Suspension and articulation
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 10:23
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charlie
Hello all I have another question that some of you may be able to help me with.
I am getting a 3" lift next week and after considering it for a while, have thought about going for King springs(3 inch raised), Rancho 9000x shocks and the castor correction kit. This on a 91 80 series GXL with alloy b-bar rear 2 draw storage system and pretty standard apart from that.
My main aim is for comfort in the ride and as much articulation as possible. I take it off road a lot which comprises mainly of beach and some challenging dirt and mud. I am planning a trip to the Cape next year aswell so want comfort on corrugations(if thats possible???) I will be putting Cooper ST 305/70 16's on next month as
well so the rolling gear will be taller, wider and heavier. Before I go Iwill put a spare wheel carrier on the back too, probably in the next 4 months.
I dont know if I should get uprated springs as they will not flex as much or if it will sag too much with a full load of
camping gearwith the softer springs. I would also like to know if progressive rate springs would be the way to go in the back to stop sagging.
I would also like to know if anyone has had a 3 inch lift and found they needed to change more than the castor correction kit. ie brake lines or any of the other underbody components to get it to ride properly. And also whether These components will give me what I'm looking for.
If you could let me know of your experiences with similar projects I would be very appreciative.
Cheers
Charlie
Reply By: Bob Y. - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 12:52
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 12:52
Charlie, we have 97 GXL turbo with standard heavy duty coils, and they are pretty firm. With load there's not much drop at back. Might be a little more flexible with bigger lift? Think a few blokes run 2 sets of rear coils, one for town(softer) and H/duty, for trips with all the gear.
A comment about your planned tyre purchase - we run 265/75x116's, and don't think I'd like to go much bigger than 285's. Unless you are running a petrol, or T/Diesel, then the world is going to pass very slowly by, with 305's. Okay, they might be alright cruising, or offroad, but it's nice to have a bit of squirt when you are pulling out to pass a triple road train, with all the Family, and gear on board.
We had a 90 model 80 series turbo, and it would pull much better than our current one, because it had 31.5x10.5R15's. Just seemed to rev a little high on hwy. Lot of these choices become a compromise....
Hooroo...
AnswerID:
15067
Follow Up By: charlie - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 17:29
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 17:29
Thanks for the advice Bob Y. I went from 10.5 x 31 x 15's on my old MQ aturally aspirated diesel to 11.5 x 32 x15 and it really made no difference in acceleration. (I use the term "acceleration" loosely). The TD lancruiser has a lot more pull so hope it wont slow it down too much.
Thanks again
Charlie
FollowupID:
9159
Reply By: tristjo - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 16:11
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 16:11
The best way i beleive to stop rear end sag with small lifts is Poly airbags. That way you can go for a softer spring for the round town use, then put a bit of air in the bags for touring. just remember, when you lift a vehicle with a softer spring, it will roll more, and the shocks have to work harder to contain the vehicle on rough roads, so fitting a quality adjustable shock like the rancho, or Koni is the way to go. My brother recently fitted a set of Koni's to his GQ, and reckons they are brilliant, with a good ride quality, and no fade on long distances on poor roads.
Hope this has helped. Tristjo.
AnswerID:
15086
Follow Up By: charlie - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 17:30
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 17:30
I have thought about the Air bags how much do they cost for the rear?
Charlie
FollowupID:
9161
Follow Up By: diamond - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 20:56
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 20:56
i fitted a set of polly air today on a gq for a customer now remember this price is fitted not hard to do and it cost them $420
FollowupID:
9173
Reply By: Truckster - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 16:46
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 16:46
Dude.
I would look at other than Ranchos. Koni, OME, or even TJM XGS(I had them without problem only swapped when went to 6in lift).
I have 9000's and they suck. Less than 6 mths old and dead. Yes getting replaced under warranty..
BUT GET THIS.
I have to PAY MORE since they dont have any 9000's left, I get 9x's instead, which I dont want as they have a worse reputation than 9000s.. Not my problem they dont have spares to replace
mine with.
One bloke a traveller not a hack in our club has been thru 2 sets, 1 set of 9000's and 1 of 9x. He is not going to worry about warranty and getting Koni or the NEW OME long travel shocks (that are coming out next week I htink).
AnswerID:
15094
Follow Up By: charlie - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 17:34
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 17:34
Hey Truckster,
Sorry to hear about the Rancho's it sounds like a real pain in the ass. Do you know if the other shocks you mentioned will have the same or more travel as the Rancho's because I am looking for as much drop as possible. Do they all cost about the same?
I have read a lot of your posts and like the sound of your Patrol but who insures it with 6 inches of lift?
FollowupID:
9164
Follow Up By: Truckster - Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 23:42
Thursday, Mar 13, 2003 at 23:42
Insurance TCIS www.tcis.com.au
the car is completely legal, and fully engineered.
Now the shocks, Yes Koni will make some for you, OME have some new longer travel shocks in the wind...
I'd lose 1inch of drop for shocks that would last too.
Mate took from Oct, to 3 weeks ago to get his replaced... Warranty?? joke!
Also throw your swaybars, will get you lots more travel....
FollowupID:
9201
Follow Up By: Tony - Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 07:23
Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 07:23
What you have to be wary of about going for to long of travell is
the springs coming loose and falling out.
FollowupID:
9208
Follow Up By: Savvas - Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 08:10
Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 08:10
Truckster.... That sucks that you have to pay more because just because they can't replace with the same model. You should be able to get the 9000x at extra no cost. Did they at least give you a refund option?
FollowupID:
9209
Follow Up By: Truckster - Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 10:32
Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 10:32
Nope No option.... Just stiff bleep pal, pay up.
Good life aint it. Also my fronts wont seal with the incab kit due to no o rings where the adjuster is on the bottom of the shock!!! So they can replace them too, but these I aint payin for.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Kev. - Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 17:49
Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 17:49
Hey Tony if you are worried about
the springs falling out you could fit a strap to limit the axel movement ie strap becomes tight 1' before the spring is dislodged.
Truckster , when are you going to sell me your in-cab system ??? lol
FollowupID:
9243
Follow Up By: Truckster - Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 23:09
Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 23:09
LOL Kev..
Might be sooner than later.
There are lots around second hand for $100ish.... just gotta be in the right place at the right time.
FollowupID:
9264