Ironman shockers any good

Robin,

was your package fitted by a sub agent or dealer? Your situation sounds like poor workmanship and analysis during fitting rather than the product itself.

The engineered solution is the way to go in the grand scheme of things, particularly if warranty and insurance become an issue at any stage. I've gone down that path with the new Tojo and while there is a cost attached, the degree of comfort associated with a certified solution is worth the expense.

I must also confess that I am very impressed with the tough dog shocks. I have the big bore adjustables and they have performed admirably under the toughest of conditions. Exceptional value really compared to some other well known brands (I'll get konig's one day....after a lotto win!)

Cheers Mick

Robin, the early Ironman gas shocks were prone to failure. I assume that has been rectified as I haven't heard of any issues with them for some time. I have an 80 series and went the foam cell and have been quite happy with the product, and especially happy for the price.

Myprado, jump on LCOOL and ask on their prado section, they'll have plenty that have them fitted and will be able to answer.

Good luck

Hi Mick

Hard to say maybe sub-agent, it turned out that they supplied 2 inch lift coils and standard length shocks, hence front popped off.

One lost gas after a year but only 10,000km - but heard others had issues in that era as well Navara says , and the operation went thru a major shake up.

You not only had different branded springs but i'd suggest different rates aswell. Without support information of spring characteristics this is a totally unfair and extemely biased example of a comparison.

DAN

Hmmm. In your opinion, how do you suppose one makes a valid comparison between two different brands of product then?

Constant load springs from Ironman vs Constant load springs from Kings?

Ironman - lousy ride

Kings - significant improvement

Ironman - 20,000km warranty

Kings - All King Heavy Duty Coil Springs listed in our catalogue have a limited lifetime warranty as follows:

1. Warranty against faulty manufacture.
2. Warranty against sagging (being loss of original free height by more than 10mm).
3. Warranty against breakage.

Ironman - imported

Kings - Australian made

Prices comparable.

Tough choice.

I'm happy to stand by my comparison & justification.

How long did you try both in your vehicle for Dan?

Dave

Correction - Ironman 2yr 40,000km.
Has this changed? I'm pretty sure they were 20,000km when I bought mine in 2007.

Dave

Now you are starting to provide some relevant information, except you still haven't compared the actual spring specs to each other.
What does "Constant load" mean?
A coil spring will be rated with a load pressure.
Eg, A coil spring for the rear of a GQ Patrol might be 280psi. Meaning that with a load of 280psi applied to the spring it will be at it's designed length and will start to work as a 'spring'. If you alter from this then work are either asking to much or not enough from the spring. if you're vehicle is applying 250psi to that spring then you can expect a more harsh ride as the spring is not 'working' yet. If you apply 320 psi then you can expect the spring to sag over time as you are over loading it.
Now, For marketing purposes different manufacturers will call the same load rated spring a different thing. A complete stock standard wagon with a full tank of fuel and no people might apply 230psi to the spring. So some manufactures will call a 240 psi spring light load carrying and 280psi medium and 320 heavy duty.
Some manufacturers will say 270 is light duty because they anticipate you're going to be generally carrying a couple of kids and some some jumper leads and crap.
If you want to compare springs you needs to say you fitted 280 psi coils from both manufacturers, not light duty, heavy duty, constant load or any other form of market term used for the springs.
I'm not being picky or argumentative, i just have a good understanding of suspension principles, it's a passion of mine to get it right and i don't like brands being rated by there performance unless all the information is supplied. More often than not, incorrectly rated products are the fault of a poor ride quality, not the brand of the product fitted.

DAN

Dan,

Given that suspension suppliers don't routinely supply that data it's a bit hard to do what you are asking, though I understand why.

But, that said, a GU weighs the same empty as the next GU so should put the same load on either set of springs. The spring manufacturers tend to suggest an alternate set of springs based on around 200kg of "constant load" to cope with drawers, fridge, additional rear bar work etc so that would require approximately the same amount of pressure upwards against the loaded vehicle for both different springs to maintain the same ride height.

The rate of the springs may differ but they don't provide that information though I think the Kings literature refers to progressive spring rates which I understand to mean that theres more pressure when they are heavily compressed than a standard spring, and less under low loadings.

I had both springs in the vehicle and the vehicle configuration was a constant. The roads I drove on were the same roads I drive on most of the time and vary from dirt, poor bitumen, good bitumen & highway.

In a six week period I had standard GU springs for 2 weeks, Ironman for 2 weeks & Kings for 2 weeks.

The Kings were the stand out performers for ride & handling. The standard ones were getting pulled out regardless. The Ironmans rode rough, very rough.

I can't put it much more simply than that. I would not recommend them to anyone.

Dave

I do not discount your argument.
However like the Cooper Warrenty that is full of loop holes is the EFS 100% replacement on three yrs? Never had much luck with long warrenty's as they always come back to fair ware and use..

Regards Craig