Issue 2 Newsletter

ARB AIR AIR--LOCKER PROMOTION INSIDE Grant Guy

4X4 Driver’s Newsletter PUBLISHED BY GRANT GUY, OWNER OF G GUY MOTORS

4WD Tourer All Rounder & 4X4 Sports Beast In the last Newsletter three popular types of custom 4WD trucks were introduced with different modifications that made these vehicles ideally suited to their driver’s needs and off-road driving conditions (see the August 2009 Newsletter found on our website). In this issue two custom 4WD vehicles are featured; a 4X4 Tourer and a 4X4 Sports Truck. These two 4WD vehicles have been customised by G. Guy Motors to suit their owner’s requirements; one is a very comfortable all-rounder used in tag-along 4X4 tours across NZ, and the other a 4X4 sports beast used in offroad racing events, such as the Taupo 1000. It’s been barely over 3 years since Murray Taylor’s 2006 Nissan GU Patrol rolled off the showroom floor as a brandnew vehicle and into Grant’s workshop, but since then Murray has enjoyed using his 4X4 Tourer on many away trips. Usually organised by local 4X4 clubs these tag-along tours have allowed Murray to enjoy driving his 4X4 Tourer in the company of like-minded 4X4 people around areas of NZ not often open to the public.

As a tough offroad race, the Taupo 1000 beats them all. Craig Mulholand has successfully competed in the Taupo 1000 twice (yes, that’s 1000 km with 2 days of racing) with his custom-built FJ40 Toyota Landcruiser. The 4X4 Sports Truck has front and rear axles borrowed from a Nissan Safari and custom suspension to soak -up the massive forces thrown at it from the gruelling speeds and terrain of the Taupo 1000. Our Hot Products this issue includes the Xtreme Clutch To transform both these vehirange of robust clutch & drivcles, G. Guy Motors began by ing plate kits and we detail drawing up a project plan to ARB’s Air-Locker “free air suit each owner well before compressor” promotion that their truck rolled into Grant’s ends on the 31st December. workshop. Over the next couAnd to help with Christmas gift ple of pages these vehicles ideas the team at G Guy Moare discussed in detail, along tors have come up with a few with the importance of 4WD popular gifts, including a wishproject planning before you fit list of what they would want for that first 4X4 accessory. Also, their own trucks. we highlight what is perhaps the most effective 4X4 accesWe round-out the issue with a sory you can have, Airfew photos from the recent Lockers. Taupo 1000 offroad race where Grant came a very respectable In our Q&A column we address why putting off that oil 12th overall and 3rd in his change doesn’t make good class. sense and how pre-trip prepaAnd finally, we discuss why ration, including a vehicle check-up, provide peace-of4X4 clubs are good value, no mind motoring while on your matter what experience you holiday. have in offroad driving.

Winner of the G. Guy Motors ARB Snatch Strap As a keen 4X4 driver, I’m sure Attila will see the ARB Snatch Strap put to good use.

Attila Cegledi was the winner of last month’s “win an ARB Snatch Strap”

Attila drives a Toyota 70 Series Landcruiser and can often be seen driving along Wellington’s west coast in search of great fishing spots.

WWW.GGUYMOTORS.CO.NZ Wellington Agency Full Service & 4X4 Accessories

He has built up his truck to take the knocks and most recently had Grant bolt-on a turbo kit and then upgrade the suspension to fit in some new 33” Cooper ST tyres and finally he added a rear protection bar.

Volume 1, Issue 2 December 2009

Events Calendar  Taupo1000 Grant’s Story  Coastguard Fundraiser

SALE ITEMS INSIDE Contents Murray’s 4X4 Tourer

2

Craig’s 4X4 Sports Truck

4

Air Diff Lockers Explained

4

Hot Products & Bargains

8

Vehicle Health Check-ups

10

4X4 Events

10

Your Questions Answered

11

4X4 Offroad Clubs

15

Xmas Gift Ideas

16

41 Old Hutt Road, Thorndon, Wellington Phone (04) 472 2020 Email [email protected]

Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 2

Murray’s 4WD All Rounder Set-up For 4X4 Touring As it pulls up to a stop at the kerb beside you, it’s hard not to be impressed by the big Nissan Patrol Murray has purpose-built to take him comfortably from road-to-track and back again. The Patrol started out as a brand-new vehicle but was carefully modified with tagalong trips in mind.

because it is such a capable 4WD in its own right (just read some of the 4X4 magazine singing its praises), needing only a few modifications (including what Murray did himself) and some 4X4 quality accessories that you would find featured on most good 4X4 touring trucks.

Murray has been able to keep many of the Nissan’s factory standard features

Beginning with the basics, Murray fitted good rubber with alloy rims to

keep the weight down and Staun internal deadlocks to keep the tyres on when running low pressures. To make the most of this new traction and squeeze in larger wheels, Murray has upgraded the suspension.

“A capable, reliable and comfortable 4X4 touring vehicle was the goal”

Vehicle

 2006 Nissan Patrol Auto (3 & a bit years old)

Engine

 Factory diesel motor, turbo, exhaust, radiator and trans-cooler

Transmission & Diffs

 Factory 4-speed auto box  Rear factory locker (std ratio) and Front ARB Air-Locker  Factory CVs, axles, etc

Suspension

     

2 inch lift from vehicle-matched ARB Old Man Emu springs and shocks ARB steering dampener Factory steering linkages, suspension arms & bump-stops Castor-correction bushes replace factory versions to account for 2” lift Rear brake load-sensor switch re-fitted to account for 2” lift Factory sway-bars (rear extended / front unchanged to account for 2” lift)

Body

     

Rated tow-hooks front & rear ARB Front protection bar with winch (12,000 lbs with 24 meters of steel cable) Custom-built rock-slider bars (fitted by Murray) Custom-built protection bars for rear corners (Murray made to attach to tow-bar) Snorkel Portable air compressor with ARB Air Locker compressor as a back-up

Wheels

   

On road are 275/60/17 Mud terrain are Dunlop MTR 265/70/17 Two sets of 17 inch alloy rims (one with Staun internal beadlocks) Speedo correction to match both sets of wheels

Interior

    

Factory seats & seat-belts GPS, UHF radio (in custom console sitting on dash) Duel battery system (2nd battery in rear of vehicle) Drawer system in the back (Murray built) Waeco 21L cooler

Extras

   

9 inch electric fan mounted to intercooler Winch remote control mounted inside cab Spade holder fixed to spare wheel bracket Small day-running light fixed to front protection bar



4X4 Driver’s Newsletter The clever bit is making sure to avoid extra vibration caused by the 2 inch lift by re-aligning the vehicle’s suspension arms using castor-correction bushes and taking care of stretched brake lines, load-sensors, steering linkages and sway bar links. Protection bars (front, side & back) look after all vulnerable areas on the vehicle, with Murray choosing most recently to fit an ABR Winch Bar to meet the vehicle’s need for front protection with the versatility of an integrated electric winch.

