t4 offroad advice

[teamradical]

hi

i will be driving a 1994 vw t4 from Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville track over 7 days just trying to get some advice on what modifications i should do to it before the trip

it is part of the 2015 sh@#tbox rally where you have to buy your car for under $1000 this is also your total budget for repairs. i have bought a 1994 vw t4 2.0l petrol paid $500 i have done a few repairs to it so i have only $280 to spend on it left so i need to get creative. there will be some river crossings so will be looking at doing a pvc pipe snorkel setup also looking for suggestions

this epic trip is to raise money for cancer council we will be driving 3700km over 7 days in a car worth less that $1000
if anyone would like to follow our story please check out our Facebook page for regular updates
www.facebook.com/sbr2015teamradical

thanks
Chris
team radical

[Gold Coaster]

Hi Chris, sorry I can't help you with modifications but I'll be certainly following your trek with interest to see how the old T4 holds up ..... great buy for $500! Also keen to have a look at all the other vehicles involved. Good luck with your adventure!

[supclean]

Check all your basics Plugs, Ht leads, Cap, rotor, coolant hoses
Check steering & suspension for play
Check your steering rack boots are in good shape
Waterproof your ht electrics + Snorkel for river crossings
Check brake pads
Check for oil leaks and cam belt condition etc
Check gearbox oil level etc
On the wish list would be bull bar and sump guard ( The sump and lower pulleys are vulnerable on t4s
If you need more clearance for the front end you can wind the torsion bar up
Good luck with your trip

[Seano]

You won't need much more than what common sense requires when planning such a road trip.

As long as your suspension is in tip top shape (especially the front) then you'll be fine. New front shocks are recommended. You can wind up the torsion bars at the front (wind the nuts up the bolts behind the fuel tank an inch) and pack the springs at the back (10mm spacer). Dead front shocks will mean your van WILL pogo on dirt roads once they get warm - I know this from experience.

Don't bother with the snorkel. Get a foam filter block and hook it over the air intake when you feel the need to do river crossings and feel really safe. I've done quite a few crossings in the Kimberley that didn't get significant water near the intake despite wading over the sills. And the air box can cope with some water in it as long as the drain in the base is functional...

Another suggestion is to (given its a **** box) is to cut the panel over the air intake, insert a snorkel sock 4x4 Pre-Cleaners into the air intake and then make a simple wire frame cover to screw back on the panel to both cover the hole and hang onto the pre-cleaner. Remove it every evening in dusty conditions and clean the pre-cleaner.

If you still have the under engine plate (you really should) then welding a couple of lengths of 10x10 steel angle across the forward area might be useful as would a couple of lengths longitudinally...just to stiffen it up a little.

[supclean]

Yeah +1 for the front the front shocks That would go near the top of the to do list

[teamradical]

thanks for the advice i will be looking into front suspension i have added a few photos to show you the van the first two are of the day i picked it up it had been sitting under a tree for six months unregoed there is also a link to an article in the paper on team radical

http://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/2863694/rally-duo-to-bust-gruelling-journey/?cs=1534

i will keep you updated on how i go thanks
chris