Toughdog suspension - not happy, expensive & I thought they would last !

Submitted: Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 17:42
ThreadID: 12843 Views:56116 Replies:13 FollowUps:0
This Thread has been Archived
I am not sure about others who have purchased Toughdog suspension but I am not happy with the results. Took my vehicle to Blacktown 4Way suspension in Sydney to get heavy duty shocks and springs put in - very helpful they even used my vehicle as a testing vehicle as it is an import - took the vehicle back twice for different shockies until we thought it was about right. Anyway took off for the Gibb River Rd and ended in Broome then went north to Cape Leveque - shocks faded badly on rear and seeping on shocks - replaced them with Monroe gas heavy duty no problems rest of way home to Sydney. Sent the Toughdog shocks back to Blacktown & they said that they were Ok (they said they tested them on their shockie computer) and that some fade was normal !!! I don't see the rear end bouncing up & down like a seasaw as normal. Anyway I did not protest and went on with life. But today I went to the local servo for a rego check & he said the front shocks were had it aswell as there were signs of scalloping on the front tyres & the ride also confirmed this. Anyway don't think much of these Toughdog things when you pay big money for then and they don't even last 35 000 Km - I did do the Gibb River Rd on these but they should of handled it - I paid enough. What put the icing on the cake is that I was going to put my old shocks back on the front and the Toughdog spring are too big (width).
Anyone had good or bad result from Toughdog or other exbleepive shocks.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Cocka - Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 18:21

Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 18:21
Beddo which Toughdog shocks are/were you using ?
AnswerID: 58474

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 18:35

Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 18:35
Nothing suprises me anymore..

I paid lots of $ for adjustable ranchos they are no better than what you describe... but at least rancho replace em.. 2 times all round now! Although the incab kit blew up, they wont replace that...
AnswerID: 58478

Reply By: Muzza - Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 19:52

Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 19:52
Got old man emu originally and as luck has it have never had problems with them! Also they are not a great outlay...
Muzza
AnswerID: 58495

Reply By: Member -Bob & Lex (Sydney) - Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 19:54

Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 19:54
Iv'e had Tough Dogs on the Patrol for 60,000 with 20,000 of that towing the camper & no trouble.
AnswerID: 58498

Reply By: Richard - Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 21:30

Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 21:30
Just run the ARB/OME setup on an Nm Paj over the Simpson with no problems. A TJM setup on a Prado failed on the journey.
AnswerID: 58513

Reply By: davidta - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 08:20

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 08:20
Hi

I had Tough Dog springs & shocks on my GU. The shocks literally fell apart and the springs collapsed, on my trip to the Simpson last year (about 35000 km when they died).
A mate of mine with a Prado had similar results.
I have now gone back to OME - never a problem on 2 vehicles now.
AnswerID: 58559

Reply By: Rod - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:56

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:56
Tough dog = poodle

Yes, my mate had his newly installed tough dogs wear through the rubbers on the first day of the bypass roads on Cape York on his hilux. The pins at the ends stripped the threads and bent. We were not driving aggressively at all.

Returned them for a refund on his return. The Bilsteins on my vehicle had no problem.
AnswerID: 58571

Reply By: Moose - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:06

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:06
Beddo
I can relate to your experience. Many years ago I was talked into a set of De Carbon shocks by a 4WD outlet. One trip to Cape York and they were knackered. As you say when you pay top dollar for something you expect the bloody thing/s to last a decent amount of time.
AnswerID: 58587

Reply By: Jeff (Beddo) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:30

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:30
Not sure exactly what they are called but they are the foam filled ones and were heavy duty, ones fitted suited the Prado aswell.
Anyway the Monroe that i have on the rear now seem pretty damn good and inexpensive.
I only did the Gibb River Rd, 1/2 of Mitchell falls before the rear shocks failed then replaced them with Monroes. Will go for them next time.
PS. Last sentence on my original submission I thought I said "expensive shocks" not "exbleepive shocks" - ??????
AnswerID: 58610

Reply By: Coops (Pilbara) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:11

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:11
I've been contemplating upgrading to these from my Rancho 9000's but after having read this post, and since I haven't actually had a problem with my Ranchos other than the bush at the top blowing out (an easy fix and a common problem on 80 Series) then I think I'll stay with the Devil I know.

You could have saved me a quid Jeff so thanks
AnswerID: 58624

Reply By: Hero - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:05

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:05
Sad to hear your problems, unfortunatly another victim of Kirk Barkers propoganda.
AnswerID: 58646

Reply By: Bluegeorge - Friday, Jun 11, 2004 at 04:39

Friday, Jun 11, 2004 at 04:39
Many, many rude words exchanged over set of "tough dog" shocks on '03 Triton dual cab... 17,000k's and fell to bits in sand dunes near Carpenters Rocks (SA). OME never had a problem, so back to the devil I know...

Wouldn't fit tough dog's again if they were free!

Blue
AnswerID: 62746

Reply By: Member - Landie - Friday, Jun 11, 2004 at 09:18

Friday, Jun 11, 2004 at 09:18
I think Lovells supply their spings/coils?

AnswerID: 62763

Sponsored Links