Page 3 Murray has taken his 4X4 Tourer on numerous tag-along trips, mostly organised as fund-raising events for the local community by a 4X4 club in the region or with the local 4X4 people providing support to a local school or fundraising organisations such as a Rotary / Lions club.

Kawhia 4 Wheel Drive Safari 2010 The 4 wheel drive safari is held in

Murray reckons these are a great way to meet people interested in the same hobby or just knowledgeable about the area being explored during the tagalong trip.

weekend 13th/14th March. Funds raised

The rear corner protection bars he has made detectable from the tow bar – a convenient way of keeping the Patrol’s smart looks on road but having these plastic areas protected offroad. Murray’s front ARB Air Locker and rear factory locker means he can slowly extract his vehicle from sticky situations, typically easier on a 4WD vehicle than being forced to use a heavy boot instead. The addition of a winch completes what is a formidable selfrecovery capability, and goes a long way to providing the driver with many alternatives to navigating rough terrain. Tidying up loose ends for the vehicle’s transformation includes the snorkel, for clean, dry air into the engine, duel battery system to power the electronics without flattening the starting battery, and air compressor to pump the tyres back-up to road pressures at the end of a trip. Murray has added some clever additions, like controlling the winch from inside the vehicle or the spade holder, but one that stands-out is the Intercooler fan. Under slow driving conditions, when the air flow is minimal through the Intercooler, this electric fan kicks in to provide that little extra boost of power from cooler air entering the Inlet manifold.

A good example of a tag-along 4WD Safari Murray has enjoyed is the annually run “Te Awamuto Rotary Club fundraiser”. In March this year the tagalong trip was staged in the Kawhia region, with the funds raised being given to the communities in the Oparau, Kawhia and Te Awamutu districts. The tag-along trip was designed for ‘shiny’ 4WD vehicles to travel in convoy through farmland, bush and beach areas of the Kawhia area on tracks and roads carefully mapped out by the Rotary club with support from the local 4X4 club. In this tag-along trip, participants traversed the route at their own speed with the help of route arrows and a route map. However, you weren’t totally on your own as there was the added assistance of a team of guides and specialist tow vehicles dispersed along the route.

the Pirongia and surrounding districts. This annual event takes place in March of each year. In 2010 the event will be held on the benefit communities in the Te Awamutu District. Another one of Murray’s favourites is the annual Motu School Fundraising 4WD Safari. Organised by Geyserland (Rotorua) 4WD club it takes place in some of NZ’s most interesting bush clad hills and valleys centred about Rotorua. These tag-along 4WD Safaris can cost from $180 to $280 per vehicle for 2-3 days of adventure with meals often catered, support on hand if needed and of course all come with a passport to explore parts of NZ you’d otherwise find hard to access, plus of course the added benefit of being hosted by local people. Finally, Murray thinks the mighty Patrol will be taking him touring on tag-along To find out more about upcoming Tag-along 4WD Safaris, visit the website managed by the 4WD magazine: www.nz4wd.co.nz – it has information about events & clubs or visit the national 4WD club association’s website: www.nzfwda.org.nz safaris for many years to come – it’s a very capable touring truck, we reckon he’s right!

The description ‘shiny’ used in this case is a typical road going 4wd vehicle, with a transfer ‘secondary’ gearbox for engaging low ratio gears, eg capable but not a hardcore 4X4 truck Next year’s tag-along 4WD Safari has already been planned and more information, along with an entry form, can be found on their website:

www.teawamuturotary.org.nz WWW.GGUYMOTORS.CO.NZ Wellington Agency Full Service & 4X4 Accessories

Guy Motors would like to thank Murray Taylor for allowing us to showcase his vehicle.


Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 4

Craig’s 4WD Sports Tr uck Set-up For Offroad Racing Before the Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 was transformed into a tough 4X4 Sports Racing Truck, it started life as a “normal” 4X4 Tourer for club runs such as the South Island Coast-to-Coast. A few years ago Craig and Grant setabout planning and building the very capable race truck you see today. Most recent improvements include the Fox bump stops and the Fox twin front shocks—and according to Craig, this has resulted in an enormous gain in performance. Grant custom fitted the twin shocks to the front of Craig’s truck,

having to carefully re-jig the existing suspension mounts.

recent Taupo 1000, achieving a second place in his class (Class 6) and 19th overall against 73 competitors!

Craig intends to put his 4X4 Sports Racing Truck through its paces next year competing in more offroad races. As they say, the proof is in the doing and Craig proved the new mods during the

“As it thunders down the race track towards you, one look and you know this is a serious offroad racing truck purposebuilt to take the punishment and be there at the finish line.”

G. Guy Motors would like to thank Craig Mulholand for allowing us to showcase his vehicle.

Vehicle

Toyota FJ40

Engine

5.7 litre Corvette V8

Transmission & Diffs

GU Nissan 4.1 ratio with factory rear locker

Suspension

OME Springs with Fox bump stops and Fox remote shocks (10” twin custom FTS / single for the rear)

Wheels

On-road: 15x10 with BFG tyres and for offroad: Advanti 15X8 racing wheels alloys with 33” Simex tyres (including Staun internal beadlocks)

Interior

Race Tech seats

“ Air Lockers” – the Ultimate Diff Lock Upgrade suspension, no matter how much flex it has, will allow a wheel to lose contact with the ground and spin, you’re stuck! Let’s take a closer look at this in more “With an Air Locker, simply flip a switch to lock both wheels together and you move on - it’s as simple as that” It’s often said you should first learn to drive offroad using open differentials or Diffs (eg, without lockers) to appreciate your vehicle’s handling before upgrading to Air Lockers and experiencing the huge difference they make to steering, traction and overall performance of your 4WD vehicle. Driving offroad without Diff Lockers, you’ll eventually hit terrain where your


detail, 4wd vehicles use two basic types of differentials: Open (most commonly found) or Closed. Closed differentials can then be broken down into two subcategories:

Open Diffs Open Diffs “split” the force to the drive wheels so we can drive smoothly around corners without wheel hop. This same feature means when you drive offroad the wheel will spin if it loses traction because the open differential is designed to balance engine torque (drive force) between the left and right wheels, resulting in the torque being sent to the wheel with the least traction (friction). As it always delivers the same amount of force to each wheel, if one is completely off the ground, there is no friction or resistance on that wheel; hence, no drive force is produced by that wheel.

A) Limited Slip Diffs. or

“Basically, open differentials are

B) Fully Locked Diffs.

at the root cause of getting stuck ninety-nine percent of the time”


4X4 Driver’s Newsletter Now, since the differential wants to balance the torque, the other wheel also receives zero drive force. In this case, that means neither provides any drive force to move - you’re stuck!

