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Tough Dog suspension

Tech Talk for Ford, Mazda, Daihatsu & Makes that currently dont have a home.

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Posts: 82
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:03 pm
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Tough Dog suspension

Post by Sneezing7 »

Hi,

Looking a set of new shocks for my Fez. I have stumbled across this brand:

http://www.my4x4.com.au/onlinestore/sto ... duct=10190

Does anyone have any experience with this product?

Thanks!
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Location: Newy

Post by HotFourOk »

Looks weird...

So, you use these as well as the leaf springs still?

I can see it affecting drop of the wheel, and also stiffen up the suspension which results in less articulation.

For road use, they would be great... but i think they may hinder offroad ability.

Normal Tough Dog shocks are one of the best type available here in Aus, and people have good reports on them.

Also, this is only for stock height.. If you lift the suspension, you will need to be able to move the lower spring mount upwards to keep it in the neutral position.

On that site, I would go for 35mm bore
or Fully Adjustables

I just got some Rancho's put under my Rocky and would recommend them very very highly to anyone that asked me! :armsup:
I have the 9-way adjustables ones which are very good.
[quote="RockyF70 - Coming out of the closet"]i'd be rushing out and buying an IFS rocky[/quote]
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Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Post by Sneezing7 »

HotFourOK:

I too think that these would be a great on-road shock, but I question the off road ability of them. Admittedly my Fez is 90% on road 10% off, but I do want to have some fun during this 10%.

I have dealt with coil overs before, and the results have been quite desirable in a on a tarmac car. Yet I do fear that off road they will shake the crap out of me and my rig.

Do you mind me asking what you paid for your Rancho's?
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Post by HotFourOk »

I got my shocks for trade price.. but the RRP on thier site is $198 each for the RS9000X (fully adjustable, 9 stage settings) and $130 each for the RS5000.

Heaps of info here on them if you like...
http://www.rancho.com.au/shocks.htm
They claim the RS5000 is the biggest selling shock in the world.

Basically, the RS5000 is just like the RS9000X on setting 5... lol
Having the asjustments is quite handy, the difference between hard and soft is amazing! But you could get away with not having them..

Them shocks/coilobvers aren't really the same as coilovers on a car due to the fact that coilovers on a car actually provide the coil spring for the suspension. These shocks still use your standard spring (leaf in this case) and this coil only comes into use when the suspension flexes. When level, this coil has no weight at all on it and is in the neutral position.. a normal coil has the weight of the car on it when in a level position.

I dont think you would see much benefit in these mate... a Feroza isn't designed for great on road handling, so you're fighting a lost cause..
And the times you go offroad, they would affect your ability also.

I would just go for some good brand normal shockies mate, the difference will still be amazing compared to old cruddy ones... i was shocked when i put mine in :D
[quote="RockyF70 - Coming out of the closet"]i'd be rushing out and buying an IFS rocky[/quote]
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Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Post by Sneezing7 »

Good stuff dude,

I was under the impression that i could do away with my leafs, but after reading the description carefuly, this is not the case.

Looks like Rancho's may be the way to go!
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Post by HotFourOk »

yeah, the spring only 'helps' the current setup.... would be awesome to get rid of the leaves hey :D

Rancho's have been good for me, the improvement was so astounding... so many people have them, and no1 has really bad reports on them... and they are quite well priced :armsup: Cant go wrong!
[quote="RockyF70 - Coming out of the closet"]i'd be rushing out and buying an IFS rocky[/quote]
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Post by murcod »

If you do a bit of searching you'll find quite a few bad reports on Ranchos. The RS9000X are also not suited for Ferozas- do a search. ;)
David
Posts: 3132
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Post by HotFourOk »

You can find bad reports on everything

It just is the more people that use them.. the number increases

If 1 person uses a product... there is either 1 good or 1 bad report
If a million people use a product, there is a lot more negative opinions... but also a lot more positive ones too. But you really never hear the good ones.. just bad ones. Cooper's tyres is the best example on here...

Why aren't they suited?? Theyre adjustable :?
[quote="RockyF70 - Coming out of the closet"]i'd be rushing out and buying an IFS rocky[/quote]
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Post by murcod »

Rancho consider if a shock will bolt in then it's listed for that vehicle. The problem is vehicle's don't all weigh the same or have the same spring rate. Other reputable manufacturers change the shocks internal valving to suit the vehicles weight and spring rates.

Leon many years ago had some RS9000 that he was very happy with on his Feroza, but had them fail (not that uncommon BTW). They were replaced with the newer RS9000X and his comments were (IIRC) along the lines of "even on the softest setting the ride is way too hard- it would probably be perfect if I carried a couple of bags of cement in the back...." IIRC the Feroza RS9000X is the same fittment as a 3/4 ton F Series Ford truck! It all been talked about before - SEARCH!

Try doing a search on problems with Rancho and Tough Dog and then try searching for problems with Bilstein and Koni and see how many results you get. BTW Bilstein and Koni would sell way more shocks than the others too.
David
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Post by Sneezing7 »

murcod:

Our of curiosity, how do you find the Bilsteins? Worth the money?

Also, do you have a part number by any chance? (f&r)
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Post by MightyMouse »

had tough Dog shocks all round when I first bought my Feroza, swapped them out as they were a little skittish on corrugations, but generally were fine. This could have been due to different leaves / bars /suspension fitted after I bought it.

Replaced them with ranchos and then put them back - even worn the Tough Dogs' were better.

Talked to Pedders re options and they swore their gas was "fantastic" and said they would refund if I didn't like them, and guess what - did't ride well and were too short. True to their word they refunded the $$.

Finally put custon long travel Bilsteins in and it was money well spent. Doesn't get hoppy in the rear now and doesn't limit travel by bottomong out the shock.

But the Tough Dogs were certainly a good shock, quite well suited to the Feroza and if mine wasn't modified would probably have been fine.
( usual disclaimers )

It seemed like a much better idea when I started it than it does now.
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Post by stariondriver »

Sneezing7 wrote:murcod:

Our of curiosity, how do you find the Bilsteins? Worth the money?

Also, do you have a part number by any chance? (f&r)

x2 please ;)
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Post by murcod »

I'll have to have a search for the part numbers. The rears were a bit longer than the standard shock and the ride/ handling improved substantially over the standard three way adjustable shocks.

They're not cheap and were $800 for front and rear not including fitting. Off road on bumpy gravel roads it is very nicely behaved and doesn't try "lane changing" with the rear end on corners.

They are also rebuildable.
David
Posts: 4760
Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2002 6:04 am
Location: Adelaide

Post by murcod »

I've done a search on line and come up with :

B46-1444 for the front (all FEROZAS should be the same)
http://www.carparts-cat.com/pkw/parts/A ... 408319,854

B46-1445 for the rear (this will fit F300 narrow tracks ONLY)
http://www.carparts-cat.com/pkw/parts/A ... 408320,854

The Aussie distributor is Quadrant Suspension in Melbourne http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/ and their online catalogue section lists the same part numbers : http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/p ... n%20B6.pdf

There is a list of distributors in each state on the Quarant site.
David
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