2" lift - ARB or TJM?

Submitted: Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 16:26
ThreadID: 59028 Views:16606 Replies:9 FollowUps:13
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I've narrowed it down to ARB and TJM in regard to a 2" lift for our Navara D40 TD2.5. Basically because these two companies are national.
Can anyone with a D40 provide an unbiased recommendation?
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Reply By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 17:39

Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 17:39
It would surely depend on why you want to do it as to what would be best and ARB or TJM may not be the best.

If your issue is you just want more clearance then probably all you need is new coils, although perhaps longer shocks might give you more articulation.

Additionally, a lot of people want a lift kit because their current suspension is sagged or they regularly load the vehicle up and it drops that far or more.

In this case, you might also want up-rated springs - not just longer ones, and perhaps heavier duty shockers.

Of course your issues may be all of the above - in which case, you want all of the above ;-)

Depending on the ARB or TJM store you go to you may or may not get good advice on suspension. You might just get someone choosing "2 inch lift" and "D40 Navara" out of the catalogue.

A suspension specialist (and some ARB or TJM stores will have them) should be asking you about "why" and properly assessing the best options for you. There are numerous "national" suspension component manufacturers.
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Reply By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 18:07

Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 18:07
I have had the ARB 2 inch lift option installed with heavy leaf packs on rear.
New struts , coils, leaf springs, nitro shocks at a cost of $1900.00 including alignment. It has performed very well and I am happy with it.
This was the option my 4x4 mechanic recomended so I went with it.
Would imagine TJM system to be similar.
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Reply By: Member - Tony B (QLD) - Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 18:48

Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 18:48
Not quite the answer you are after, but have you had a look at the Snake Racing 2'' Lift? I found them good to deal with and product was excellent quality.
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Follow Up By: beelzebug - Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:09

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:09
I'm on Sydney's north shore. Where would I find an outlet for Snake Racing gear?
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Follow Up By: Member - Tony B (QLD) - Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 17:33

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 17:33
They have a web site and freight is very reasonable, link as follows Regards Tony - www.snakeracing.com.au/
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Reply By: Stu-k - Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 19:10

Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 19:10
ARB products are over priced they are just selling on their name. I have a arb lift and bullbar on a new hilux and will never buy another thing from them.
I would be going for bilstien shocks and kings springs if I did it again.
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 20:16

Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 20:16
bit of a wild statement there, just cause you've had problems with yours by the sounds of it doesn't mean all of their products are like that. i've got a 2" lift from arb in my 105 series cruiser and haven't had any issue what so ever with it, have even had another 105 series owner ask me what my setup was cause it was sitting better then his did with the ride height. was done about 3 years ago and have been to the cape and many other places since having it done. as for overpriced, if you pay the first price they give you then yeh it's probably overpriced, try haggling alittle, i've never paid the first price they have told me on any major purchase at arb.
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Follow Up By: Stu-k - Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 21:41

Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 21:41
I know quite quite a few people that have had problems with arb. As for price yes I tried to talk a deal since I was spending $4500 with them but they wouldn't be in it, to the point of changing me for a tube of shackle grease(cause there leaf springs squeak) I brought arb because at the time I was under the impression that it was good gear.
All of the people I know also could not get better deals on price either.
Bullbar was their third go and it has paint runs all over it, but I gave up and will never return. I guess at least the suspension only took the two goes, which I payed for even though they admitted fitting the wrong springs for what I wanted.
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 22:30

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 22:30
surprised to hear that they wouldn't do a discount on a $4500 purchase, i spent around that figure (maybe a touch more) and managed to get atleast a couple of hundred bucks (can't remember exact figure as it was 3 years ago) knocked off of the price. also got some rims for $255 each from arb when they tried to charge me $320 first up for them, i made one phone call and compared price with a tyre shop i knew did good prices on rims and they wanted $250 each, arb had them in stock where as the other guy couldn't tell me when they would be available (at the time i knew they were hard to get for a live axel cruiser) so i went the $255 each at arb.
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Reply By: Steve - Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 21:39

Friday, Jun 20, 2008 at 21:39
agree wih that - why limit yourself to ARB or TJM. They don't necessarily do what's best for everything 4x4. The best on the market are Lovells or King springs and arguably Bilstein shocks. Where do ARB or TJM come into it? Would you limit yourself to Freedom furniture for a sofa or shop around for the best product? Fair enough if they were much cheaper but they're not really that much.

