... traced the viewer links to a few SX4 Forums out there and discovered some are having problems with broken strut bolts, apparently resulting from undue stresses subsequent to installation of the lift spacer kits - thought that we would point that out... we've had zero problems... don't know how hard those people were drivin' those things but they're still just (disposable - our opinion) unibody compact cars - the lift will get you an inch or two additional clearance for unimproved gravel roads and for installing some larger tires, but you're still a far cry from a rock crawler... read that one guy had welded himself a locker axle (?) - we'd be curious to see how that performed, unfortunately, there was no follow-up... think that ya' would be better off tryin' to modify 'em with an old Suzuki Samurai (or Jeep Wrangler?) chassis if you're lookin' for serious off-road performance out of those things - you can do a lot with a cutting torch, mig welder and big nuts (and big wrench to turn 'em)...
(internet image)
... and in this case some fiberglass (and a lot of skill) as well - Ed "Big Daddy" Roths 1960's 'Surfite' custom show car - that thing's settin' on an Austin Mini Cooper chassis (the above SX4 photo made us think of this thing)...
... incidentally, the SX4 is for sale for anyone interested...
... hey, by the way - what is that on the roof?...
... picked up a new NRS Quiver riverboard - short (9'-8" here) with a bit more volume, width and stiffness combined with a rockered bow and stern for performance in turbulent water - we hesitate to say "whitewater", which we officially consider anything Class III and above, and other than standing waves we still don't know how you would navigate a technical, rocky river of such on one of these things considering Newtons 1st Law of Motion, "... an object in motion will remain in motion unless a force acts upon it" - in our experience that force, when impacting a submerged shallow rock at three knots, has thus far been a wet face plant for the paddler - but we're not tryin' to paddle anything of that sort, anyway...
... having paddled open whitewater boats for many years, we will say that the board is a pretty nice design and does what it's meant to do - very responsive and spins on a dime - only very short and effortless forward strokes or bow or stern draws or pry's are needed to navigate this thing - a strong sweep will quickly overpower it...
... zero tracking in flatwater, so you'll probably become pretty frustrated if you're intentions are paddling around a lake or flat rivers - but it's not made for that anyway...
... Muscle Girl Sarah on some Bottom Yough Class I-II shoals...
... ditto for ZMan...
... as with all technology, however, it probably won't be long before people are runnin' the Grand Canyon or Niagara Gorge on these things (if not already - we don't really follow that stuff) - we envision a high tech board with adhesive velcro deck, combined with velcro soled boots hinged at the ankle and spring activated so the paddler falls forward upon impact and immediately springs back to vertical, just like one of those inflatable kids punching bags...
