With the cold weather, now’s the time to consider fitting winter tyres to your 4×4. This month we have heard of a new tyre to add to the potential list from Toyo. Despite being called the Snowprox S943, this is not just a snow tyre, but like all winter tyres are designed to work when the temperature drops below that 7degC line. It is available in sizes from 165/70/14 up to 224/45/17. You can call your local tyre retailer or go on line for more details and prices.
Website: www.toyo.co.uk
Now we don’t usually cover classic military Jeeps… but then this amazing vehicle is nothing of the kind! For one Polish 4×4 enthusiast, the Jeep ‘look’ was what he wanted, but with reliable running gear, in this case, from standard Nissan parts! Yes, that’s right, this is a Jeep CJ7 Nissan. Sort of….
Words: Jakub Chelmicki Photography: Igor Kohutnicki
The idea for this car came about by chance while I was doing an engine replacement in a friend’s passenger car. My colleague Michael was helping me and he casually mentioned that he’d give me one of his four (!) Jeep CJ7s, along with all the documents and suggested I rebuild it. Now I had a set of axles from a Nissan Patrol 260, a Nissan Patrol 160 gearbox with a transfer box, together with some other junk, so since I had the axles and gearbox, the engine was not going to be a problem, and I could do the wiring by myself. This would mean that working at my own pace, I could build a car in the shape of a classic Jeep, but based on my favourite Nissan mechanics. Michael is known for really outlandish ideas, so this one was no surprise. But the more I thought about it, the more I became hooked, and the project got under way.
January 2014 Issue of 4×4 Magazine
Perhaps it’s a little like the expression ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’, but this issue has been a refreshing return to down to earth four-wheel drives. Now, there’s nothing wrong with all the shiny, brand new polished metal and exclusive leather interiors of those mega-expensive luxury 4x4s we reported on in our 4×4 Of The Year issue last month, but for most of us, they will always remain just a dream machine. I must admit that I’d be tempted with a Range Rover Sport if those lottery numbers were to come in – very tempted to be honest – but I also know that I’ll survive without one. To be honest, getting the new Hankook winter tyres fitted to our long term test Grand Vitara gave me nearly as much pleasure this month.
It’s a great competent little 4×4, and given the panic scare stories appearing on the front pages of some newspapers – the north wind will blow and we are due to have snow – a winter tyre is a must. Since I hate the cold winter weather it would be a lie to say I can’t wait, but at least I’m prepared. It was interesting to hear two different stories from the Suzuki and Toyota dealers I visited this month; Jemca Toyota in Croydon are selling winter tyres, Suzuki in Bromley are not. What will it take to convince people? Maybe if a summer tyre shod 4×4 slides into the back of the Grand Vitara this winter when I manage to stop so much quicker, I’ll get one convert. Knowing your braking distances are so much shorter in a winter tyre shod 4×4 does lead to you keep a good look in that rear view mirror.
Tractor World Show is returning and will be bigger and better than ever! It will be staged over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd March 2014 at the now familiar venue of the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. The 2014 event should see even more clubs, more traders and new features – details for which will be announced soon. The hugely popular auction will return on the Saturday, hosted by specialist HJ Pugh & Sons. In addition, there will be a model tractor area, practical demonstrations, a road run and a vintage sort-out and spares day on the Sunday. Tractor World at Three Counties Showground is easily accessible, not far off the M5 in Worcestershire. Advance ticket prices are £10.00 per day for adults. Under 15s go free and there’s a great value weekend camping pass, for two adults for the advanced price of just £50.
For entry forms or further information, call 01697 451882 or visit www.tractorworldshow.co.uk.
Lazer Lamps Limited has just launched a new race-spec R-2 twin-LED unit, ideal for motorsport applications. The Lazer R-Spec 2 is ideal for nighttime competition use, giving a claimed 20 per cent brighter per LED than similar products. The set-up has aluminium housing, flexi-mount system and electronic thermal management. With a multi-voltage unit, working between 9v and 32v, it has a hybrid beam pattern for a good balance of distant lighting and close-up visibility. The R-spec is claimed to be the first LED lamp to produce 1000 lumens per 10w – equal to the brightness of two Halogen high beams. The aluminium body helps dissipate the heat from the LEDs, allowing them to maintain a 2080 lumen output.
Website: www.lazerlamps.com
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