Need help with mod choices...

[Pants]

Just bought a '98 TLC and I need suggestions on which suspension choice would be the most appropriate for my intentions.

I'm planning a trip from the Midwest to the tip of South America and back.

Already decided on front bumper/bull bar (so those Lima taxistas know I mean business), rear bumper w/ swing-out spare, 33" Yokohama AT-S. Given this added weight, what kind of suspension would be optimal? I know OME is highly regarded, but I am unsure of exactly what I need to look for.

Road conditions will be mainly asphalt, dirt track, corrugated dirt track, badly corrugated dirt track, horrendously corrugated dirt track, occasional mud, and the occasional stream crossing.

Also, if anyone can suggest anything MECHANICAL I might be leaving out, I'd appreciate it (already have GPS, sat phone, rooftop tent, snatch straps, etc.)

Thanks,

 

[Pants]

P.S. Don't think a snorkel will be absolutely necessary so I'm not going that route.

 

[uHu]

Drawers
air compressor
xtra fuel tank
255/85 16 x5 or 6 maybe
hot water - for the cold south

 

[wareagle]

Larger gass tank and dual batteries.

 

[DMX84]

I’m thinking a set of sliders and a hi-lift jack. If you had to change a tire in soft material (sand or mud) the stock jack may not give you enough lift (plus it requires you to lay down to place the jack).
Can the hi-lift be used on the ARB bumpers? If so then the sliders could be left off- just won't look as cool.
DMX

 

[SINCITY100]

Can the hi-lift be used on the ARB bumpers? If so then the sliders could be left off- just won't look as cool.
DMX

No, the Hi-Lift wont work safely on the front ARB ( air-bag model ) bumpers unless you somehow use the winch-plate area as the jacking point. I found this out the hard way I think its good to have a lift-point on every side of your rig though ( 8 if possible )

Hi-Lifts however, are a MUST when venturing away from the pavement , it has saved my a$$ or a friends` more than enough times to justify carrying one ...

Oh, And dont forget to bring all the cool accessories for the jack either

 

[gaylon]

Already decided on front bumper/bull bar (so those Lima taxistas know I mean business), rear bumper w/ swing-out spare, 33" Yokohama AT-S. Given this added weight, what kind of suspension would be optimal? I know OME is highly regarded, but I am unsure of exactly what I need to look for.

Also, if anyone can suggest anything MECHANICAL I might be leaving out, I'd appreciate it (already have GPS, sat phone, rooftop tent, snatch straps, etc.)

Thanks,

I would recommend the OME suspension, I have the 866 coils in the rear and I think they are great. Although there are a lot of opinions on this site I spent weeks reading all of the posts on OME rear spring choices...

As to other mechanicals, the hi-lift is key. They make a nice plastic plate the jack base can sit on that spreads the weight of the jack out. Pretty damned close to necessary in sand.

If you think you might hit snow, I would recommend some chains.

If you can do it, get sliders. This can prevent amazing body damage and I am told you can jack the vehicle from these, which is key since there is no where else on the side that you can get a hi-lift attached to.

Enjoy the trip. Sounds great.

 

[calamaridog]

I recommend contacting sleeoffroad.com and asking them for their opinion. You should know how much weight you will be carrying total for them to give you the best advice. You will most likely want heavy springs for the rear such as 866 or 863 but they may recommend heavier springs?

I highly recommend bringing along an extra set of OME shocks. I doubt the first set of shocks will survive the whole trip.

Sliders would make a good jacking point for a high-lift jack or a pulling point for a hand winch...

I would also check out expeditionportal.com if you have not already done so. Many people over there will be interested in hearing about your trip planning if you don't mind sharing.

 

[Pants]

Sliders would make a good jacking point for a high-lift jack...

This is interesting. Originally I didn't think I would need the sliders since I won't be doing any rock crawling, but this is a good tip.

Thanks all for the input.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I would get a 40 gallon subtank. I doubt you can expect to find a gas station every 300 miles. How about fuel quality? I guess there's not much you can do about that.