Good day - I've crawled through (pun intended) most of the Armada-related threads on here and clubarmada and wanted to see if anyone might be willing to offer some advice to help clarify some of the dated/older advice I've found.
I'm a previous LC 80 owner (overbuilt it, won't do that again!) and T4R (more thoughtfully built, lighter components, etc.). Next project is an Armada - I really like the rig and the V8. The after market part scarcity is a bit concerning, though, but I have most work (80% plus) done by shops (so a little chopping here and welding there will be in the hands of the pros!). This is a combination of laziness and incompetence, I suppose (my winch install in the LC 80 lead to windshield wipers coming on when I fired that puppy up, as one example).
My plan is: lift (2.5 to 3") and upgraded suspension with new tires/wheels, followed by sliders and bash plate, then front bumper/winch, and rear spare tire carrier (Wilco or Ultraswing), followed by full length roof rack. I doubt I'll ever do a rooftop tent - the CG change makes me nervous, especially with a lift. Too much weight anyway.
I'm not a rock crawler and mostly use my rigs to facilitate my mountain biking, backpacking, backcountry skiing, kayaking and rifle walking (some call this "hunting").
For suspension/lift: I've got unanswered inquiries into Dash Offroad - they made mention here over year ago of a USA parts catalogue and I know they have lots of Y62 chassis stuff for the Patrol, but anyone know the status of that?
Calmini website is all sorts of messed up and they too have not answered emails or the phone. Anyone know their status? Same for Rocky Ridge - I've seen posting that they don't sell the lift kits but only integrate into dealer sold cars. Nisstec is an option, too...maybe?
Also, I can't imagine I can do a 2.5 - 3" inch lift without upgrading the suspension, so not sure what direction to go there if not included in the lift kits.
Based on the Mountain Patrol and Snow Patrol concepts, I think I can get a bumper/winch combo (light as possible) done with some minor fab work...thoughts on the right one?
Sliders...someone used Taco DCSB ones, I think, but needed to combo bolt/weld. Are there others I am missing? Same for bash plates.
Any/all advice is most welcome, and I appreciate the input. I'll share what works as I get this thing going.
Thank you.
I'm a previous LC 80 owner (overbuilt it, won't do that again!) and T4R (more thoughtfully built, lighter components, etc.). Next project is an Armada - I really like the rig and the V8. The after market part scarcity is a bit concerning, though, but I have most work (80% plus) done by shops (so a little chopping here and welding there will be in the hands of the pros!). This is a combination of laziness and incompetence, I suppose (my winch install in the LC 80 lead to windshield wipers coming on when I fired that puppy up, as one example).
My plan is: lift (2.5 to 3") and upgraded suspension with new tires/wheels, followed by sliders and bash plate, then front bumper/winch, and rear spare tire carrier (Wilco or Ultraswing), followed by full length roof rack. I doubt I'll ever do a rooftop tent - the CG change makes me nervous, especially with a lift. Too much weight anyway.
I'm not a rock crawler and mostly use my rigs to facilitate my mountain biking, backpacking, backcountry skiing, kayaking and rifle walking (some call this "hunting").
For suspension/lift: I've got unanswered inquiries into Dash Offroad - they made mention here over year ago of a USA parts catalogue and I know they have lots of Y62 chassis stuff for the Patrol, but anyone know the status of that?
Calmini website is all sorts of messed up and they too have not answered emails or the phone. Anyone know their status? Same for Rocky Ridge - I've seen posting that they don't sell the lift kits but only integrate into dealer sold cars. Nisstec is an option, too...maybe?
Also, I can't imagine I can do a 2.5 - 3" inch lift without upgrading the suspension, so not sure what direction to go there if not included in the lift kits.
Based on the Mountain Patrol and Snow Patrol concepts, I think I can get a bumper/winch combo (light as possible) done with some minor fab work...thoughts on the right one?
Sliders...someone used Taco DCSB ones, I think, but needed to combo bolt/weld. Are there others I am missing? Same for bash plates.
Any/all advice is most welcome, and I appreciate the input. I'll share what works as I get this thing going.
Thank you.
