What Suspension ?

Post by **Hekta** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 2:59 pm

Ok I've done my Body lift and running 33's, next big thing on the mods list is Suspension.

I would like advice on what options I can or should take and why.

Should I got with a kit setup like a Series 2000 TJM or Pedders or OME, OR should I go for a 'mix and match' type setup like King Springs and Ranchos or Koni's or something of that nature ?

Post by **Bitsamissin** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 4:39 pm

Good question, I have Koni's but they limit suspension travel the coil springs are from Guest 4wd here in Melbourne.
The Koni's are a great shock and are adjustable but you have to remove them to do it.
If I was doing it again I would choose :-
- Pedders, Kings or Guest 4wd coils 2-2.5" lift
- Rancho RS9000X shocks (9 way adjustable)
With shocks you only get what you pay for but I really like the adjustable feature of the Rancho's, also make sure the shock is 2" longer to match the taller coils otherwise you only end up with a lift and no extra suspension travel.
With coils I would only recommend linear rate units, heard too many bad stories of the progressive rate type collapsing after a short period.

Post by **Noisey** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 9:30 am

I've run the adjustable Koni's on other cars before and been pretty happy with them.

They don't come close to the Rancho's though.

Can't fault them

Post by **Hekta** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 9:54 am

Thanx for the Info Frank
What about new torsion bars up front ? Should I only worry about them if I have a bullbar/winch and need to hold up the weight ?
Would there be any advantage in getting them otherwise ?

Post by **PHIL** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:47 pm

In terms of Ranchos, I'm a little hesitant to recommend the front ones, after my experiences... They are a trifle on the short side, and if you're cranking your t-bars, you will need to extend them. (This is for the GenI. I dunno if the GenIIs are any longer?)

I had RS9000 5-way adj's, and broke both. They have been superceded by the RS9000x's that Vic referred to, and so far I have warrantied one. I still have to go back and warranty the other, but the shop I got em from was none too keen on the first one, so its gonna be dicey... They seem to me to be even slightly shorter than stock! Or at least the generic stock height replacements, that I replaced... :roll:

I'm curious to see how the 9000x will last compared to the 5way adj. We'll see...

I can't speak to their rear shocks. Haven't tried em. To be honest, I'm not real fussy on the Mitsy front mount anyways, on the Gen I.

PHIL

Post by **Bitsamissin** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:30 pm

No I would just wind the torsion bars up the Gen 2 bars are 26.5mm in diameter and plenty strong, you can also reindex the spline if they have no/very little adjustment left.

Phil the good thing about Rancho's is the range of lengths and I did find a front one that is slightly longer than stock.
The old 5 stage adjustable part number have just been superseded with the new 9 stage ones (still the same sizes). They have just added new models along the way.
All the part no's, lengths etc are all here, it's agreat resource http://www.gorancho.com/Flash_gorancho_main_new.htm

Frank.

Post by **Alex Kogan** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 12:38 am

Actually new 9-way is exactly same shock as old 5-way. Only adjustment valve was replaced. Couple issues back, 4wheeler magazine, I believe, did simple test. They took 5-way nob out of the old shock and replaced it with new 9-way. Guess what - worked perfectly fine, now they had 9-way adjustable shock absorber. Adjustment range is still the same only more options.

Post by **Hekta** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 9:09 am

Are these the ones that I should be looking at ? It says they are only raised 1"

Post by **Bitsamissin** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 5:20 pm

Phil you could have topped out your front shocks due to the ultra low profile lower bumpstops you have. When I had 31"s I cut the lower ones in half and I had about 0.5" of shock travel left so if I had those ultra slim ones I wreckon they would have topped out.
My Koni's are 30 Series gas :-
front = 9.53" compressed / 13.58" extended (4.05" stroke)
rear = 11.93" compressed / 17.99" extended (6.06" stroke)

I'd be looking at :-

front = RS99029, RS99197, RS99145, RS99214, RS99233
rear = RS99197, RS99138, RS99296

standard = RS99223 front / RS99213 rear

Rancho's can also be re-bushed to suit your existing mounts.

Post by **MUSS** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 12:01 am

Post by **POS** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 12:05 am

Post by **Hekta** » Thu May 20, 2004 10:37 am

Does anyone know anything about the new Tough Dog 9 Stage Adjustables ? Are they suitable in lengths etc for what we want ? Or are Ranchos still the way to go ?

Outer Limits 4x4 Board

What Suspension ?

What Suspension ?

Who is online