Having owned a Maverick,two GQ wagons and currently a GU 3.0 litre Diesel I have spent a fortune on
suspension systems.
My under house storage is littered with various types of coil springs.
It is no wonder that the magazines have every 6 th page advertising some
suspension alternative.
With some it is the old problem of increasing their load progressively with every new accessory,for others it is the need to gain
suspension height as they discover hard core 4wdriving,for me it is the search for the ultimate soft ride without the loss of off road capacity.
The Nissan patrol is difficult truck with which to obtain a good ride, due to the massive axle assemblies and the associated weight which has to be controlled.
It seems to me that most
suspension systems off the shelf set up the front height allowing for bars etc,then select a spring from the range to obtain the correct rear height, accepting the spring rate which provides this combination.
This often means that the rear spring may not provide a comfortable ride due to a heavier rate than required.
The suppliers obviously have to settle on a range of springs designed for the majority of load carrying combinations,but there are many requirements between these parameters.
The problem appears to be the balance between the right spring rates and the required height.
Finally on my truck(after trying 2 different ARB springs and even air bags) I believe I have found the right combination.
The ARB 980 was the right rate but 25 mm to low when fitted,the 981 was the right height, but too stiff in ride comfort.
Thanks to Yarra valley 4wd I have now fitted Dobinson 3 inch lift rears, which when settled have provided both the correct height but nearly the same rates as the ARB 980 springs.
In regard to the air bags I tried,these are an effective product I believe for standard springs which require assistance(if you want a set cheap contact me) but
in my case because I was already close to the correct rates, any addition af air stiffened
the springs too much for the load carried,suffice to say for the very short time they were installed they were only inflated to the minimum requirement.
No doubt I could have used a spacer on the 980 springs to get the right height and rate but I prefer no alteration to the spring seating.
In summary it may be better to purchase your
suspension from a supplier that is an agent for several spring makers,this in order to get a complete range of spring alternatives to suit your particular needs.
To those who cracked it first time for the correct springs,half your luck.
Me I am starting up a business making those playground rocking horses using NISSAN SPRINGS OF COURSE!
regards