G`day peoples,GU series 3 Patrol suspension set ups
Submitted: Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 15:05
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jeremy
can anyone give me some advice on
suspension for my Patrol...I`m not happy with the standard ride,too harsh on road and off.I need a kit of springs and shocks that`ll give me 2-3" lift and a comfortable ride.The Patrol is the 3lt,with BFG AT`s, i tow a camper trailer which currently does not cause the car to droop in the back and all i put in the rear is one child in dicky
seat and 40lt engel on trips.Please don`t tell me what your mates got,i need to know what you`ve got on your Patrol and are happy/not happy with the way it rides.I need to know combinations of springs and shocks ,you may have got tjm shocks and ome springs,,,,,who did you go to for advice and fitment..........once again i`m after ride quality. thanks in advance Jeremy
Reply By: Tony - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 15:32
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 15:32
Yep been through the same saga. I went OME 2" lift as I did not want to raise the hight of my tow bar any more than that. I also used the kit to lower my rear stabliser bar.
After fitting there was a much improved on road handling and and off road is a dream. I was rather impresed with the after fitting service and Aus wide warrantry with outlets all over including
places like
Weipa, so if there is a failure, replacements are no worries.
The raised
seat level takes a bit of getting used to.
AnswerID:
24912
Follow Up By: GUPatrol - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 17:31
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 17:31
Agree,
I have used that
suspension setup now for four years, no problems...
Done several trips...
I couldn't believe it when I went to ride with a friend on his standard
suspension... too harsh....
Will
FollowupID:
16795
Reply By: diamond (bendigo) - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 17:52
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 17:52
gday jeremy.
i have fitted gas magnum (pedders-old man emu) shocks front and rear.
no complaints been on two years.
pedders coils 50mm lift heavy duty front and extra heavy duty rear.no problems there either.
and heavy duty pedders front sway bar and steering damper.new job coming so no fraser this time:-((
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: TJ - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 20:18
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 20:18
Diamond,
thought i might point out that the monroe gas magnums you refer to ARE NOT the same things as the Old Man Emu nitrochargers.
regards TJ
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Lex - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 20:20
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 20:20
Jeremy
I agree with the previous posts about OME. Having gone from standard to Tough Dog shock absorbers I found the unladen ride too harsh.Then went to Bilstein shock absorbers which dispite the cost were also too harsh.Now I am on O.M.E.shocks and find them the most comfortable so far -very happy. Have not tried KONIS on GU Patrol but had them on a Grand Cherokee a number of years ago and were good also.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Ben - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 21:03
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 21:03
I have a 3lt 2000 GU. I run 4" King Springs and 9-way adjustable Rancho shocks. Of course, with this lift I have also fitted adjustable panhard rods, caster plates, extended brake lines and sway bar disconnects. You don't sound like you need all that crap but I can tell you that Rancho RS9000X shocks are excelent for comfort and adjusting stiffness for different loads. They also come with LIFETIME warranty. And yes... the original ride is crap compared to aftermarket set-ups.
Ben.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: tristjo - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 23:09
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 23:09
Looks like I am way behind the times!!!
I had a drive in my mates GU the other day. With stock standard
suspension, I couldn't beleive how smooth the ride was. I likened it to my parents Camry!!
If that was suposed to be crap, I think I will have to get a GU myself, and fiddle with the
suspension. Mite ride like a limo!!
Tristjo.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: B.P.L. - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 22:21
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 22:21
Sorry, I suppose CRAP is a harsh word! The ride is just very firm.....especially in the front end. It is very easy to improve ride comfort in this model with any quality brand of shock and coil.
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Reply By: jeremy - Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 21:14
Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 21:14
THANKS for the replies,,,seems OME are a good package,so the ride is a lot more comfortable now with them fitted?I`m near
Ballarat,where did you get fitment and do i ask for the standard 2"lift kit
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Tony - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 08:18
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 08:18
Not sure around Ballarat, ring ARB Melb. and get them to give you the fitter near you.
They will go through the cattledog taking into account the engine type, bull bar etc (weight on front) and pick a spring and shock to suit, then they will do the same for the rear.
And yes state that you only want a 50mm lift. Hope you enjoy your new
suspension.
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Reply By: Patrol22 - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 08:38
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 08:38
I have to agree with Trisjo - my GU Patrol was like riding in one of those stretch limos with its factory fit
suspension, in fact it was so soft my daughter used to get seasick in it from the wallowing. That said, it was still OK off road until just recently when it seems to have sagged to have a ground clearance nearing that of a Rodeo! Fitted OME kit and the ride is much firmer on road with very little body sway. Off road it is 1000% better - better clearance, better articulation and better comfort.
I can thoroughly recommend OME springs and nitrochargers.
Cheers
Pete
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Patrol22 - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 08:40
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 08:40
Just thought I'd add that I also had an OME steering damper and castor kit fitted as
well and for what I though was a reasonable $1150
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Reply By: Les- Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 11:37
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 11:37
G'Day Jeremy...
I run a
suspension shop in Parramatta and i am sure i can help you as to what you should use to achieve what you want...
The first thing i say to you is do not use any gas shock as this will only decrease driver and passenger comfort, the correct shock type is an oil shock, Koni comes to mind and works very
well.
I sell Lovell's Springs and they do have a great product that will suit your requirements, 2" - 3" lift with a comfortable ride ( 25% uprated over OEM )
If you need any other info please E-Mail me.
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Follow Up By: jeremy - Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003 at 09:33
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003 at 09:33
Thanks Les,,,are the OME shocks gas or oil?......Sure sounds like OME get a big wrap and i`m pretty much sold on them now from all these excellent individuals who responded to my post.I`ve heard Koni are very good at top dollar ,but also read they are single tube shocks and are susceptible from stone damage as are the Bilsteins.....I really think clearly now that the OME product is the way to go when you consider 1. AUSSIE made 2.parts available AUS wide 3.reasonably priced 4.designed for AUS conditions,,,,,,once again thanks to all for your advice ,i`ll be taking it!
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Reply By: joeblogs - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 17:47
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 17:47
Jeremy
I have just fitted ome
suspension to my 2002 GU patrol and cannot believe the difference in ride both on road and off road.I wish i had of fitted it 12 months ago.It is defenitely worth the money.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Greg- Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 19:34
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 19:34
Joeblogs, what did you pay for the
suspension upgrade, if thats not a rude question. Am considering the change myself
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Andrew - Sunday, Jul 20, 2003 at 23:16
Sunday, Jul 20, 2003 at 23:16
joeblogs
Did you get new coils or just shocks???
FollowupID:
17240
Reply By: sean - Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003 at 14:25
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003 at 14:25
I replaced the
suspension on my 2000 patrol with Dobinsons 2 inch lift and Bilsteins. Just replaced that vehilce with a new 2003 patrol and noted straight away that teh ride on the brand new vehicle is much harsher than the modified patrol.
Even thought the lift was accomplished by stiffer springs, the ride was much better.
I now have a brand new set of Bilsteins waitiing for a set of springs to replace the stock
suspension on my new patrol that has 89 km on the clock.
Sean
AnswerID:
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Reply By: joeblogs - Wednesday, Jul 23, 2003 at 17:25
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2003 at 17:25
yes i did fit new coils i have a draw set in the back so i fitted a two stage spring.The cost was $1300.00 with out to much haggling.As i said before it was money
well spent.
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