Closed Diffs Traction-aiding devices overcome the shortcomings of the open differential; 4WD buffs call these closed differentials. You may know them as limitedslip Diffs and Diff lockers. Without getting in too deep, let’s just say limited slip Diffs don’t lock up 100 percent (they do a limited job). Lockers do the full deed (they lock left and right wheels 100 percent).

Page 5 Driver Selectable Diff Locker The selectable Diff locker is the best of both the open and closed differential worlds. You make the choice to lock or leave open the differential. It acts like a conventional open differential with all of the inherent on road benefits when open. When you need it, you simply activate the mechanism and it becomes 100 percent locked up (closed). Power goes to either or both wheels whether they are in the air, on the ground, going straight, on a curve, power on or off.

Air Lockers have an open, fail-safe mode. In more detail, lock-up is achieved when b moves left just enough to simultaneously engage the inner teeth of c and a’s extensions. Follow the line: This locks c, via b, to a. With a locked to c, there is no chance of Diff action; hence we have a locked Diff.

The ARB Air Locker is such a device.

ARB Air Locker Principle For an open Diff to work, all of the gears within the Diff housing must turn freely. Do anything to prevent rotation of any gear, in any manner, and you have no Diff lock action. All an air locker does is “lock up” these gears.

Limited Slip Diffs The problem with limited slip Diffs is that they do not “bias,” as it is called, enough torque to the good traction wheel to be effective in “real” bogged situations, again leaving you stuck!

Diff Lockers Diff lockers can be divided into two subcategories. One is the automatic version and the other is driver selectable. Automatic lockers can introduce a handling surprise if you’re not prepared because whether on or offroad they keep the Diff locked until you make a turn. This action unlocks the Diff and delivers power to the inside wheel only.

Let’s see how an ARB Air Locker does that. The figure shows a close-up of the ARB “end housing”. Note closely that C is not identical to its counterpart a. C’s teeth have a solid “back” In a, the valleys are cut clear through, plus there is a little “extension” of a sort on each tooth. Now also note that c has teeth just outside the axle pass through hole. In addition, there is an “extra” part, d.

“Automatic lockers are not as it although they have been improved drastically, they require added driving awareness and skill.”


There are two distinct advantages to an ARB Air Locker. The most obvious is traction. When the chips are down, that magical “glowing blue” ARB button will get you out of more trouble than any other single thing you can do to your 4WD! The other advantage is less known and more subtle. Have you ever noticed going down steep, rough hills, with an open Diff, it seems like you speed up a bit as the wheels temporarily “float” over holes, off the ground? With a locker, you do not get this “differential” speed-up. This means no burst of speed or potential loss of braking and control. Meanwhile, back on traction, with wheel spin, think of the open Diff like higher gears. When a wheel spins, with no vehicular movement, it’s like you just changed gear into a gear too high. For rough, slippery terrain, you don’t want that. Low gears are what get you through without losing traction. With a spinning open Diff, you’ve got half the gearing. Not a good thing!

As you straighten out, with a resounding chatter, clunk, it locks the Diff again.

seems, a no-brainer solution, and

ARB Air Locker Benefits

To activate, b receives air pressure from d and moves to the left in the “locked” direction. This locks a, b, c and, by virtue of c being assembled to B, all together. When the air pressure is released, springs return b to the “open” position. This shows how ARB

Air lockers can be engaged just about any time they're needed - just don't be under full power, spinning the wheels at the time. Engage them moving or not; disengage them anytime, but you need a moment of slack to make sure they unlock. Having lockers means you need to pay more attention to the vehicle and its handling characteristics.


Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 6

“Air Lockers” - continued from previous page Add big tyres aired down to 12 psi and it takes some finesse to make turns and keep the vehicle aligned to where you want it to go. Driven with due-care, air lockers are great, reducing trackdamage due to all four wheels helping, not just two spinning!

control of the steering and front end traction has been attained. Going downhill with open-diffs, it only takes a bit of loose soil or a hole and you suddenly lose your engine braking and "lurch" forward – not a nice experience! Third: When going downhill, be careful that the rear end does not swing around and meet you in front!

Below is a set of driving tips on how best to use your brand-new ARB Air Lockers: If you don't have air lockers, be careful of the front end walking! so modulate the throttle carefully to limit wheel spin (low pressure tyres help)

First: Be careful on side angled (offcamber) hill sides; i.e., the vehicle is travelling on a side slope. If it is a slippery slope lockers will tend to "walk" you sideways down slope. This is because both wheels are rotating at the same speed. With Open Diffs, one wheel can be "static" and the other rotating, the static one will act as an anchor that will keep the truck from slipping sideways. When on these side slopes, let the vehicle idle across, giving the wheels a chance to dig in and get the best traction. Second: When going up hills, aim straight up. The weight shift to the rear will give you added traction for the rear locker to use, but keep an eye on the front end, though! The wheels will have a tendency to catch ledges and loose soil and "walk" the front end around either left or right, causing the truck to get sideways on a hill – if that happens, get out of lock quickly to straighten up. The best thing to do is get lined up for the ascent, engage the rear locker and start the climb. Depending on the terrain, rock ledges, sand, loose granite, mud, etc., decide when to engage the front locker once you feel you have


Using both front and rear lockers when going down hill allows all 4 wheels to have traction, resisting the "breakaway" feeling. Engine braking is very important here and having all four wheels helping makes a big difference. Fourth: Steering with lockers engaged is hard to do, especially on surfaces like rock. When you are on a "bind" the lockers will hinder your turn and you find you’ll need to disengage the front locker. Sometimes the rear locker will "steer" you straight, even if the front is unlocked, so some situations require the rear locker disengaged as well, eg, in mud and soft dirt/sand, the rear locker will steer you straight, even though you are turning the front tires! To regain steering, use some finesse at the foot, to let the wheels slow down, then blip the throttle to "pull" the front end around.

Obviously, it’s best to avoid wheel spin altogether, so remembering to engage the lockers before you need them rather than when the wheels are already spinning is a great way to achieve a hassle-free day. Limited Slip diffs – they only effectively work once the wheels are spinning and hence you’ve already lost momentum. Diff Lockers Endorsed In the popular Australian 4WD magazine, 4WD Action (issue 130), a comparison of what modifications made the largest impact on 4WD vehicle offroad performance was conducted. It compared offroad tyres with suspension and diff lockers. Not surprisingly diff lockers proved themselves, but in conclusion the testing team felt they should always be matched with good mud tyres and an effective suspension upgrade to achieve the full benefit and maintain a safe working vehicle. ARB Air Locker Installation It’s generally viewed by the 4WD community that the rewards of having Diff Lockers go far beyond the driver’s wildest expectations. They are worth every dollar you spend, but installing them is best left to the experts, the skilful coordinated approach to gear mesh position, gear backlash and bearing setup means it’s often not within the scope of a homeDYI job. The good news for those wanting the ultimate in offroad upgrades is ARB are offering a free air compressor with the installation of their air lockers up to the end of Dec 2009.

