Author Topic: Building A Road-Trip Monster...Advice? (Read 6000 times)

bmwman91 · « **on:** August 16, 2006, 11:26:19 AM »

Over the past year I have been getting more into traveling and outdoorsmanship, and less into some aspects of the car hobby. Well, after busting the oil pan, I have decided to make some changes. The lowered suspension is going byebye, I am debating selling the sway bars and I would like some advice on what else to do.

I want to do a lot of traveling in my car. No off-roading, but being able to safely drive on really bad roads and maybe some very mild dirt roads is essential to me. I would also like to have a vehicle that is both practical and comfortable for long drives. So far, I am thinking of:
- Full OBC retrofit
- Rear head rests
- Custom skidplate/guard
- Swap sport springs/shocks for stockers (already working on that)
- Selling beefy sways (I do not really want to part with them if I do not have to...I still like cornering nimbly!)

I know some here are big travelers. What are the essentials, and little luxuries, that a seasoned road-tripper likes to have? Thanks all!

Euro Nation · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2006, 12:28:30 PM »

cup holder, cell phone holder, comfy seat, good tunes. If you have any vibrations deal with them now. I'd probably keep the big swaybars. They still do their job of combating body roll while not really hurting overall ride quality.

Oh... and I gotta talk to a couple people but your stuts/shocks should be going out tomorrow.

M42boy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2006, 12:42:03 PM »

Quote from: bmwman91

Over the past year I have been getting more into traveling and outdoorsmanship, and less into some aspects of the car hobby. Well, after busting the oil pan, I have decided to make some changes. The lowered suspension is going byebye, I am debating selling the sway bars and I would like some advice on what else to do.

Keep your BMW the way it is and buy a Jeep!

I bought my last Jeep, a 1987 XJ (Cherokee, for you non-Jeep folk) 4x4, with the factory Off-Road Package (later called the "Up Country Suspension Group") for just over $2k. It was also a rare 5 speed with a ltd slip diff. This made it a lot of fun!

I put a ton of miles on it... they are bullet-proof, reliable, and great off-road. Gas milage is decent with the inline-6, but not steller. You can look into TDi Conversions to get that though. :cool:

Best part about it is they are stupid simple to fix and parts are cheap! Even from the dealer.

I REALLY, REALLY miss my Jeep! Sold it to a friend when I left Seattle. I sold it to him with 238k on the original motor and is still running strong. We affectionately named this vehicle "Ski Bitch", as that was it's main purpose.... hauling my buddies and I up to the ski slopes.

M42boy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2006, 12:52:12 PM »

Okay, some pics of "Ski Bitch"... for your viewing enjoyment:

Everyone needs a beater Jeep!

Then again, maybe it's a Jeep thing... You might not understand. :cool:

bmwman91 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2006, 01:11:30 PM »

Yeah, optimally i would like another vehicle. Unfortunately, I just cannot justify buying another one with all my school loans looming over me. I do not want to sell the E30 as I still like it very much, and will continue to design stuff for it. I just want to modify it for other uses than autoX now. The guy that takes 1st place in autoX in my class most years drives a stock E30 325iC with his wife in it riding along. I have a feeling skill will lower my times a lot more then mods.

I LOOOVE the inline 6 Jeep used. Such a wonderful motor! When I can (responsibly) aford a second vehicle, that is what I will be after.

M42boy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2006, 05:53:04 PM »

Look at Craigslist. Sometimes I think I way overpaid for the $2500 I spent, but I can't say it owed me anything. I paid extra for mine because it had the Off-Road Package and 5 speed manual. You can find them for $1000-1500 in decent shape.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2006, 07:27:54 PM »

Off-road package? What does it consist of?

I already have a 318iS (2nd one in ~7 years). I am just taking off some cornering goodies and looking for long-drive goodies!

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2006, 08:00:31 PM »

hmmm... well... maybe:

- 3.91 differential
- skinny gas saving tires
- steelies!
- satellite radio / GPS
- a roof rack w/basket
- that gas can that fits in the spare wheel
- friggin cupholders
- MREs
- a good army knife with a bottle, can, and wine opener
- spare oil pan!
- duct tape, JB weld, thick aluminium foil, insta-gasket
- cruise control
- mudflaps
- pop-out rear windows
- grill mounted rally lights
- roof mounted rally lights
- solar panel thing, to help update m42club from the hinterlands
- thuriya phone, see above
- folding shovel
- recharge the a/c
- a cooler
- non-motorized antenna
- CB radio!!

