The Old Beast - A Retrospective

[@tbobmann229]

Awesome video! What a transformation!..insane Kia! My daughters stock 2000 sportage is going to get a lift and some mudders havent decided exactly what height or tire size yet..but your build..damn! Great job!

[@joshgarza588]

Cool video 01 Sportage owner here I did a 3" lift on mine it's amazing how tough these little vehicles are mine went through some of the worst Big Bend has to offer and survived.

[@KiaDave]

are you in TX?

[@joshgarza588]

@@KiaDave Yeah I'm down south in the Mcallen area

[@KiaDave]

@@joshgarza588 might be cool to meet up at hidden falls or something maybe see if we can put some more kia dudes together

[@penang-kb7db]

❤nice bro ..iam from malaysia.. love this car ..u are super

[@KiaDave]

Thank you!

[@patrykp8156]

Hi! That KIA looks amazing, what engine is there 2.0 16V? I am considering getting 4x4 and that Sportage seems so. Best

[@KiaDave]

Yup factory 2.0

[@bobbymulwee7641]

Hey what do you think about building the two-door soft hatch version? Do you think they might be a little too short?

[@KiaDave]

Wheelbase is definitely a consideration, but more to do with the type of wheeling you want to do or where you might be wheeling most often. I like them a lot, and I would love to build one, but it WILL BE too short for a lot of places near me. In my case, it's not so much the break over angle, but the overall length. Too short rolls over backwards easily on steep climbs with a ledge on top. If I were to build a short one, it would be for mostly level ground, like the beach, dry creek beds, mud, etc. And I would probably do a straight axle and extend the wheelbase, even then.

[@chrisdevouza7997]

Hello David we are a team here in Greece with sportage gen1 😁 what axles and from waht car you have put in your car?? And you have stock engine??

[@KiaDave]

this is my old sportage, i no longer have it. it had a front axle from a 1978 jeep cherokee and a rear axle from a 1987 jeep wagoneer. yes stock motor and auto transmission and stock transfer case. i made driveshafts for the front and rear to match the axles and the kia transfer case.

[@craigharmon2400]

What front axle did you use? Thanks.

[@KiaDave]

Dana 44 front and rear. 5.89 gears and both welded.

[@denilsoncutajar3170]

What did you use for body lift and did the oem bolt fit or you got longer ones ?

[@KiaDave]

I cut 3" body lift blocks in half, but there are 1.5" body lifts available out there. Just didn't use a bushing on the bottom.

[@denilsoncutajar3170]

@@KiaDave you have a link for the 1.5” body lift ?

[@KiaDave]

@@denilsoncutajar3170 4crawler.com then go to the body lift page and scroll

[@KiaDave]

but there are generic ones on ebay also