Fifth: When taking on a steep incline or navigating a muddy track, if your wheels lose traction and spin, you lose momentum quickly, resulting in your vehicle stuck!

(See the promotional flyer below our G. Guy Motors website for more details).

This point illustrates the challenge with


4X4 Driver’s Newsletter

Putting Air Lockers To The Test! Let’s take a look at the installation of air lockers in a Nissan GQ Safari. I had fairly good mud tyres and suspension with enough flex for meeting my needs on most touring trips before I fitted ARB Air Lockers, but now I’ve got peace of mind that comes with being able to select first-gear, low range to crawl my way up or through obstacles – no wheel spin and no need to plant boot as I’ve had to in the past! I engage the rear ARB Air Locker at the start of my day driving offroad, using the front ARB Air Locker as required. This way I’m giving myself the best possible chance of keeping up my forward momentum by stopping my wheels spinning and unnecessarily loosing traction.

Page 7 from the ARB air compressor.

Using the ARB Air Lockers

In my case I choose to have the 24volt compressor installed within the engine bay—just needed some careful rejigging of some battery cables and vacuum lines to fit the ARB Air Compressor neatly behind the left-hand side battery.

This years’ CCVC club trip for Guy Forks was held at a bay just around the corner from Redrocks.

The compressor has its own reserve tank and can be used to pump up your tyres at the end of a day’s trip—in my case I already have a separate compressor and tank slung under the vehicle, so use the ARB air compressor as a back-up should something go amiss with my primary compressor that is driven straight off the engine. The wiring loom that comes with the ARB Air Locker kit is comprehensive and has some clever safety features— like not being able to operate the lockers without the primary switch for the air compressor placed in the on position. Grant mounted the switches for engaging the front & rear air lockers on the centre-dash so its easy for either the driver or passenger to get to them. At night all three switches are illuminated once the vehicles’ main lights are turned on, so you can reach them in the dark.

The sandy beaches and rocky terrain meant this was an ideal opportunity to test my newly fitted ARB Air Lockers. I aired my tyres down, engaged the rear air locker and set-off across the sand. Immediately I could feel the Nissan GQ pushing with both sides through the sand. Once back on firm ground I found it easier to have the lockers disengaged to better manoeuvre around the rocky tracks as they became narrow in places. I’d have to say the combination of the lockers, the aired-down tyres and the extra power from changing the Diff ratios meant it felt like I was driving a different vehicle. “A number of times I was able to keep going while others became bogged down—in fact I found myself winching a number of vehicles out of the sand that day”

“They are nothing short of brilliant in my opinion, totally changes the nature of my vehicle – for the better!!” This is a great way to avoid as much track damage caused by wheel spin as possible and protects my vehicle from damage that may be caused by having to resort to using momentum to rapidly bounce my way through obstacles.

Fitting the ARB Air Lockers Along with the ARB Air Lockers I had my factory Diffs swapped out for 4.8 ratio Diffs to give me a better power to engine rpm ratio—naturally it changed the speedo calibration so now I have a GPS unit to accurately read my speed. The install included the removal of the diff housing, driveshaft and axles and the plumbing of the airlines to the Diffs


In summary, I’d have to say fitting the ARB Air Lockers has given me one of most noticeable improvements to my vehicle in some time, but I can see I needed the upgraded tyres and suspension to really make the most of them.


Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 8

Hot Products

“This month ARB is offering a free air compressor with the purchase of an Air Locker kit - see the ARB flyer for details”

ARB Air-lockers ARB Air Locker locking differentials allow you to tackle the toughest terrain. As the world’s premier traction aid, ARB Air Lockers keep you moving in all conditions.

In addition to providing outright improvements to a 4X4’s off road capabilities, the Air Locker offers significant track protection benefits. An Air Locker equipped truck can be driven in a slower, safer and more controlled manner, greatly reducing the likelihood of vehicle and track damage.

need, when you need it, all at the flick of a switch, and all within the safety and comfort of the driver’s seat” The advantage of the ARB Air Locker lies in the pneumatically operated locking system inside the differential. When activated, the Air Locker prevents the differential gears from rotating and therefore prevents the axle shafts from turning independently of each other. With both wheels tied directly to the rotation of the crown wheel, the vehicle maintains maximum possible traction at all times.

sign that employs minimal moving parts, thereby ensuring maximum reliability

 Thoroughly tested and proven design – trusted and used in over 100 countries around the world

 Front and rear Air Lockers available for most makes and models

ARB Air Locker offer 100% traction on demand, without sacrificing any of your vehicle’s highway driving performance, ARB Air Lockers employ a 12 or 24 volt air compressor designed to activate (and deactivate) a solid and durable locking mechanism inside the differential.

“This gives you the traction you

 Incredibly simple yet effective de-

 Two year warranty guarantees the

Air Locker will be free of defects in materials

 Another added benefit of fitting ARB Air Lockers are currently available in over 100 configurations to suit a wide range of 4X4 vehicles from around the world, and can be installed in both the front and rear axles.

Air Lockers is in the use of the included air compressors for reinflating tyres after a day out 4wding

 Provides 100% traction on demand without affecting on-road drivability or driveline wear

 Vastly improved traction means less reliance on momentum, thus reducing the likelihood of vehicle damage and the track being ripped up by spinning wheels

 Air Lockers are manufactured at ARB’s state of the art factory in Melbourne, Australia.

 ARB’s locker test rig statically tests the Air Locker’s strength against the axle, with their goal being to always have the axle break before causing damage to the Air Locker.

When unlocked, it operates just like a conventional ‘open’ differential.

 Easy, convenient operation allows the user to concentrate on the terrain without leaving the comfort and safety of the driver’s seat


 Ultra durable and extremely strong –

Visit Grant’s website or drop-in to see

only the highest quality materials used in construction

him for more details.



Page 9 materials and high-strength castings. Having built a reliable reputation as the first to the market with a variety of clutch and flywheel products for justreleased vehicles, it is here that you can find towing and heavy duty clutch upgrades for vehicles that have just been driven off the showroom floor.

Xtreme Clutch kits G. Guy Motors is pleased to announce its agency to offer performance clutches and flywheels from Australia's leading supplier and manufacturer of real performance clutches and flywheels. We now stock the Xtreme Outback range, boasted to be the largest range of clutches available for off-road, SUV and 4WD applications.

