49 Inch Modified Patrol/Chevy
Time has come to take away manufacturing faults of this otherwise fine automobile. Common 44 inch modification was not quite up to par. Engine and driveline (mostly front wheel bearings) proved too small and too weak.
The story begins here...
...modifications up to this point will only be remembered as "patches"
Operation has begun.
Elvar Aegisson at Aegir Mechanical Shop has started to tear and rip it apart.
Front axle.
Everything is built out of extra thick material. Air-bags, deflation system, Dana 60 etc.
Note how the radius arms are pointing slightly down. Making the suspension softer and the axle movement easier.
Elvar in action.
Lots of welding...
...keeping great care of accuracy.
Hafsteinn is painting a special Anti-Slip Coating (containing quartz particles) on the inner tire seat on the rim.
Toti from Benni's auto shop is looking for space to fit the tires.
Articulation.
A jack is used to try the axle in various positions to see if some sheet metal can be left in the fenders.
6.5 liter
Larus Arnason (from Kistufell), also known as Lalli Diesel, rebuilt a 6.5 liter engine. Changing all bearings, pistons and with lower pressure. Both heads are brand new and everything in them, valves and stuff. Also the fuel delivery system is new and improved.
On its way back to the modification shop after the fender sheet metal cutting.
Rear tires in place makes the SUV look like a HOT ROD!
Aegir and Oskar try on the 49 inch tires. Making it possible to measure fender flares size and positions and other things.
Now it is standing on all four 49 inches for a grand total of 196 inches!
All this rubber certainly makes the SUV look smaller in comparison.
Steinar Aegisson, Aegir and Arni from local car inspection company, Adalskodun discussing things.
Arni gives solid advice about the modification plans to keep everything street legal in Iceland. Usually vehicle total width must be less than 255 cm. Total width of this truck will be 257 cm which is possible with a special permission.
Oskar from Smith & Norland, Jon Thor and Aegir idea exchanging.
Two brothers.
XSTREAM looks awesome from all angles.
The only way to make this truck street legal (important to me) is to register it as a Chevrolet. Engine, axles, transmission, parts of the frame etc. all come from a Chevy. A Chevy has the loading capacity and allowed total weight needed to carry 6 passengers like it used to. The Patrol body makes it a Patrol in my mind. I hold the steering wheel, sit in and watch out of Patrol windows. Good thing because I think a Patrol is a good looking SUV. Not perfect, but good looking. We are therefore only making perfections where the manufacturer didn't finish the work. I suppose this can be said about all 4x4s (and their owners). You have to work on and modify them to make them truly useable.
Part II will include new engine, transmission, extra low gear, insanely low gear ratios, air in bags and tires, fender flares etc. etc. etc.
Gudjon Haflidason
www.xstream.is
Iceland
Translated and adapted by Thrandur Arnthorsson
Extreme 4x4 are highly modified and custom built 4x4s. Some of them may look like other 4x4s but as you look closer you see interesting solutions. Others are obviously extreme 4x4s!