[edit] - an 'I' lip, haha!
- rain-x

(okay, it's official, I'm losing my mind)

an interesting take on cars and cross country type stuff:
http://www.cardomain.com/features/pbrally_site_index

StreetSpec_iS · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2006, 08:59:58 PM »

agree with Febs. although

i might even opt for a 3.7 rear end

oh, and steel rims are heavier than 'weaves. id stick to 14in weaves.

I lip is a definite. i have been runing no lip for a week or so now, and love the fact i dont have to slow down as much for dips etc.

M42boy · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2006, 09:27:30 PM »

Quote from: bmwman91

Off-road package? What does it consist of?

I'm big on having multiple vehicles and purpose vehicles, at that.

I currently have a 2001 Chevy Trailblazer 4x4. The thing is pretty much unsafe at any speed in a corner, but it is the perfect sized SUV and is great for hauling parts and stuff. I towed my 318iS parts car back from TN with it and I barely knew it was there (Featherlite trailer REALLY helps here though.

)

I want to trade that in on a 2000 or 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 with the 4.7 liter V8 and Class III tow package. V8 torque baby!!! :cool:

Anyways, to answer your question, the "Off Road Package" consisted of Bilstien HD shocks, Heavy-Duty springs (leafs), sat a good 1" or so higher. Also includes skid plate group and tow recovery hooks, high current alternator, larger radiator (tranny cooler if you got an auto), and a Dana 44 rear end! Mine also had the light tow package and front mounted fog lights. I had trailer brakes for towing the boat, yakima clips for the factory Jeep roof rack for skis, and I had a CB radio in it for a while.

If that's not the perfect trail rig, I don't know what is. Okay, maybe a tricked out Land Rover Disco or Defender 90 (now I'm really dreaming).

The inline-6 is a workhorse! Great low end torque makes it a hoot to drive around town. That motor was actually designed by Renault mind you, and my Jeep had a (one year only) Puegot 5-speed transmission. There were Lucas brake bits as well. AMAZINGLY, given all that, it was BY FAR the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

fabby318is · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2006, 01:59:50 AM »

Quote from: bmwman91

Over the past year I have been getting more into traveling and outdoorsmanship, and less into some aspects of the car hobby. Well, after busting the oil pan, I have decided to make some changes. The lowered suspension is going byebye, I am debating selling the sway bars and I would like some advice on what else to do.

I want to do a lot of traveling in my car. No off-roading, but being able to safely drive on really bad roads and maybe some very mild dirt roads is essential to me. I would also like to have a vehicle that is both practical and comfortable for long drives. So far, I am thinking of:
- Full OBC retrofit
- Rear head rests
- Custom skidplate/guard
- Swap sport springs/shocks for stockers (already working on that)
- Selling beefy sways (I do not really want to part with them if I do not have to...I still like cornering nimbly!)

I know some here are big travelers. What are the essentials, and little luxuries, that a seasoned road-tripper likes to have? Thanks all!

Dibs on your sways!

What kind are they?

Euro Nation · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2006, 04:20:36 AM »

Quote from: fabby318is

Dibs on your sways!

What kind are they?

I PWN dibs on everything.:cool:

dude8383 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2006, 05:30:05 AM »

Quote from: Febi Guibo

hmmm... well... maybe:

- 3.91 differential
- skinny gas saving tires
- steelies!
- satellite radio / GPS
- a roof rack w/basket
- that gas can that fits in the spare wheel
- friggin cupholders
- MREs
- a good army knife with a bottle, can, and wine opener
- spare oil pan!b
- duct tape, JB weld, thick aluminium foil, insta-gasket
- cruise control
- mudflaps
- pop-out rear windows
- grill mounted rally lights
- roof mounted rally lights
- solar panel thing, to help update m42club from the hinterlands
- thuriya phone, see above
- folding shovel
- recharge the a/c
- a cooler
- non-motorized antenna
- CB radio!!

[edit] - an 'I' lip, haha!
- rain-x

(okay, it's official, I'm losing my mind)

an interesting take on cars and cross country type stuff:
http://www.cardomain.com/features/pbrally_site_index

What a great list man!

Definitly pack an I lip, i did some off-road rally stuff in an abandoned airfield and ended up loosing mine, however i did come back to the field and thankfully found it.

Perhaps the roof and grill mounted rally lights may be a little overkill, but some nice HID's and fogs would be a nice combo.

StreetSpec_iS · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2006, 06:44:12 AM »

'Roo Bar?

M42boy · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2006, 08:46:47 AM »

Hellla Rallye 2000's mount up quite nice to the front bumper! A local iX'er has them on his.