Thoughts about the Ironman SL

[chadr]

Following the successful conversion of my seatbelt and therefore the fact that the LC will grace my driveway for a while longer , I'm now thinking about finally pulling the trigger on the Ironman SL from West Coast, I have been dithering about for over a year The ride was already getting harsh on the Dunlop AT21s but since I changed to the Hankook (LT rated) tyres it's become really bad!

I called WC today and was quoted £450+VAT (for the VJZ95 "B" kit) plus either £100+VAT for fitting or £30 for delivery. I know quite a few of you have fitted the IM kit and I would like your thoughts on the following;

1. Would it be worthwhile getting it fitted by WC, I (currently) have the time but it would cost approx another £70 in LPG for the round trip.
2. I know many of you have commented on the poor paint finish on the kit - would it be worthwhile having it delivered and doing some "prep" i.e. paint it with some hammerite or similar before having it fitted locally?
3. I'm also thinking about having the steering bushes and perhaps the ARB bushes done at the same time - where is the best place to source these - Milners/Roughtrax?

 

[Paul]

The finish is not really that bad. Compared to some others maybe its not as good, but on my ltest set i will just wipe with rag soaked in duck oil and i'm sure it will be fine.
The ride is great but the ST maxx tyres made it really hard, now on bfg at the ride is fantastic.
West Coast have always done a good job for me on suspension as they know the difficult bits and how to overcome them and the fitting price is such good value.

 

[Beau]

I would say you should find some time and get it fitted yourself. It is a fairly straight forward job!

 

[Chris Green90]

I am well chuffed with my Ironman SL. Paint looks fine 10 months on, No surface rust, Easy to fit...(Even easier to refit with an axlw thats on the floor ) Got mine from WC. I have replaced all my bushes with milners ones and am very happy with them.

Getting WC to fit would be in the region of £200 I really do not think this is a 4X4 specialist job and would guess that most places would charge around the £100+vat mark. If you don't feel like you can do it yourself, get it done locally and save yourself 50 quid.

 

[chadr]

Thanks guys - as with most things, I'll sleep on it and probably make a decision in the morning.

I appreciate it's not a hard job but it's really tempting to get WC to do the install as I'm sure they have come across all the potential issues before and should be able to sort out there and then. If it's not WC then I would most likely take it down to Greg's (Burgess Hill) who is similarly experienced...and would still involves some LPG money.

decisions, decisions....

 

[Graham]

Hi,

For the difference of just £70, would you really be bothered to fit it?

It is not totally strait forward, just getting off the old crap can take you a good day or so, with rusted and broken bolts and studs.

Then there is the "hurt factor" trapping a finger, hitting a knuckle"

Naw,,,,,,,,,,,, for £70 just let them get on with it.
Get there for morning, have a few of their coffees, read the off road magazines, look the stuff they are also selling.
Job done.

Go home, feeling chuffed.

Gra.

 

[Paul]

I took my mountain bike with me and went exploring

 

[sae70]

As Graham says really, for the sake of £70 plus the LPG cost it seems like good value to get WC to fit it to me I fitted mine in a little over three hours with help from my m8 in his workshop using a hydraulic spring compressor that cost me £100.

..........fitted Fiery's Ironman suspension lift yesterday In all it took about 3/4 hours with no dramas It all just went very well & was quicker & easier to fit IMHO than a Safari snorkel

Here's all of the pics that I managed to take..............

viewtopic.php?f=14&p=58452#p58452

 

[chadr]

Thanks again guys - yes, I'd made my mind up before Graham and SAE70 also gave their votes in favour of WC

I actually called WC first thing this morning but the soonest they can fit me in is Dec 7th.

I know, I know - I've been "thinking" about this SL for nearly 18 months now, so you would think I could wait another few days!! However as always, now that I have made the decision, I just want to get on with it ASAP.

I need to check my diary and see how to juggle work and home commitments and then call them again - hope to have it fitted before Xmas.

Watch this space!

 

[Graham]

Hi,

Sensible choice,

Now take 4 x pictures of some one holding a tape measure from ground to all the top center of the wheel arches

Then repeat after the lift is fitted.

Gra.

 

[Chas]

Hi, Sensible choice, Now take 4 x pictures of some one holding a tape measure from ground to all the top center of the wheel arches. Then repeat after the lift is fitted.Gra.

If you measure from the wheel rim to the wheel arch you will get a more precise measurement of how much lift has been achieved, this allows for differences in ground level and tyre pressure

 

[chadr]

Booked in for Dec 12th

..and for all those that are thinking "...you big girl's blouse, you should've done it yourself!" - I would've attempted it had the truck not been my daily driver and I had my very own "Uncle Chris" to supervise.

I still would like to change the steering bushes, so may source them from Roughtrax and attempt that job myself.


Can't wait till the 12th ........

 

[Chris Green90]

Each to their own mate...Can't wait to see pics...Only thing with a SL is the amount is costs afterwards...Gonna need more rubber to fill those arches

 

[silvercruiser]

Each to their own mate...Can't wait to see pics...Only thing with a SL is the amount is costs afterwards...Gonna need more rubber to fill those arches

And so the slippery slope starts

Il be watching this as my suspension now has 150k, so it could do with a freshen up, i would like to know the finished total height as my l/c goes under the local tip's barrier at the mo, only just but if i lift it im not sure it will.

Joe

 

[Chris Green90]

Each to their own mate...Can't wait to see pics...Only thing with a SL is the amount is costs afterwards...Gonna need more rubber to fill those arches

And so the slippery slope starts

Il be watching this as my suspension now has 150k, so it could do with a freshen up, i would like to know the finished total height as my l/c goes under the local tip's barrier at the mo, only just but if i lift it im not sure it will.

Joe

lifted with same size rubber as you I cant't get under 6'

 

[Graham]

Each to their own mate...Can't wait to see pics...Only thing with a SL is the amount is costs afterwards...Gonna need more rubber to fill those arches

And so the slippery slope starts

Il be watching this as my suspension now has 150k, so it could do with a freshen up, i would like to know the finished total height as my l/c goes under the local tip's barrier at the mo, only just but if i lift it im not sure it will.

Joe

.
Hi Joe,

I am not sure the fact that your LC will not go under the recycle tip barrier should have any bearing on your consideration to fit a 50mm IM lift.
The top barrier, is generally just pinned closed in place, and a few honks on the horn, and the recycle staff open it.

May be different where you live.

Gra.

 

[chadr]

...Gonna need more rubber to fill those arches

No worries on that front - see my sig

some pics here; http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=8024

 

[chadr]

Seem to have got bitten now....

On the verge of pulling the trigger on a set of Roughtrax 30mm wheel spacers (and the Super Pro steering bush set from them too) - a quick search on here suggests that the spacers are a good "upgrade" in addition to the 40mm SL kit.

 

[J66P]

yep I have some, just improve the stance

 

[munster]

Is this price correct (I called WC today and was quoted £450+VAT (for the VJZ95 "B" kit) plus either £100+VAT ) as ive been quoted
£150 +vat for fitting