Steering stabiliser...which one??

[slowhilux]

Had a wee bit of carnage today, apart from the rear 1/4 smacking a tree, i somehow managed to SQUASH the steering stabiliser on the car (!?!?!). Buggered if i know how i did it. Anyone whos knows where they are on an 80 series knows they sit pretty high, but very vulnerable because it is the first thing to get a whack if you hit a rock that high up.

So what does everyone use?? I used to have a RTC on the Hilux, but the steering didnt like it (or maybe that was due to it being a shitbox!).........thinking i might go one of these again??

Phill

[65Mog]

What ever you buy make sure it hasn't got TOP stamped on one end , if it has it's a shock with a spring around it and not a dampener.

[bubs]

i personally like the OME one

[hypo]

heheh cool bout squashing the damper Phil....

and i had an old man emu job on mine b4 i went hi-steer and it did the job fine altho this time round i gunna get a 4way job with a spring 2 help reduce that wheel shimmy u n pointed out 2day

[spazbot]

i run a rancho one its pretty good and hasnt given me anyproblems, ill prolly get a topdog return to center one as my next one

[uqunder10s]

I’ve had 2 of the Tough Dog RTC ones throw all the oil out of the seal so far. One lasted about 3 months (7000km) running 285 muds on GU Patrol doing weekend offroad work, other has lasted about 18 months on a GQ running centipede’s and doing competition work. I believe that they have a bigger bore version available now which might help, otherwise I’m not convinced that they are very good in the smaller bore.

[Brad]

Aren't the tough dog ones a 35mm bore with a coil around them ?

The HD steering stabalizers which aren't RTC units are 50mm bores. Maybe that is why the RTC units died under heavy use or with big tyres.

[slowhilux]

Got an RTC today, but by the sound of it it may not like the 35's! Oh well, time will tel

Phill

[Kev80]

Slowhilux, What i did was to make a good bash plate, it will protect the radiator from stones/ sticks ect, & will also protect the damper slightly.

One reason i made the plate was because on the 80 series it has 2 pipes hanging down low, (air con or p/steering, can't remember !)

+ you need somewhere to put ya extra stickers !

[uqunder10s]

Has anybody used the new heavy duty return to centre steering damper from opposite lock? They follow the same principle as the original RTC unit but have a much bigger bore damper and a heavier duty spring. After feedback on their performance in taming the Nissan wobble with big rubber. Cost is about $300 I think.

Steve

[Zac Zec]

Ive got one on my patrol. Not very impressed. The shock isnt any bigger than an OEM one. They have increased the bore size and spring size compared to the standard OL return to centre stabilizer. I dont think it is worth the initial out lay. Looks good though (w#@k factor is up there)
cheers
Zac

[BeZeRK]

got a rtc one the other day off a mate, gonna whack it on the 4runner (IFS) and see how it goes, its gotta be better than the original i still got on there!!!