"The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner" (peter-mckee)
09/25/2014 at 07:46 • Filed to: None
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"The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner" (peter-mckee)
09/25/2014 at 07:46 • Filed to: None | 1
| 2 |
The beautiful forklift. The construction industry's unstoppable hoon machine. It's what always comes to mind when you think of carpenters, warehouse workers, or any sort of heavy industry throwing all that professionalism away and just doing what comes naturally... rear wheels steering donuts.
[Full Disclosure: Hyundai wanted me to review this lift SO BAD that they secretly got me a job as a carpenter at a shop I thought was a lumber yard. Then they subliminally made my boss let me teach myself how to drive it without any kind of training so as to speed up the process. Due to the obvious top levels of security involved in this I was unable to get my own pictures. ]
So, Opponauts, I ask of you this: When was the last time your life was directly effected by the glorious fork lift? Probably never, you say? You're wrong. These titans of the industry, these blue collar workhorses, are EVERYWHERE. They've built your office buildings, banks, markets, gas stations and probably that quaint little titty bar you go to for your "meetings".
Our forklift is pretty new, but nobody actually knows what year it's from. Options include a cabin with heater, a range of fork lengths, a choice of 6* or 3* of tilt and an indoor/outdoor speed control. This model is however the ultralight, stripped out base model; the only luxury present is the second folding armrest and a broken fog light.
Exterior: 7/10
One could very well say that the exterior is THE biggest styling detail of such machinery. And they'd be right. This forklift is pretty much all exterior, and that's where Hyundai got it right. The smooth, swooping
lines are easy on the eyes, and the yellow/black color scheme works well. It's not all good though. The radiator intake and exhaust ports on the back look like a lego man getting a wedgie, and dare I say it? The wheels are a tad boring.
Interior: 3/10
Again, what we have here is a triumph of function over form. A timelessly simple design that is perfectly matched to the intention. The interior (despite it's being entirely on the exterior) abounds with practical, easy functionality. Features include a steering wheel (necessary), a seat (again, important), a floor, a simple and clear dashboard (there are two gauges), some levers for the fork controls, a convenient cap for filling hydraulic fluid (it's never been checked) and a cup holder for your on the job beer (you don't have this?). Areas where it does fall short on are the seat, which is completely unsupportive and the MASSIVE leaks when it rains. For these two major flaws, weighted against the luxuries, the interior is a bit of a flop.
Acceleration: 4/10
Ah yes, power! Motivated by a 4 cylinder 2.4L LPG HMC L4KB engine putting out a massive 60 HP at a mighty 2300 rpm, this forklift gets from 0-about 10/11 ish in... an amount of time that isn't really all that important. Acceleration is okay when the wheels are straight, but if at a modest lock, there may as well not be any real power at all.
Braking: 9/10
Here is where things start to get interesting. This specific forklift has a total of three kinds of brakes! There are two pedals on the floor, the right one controls the front brakes, the left does both front and rear, and there is of course the handbrake on the dash. This individual control over front and rear braking makes giant skids in forward or reverse a breeze! Locking up the fronts makes for simple J- turns through piles of sawdust. Has Formula Drift though of this? Once again we see the trickle down of innovations from the forklift that will soon be seen in Koenigseggs, Paganis and the like.
Ride: 1/10
Well without any kind of, well, suspension, the ride is a bit harsh. Add 1500 pounds of lumber to the mix and it gets quite harsh, and dare I say, tippy.
Handling: 11/10
Oh boy were you waiting to here this! If you thought your sissy 911 was a bit difficult because the engine was in the butt, you don't know anything. The rear engine, front drive (!!), rear wheel steering (!!!!!) takes some getting used to (and by some legal standards, a separate licence). It's sort of like being in a rear wheel drive car, but you're facing the wrong way. But once you get the hang of it, it's superb. You find that driving it is basically the same as driving in reverse everywhere. Who wouldn't want rear wheel steering when it means EVERY corner you take is sideways?
Oh, you thought your drifty S13 had lots of lock? Cute. With almost 180* of steering lock donuts and sawdust skids are as precise and badass as possible.
Gearbox: 5/10
It has one. There is a forward and a backwards. It works, though you can't help but feel a proper 6 speed manual would be more appropriate.
Audio: 0/10
Nope.
Toys: 11/10
Really? Do I need to explain this? Fine. IT HAS TWO MAH'FUCKIN FORKS ON THE FRONT!!!! They go up, down, tilt, squeeze together and go side to side. They can lift about 2500 kilograms of anything that weighs less than 2500 kilograms.
Safety: 8/10
This is a big one. This lift features a FULL ROLL CAGE, kinda. It's more of a "Dear God There's a 500 Pound Beam Falling On Me, Oh Wait" cage. I'll let !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! They know their safety. (REALLY HEATS UP AT ABOUT 3 MINUTES) !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Value: 10/10
Well my boss bought this one to replace the Mitsubishi or something that caught on fire. He doesn't actually know how much it cost, but it's pretty much necessary for our work.
Total: 69/100
Engine: 4 cylinder 2.4L LPG HMC L4KB
Power: 60 HP at 2300rpm
Transmission: Forward or reverse
0-60 Time: NO.
Top Speed: About 10mph
Service Weight: 3706 Kg
Drivetrain: Rear Engine, Front Drive, Rear Wheel Steering
MPG: Nobody knows, we put BBQ propane tanks on that are usually already empty. It goes for a couple hours.
Seating: 1. Unless you throw a pallet on the forks, then as many bodies as you can pile up.
MSRP: Couldn't tell ya. Used; about $10-20k
ThePenguin
> The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
09/25/2014 at 10:48 |
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I can't wait to see when those front and rear brakes will appear on my new Hyundai!!!!
V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
> The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
09/25/2014 at 11:17 |
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Nice write up. Klaus is my new favorite thing.