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Bilstein or Old Man Emu LTR's

Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 19:18

Big John (QLD)

I am currently running Bilstein shocks on my 100TD Cruiser. I intend to replace these for my trip to the Canning next week and then take these as spares. I have had no problems with the existing Bilstein's which have seen some pritty tough work and lots of corrugations. I am at two odds as to whether to go Bilsteins again or fit Old Man Emu LTR's. Has anybody have any comments on the Old Man Emu LTR's. Yes I know the LTR's ($1800.00 fitted) are more expensive than the Bilsteins ($1200.00 fitted) but cost is not a problem, I want the best.

Thanks John.
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AnswerID: 26778   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 20:15

Member - Bob replied:

How many k's has the car done John? Has it been hammered?
Reply 1 of 5
FollowupID: 18332   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 21:26

Big John (QLD) posted:

Yes, they have had a fair hammering, Cape York, Simpson plus local off road all with heavy load especially the rears. 50,000 on the Bilsteins which should still made them good seconds.

john
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 26791   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 21:18

B.P.L. replied:

John

Bilstein are a far more advanced shock than OME.

OME shocks are made in Brazil with most other shocks around the world. Bilstein are made in Germany and are used in many prestige vehicle manufacturers.

The LTR's have the seperate oil canister for holder more oil. More capacity means lower operating temperatures - therefore reduced shock fade. In my opinion, more things to hit, or brake, or damage etc.

The Bilstein shock doesn't need this garbage because of its superior valving technology. The original shocks arn't too bad on the 100s anyway. Going to OME would be a downgrade.
Reply 2 of 5
FollowupID: 18333   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 21:39

Big John (QLD) posted:

BPL
You are correct about the origional 100 series shocks, we originally fitted Koni's and distroyed all 4 on our last trip to WA, we refitted the original toyota shocks that we were carrying as spares and they out performed the Konies.

john
FollowUp 1 of 5
FollowupID: 18352   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 23:17

Billowaggi posted:

Hi B.P.L. where did you pick up this rubbish that OME are made in Brazil! The are made in Australia to ARB,s own specification [stamped into the body of the shock MADE IN AUSTRALIA] They are a top shockie I have used them on three CSR trips and two Gibb River Road trips with no failures.Also accompanying vehicles on these trips [Patrols and 80 series Cruiser and HiLux were fitted wity OME also no problems.
Regards Ken.

PS how many German prestige vehicles make it to the Canning Stock Route or Simpson Desert. I am shure Bilstein are great on the Autobahn!
FollowUp 2 of 5
FollowupID: 18360   Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 05, 2003 at 09:14

Member - Raymond posted:

Big John
I am surprised that you had problems with the Koni's. Did you take them back and find out what failed, as they have an excellent warranty. Used Koni's for years on F100's and was getting 350000klms per set. Went to OME on Toyota getting 100000klms before they were stuffed, the GU has the Koni's back on and not problems in 70000klms and that with the vehicle with camper on and we used it through the Kimberley's with no problems.
Ray wanderin' in retirement. victor 2010
FollowUp 3 of 5
FollowupID: 18496   Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 06, 2003 at 19:39

B.P.L. posted:

Sorry to dissapoint you. However, if you do your "real" reearch you will find that OME is out of Brazil. OME test and design the shock in Aus. but hey are made O.S.

And mate, how many Brazilian 4WD's do you see cruzin' around the Cape???????????
FollowUp 4 of 5
FollowupID: 18537   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 08:58

Billowaggi posted:

If they are made in Brazil how have they got away wity stamping them MADE IN AUSTRALIA for all these years. Is'nt that illegal ? I know for a fact that they are made by Monroe for ARB to there specification in Australia.
By the way, last year I took my Brazilian made Ford F250 to the Mitchell Plateau the only part that let us down was the after market Rancho shockies!
Regards Ken.
FollowUp 5 of 5
AnswerID: 26796   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 21:56

Truckster (Vic) replied:

Since you have Bilsteins, why not put them on again if your happy with them? The other thing is take your old ones as spares. Saves running odd shocks.
Reply 3 of 5
AnswerID: 26800   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 22:13

Member - Bill replied:

Read a mag a while back where Ron Moon ran shotgun on a shock test trip for the IFS cruiser. The takeaway was the Bilstein was the best shock on the test for the particular application, way better than OEM fitment and OME (XGS?). Having read a number of these type of things it appears certain shock construction and manufacture seems to suit certain types of suspension and vice versa and generalisation is dangerous. Koni's are known to outperform most others on Patrols but not so good on IFS cars, Bilstein seem good on IFS cars (spring and torsion bar) being able to cope with the higher speed movements. Bilstein, being a monotube shock should be protected from stone damage on the rear. One trick is to coat exposed surfaces with a thick layer of silicone.Regds

Bill
Reply 4 of 5
FollowupID: 18343   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 22:43

Truckster (Vic) posted:

TJM XGS shocks..
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 18350   Submitted: Monday, Aug 04, 2003 at 22:59

Big John (QLD) posted:

Bill
We were with Ron when when he did that test on the the IFS cruisers we were 1 of the 4 TD cruisers, though on that trip no vehicles were fitted with OME LTR's that's why I asked the question about the LTR's. On reading the above coments I think I might stick with the Bilsteins.
As the old saying goes " When your on a good thing, stick to it"

Thanks John

.
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 18356   Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 05, 2003 at 07:53

Member - Bill posted:

Well, well, how about that. Shame on me for the mix up on the OME/TJM XGS (athough I do remember they were not LTR's) but there have been a few reds consumed since I read that piece, what, nearly a year ago?

I'd love to do a trip like that, must have been a blast.

Also, as they say "if it 'ain't broke don't fix it"Regds

Bill
FollowUp 3 of 3
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AnswerID: 26860   Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 05, 2003 at 19:28

bigboy replied:

i think you should buy some enforcer 4x4 shocks
i buy shocks from L.C 4X4 PARTS 07 46696639 .
HE SELL SHOCKS THAT HAVE RRP $120-00 FOR ONLY $75-00 EA
plus about $50-00 or so to fit them

$75-00 x 4 = $300-00

+ $50-00 for fitment = $350-00
alot cheaper than $1200-00
Reply 5 of 5
FollowupID: 18495   Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 06, 2003 at 19:37

B.P.L. posted:

Enforcer shocks (from Carroll Springs) are just about the most budget, crappy shocks you can buy.
FollowUp 1 of 1