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Follow Up By: beelzebug - Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:08

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:08
I thought of ARB or TJM as they are "national" and would honour any warranty while on a trip.
I'll keep researching.
Many thanks to everyone for their comments.
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Reply By: Member - Andrew (WA) - Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 00:13

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 00:13
I'm going through this dilemma myself. Been 8 months and I still haven't made up my mind.

Just a comment on the Lovells though...about 7 years ago I put Lovells in the back of a statesman I had. Unbelievable difference, like a new car and the best addition I've done to any car. I think I will be looking at Lovells a bit closer with a set of Bilstiens. $$$ yes, but it could be a saving in the long run.

I'd be interested to hear from any 100 owners who have a Lovells set-up.

No, I have no affiliation.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 12:19

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 12:19
Andrew

I used to have a 100 series and the suspension is pretty crap. Particularly for towing. I took the easy way out and put air bags in which improved it but still, not brilliant. I eventually got a (used) Defender and from the outset put Billys and Lovells on. I opted for a 2" lift, which isn't compulsory but that's the option I took. The ride in the car has improved incredibly, as has cornering etc The original equipment on Defenders isn't bad but these have taken it to a new level and hitching the camper makes no difference to the car's attitude. Not cheap but you'll only do it once.
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (WA) - Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 18:59

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 18:59
Yes, cornering was the 1st improvement I noticed.

I wonder about the Lovell torsion bars though. Even the guy at WA Suspensions thought they may be a bit stiff unless using a winch, steel bar etc.

I only have a an alloy bar, and 3rd battery. The puzzle is just too hard.

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Reply By: motor_head - Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 01:37

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 01:37
Hmmmm, i dont have an answer or recommendation but i once bought a 60 series cruiser that had 2" lift king springs and bilstien shocks, i thought road travel was very smooth and had more than a few passengers comment on how smooth the ride was for a 10 year old plus 4wd, on top of that ive had the joy of seeing mates faces turn white in horror as i drop the down hill side into washouts and their look of surprise as i return to more even ground without even a hint of a rollover.......but i have had no other after market suspension to compare it with (yet) , and no i'm not in the suspension market if thats what some are thinking, i work in a timber mill.
AnswerID: 311345

Reply By: Ray - Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 10:45

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 10:45
By putting 2" lift springs in you are going to raise the centre of gravity and possibly raise the eyes of Mr. Plod as well. I have just installed a pair of air springs to my L'cruiser complete with a compressor. I can now sit in the car and raise or lower it at my convenience. Ground clearance has never been a problem but I do do a lot of towing of a caravan
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Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Jun 22, 2008 at 13:51

Sunday, Jun 22, 2008 at 13:51
Ray,

tbh, I've no idea what th legalities are with a 2" lift but in my ignorance I had just assumed it was legal. Can't say I've ever heard of anyone pulled up over it.

I do feel more comfortable in the rough stuff with it but it does have it's downsides, albeit minor ones. ie: when I open the rear of the canopy, the top part goes up and I always feel a bit of a Charlie when I do my little jump to reach it to pull it back down. I'm 6ft so not exactly a short-ar$e

;-)
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Reply By: Member - 120scruiser (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 23:45

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 at 23:45
Have you looked at EFS???
I have been fitting their product and have it in my own vehicle and love it. I have also fitted and owned lovells and bilstein, King and Koni. All great set ups.
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Follow Up By: beelzebug - Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:11

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:11
Thanks 120cruiser.

Where should I go to get info and prices on Kings and Bilsteins?
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Follow Up By: Member - 120scruiser (NSW) - Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 12:04

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 12:04
Depends what state you are in. If in NSW I would do it but I am closing my business doors on Thursday.
You can contact Colin or James on their 1800 number and they will be able to give you a fitter of their product in your area.
Just google them and you will get the number from their website.

Scott
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Follow Up By: beelzebug - Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 12:35

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 12:35
I'll need a company name to Google
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Follow Up By: Member - 120scruiser (NSW) - Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 14:06

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 at 14:06
Why not try EFS Suspension?
Or their owners are Carrolls Springs
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