Suspension Question

[thommo19]

I would like to upgrade by Nissan Narava suspension.
I have made enquiries and can't decide what to do.
Some advice please .
The choices
Old man emu by ARB ,the most expensive but good name and back service.
Ironman  4x4  Seems a lower price but is the quality there .
Tuff dog  no knowledge at all.
The main reason for the upgrade is we want to tow the camper over corrugated roads etc, and not sag the rear end with ball weight of 150kg plus whatever goes in the tray area.
What experiences can you guys share.

Thanks
Jeff

[Crimso]

I would like to upgrade by Nissan Narava suspension.
I have made enquiries and can't decide what to do.
Some advice please .
The choices
Old man emu by ARB ,the most expensive but good name and back service.
Ironman  4x4  Seems a lower price but is the quality there .
Tuff dog  no knowledge at all.
The main reason for the upgrade is we want to tow the camper over corrugated roads etc, and not sag the rear end with ball weight of 150kg plus whatever goes in the tray area.
What experiences can you guys share.

Thanks
Jeff

I have tough dog & think they are pretty damned good. I have a Navara & chose the midrange springs for the rear.

[woftam]

2012 GU Patrol
Ironman 2" suspension lift with heavy duty springs
Since upgrade have done the Anne Beadell Hwy, Canning, Tanami and Simpson
No complaints but we haven't racked up big mileage (yet).
Just my experience.

[Green rv]

ironman
oldman emu
tuff dog
arnt they all the same thing, including monroe
dont quote me on this but i'm sure old man and monroe shocks come out of the same factory

ive fitted a few of these kit to rear leaf 4wd including my own great for towing and comfort but it comes with a price tag to suit

http://www.saxsuspension.com/

also fitted a lot of ironman and he does do a good kit

 
Ads

[Hoffy]

Yeah we have a D40 Navara and put a 2inch iron kit on.  The constant load rating with the foam shockies.  We did it pretty much the same reason as you for our Kimberely Kamper which had a high drawbar weight.

So far it has been good.  The price was right and we really only wanted it for towing and to handle the odd really rough track and corrugated roads.

The rear spring shackle bushes were flogged out and I only noticed them one day before we were about to go on a 5 week camping trip.  They guys at Opposite Lock were really good and replaced them under warranty, no questions asked on the day we left.  Only paid for labour which was very reasonable too.

All in all I am pretty happy with them.

[Diesel Power]

I had OME medium on my D40. No issues rode well when empty, but I did have a Razorback steel canopy on the back. Took to the Cape and was fantastic when loaded with gear and camper.
When I had my old 105 series cruiser I had Tough Dog, the good thing about them was the adjustability of the shocks.
Regards
Angus

[Patr80l]

I have heard that although the OME shockers come from Munroe's factory, they are made to a different spec.
I have just fitted Iron Man 2" lift with Pro-Foam shockers to my 2011 GU.    So far; so good, but it's only been five days!


Edit
My Ironman kit (2" lift, 200-400kg "constant" springs & Foam-Cell Pro shockers) was $1,287 without fitting.   It helps to have a mate who's a mechanic and will work for beer.   It was purchased from the Dandenong HQ/warehouse.

The normal (non-pro) Foam Cell shockers would have been $50 each cheaper, bringing the kit price down to about $1k.   

[Pog]

Hi All

I have a 2013 Prado with a lot of fruit (read added weight)...

I got a quote yesterday for an Old Man Emu Kit (EK2103C2) constant 200 - 400kg load, 50mm lift, for approx $1,750 fitted. This kit is using the Nitro Charger Sport shocks.

I also got a kit for an Ironman Kit (TOY065CKP) with constant 0 - 300kg load, 45mm lift, for approx $1,750 fitted. This kit is using the Foam Cell Pro shocks (Their new one).

I am leaning towards the Ironman Foam Cell Pro system at this stage, as I think it is another level above the OME system from what I have read.

I also have a pair of standard height firestone airbags in the rear at the moment. These will probably be replaced with new bags to suit the longer spring.

The mechanic says that they can source a pair of spacers for $85, so the standard height airbags can continue to be used, however, they are not recommended for off road use - Which cans that idea .

I am looking to have it fitted before Easter. 

[Mik01]

No one considers Dobinsons? Aussie made is a bonus.

http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/suspension/suspension-shock-absorbers-struts/

Consider airbags in the rear also - Airbag man do a decent bag.


Disclaimer - I sell the Dobinsons range of suspension.

[V8100]

http://www.ultimatesuspension.com.au/

No affiliation just a really happy customer.  great price aussie made.

Eddy

[Pog]

Mike

I've considered Dobinsons, although I need to have them supplied & Installed locally. At this stage, living in a regional area, I somewhat have to take what I can get...

I am not prepared to buy suspension over the internet or phone, as I have heard too many story's of people getting it wrong, and the seller not being able to sort the issues out, or taking responsibility for mistakes.

I need local advice and support, and I can't afford to have my car off the road for very long.

Thanks,

Pog.

[dales133]

X2 for dobinsons I've fitted them front and rear in my 80 and highly recommend  them.
They do exactly what they said they'd do as far as ride ect and come in a number of configurations.
I went with armada extreme shocks witch I'm happy with too

[Mik01]

Mike

I've considered Dobinsons, although I need to have them supplied & Installed locally. At this stage, living in a regional area, I somewhat have to take what I can get...

