all...just found them while researching for my own interest.
About the only mob that does a true 6x6 conversion and I liked the way they do it.
Matt.
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Reply By: StormyKnight - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 15:49
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 15:49
Hows your 6x6 cruiser on sharp hairpins......like a nissan 4x4? :)
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Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm (Townsville) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:50
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 18:50
Good point ...
The 6x6 stands for "six point turns" :-)
Malcolm
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Reply By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 20:30
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 20:30
Hi Midge,
I have a 6 wheeler (lazy axle) based on a Toyota Landcruiser 1988 Hj61 Turbo diesel. It was one of only 2 conversions of this model done by
Dalby Workshops. (I think this guy has retired now and doesnt do them any longer).
I have found it a great vehicle - but there are pros and cons.
As stated above you can lose traction temporarily in certain conditions. I have not had a problem with speed bumps but in some off road conditions like a dip in track - the lazy axle takes the weight in turn and drive wheels lose traction momentarily. If you are in 4x4 its not a problem.
Benefits are considerable - lot higher legal load capacity - 4500Kg GVM. and better stability cornering and in rough conditions with dual rear load sharing axles.
I have spoken to the owner of a 6 whell drive troop carrier who was also very happy with unit but pointed out that turning in soft sand or mud was difficult - 4 rear wheels driving wanted to push vehicle straight ahead and front wheels were over ruled by 4 rear ones.
So its a matter of what you want to do with the vehicle. Obviously 6x6 isn a lot more expensive to convert than 6x4 but would give overall better off raod capability.
Here is a piccy of my BEAST:
Image Could Not Be Found
Mine is NOT for sale.....lol
Cheers,
GPM
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Midge - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 21:08
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 21:08
Wha t type of
suspension and how does it ride along the bitumen, it does look good
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Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 21:37
Thursday, Feb 05, 2009 at 21:37
Image Could Not Be Found
MIne rides quite good on the bitumen but I think my
suspension is not as heavy as Malcolms above. But it rides even better with some weight in the back. I think they can configure
suspension to whatever you require.
I did not have a photo of
suspension but just took this one outside in the dark.
I will see if I can get some better pics tomorrow in daylight.
Cheers,
GPM
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