Entry and Exit Points

[carbonman]

After reading some off road mags etc... i started wondering...
The surf doesn't have a terrible entry point at the front, but the exit point at the back isn't that great, the long boot bit...
Whats the best way to make that as unnoticeable as possible?
Lifting it? Bigger wheels?

How much of a problem does the bad exit point become when you get to serious off roading?

[laser_jock99]

After reading some off road mags etc... i started wondering...
The surf doesn't have a terrible entry point at the front, but the exit point at the back isn't that great, the long boot bit...
Whats the best way to make that as unnoticeable as possible?
Lifting it? Bigger wheels?

How much of a problem does the bad exit point become when you get to serious off roading?

I assume you mean approach & departure angles here? You can improve things by:

1) Increase suspension height.
2) Fit bigger tyres.
3) Move body higher (body lift).
4) Remove unecessary ironmongery (tow bar/bullbar/exhaust/foglight)
5) Make a SWB or a 'bobtail' Surf....

The Surf's front approach angle is actually quite bad compared to some off-roaders.

[Guest]

After reading some off road mags etc... i started wondering...
The surf doesn't have a terrible entry point at the front, but the exit point at the back isn't that great, the long boot bit...
Whats the best way to make that as unnoticeable as possible?
Lifting it? Bigger wheels?

How much of a problem does the bad exit point become when you get to serious off roading?

Haven't seen much problem at the Pit caused by the bad departure angle.

Lift is the easiest way to improve it plus bigger wheels. Bigger tyres will also give you better ground clearance overall and a better breakover angle (this is also reasonably bad due to the long wheelbase and the low slung transfer box).

Towbars don't help.

You could remove the rear bumper and replace it with a pickup style tube bumper - that would remove at least 4 inches from the rear overhang.

Get the exhaust bent to exit just behind the passenger side mudflap just like Koi's.

Bobtail it. Should be reasonably easy (that's a relative term) as you should be able to remove about 8 inches from the length and basically cut and shut it. Would need the chassis rails trimmed as well. Would be a nice bit of angle grinder art.

Cheers

[da SLUG man]

Haven't seen much problem at the Pit caused by the bad departure angle.

apart from broken fog lights, bent exhausts and mud flaps.

[rubblebags]

To follow on the coments I have 31" tyres and a 2" suspension lift. The only problem I have encountered is my tow bar droplate. Because it is not that wide it works like a plough, twice around and you have no problem at all. Last trip to the pit I took the droplate off and did not ground out at all. This is why I wanted to have a reciver bar on the rear. Next and final mod would be 2" body lift.

Geoff.

[carbonman]

To follow on the coments I have 31" tyres and a 2" suspension lift. The only problem I have encountered is my tow bar droplate. Because it is not that wide it works like a plough, twice around and you have no problem at all. Last trip to the pit I took the droplate off and did not ground out at all. This is why I wanted to have a reciver bar on the rear. Next and final mod would be 2" body lift.

Geoff.

That all sounds encouraging....
How much would I be looking for to get the suspension lifted 2"?

[Linda]

That all sounds encouraging....
How much would I be looking for to get the suspension lifted 2"?

Have a look on here.... http://www.supertrux.com/
it'll give you an idea of what you can do and how much, also some good pics in the gallery..

Also do a search on the forum, this was covered a lot recently.

[JimL]

I've yet to see or hear of someone who bobtailed their surf or runner...pickups ok but not these.

[Guest]

I've yet to see or hear of someone who bobtailed their surf or runner...pickups ok but not these.

Jim.

I've never seen it either, but is definately possible. I've looked all around - just for knowledge sake as I like the luggage space. There isn't anything to stop you, you just need to be careful measuring. Also you'd need to chuck the bumper as it won't modify enough to fit with the arches. As long as it is cut carefully, you could take off the back section complete with the tailgate from where the curve straightens out, then cut back required amount and refit the back end in the new place obviously cutting back the chassis rails to fit. You won't have to resite the fuel tank as it is far enough forward.

Cheers

[TonyN]

I've yet to see or hear of someone who bobtailed their surf or runner...pickups ok but not these.

.............................

[Guest]

.............................

Shall I bring my Angle Grinder.


Cheers

[kitesurf_phil]

Is the 2 door Surf any shorter?

[sumo]

Is the 2 door Surf any shorter?

NO But then again I dont have a departure angle problem

[TonyN]

NO But then again I dont have a departure angle problem

no, just a reversing out problem.......



sorry.................

[TonyN]

Shall I bring my Angle Grinder.


Cheers

no need, 9" grinder, 4 1/2" grinder, sawzall, air cutter, all lined up!