Of particular note here is the exhaustive range of single mass flywheel conversions and matching clutch products for today's newly released vehicles such as the new Navara, BT50 and more. “Xtreme Outback has manufacturing and remanufacturing facilities enabling testing and production of various types of clutches from 140mm to 430mm” Xtreme Outback clutch kit options: HD Heavy Duty pressure plate combined with an organic clutch disc – Great drivability good torque capacity for mild power upgrades, excellent modulation for towing. 850kg clamp load = 20% increase

The Xtreme Outback range includes clutches for competition off-road vehicle, which offer massive increases in torque and heat capacity. Xtreme's close bonds with motorsport technology have given them the edge in developing performance clutch technology for off-road, SUV or 4WD vehicle. They have a large range of heavy duty upgrade kits, featuring premium facing

XHD Extra Heavy Duty pressure plate combined with an organic clutch disc – Great drivability good torque capacity for mild power upgrades, excellent modulation, and moderate pedal effort increase over standard. 1300kg clamp load = 50% increase DSBHD Heavy duty pressure plate combined with sprung button ceramic disc – very positive operation, designed for off-road or track use. 850kg clamp load = 20% increase

DSBXHD Heavy duty pressure plate combined with sprung button ceramic disc – very positive operation, designed for off-road or track use. Latest technology chromoly castings on the cover and increased torque and power capacity over the DSBHD. 1300kg clamp load = 50% DCBHD Heavy duty pressure plate combined with cushioned button disc – relatively smooth and positive operation, significantly heat capacity increase from organic, good modulation – can be used on street. 850kg clamp load = 20% increase DCBXHD Extra Heavy Duty pressure plate combined with cushioned button disc - relatively smooth and positive operation, high horsepower, heat & torque holding. Good modulation – can be used on street. Moderate pedal effort increase over standard. Latest technology chromoly castings on the cover. 1300kg clamp load = 50% increase

ALL clutch kits come complete with clutch pressure plate, clutch plate/disc and release bearing. Visit the website for reference:

www.xtremeclutch.com.au

Stock Clearance Bargains for You Each month G. Guy Motors offers bar-

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gains from its range of 4X4 accessories

If we don’t have what you’re after in

and parts.

our retail store, please talk to us about

See our Website for our Hot Deals on:

placing an order, as I’m sure we can

We ALSO list them on our own website,

meet your needs and budget.

so visit our website for details on what

 Snorkels

We’re on TradeMe Our TradeMe name is GGuyMotors

we’ve listed on Trademe.

 Bullbars  Tyres & Steel/Alloy Rims WWW.GGUYMOTORS.CO.NZ Wellington Agency Full Service & 4X4 Accessories

“We trade on Trademe to give you the best possible bargains”


Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 10

Holiday Season Vehicle Check-up G. Guy Motors has a professional workshop for servicing 4WD and non4WD vehicles.

Cooling System: Radiator, Water Pump, Thermostat

We are mta Assured so whether you have a specialist 4WD or a family sedan you can expect a quality service and great customer care.

Driveline: Drive shafts, Axles, Differentials, 4WD operation

Steering: Drag Link, Drop Arm, Steering Box, Steering Column, Steering Rack, Universal Joint, Steering Idler, Tie Rod, Steering Bevel Box, Steering Wheel, Power Assist

Electrical: Battery, Lighting, Starter, Ignition, Alternator, Instruments, Horn, Wiring, Window Assembly, Switch Assembly, Windscreen Washer, Windscreen Wiper

Structure: Body Assembly, Chassis, Suspension, Spring Assembly, Shock Absorber, Control Arm, Radius Rod, Strut, Trailing Arm, Anti Sway Bar, Anti Sway Bar Link, Watts Link, Panhard Rod

G. Guy Motors offers a comprehensive vehicle inspection service for when you need peace-of-mind regarding your vehicle prior to a big trip or when you are thinking of buying a used car and need a unbiased second opinion.

Engine: Air Filter, Lubrication, Tappet Cover, Valley Cover, Side Cover, Sump, Timing Cover, Bellhousing, Head, Block, Mounting, Super Charger, Turbo Charger, Intercooler, Management System Entrance and Exit: Door Assembly, Hatch Assembly, Bonnet Assembly Exhaust System: Assembly, Muffler

The areas inspected with this service include: Vehicle Health CHECK LIST Braking System: ABS, Wheel Assembly, Handbrake, Master Cylinder, Brake Pedal, Proportioning Valve, Vacuum Pump, Hose Assembly, Pipe Assembly

Fuel System: Tank, Hose Assembly, Pipe Assembly, Filter, Pump, Injector, Carburettor, Alternate Fuel Heating and Ventilation: Air Conditioning, Heater Interior: Cabin, Cargo Bay, Roof, Seat Belt, Spare Wheel Compartment, Boot, Tools Road Test: Highway & Slow Speed

Overall: Body condition, Electrical system condition, Exhaust condition, Tool kit condition, Tyres, alignment & spare condition, Engine condition (cooling system, timing belt, oil, and fluids), Road test, WOF defects. “So please remember, we don't just service 4WD vehicles - bring in your family car too for our full service treatment”

4X4 Events Calendar Taupo 1000

shoulder just a couple of weeks out from the race. Grant and Carter managed a third place in the Thunder Class eight and 12th overall — managing to keep the truck together for 2 days of racing on The fastest lap speed recorded was 202kph!

As the only international offroad race of its type in NZ, it’s a tough race no matter what class you compete in. It was Grant’s 3rd time competing this year—but this time with a new codriver, Carter Strang, who stepped in for Roger McKay (usually in the driver’s seat) who had broken his


the 53km lap course, a good result when you consider 50% of the 73 competitors didn’t make it to the finish ! The overall first place went to Clive Thornton from Whakatane.

Read below Grant’s race log from the weekend:

Friday: A day of preparation before racing began the next day. It involved setting up tents, the pits area, the fuelling bay and driving practice laps — about 3km in distance and timed to sort out the starting grid. We ended up in 40th position from 80 vehicles.

Saturday: Racing started on the 53km lap course, averaging lap times of 43 minutes, but into the 2nd lap a major crash blocked the track when a vehicle slipped into a drain, tearing off its right side front suspension. It took over an hour for recovery vehicles to tow the stricken vehicle off the track. A little later in the day we suffered from a fuel pump fault inside the main fuel



Page 11

tank—it was blowing fuses. Without fuel getting to the engine we weren’t going very far. “This repair was carried out on the track, but once going again we managed to complete 8 laps out of a possible 9 for the day (requiring only 4 pit stops)” It took a while to locate the problem, the fuel pump had shaken to pieces inside the tank, and fixing it on the track was not an easy task.

sition off the grid, we managed 10 laps during the day, 4 pit stops and got through 180 litres of fuel. Our fastest lap times were the last 2 laps of the race—many of the vehicles that managed to make it to the end of the race recorded very fast lap times as the race came to an end.

every 2 years, it was a great success managing to achieve 12th overall and 3rd in our class—thanks to all involved (a real team effort!)

