Shock recommendations

Gidday all,

I have a 2003 duel cab hilux turbo diesel. The suspension is standard other than Munro shocks.

I have had these on for a while now but I think they are shagged. I am off road a lot (touring) and tow a camper trailer.
What can you recommend as a replacement shock.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Greg
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Reply By: Member - Craig F (WA) - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:55

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:55
Hi Greg,
I fitted a Ironman 2" lift kit. Including new Torsion bar springs and shocks. The kit has been on for three and a half years and all is still well with very little sag to the springs and no issues with the shocks.
For the $$$ I am very happy.

Regards
Craig
AnswerID: 454508

Reply By: Travis22 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 00:04

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 00:04
Im a fan of Old Man Emu, but IMO they are extremely overpriced these days.
When you can purchase a product made in Australia, from America for 50% off the local retail price; you know something is wrong~!

I would stay away from Ironman, purely because their stuff is all made in China IIRC. Heard plenty of good AND bad reports about Ironman, whats new hey same could be said for every single brand out there :)

Maybe look at the Munro range and see if they have a heavy duty +2" 'aftermarket' version for your car... At least they are still Made In Australia, and they are the manufacturer of Old Man Emu.

Otherwise, off the top of my head it seems Koni, Bilstein & Ride Pro seem to get 'above average' positive feedback on the forums.

Travis.

AnswerID: 454521

Follow Up By: Shaker - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 12:21

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 12:21
I have had 2 vehicles with Ironman suspension & their foam cell shock absorbers, with no issues whatsover after thousands of kilometres of Outback corrugations & High Country tracks.

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FollowupID: 727405

Follow Up By: Member - Craig F (WA) - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 14:02

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 14:02
75K on my Ironman Suspension. Had it checked at a leading suspension works as I have a big trip coming up and have been given the big tick.
I will buy them again.

Craig
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FollowupID: 727428

Follow Up By: Travis22 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 21:35

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 21:35
Ironman is pretty hard to beat at their price, but again it is all made in China and ive always made a point at avoiding items made there regardless of what it is. Mates rates for Ironman stuff is plain crazy; the fact it can be had SO cheap does put me off... too good to be true - it usual is!

The OME leafs, shocks and bushings on my car were fitted nearly 17years ago. Fair to say the old girl never did much work with the previous owner but in the 2 and a bit years ive had the car ive done 70,000km's broken up with around 20,000km in the outback and 40,000km in the high country and 10,000km around town.

The bushings are getting on, and as a matter of fact ive just purchased new shackles to replace the 33 year old original ones and a new set of bushings all round. The leafs and shocks are still fine!

Travis.

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FollowupID: 727511

Follow Up By: Batt's - Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 22:21

Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 22:21
Travis I had OME over 20yrs ago when I went to buy new shockies back then I was told by a dealer Munro are made in the same factory different sticker and cheaper than OME well I think he was right it rode the same yes they are good but until you try ironman you don't know what their quallity is like I heard Tough Dogs are rubbish but some also swear by them I'll try them because I want to try adjustable shocks
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FollowupID: 727767

Reply By: Mick O - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 06:25

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 06:25
Greg,

I'm not a fan of OME as I've seen them fail in tough conditions time and time again (as an example on the Canning, not towing and travelling at 18-21 kph, OME rear shocks on the Nissan Patrol were at 150C. Shocks (Tough Dogs) on other vehicles were at 50C).

I've been really impressed with the Tough Dog big bore adjustable shocks. They have performed well and on the heavily corrugated tracks we face outback these days. The ride is improved no end by tuning them down. Normally between $200-250 per shock (I paid $770 for a full set through the mechanic) Quite a few of my off track comrades are now using the same simply due to their performance and price.

If you can't afford $600 a pop for Konigs (and I can't) then these are a bloody good alternative.

Cheers Mick
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AnswerID: 454525

Reply By: Member- Tony C - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 06:37

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 06:37
Hello Greg,

I would go for Ultimate, I have had an excellent run out of them. They improved my vehicles handling enormously and are very helpful to deal with.

Cheers,
Tony
AnswerID: 454526

Reply By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 08:17

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 08:17
If you want something that will last on Australia's worst corrugations go Koni adjustables. Gas shocks get too hot.
AnswerID: 454529

Reply By: splits - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 10:47

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 10:47
Greg. I am still using the stock Toyota shocks on my stock suspension 03 Lux. It has done many thousands of ks on outback roads and mountain tracks without any problems. I replaced the front at 74,000 ks but the rear are the originals and are still going well at 102,000.
AnswerID: 454543

Reply By: Member - TJ (VIC) - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 16:26

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 16:26
G'day Greg,

I have the OME's and I have found that they overheat fairly easy. Last year in the Kimberley you could feel them losing their effect over the corrugations due to overheating. On the road to Mitchell Falls I could smell the rear drivers side it was that hot. When I pulled over the heat that was radiating from it was crazy. Mind you it has worked fine since but I'll be looking at Tough Dogs in future.

TJ...

AnswerID: 454587

Reply By: Member - edwin (QLD) - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 11:22

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 11:22
ive had rancho shocks on my troopy for the last 12 years, made in USA ,they have been flogged all round australia and I lived up the cape for a few years,they are covered in stone chips and dings but still work fine , you can get them for $140 each delivered off many online 4wd stores,rs 5000 or rs 9000 adjustables ,they cost a bit more though,
well worth checking out ,,ask around ,no one has mentioned them on here yet
AnswerID: 454676

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