Steve Stewart uses his SWB Nissan Safari to do all types of club events as well as running it in Class 3 in the Central Zone Club Truck Challenge. Andrew Gee knows Steve and his Safari well so we asked him to put together a quick profile of the big beastie!
Story & photos by Andrew Gee
Q) OK Andrew, start at the start. The Safari is a SWB 1989 model, right?
A) That’s right. It’s no trailer queen either (like more and more Safaris these days. Ed). It is driven to the events, emptied of camping gear, used in the event then loaded back up before being driven home again.
Q) Now some detail. About Steve first, then the Safari.
A) No worries. Steve belongs to his local club, Feilding 4x4 and has been four-wheeling for 12 years. Before off-roading he raced drags for six years and rode quad bikes.
Steve has owned the Nissan for eight years how, it having followed a couple of Mitsubishi Pajeros both hard and soft topped. This particular Safari is a 4.2 litre diesel turbo that is intercooled and puts it power down via a five-speed manual gearbox and standard transfer case.
Q) Sounds fairly typical Andrew. So what do you see sets Steve’s Safari apart from all the other out there?
A) OK, let’s see. There is onboard air and a holding tank from a Scania truck air system. The final drive ratio is 4.1:1 with a limited slip diff in the rear and a Lokka locking diff in the front.
The coil suspension has a 50mm spring lift using Dobinson coil springs, Monroe shock absorbers, adjustable arms and a Superior Engineering Superflex arm.
The tyres are 34 x 10.5 inch Simex Jungle Trekkers on 15x9.5 bead lock rims (36 bolt as required for LVVA certification).
Q) That’s what I was after mate. Now, anything else about the truck you want to mention?
A) Yeah, there is one thing. Steve and his Safari are immediately recognisable by the number of LED spotlights on the thing! The body is also protected by a front bar and sidesteps. Those of you with eagle eyes might also have noticed that the body is sitting on a 50 mm body lift and Steve has removed the rear seat in the interests of extra storage. His winch is a PTO and there is a camera fitted to the front bar to watch how the rope is spooling!
Q) That’s dedication for you. Finally though, what does Steve himself think is the best mod he has made?
A) Ha. I actually asked him that and do you know what he said? I know it surmised me. He reckons it is the addition of gas struts to the bonnet to lift and hold it up!
Q) Cheers Andrew. Time for a shout out. Who would Steve like to thank for their help putting together this special Safari?
A) Right then. Most of the modifications are custom made for the truck and Steve says he would like to thank Phil Gerald, Jason Taylor and Chris Compton for their work on the Safari. All in all the Nissan has numerous modifications but they aren't radical but rather easily available bolt-ons and together they all seem to work together to make a good performing club truck.
If you have an interesting new, old or just plain different 4WD and think it warrants a spot on our 4 Work or Play page email Editor Ross Mackay on editor@nz4wd.co.nz
To read every story in the March 2018 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (Feb 16) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
