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The 34 gets changes 1995 - 2004 |
| The first change I made was within weeks of getting the car. I didn't like those solid dish mags. So after searching all the current wheel styles, I decided on the Boyds billet wheels. The order was placed in January 1995, and arrived in September that year. The week before my first Valla rod run. During the year I also changed the diff ratio to 3:1 to now suit the 27" diameter wheel instead of the 30" truck T/As I took off earlier. |
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| The next change was to the front end. After a couple of hair raising trips to Valla and back, towing caravans. I decided the dropped tube axel was not going to cope. I also wanted a lower front stance. Soon after arriving back from Valla 97, after a front shackle ripped apart causing the left side to drop onto the tyre on the way up, I took the tube axel out. After a bit of research, I fitted an IFS. It comprises of a Mitsubishi L300 cross member. CRS 2" dropped spindles, Leyland P76 disks, HQ Holden callipers, with a Commodore manual rack. The steering shafts are a mix of Toyota, Volvo, and Rover . The column is still an XY but now has a Gemini lower shaft. The intermediate shaft ( Volvo ) is held to the rail with a phosphor bronze bearing clamped to a bracket. I made a few mistakes in the swap over, but have corrected them for safety reasons. We all learn from our mistakes, as long as you can do it without any harm. I also removed the front bumper and made up a sort of number plate, come bumperette with an air dam from a leaf spring I removed from the rear |
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| The first trip to Valla 1995. The caravan getting loaded up just before we depart. That was white knuckle driving at its worst. The caravan, weighing 1 ton, was steering the front of the 34. It was literally rocking on the front shackles. The week after we arrived back, I sold the caravan, vowing never to tow one again. Well, I guess I changed my mind. We got the camper trailer next year and have kept it since. Our first trip with it was when I tore the shackle out. That was done driving the 34 off the grass verge onto the road as we left. It must have been just hanging on. It finally let go completely when we hit the freeway. It was a slow trip as the tube axel would slip off then the wheel jamming under the guard. I had very limited steering when that happened. I would get out, jack the front back up and cable ( zip ) tie it back into place with the aid of a small block of wood I found beside the road. Every 20km it would slip off again. Eventually we limped into a larger country town, where I located an engineering company that was prepared to make up new shackle plates if I could get them off. So, in their car park, I took the front end apart, gave them to the machinist and I was fitting them in within an hour. We finally got to Valla, 4 hours later than expected. We have not had any further trouble with the 34 on any trip since. It is a pleasure to drive. Even Margaret can drive it now cause in the process of converting the front end over to IFS, I moved the steering column up so you can brake normally ( right foot for most ) Strange thing though, is that I have got so used to braking with my left foot, I still do it in the 34, but its the only car I do it in. |
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| Well, here we are at Valla, 2002. The 34 still looking good and going even better. The only other change is to the front seats. The old Datsun 120y seats were to hard on my back...must be getting old I guess. I now need a bit of lumber support, otherwise , after a couple of hours driving, I would walk with a forward lean when I got out. Before the Geelong Nationals, I went to a wreckers that imports Japanese cars. He had a huge pile of seats from who knows what. All I needed was a tape measure and some figures scratched on a piece of paper. After about 10 minutes, I dragged a pair out. They were that close, they honestly dropped right onto the 120y runners with just a touch of a file. I don't know what they came out of. Some say a Diahatsu something or other. I don't care...they are sooo comfortable. Luckily Mani gave me a lot of spare material when I got the car, so matching was no problem. A young upholsterer ( who's name eludes me ), done a sterling job. Well that's the 34s story and I still have it till this day ( 2004)....Now for the big question that I get asked a lot...Will I ever sell it?...The short answer is yes....but not until the 37 is near completion BUT! I have already got people lined up. I have given my best friends the first option..That's John and Dell ( remember, the 34 Dodge story at the start...that's them. )...That's the latest on the old girl....see ya on the road.... |
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