We had some breakages during the race, including a windscreen, left side “Carter Strang who stepped in for Roger, did a great job driving with good lap times and kept the vehicle in-tact to make the finishing line.”

Overnight Richard (lead mechanic at G. Guy Motors and part of Grant’s race Pit Crew) removed the tanks and carried out a permanent fix to the fuel pump problem.

guard was ripped off passing another slower vehicle and our transmission lost its top gears—but we still reached speeds of up to 120kph!

Grant’s plans for next year include building up a new race truck for competing in North Island events, with Roger taking the existing truck to compete in South Island events.

Sunday: Starting the second and final day of the Taupo 1000 race in 20th po-

In reflection, with it being my 3rd time racing at an event that is only held

For more details about these offroad racing events please see Grant’s website (see the Events Page).

Common Q&As Grant has set aside this column to answer those questions most frequently raised by 4X4 hobbyists.

4WD Project Planning – Planning Wise Investments After this holiday season’s usual reading catching up on 4wd magazines and talking with friends about adventures to be had in the new year, no doubt a list of modifications for your 4WD vehicle will come to mind. But before you jump-in it makes good financial sense to first plan your 4X4 project upgrades. It quickly becomes obvious a lot of money can be wasted in situations where recently fitted suspensions doesn’t work with newly purchased offroad wheels—eg tyres rub guards. Start planning with the end-use in mind as this will have a major impact on the overall weight of gear and modifications for the vehicle — “Are you wanting a touring vehicle capable of carrying extra camping or holiday gear and people or is it purely a dedicated offroad beast?” From this starting point, decide on each 4X4 accessory and what impact it has on another for your vehicle.


their effect on engine life & reliability

 Driveline: protecting the weak

The following can help as a guide to good 4WD project planning:

 Suspension kit: light or heavy load capacity – 2” or more lift height, etc

 Wheels & Tyres: size and type, rim offsets, body clearances, etc

 Suspension Arms & Steering Linkages: after suspension or body lifts correct the steering & suspension geometry with control arms, radius arms, panhard rods, sways bars linkages, brake line extensions, etc

 Gearing & protection from water ingress: change gear ratios in Diffs, transmission hi-range gears, transfer case low-range gears, add Diff & gearbox breathers, larger auto transmission cooler, etc

 Steering: camber, castor & toe adjustments, dampers /return-tocentre, stronger aftermarket replacement linkages, etc

 Engines: modification or replacement of factory engine, exhaust system, turbo kits, boost pressure, intercooler, fuel pump upgrades and

points of the driveline – strengthened CVs, diff houses, gears, propshafts, axles, double-up shocks, etc but design with a fail-safe break point in mind Planning can begin with choosing the right vehicle (large, small, IFS or floating axles,etc) for your needs. Once that’s done its often best to first decide on all the accessories needed for your vehicle before you calculate the suspension and tyre combo needed to carry the weight. The list is great and the factors to consider too comprehensive to cover here, but Grant and his team at G. Guy Motors can help you with this planning process, by showing you the options or even letting you experience the different vehicle set-ups from their range of modified vehicles.

The outcome of good planning is the right modifications are completed with your money only spent once to get a vehicle to a point it’s reliably performing and meets your long-term requirements.


Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 12

Common Q&As Cont’d Oil & Filter Change – Extend Your Engine Life Not surprisingly, oil is called the life blood of an engine. It has numerous tasks other than just lubricating the engine, tasks such as cooling, cleaning and protecting it from contaminants such as road dirt and compression waste. Modern engine oils can have 30-40% of additives combined to improve the oils ability to resist heat, friction, oxidation contamination and improve viscosity. Oil Deteriorates Over Time & Use Engine oil additives do wear out over time and the oil oxidizes, forming harmful compounds. Good filtration will prolong oil life, but corrosive acids and water are frequently present. Good oil resists the formation of these materials and when they do exist, it prevents them settling on the engine surfaces. Good engine oil does the following:

 Protective oil film on moving parts  Resist high temperatures  Resist corrosion  Prevent ring sticking  Prevent sludge formation  Flow easily at low temperatures  Resist thickening

over time

 Resist foaming  Suspend insolubles  Minimise deposits Its Your Engine’s Life Blood! Typical engine oil change periods for 4WD trucks and cars are 5000 kms for diesel and 10,000 kms from petrol engines. Short trips and low mileage doesn’t mean you can skip a service period because short start/stop trips are especially hard on oil due to the engine failing to warm oil to a point where it can boil off moisture that accumulates inside the crankcase.


This water reacts with the oil to form sludge and acids; the result is accelerated engine wear. The viscosity of the oil also changes over time as the additives become depleted - a condition call 'viscosity breakdown'. Turbo charged diesel engines are particular sensitive and require more frequent oil changes because of the high temperatures encountered when the oil moves through the turbo housing. When the engine is shut off, for example, the temperatures inside the turbo bearing housing can soar to the point where it "curdles" the oil, forming hard black crusty deposits that can damage the turbo and later, your engines bearings too. The only way to get rid of the accumulated moisture, acids and sludge and to restore the oil’s viscosity is to change both oil and filter periodically. The filter only removes suspended solids such as dirt, carbon and metal particles - not moisture, acid or sludge!

 Basic recovery gear kit (snatch strap, two rated 'D' shackles & leather gloves)

 First aid kit (suntan lotion, insect spray, burn ointment, ace bandage, iodine, bandages)

 Fire extinguisher  PRS or Club Radio & Mobile phone (be aware of phone’s limited coverage)

 Hi-Lift jack (and a piece of thick plywood as a jack base)

 Shovel  Air compressor & tyre pressure gauge

 Basic tool kit & spare parts  Water required for the number of people travelling

 Map of the area travelling offroad Pre-trip Preparation When preparing for a day or a week 4X4 trip, it’s wise to consider what you take for yourself, your passengers and your vehicle. Assemble the following items in a storage container to keep in your vehicle. Be sure to tie down and secure all items in your vehicle. Loose tools and spare parts can become dangerous projectiles if the vehicle stops suddenly or encounters large bumps along the way. For longer away trips, you should consider packing enough food and camping equipment to be relatively comfortable for several days in adverse conditions. Take for all trips:

 Recovery points securely mounted to front and rear of vehicle “RATED SHACKLES: Always use rated shackles with recovery gear. These have a safe working load (SWL) stamp on them. Choose either Bow or D styles and use with pins screwed in finger tight. Most popular recovery kits include 3 units, but a spare one or two come in handy”