I am not prepared to buy suspension over the internet or phone, as I have heard too many story's of people getting it wrong, and the seller not being able to sort the issues out, or taking responsibility for mistakes.

I need local advice and support, and I can't afford to have my car off the road for very long.

Thanks,

Pog.

Hi mate - Not suggesting you buy them off me or over the net - didn't realise you were located regionally, although I should have remembered from your winch order!

In that case, you have to make the best choice on what's available! But you should be able to get an airbag solution in town. It really is worth looking at, for ride comfort with and without trailer loads. More expensive of course.

[oldmate]

No one considers Dobinsons? Aussie made is a bonus.

http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/suspension/suspension-shock-absorbers-struts/

Consider airbags in the rear also - Airbag man do a decent bag.


Disclaimer - I sell the Dobinsons range of suspension.

i put dobo's on my work ute(hilux), p**sing oil after a year.  i have tough dogs on the gu, not sure i would run them again though.

[Fathom]

I run ARB's old man emu in the Challenger. Only done 25,000k in them some far. They feel a little firm. Not as much articulation as I would have liked. But they are ok for what I need them to do in that vehicle.
I did read somewhere. ...Some great things about ironman new? Suspension. If I could do it over... I would have maybe gone ironman?
In my Troll I run tough dog big bore 9 stage adjustable.
When they die I will either replace them with the same or the Amada extreme remote reservoir adjustable
The springs are Dobinson. But I think next time I will run Kings.  Haven't done heaps of research there yet...
No matter which option of the two you have narrowed it down to, they are both reputable.

[fishfinder]

I purchased a cheap suspension up grade for the Prado a few months back, they supplied lovell springs and blucap shocks. Never heard of the shocks but thought I will give them ago as all springs and shock start off as a "no name brand", and through good marketing or word of mouth become a sort after brand with a price tag to go with it. Well after 3 - 4 months I am more than happy with them, advertised as a heavy duty 2" raise suspension kit and that is what I got. It rides nice, even better loaded it raised a tad over 2" and at $540 for the kit + a few dollars to get a mechanic to fit the springs to the front struts I can not complain at all.

I feel that the well known brands are way over priced and what makes them better than some of the un-known cheaper kits out there ?

[MarkGU]

   thommo19

I had OME in my navara and couldnt fault it. would be quite happy to go with it again,cheers.

[mr smith]

http://www.ultimatesuspension.com.au/

No affiliation just a really happy customer.  great price aussie made.

Eddy

x2 they are the go can't fault them in my triton

[Pog]

But you should be able to get an airbag solution in town. It really is worth looking at, for ride comfort with and without trailer loads. More expensive of course.

I currently have standard height Firestone Airbags, but will probably upgrade to the larger air bag for the 2"lift.

I agree, the flexibility of the airbags has been quite good.

[thommo19]

Thanks Guys
Your input has been great . It seems that there is not a lot of difference between the well know brands.
A bit more thought required.
Thanks again
Jeff

[two up]

Hi All

I have a 2013 Prado with a lot of fruit (read added weight)...

I got a quote yesterday for an Old Man Emu Kit (EK2103C2) constant 200 - 400kg load, 50mm lift, for approx $1,750 fitted. This kit is using the Nitro Charger Sport shocks.

I also got a kit for an Ironman Kit (TOY065CKP) with constant 0 - 300kg load, 45mm lift, for approx $1,750 fitted. This kit is using the Foam Cell Pro shocks (Their new one).

I am leaning towards the Ironman Foam Cell Pro system at this stage, as I think it is another level above the OME system from what I have read.

I also have a pair of standard height firestone airbags in the rear at the moment. These will probably be replaced with new bags to suit the longer spring.

The mechanic says that they can source a pair of spacers for $85, so the standard height airbags can continue to be used, however, they are not recommended for off road use - Which cans that idea .

I am looking to have it fitted before Easter. 

I've had airbags in the back of my patrol for the past 12 yrs, in that time they have done the canning x2 the simpson x3 the cape and the Kimberly and who knows how mant 1000s of kms of rough bush tracks. I wouldn't be without them now.


To comtribute to this thread, have a look at koni and bilstein as well. I have run both.  A freind also runs ultimate suspension in his d40 and thinks very highly of them.

[Clouty]

What about Oztec suspension?
And there's  SAX suspension as well..

I've got OME in my Hilux and it's been good so far..

In my first 80 series I ran OME with 400kg springs in the rear..
My second 80 series I had softer springs with airbags and I'd much prefer that type of set up..

If you can I would stay away from put airbags in a duel cab it'll only end up in tears..

[Footy Shorts Shane]

In the Showroom section, a member here (who's user name I can't remember ) has a post about EFS suspension and the joint he works with/for. Definitely worth a phone call. I buy OME and King/Monroe at trade price, and his pricing smashed it. Very knowledgeable and we'll worth the call.

Give Ryan a buzz, you might be pleasantly surprised, I know I was 

Shane.

[BTMNDR]

What experiences can you guys share.

I've had OME on the last three 4bys, my current Cruiser has just clocked 180,000 km, and the suspension has recently been checked by the local ARB agent for soundness.  I was expecting them to recommend replacement shocks at the lease.  They said - drive on! ?