GU Patrol Suspension
Submitted: Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 12:33
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mowing
I have been trying to decide between a GU Patrol (ex Telstra) or Toyota V8 Diesel c/c. I have got some good
views from members and given the price difference, I am swaying towards the Nissan. But after doing some research here and on the Patrol
forum, there appears to be a problem with chassis breaking, or in the case of a coil version, the supports that mount onto the chassis crack. I know that there is a company in
Melbourne that make supports for the coil "hats". This has got me thinking are you better off (assuming heavy towing and carrying) to have a coil version or leaves. My original view was leaves but then I considered that if you have two points pushing up at a distance you get greater leverage than if you are pushing up from one point ie it would be easier for a pipe bender to bend a pipe if it was pushing from the ends rather than pushing in the middle. I know that I haven't taken into consideration that the load factor alters it the load is spread over two points. I know that Roachie had a few dramas with his chassis and did some major work to it.
Am I right about coils (good quality after market) being better for towing or are leaves the way to go?
Thanks
Mark
Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 13:31
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 13:31
Mark,
The Patrol strengthening kit is made by ATOC Autos. You might give Aaron Carlton a ring - 03 9754 2751 and get his view on coils vs springs.
Peter
AnswerID:
351852
Follow Up By: Lotzi - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 14:00
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 14:00
G'day PeterMcG
I will follow this thread with interest as I am looking at the same conversion.
There have been a few mentions of the cracking problem through different threads.
All the best
Lotzi
FollowupID:
620038
Follow Up By: guzzi - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 15:57
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 15:57
My god theres more than 1 of me...........
FollowupID:
620047
Follow Up By: Lotzi - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 16:14
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 16:14
G'day Guzzi
Computer has a mind of it's own....? Only just thrown the slate and chalk out..... lol
Cheers
Lotzi
FollowupID:
620049
Reply By: Robin Miller - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 13:58
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 13:58
Mark
Need for strengthing kit is much over rated for standard vehicles.
Coils are better for towing in case of Patrols , the vertical load is limited and defined anyway.
Leaves tend to come into there own for very heavy loads over the rear axle
AnswerID:
351857
Reply By: Notso - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 16:36
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 16:36
You only get the leaf option on utes.
I towed a van for about 100,000 ks with a coil sprung GU11. All up did 190,000 Never had any
suspension problems and it had standard springs and shocks. I suspect the cracking occurs when used for more heavy duty 4WD over a long period.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:18
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:18
Notso,
"You only get the leaf option on utes"
Not So!! Both GQ and GU came with a choice of rear coils or leaves. The leaf spring version has a slightly higher payload.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Notso - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:20
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:20
Is that right, You learn something new every day! I thought they discontinued the leafs in the wagons with the GU11
FollowupID:
620076
Follow Up By: lizard - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:38
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:38
There are actually three different rear axle/suspensions on GU utes .
ST - (like
mine ) - has coils
DX has leafs , but two different axles - full floating , and - semi floating ? Not sure if that is correct wording .
With my ST - I too was concerned about the spring towers ripping off - I carry a fair load ... but wasn't keen in taking Tray off to weld on the shelf options ... instead i welded a 50X5mm strip from one chassis rail across top of both spring towers to other side chassis rail .... whilst not as good as other solutions - I think it will be adequate for me .....
FollowupID:
620080
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:39
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 18:39
Theres a good reason why the 79series use very long leaf rear springs instead of coils. It spreads the load over a lot of the chassis, and they don't crack. The long leaf springs ride very
well with some weight in the back.
If money's an issue, you might want to consider the 6 cyl 79series with the factory TD. They came out in 2001, and theres more hitting the second hand market at the moment. $30-40k usually gets you one now.
Why would anyone buy an ex-telstra Patrol?
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Follow Up By: mowing - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 19:15
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 19:15
Hi Phil, Could you expand on your reasons not to buy an ex telstra patrol. Thanks
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 19:54
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 19:54
My last sentence may have been a bit harsh.
But Telstra hangs onto its vehicles longer than say ex-govt vehicles. They and are used on rough roads, load them heavily and as a result have a
well known reputation for chassis problems. Maybe Telstra get the chassis reinforced before delivery now??
Canopies are good though, and I guess that, if canopy is included, they go for a fairly cheap price.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: mowing - Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 20:16
Monday, Mar 02, 2009 at 20:16
Thanks Phil, The ex telstra vehicles vary a fair degree in mileage with some 250,000 k and others around the 120,000k. It is the lower mileage ones that I am looking at.Price include the canopy, which when new would have been circa $10K, bar and tow bar. One dealer over here in WA has 8 of them to choose from. Having said that, I have also looked at the Toyota V8 diesel ute (used) from a vehicle hire place but most of the work these vehicles would have done would be on mine sites, so even with 90,000k on the clock they have probably been worked hard in tough conditions. The 79 series turbo 6 is a good vehicle but hard to come by. The problem in WA is that there are a lot of utes on the market but most are ex miners so it is hard to get a goody. Looking at a Patrol ST with canopy, duel battery, bull bar etc tomorrow which is ex Bureau of Met vehicle 06 with 100,000k on the clock. From the outside a nice vehicle.
Thanks
Mark
FollowupID:
620102