 Survival kit: matches, compass, torch, knife and survival blankets “PULLEY BLOCKS: The golden rule with winching (either manual or electric) is to use a pulley block to double the winching effort. Greaseable units with plating (zinc/galvanised etc) are the most popular. Ensure the unit is wide enough to accommodate the winch rope you will be using”

Other items to consider for longer trips, over several days, include:

 Manual and/or electric winch  Tree protector strap, winch extension straps

 Snatch-Block, extra 'D' shackles  Air bag jack  Chainsaw  Snow chains (if applicable)  Emergency dry-pack foods – camp41 Old Hutt Road, Thorndon, Wellington Phone (04) 472 2020 Email [email protected]


Page 13 To that you can add items:

Spares to Carry

 GPS

 Antihistamine tablets

Radiator hoses, heater hoses, fan belts

 Flashlight or lantern (check the bat-

 Itch/skin relief cream (for itch, bites,

ing/tramping stores have these

teries before you go)

 Tarp or ground cover



 Rubbish bags, towels, rags  Bungee cords & tie-down straps

 Gastrolyte - for treatment of diar Travel sickness tablets  Andrews tablets, or similar, for indigestion

 Workshop manual for your vehicle

 Burn cream

 Rain coat & spare warm clothing

 Cream/ointment for bruises and

Versatile recovery tool for pulling a vehicle backwards, forwards and sideways and often used with a pulley block to halve the physical effect and

 Strepsils or similar

 Basic first aid manual (from Red Cross or St John Ambulance)

 Antiseptic cream (Betadine or similar)

 Panadol

 Tweezers, splinter remover  Eye wash  Methylated spirits

 Eye drops  Assorted band aids, strips/spots, wound closures

 Elastic or crepe bandages (for sprains)

 Sterile gauze bandages (50 mm & 75 mm)

 Triangular bandages (to support limbs and hold dressings in place)

 Adhesive tape, cotton wool, tissues  Scissors, safety pins  Thermometer  Calamine lotion, stingose or similar  Pencil and note pad.


Tools to Carry Set of ring and open end spanners (metric or imperial to suit your vehicle)



Adjustable spanner, spark-plug spanner



Wheelbrace, jack and jacking plate (30 cm square x 2.5cm thick board)



Screwdrivers - Phillips head screwdriver

       

Hammer, chisel

   

Tube/tyre repair kit

Hacksaw and spare blades File, including a points file Pliers and wire cutters Feeler gauges Tyre levers Electrical tape & duct tape

Pumps and pressure gauge for tyres Battery jumper leads Repair manual WD40, or similar

 

Spare petrol/diesel

Engine oil

80/90w gear oil for diff's and transfer case Brake fluid & funnel for all fluids

Travelling across rough terrain under a heavy load places a lot of strain on the suspension, you don’t want it to constantly bottoming out against the bump stops, transferring the shock into the chassis.

Plus any personal medication for you or your family.



Water for the radiator

When you’re off on a long trip all the gear, food, equipment, etc you cart about can add up to a lot of weight for your vehicle – the question that should be asked, is the suspension up to the task?

double the pulling load”

The First Aid Kit

  

Overloading Suspension

swelling “MANUAL WINCHES:

By Pass Hose for cooling system.

Fuses, globes, electric wire, spark plugs, plug leads, points, coil and condenser

minor burns) rhoea

 Axe

 

Therefore, it may be time to calculate the weight you intend to carry in your vehicle and ensure your suspension has been designed to cope with the intended terrain you want to travel over. Carrying an extra load on your vehicle can often mean the addition of a rooftop box or cage. As long as these are securely fastened to your car (eg, don’t slip forward under heavy braking) they are a convenient storage option. However, their capacity limits do need to be strictly observed as they do raise your vehicle’s centre of gravity making rollover in extreme situations more likely. Another popular alternative is a trailer, often kept as secure storage at a campsite rather than being taken out on the day’s 4X4 trip! The normal axle weight laws need to be observed and ensure the trailer is able to carry the load you are intending to take away. Matching your suspension to your vehicle’s carrying load is only one of a number of reasons 4WD driver’s upgrade their suspension, others include increasing ground clearance and to


Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 14

Common Q&As Cont’d improve a vehicle’s ride and stability – particularly important if you tow a trailer or boat about.

“ARB has a wide range of purposebuilt suspension kits for all types of 4WD vehicle brands and models, such as their much acclaimed Old Man Emu range”

Clean-up your 4WD Truck Once you’ve finished your offroad adventure there are a few tasks your vehicle needs you to do to keep it in good shape and safe for the next big adventure! First, disengage the Diff lock before you go back onto the black-top (funny, but you’d be surprised how often people forget). Also, before driving at motorway speeds take the time to check your vehicle for any minor damage. Check for cuts to the tires, bent steering rods and debris that might have become lodged in the underside of the vehicle. Check for body damage that will rub against tires or be a hazard to others, and remove mud stuck to the wheels (which causes tyre imbalance and vibration). At home, clean your 4WD vehicle to prevent rust and future maintenance issues – most vehicles bring back a sizable amount of real estate from a day’s trip out! The best tool for the job is a highpressure water blaster, not only can it get stubborn dirt off it uses less water “Every 3 months do a thorough check of all your wheel bearings – water has a habit of slowly working its way past seals and will quickly rust out your bearings, a mucky job, sure but it is better to check & repack with grease than having to replace them!”


than a hose only. Start by cleaning out the chassis frame by flushing out the frame rails and spraying the underside to get out all the mud. Pay attention to the areas around the fuel tank, bulkhead, transmission and rear cross member. The next area to hit are the wheel arches, be particular in washing off the area where the front & rear panels meet the dumpers. Clean off the springs, swivel balls and other steering or suspension components but take care not to damage seals with the high-pressure spray as that could allow dirt in to grind away over time! Next check the state of your radiator for clogging with mud, then check your light lenses for water, it seems to get in there, and then rusts the sockets. Next check your lights for operation. “Check the state of the radiator from the rear, a rule of thumb says a radiator one third clogged with mud needs lifting out of the vehicle for soaking to get all the mud out and the engine temperature back

“Don’t forget to regularly service your 4WD vehicle. Fluids and filters need to be changed more often when you drive on rough terrain. Transmissions, transfer gearboxes, differentials, hubs and brakes can be contaminated with mud and water. These parts need to be cleaned and serviced when used under such extreme conditions” debris to contaminate the C.V. Joint. Grease on the boot or in the wheel wall, is the first sign of trouble. By turning the wheel to one side, you can inspect the C.V. boot. If grease is detected, a grease service will be required to avoid C.V. Joint damage which can begin 8 or 10 driving hours after the boot has ruptured. The C.V. boots are checked. It is common to have them serviced every 4 years or 40,000 km, where the C.V. Joint will be inspected and new boots and grease installed.

in normal operating range” Once you have things cleaned up, if you have been axle deep in water, pull the plugs on the bottom of the differential casings and transmission to see if water runs out. If it does, let it out until pure 90 weight comes out. Then quickly replug the drain and top up the Diffs. Check your dipstick for mayonnaise. Grease your steering joints and U-joints if you have grease points. Give the frame a good once over for bends and cracks if you whacked it. Check the general operation of everything. Finally, take a shower yourself, you will need it!

