Adjustable shocks - which ones to buy?
Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 08:25
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old-plodder
Looking for some feed back on adjustable shocks for road and outback touring use and a bit of offroad use.
Need 4 more shocks in the next couple of months for the next trip.
Impressed by the range of adjustable shocks coming on the market in the last year.
Have ben trying some rancho 9000s. Would like to see more rebound and less bump adjustment though.
Car is a 1996 Pajero.
What has any one else tried?
Reply By: Gossy - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 09:13
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 09:13
TJM XGS shockers are also very good. I have hammered
mine on various trips and as good as new.
AnswerID:
106313
Follow Up By: old-plodder - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 15:17
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 15:17
Thanks
was going to look at those next.
how much adjustment is there?
Do they really firm up bump? My concern is that they firm it up too much as I run 10 ply LT tyres.
FollowupID:
363373
Reply By: Swine Hunter - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 12:13
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 12:13
Hi Plodder,
If within your budget, Koni are 1st class. They will outlast many of the lesser shocks by 2-3 times, and fully re-buildable when the time comes for about $400 for all 4 shocks. Hard to beat for performance, and long term value for money.
The only downside is that they normally can't be adjusted on the fly, you need to remove them from the car to adjust, that's the case on my GQ Patrol anyway.
Cheers,
Wayne
AnswerID:
106337
Follow Up By: old-plodder - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 15:18
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 15:18
Just put some on another car in the family and for the quality not so expensive, as you say long term value is there. Was going to look at those if the outside adjuadtables search doesn't look to promising.
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Follow Up By: Outbacktourer - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 17:30
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 17:30
Not to mention Koni only adjusts rebound, maintaining good ride...
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363405
Follow Up By: Swine Hunter - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 19:34
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 19:34
From what I recall with my Knoi's I played with the adjustment before fitting them and from memory the resistance to both rebound and compression was incresed as the shock was adjusted.
Perhaps different models allow different adjustment, or perhaps my failing memory.....
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363423
Follow Up By: Brew69(SA) - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 21:16
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 21:16
I just had 4 long travel shocks rebuilt in top performance melb for $304 for all 4.........come back looking like new and with 2 yr..50 000 km warranty.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 16:30
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 16:30
50000km warranty? not bad!
Ranchos come advertised with a "lifetime warranty" - On the box this is clarified as being 2 years, or VOID if you have modifications on the car (ie: bigger than factory tyres).
Lifetime warranty sounds good though, doesnt it.
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363548
Reply By: BenSpoon - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 15:34
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 15:34
I'm running Rancho 9000s on the front, and tough dog adjustibles on the back of my 80- I found the ranchos are fine up front, but on their stiffest setting they were not doing alot to stabilise the back. I have a 40/60 front/back weight distribution, so the big
bore toughdogs were the go for the back.
I cant fault either of the shocks- although both manufacturers seem as though they cant bag the other enough. The ranchos I would say are fine for your car, but if you are planning long hauls at high ambient temps, the big
bore of the togh dog adjustible will help in heat dissipation.
AnswerID:
106367
Reply By: GO_OFFROAD - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 20:54
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 20:54
Bilstien are great, as they are self adjusting velocity controlled, dependant on piston speed, so you get a good ride slow fast, loaded, unloaded.
Koni only adjust one way also, when compressed and turned, but valving one way, can have some effect on the other.
AnswerID:
106429
Reply By: Gossy - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 08:58
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 08:58
I am running 10ply myself. The ride is great. I don't have the adjustable ones though but I believe the shocker is the same. All I do is let down the tyres a bit and the ride is like a new car. I commented to the missus when we got back from birsdville that the Patrol was still riding like a new car (96 GQ). I guess at the end of the day you can't go wrong with any of the big brands with a reputation for off road performance. I was a bit scared off with OME because of the price.
AnswerID:
106481
Reply By: 4mud - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 09:27
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 09:27
I've got the tough dog adjustables with the in-cab kit on my 80,and i can't say enough good things about these.I can stiffen it right up on the freeway and get decent handling,then offroad i can press a button and just loosen it right up.
cheers
phil
AnswerID:
106492