Dirk
Well-Known Member
Since the CS is still in the shop being put together, we are taking the Ponton for a ride.
www.facebook.com/PtoP2013
www.facebook.com/PtoP2013
Peking to Paris
- Thread starter Dirk
- Start date
Good luck!
I have several friends who did it two years ago. Both groups finished without major breakdowns. I'm sure you've already done it but both sets of friends mentioned the importance of proper car prep. If there are known weak points have them improved. They mentioned that until you get to the western part of the middle east the stages were very tough on the suspensions/tires. Proper tires are v important and the suggestion is to run tires with higher number of plies and new heavy duty steel wheels.
I would consider having the entire suspension removed, stripped to bare metal (including the subframes), and refreshed, including all hardware. I'd also strengthen the rear diff mounting and rear shock towers. This is one time were the "right stance" is higher not lower. The old USA DOT front spacers seem like a good idea, but I'm not sure what can be done in the back. You could easily pop the out when you get past Greece to get the handling back when you are on modern and well maintained roads. A new electrical harness and seiches/relays seems like another good preventative measure. If you CS still uses the mechanical fuel pump bring a spare and wire in a facet electric backup pump in the rear with a switch.
I'll never be able to afford the entry fee, much less the cost of building a car suitable for such an endeavor. But we can all enjoy it thru your stories.
I have several friends who did it two years ago. Both groups finished without major breakdowns. I'm sure you've already done it but both sets of friends mentioned the importance of proper car prep. If there are known weak points have them improved. They mentioned that until you get to the western part of the middle east the stages were very tough on the suspensions/tires. Proper tires are v important and the suggestion is to run tires with higher number of plies and new heavy duty steel wheels.
I would consider having the entire suspension removed, stripped to bare metal (including the subframes), and refreshed, including all hardware. I'd also strengthen the rear diff mounting and rear shock towers. This is one time were the "right stance" is higher not lower. The old USA DOT front spacers seem like a good idea, but I'm not sure what can be done in the back. You could easily pop the out when you get past Greece to get the handling back when you are on modern and well maintained roads. A new electrical harness and seiches/relays seems like another good preventative measure. If you CS still uses the mechanical fuel pump bring a spare and wire in a facet electric backup pump in the rear with a switch.
I'll never be able to afford the entry fee, much less the cost of building a car suitable for such an endeavor. But we can all enjoy it thru your stories.