Maintenance/ Safety Check CV Boot Inspection: 4WD vehicles with IFS suspension have 4 C.V. joints with special high-temp grease and are protected with a C.V. boot seals. These C.V. boots are a durable synthetic rubber seal that fits over the end of each axle to keep the grease in, and road contaminants out. Unfortunately, road imperfections (potholes, road debris), hard-turn stretching, or simply ageing can cause ruptures in the C.V. boot.

Brake Inspection: 4WD vehicles are particularly hard on their brake linings due to the contamination (dirt, mud sand) that occurs during a day’s driving offroad. The worst scenario is the brake linings being worn away and allowing them to damage the wheel rotors, requiring a re-grind or replacement! The Brake Warning Signs Pull: If your car pulls to one side when the brakes are applied, a tyre may be under inflated, but it could be a sign that your brakes need adjustment or repair. Grab: "Touchy" brakes grab with the least pedal pressure. The problem may be as simple as grease or oil contaminated brake pads or linings. However, a more serious problem like a broken component ready to fail in an emergency can also cause "grab". Drag: Sticking brakes, hot wheels or an apparent engine power loss are all signs of drag. Your brakes may be failing to release. This condition can reverse itself, leaving you with no brakes at all.

This rupturing or tearing, allows road



Page 15

Squeal: Brakes operate with a minimal amount of noise. Some noise is normal, but excessive squeal, screech, grinding, groaning, chatter, clatter or bang, means your brakes need attention. Using the wrong formulation relative to your driving style can also cause noise in your brakes due to excessive heat.

steering mechanism can also cause vibration.

Low Pedal: When the pedal nearly touches the floorboard before the brakes function your brake warning light may be activated. Either simple adjustment is required - or something much more serious is indicated.

Shocks & Suspension Inspection: Again, offroad driving conditions place a tremendous amount of stress on your vehicle’s suspension components and it is not easy to notice if they are damaged or worn out. Effective suspension, and particularly the role of the shock absorber, is to maximise the time your wheels remain in contact with the ground – impacting the vehicle’s traction, steering and braking (vital safety measures to take note)

Hard Pedal: Hard pedal requires extreme foot pressure to make the brakes function. Power brake trouble, restricted hydraulic lines, frozen callipers or wheel cylinders or damaged brake linings are all symptoms of a hard pedal. Vibration: If the brake pedal, steering wheel or the entire vehicle shakes, vibrates or pulsates when the brake is applied, disc brake rotors may need resurfacing. More serious problems such as a loose component or a faulty “Worn shocks can contribute to making you loose traction offroad more often than is necessary”

The brakes are checked. It is common to have them serviced at least annually, or more often if you frequently use your vehicle offroad.

Signs of Wear: Fluid leaking from the shock, abnormally worn tyres, dents on the shock or strut, damaged or missing compression bumpers, pitted or nicked rod, damaged or missing protective boots, wear marks between the coils of the coil springs.

With effective shocks, you could also be preventing unnecessary under carriage damage to the oil and transmission pan, exhaust system and more. Suspension & Shock Absorbers are checked: If your vehicle has over 60,000 km's on its original shocks or has been 20,000 km's since your last service it makes good sense to have them thoroughly inspected.

Shocks are part of a complex steering and suspension system of the vehicle and vital for good handling, ride control, overall stopping and safety.

4X4 Offroad Clubs Joining a 4X4 club is probably one of the smartest moves you can make when you’re new to the hobby. The learning curve is steep so doing it right the first time using advice from fellow enthusiasts means correctly setting your truck up and getting to use it on the many club trips they have each weekend. Not only do clubs have knowledge on great 4X4 tracks, but they also offer driver training days to help new driver’s familiarise themselves with the different techniques of offroad driving. Which club you join is totally a personal choice — 4X4 club details can be found on several magazine sites:

www.4x4action.co.nz www.nz4wd.co.nz Or the National 4X4 Association:

www.nzfwda.org.nz Wellington’s largest 4X4 club is the Cross Country Vehicle Club. It has nearly 300 members and not only pro-


vides support to it members but also actively supports the community, whether fundraising or participating in the “Keep NZ Beautiful” campaign by clearing Wellington’s coastline of rubbish - A brochure for prospective members can be found on their website.

Your Hot Topics

To contact the CCVC club go to their website: www.CCVC.org.nz CCVC Club Platinum Sponsor G. Guy Motors assists the CCVC club by running training days for its members and providing club night techtalks, prizes and discounts on 4X4 accessories.

The topics covered in this Newsletter are just a few to whet your appetite.

Coastguard Fundraiser Run Grant was recently one of eighty trucks that attended the annual Wellington Coastguard fundraiser trip. They travelled along the coast from Featherston to Eastbourne, with Grant proving the spot prizes.

Please go to Grant’s website to read more topics that we will develop over the coming months. Grant would also like to hear from customers on topics for future issues.


4X4 Products For The Christmas Stocking The team here at G. Guy

or deserve to treat yourself this

Motors have put together

Christmas holiday season!

some great Christmas gift ideas if you're stuck wondering what to get someone

Good news for those wanting the ultimate in offroad upgrades. ARB are offering a free air compressor with the installation of their air lockers up to the end of Dec 2009. See our Website for more details. “Its time again to think of what would really be the ideal gift”

Finance Available Finance is available for card holders of Q card and Farmers Card.

Gift Certificates We have GIFT CERTIFICATES available in store.

What’s coming up in the next issue Next Newsletter topics include:

Our newsletter is available from our website and by clicking on “Join” you will be placed on our mailing list

 Buying Used 4WD vehicles  Kitting-out your First 4WD

WWW.GGUYMOTORS.CO.NZ

 Test ARB’s New Shocks  4X4 Offroad Tyre Special

Disclaimer The information provided in this newsletter is for general knowledge purposes only. G Guy Motors recommends the reader approaches their local 4WD club to gain experience with 4X4 vehicles and the correct use of recovery gear.

41 Old Hutt Road Thorndon, Wellington Phone (04) 472 2020 Email [email protected] WWW.GGUYMOTORS.CO.NZ Wellington Agency Full Service & 4X4 Accessories

G Guy Motors accepts no liability for injury, damage or expense sustained as a result of application or mis-interpretation of information provided in this publication.
