yes a word of warning about those 3.5tonne ratings many dont realise that is only with nothing else in the vehicle except you and a tank of fuel as fuel, the spare tyre, factory toolkit, towbar etc are all counted as payload. the realistic tow rating is only about 2.8 tonne. and forget that 10 percent ball load bullshit its just that bull shit.

you should be able to still lift the draw bar when hitched to the vehicle and the load centred just forward of centre so its put a load on the hitch at all times. we had a 4wd that was rated for 2.5 tonne on a braked tandem trailer the max ball load was 50kg and thats all it needed and was perfectly safe. that vehicle itself weighed nearly 3 tonne.

just be careful and dont believe the marketing hype check the spec sheets carefully for your self, many have been caught out even big companies

Tonight I took some more pics in better light. Pony started first pull, main diesel lit right away, steering clutches work perfectly and oh so smoothly, no movement in the 'other' steering lever when steering (which there was before with the loose bevel gear shaft bearings), and absolutely no coolant leaks from either the radiator, water pump or the new block drain and pony air bleed! Very very satisfying I must say.
         

Holly crap Mark, that freight is ridiculous. I just jump on SIS yep the parts is in Clayton but my dealer here in QLD only wants to charge $22.40 aus for the spring and $49.00aus for air freight. so that should be around $77.00NZ for you over there. 

Birdie01 wrote:

Holly crap Mark, that freight is ridiculous. I just jump on SIS yep the parts is in Clayton but my dealer here in QLD only wants to charge $22.40 aus for the spring and $49.00aus for air freight. so that should be around $77.00NZ for you over there. 

Yup it is ridiculous. Fortunately I found a good secondhand spring which didn't cost me a thing!

now i suggest you get some penertrol and turps in a spray gun and give the whole thing a coat to seal that paint and preserve it. it will also make it shiny.

neil wrote:

If you need anything less than suitcase size form the US, I'm visiting NZ again in March. Bearings and such would not be a problem

Thanks Neil! I do need to get 16 new bellows seals for the track rollers from General Gear in Idaho, so I might just be in touch!

another option is to use a company that leases you a US postal address and then tranships the items to you. saves you paying the local distributors mark up and arse end of the world tax that we in this part of the world always seem to pay.
the brother had one so he could order things from overseas.