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NEWBIE QUESTION: what brand of suspension lift???

Tech Talk for Cruiser owners.

Moderators: toaddog, Elmo, DUDELUX

Posts: 214
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:28 pm
Location: Bathurst

Post by Jack S »

Okay so i am still tossing up between tough dog and EFS!
Its a bloody tough call because ive heard great things for both.....

But another question, at the moment my hilux has only got stock suspension, which i am thinking has sagged! If i put a 2" suspension (no matter which brand) will it lift it more than the 2"??

Sorry bit confusing but if you dont understand ill try and expalin bit better.
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Location: Bathurst

Post by Jack S »

any more info about brands would be awesome!
Posts: 261
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:38 am
Location: Melbourne

Post by mellows40 »

G'DAY ,

Well are you confused yet?....... there are alot of info out there. about whats best for what vehicle and what suspension works best for which condition so on and so forth.


if you are on a budget like me... think about everything you've heard from all the guys here... then armed with all the info they have given you. think about how you want your 4wd to end up and what pupose you want to use it for,....
I personaly think all brands have there good points and bad points.. so I've pieced together a suspension setup that works for me.. that is springs from one place, shocks from another shackles and bushes from somwhere else..... Ive coupled Rockhopper leaf springs with pro-comp4x4 foam cell shocks, superior engineering shackles and neoprene bushes.

A bit of a bits and pieces mix.. but once again I'm happy with it.. It does what I want it to do

Somthing else to think about is what tyres and size of tyres do you want to put on it....That may have a bearing on which type of set up you choose.

Good luck....
Mine: A Tough little fj40
and a 105 series diesel
Hers: TJ Jeep Wrangler... Stock
Cheers Eric
Posts: 214
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:28 pm
Location: Bathurst

Post by Jack S »

oh dont worry i am extremely confused and dont know what brand to use!
I've done a hell of alot of research about different brands and asked many people question both on forums and sales personel...

At the moment i am tossing up between tough dog and EFS, ive heard good stories about both and like usual a few bad stories!

Well i am not a serious 4wd person, it will be a weekend here and there sort of thing, i will mainly be using the vechile for on road (tar and dirt).
I am looking for bit more clearance and also just add some look to the hilux.

Ive got a fare few ideas for it, would like to lift 2", get a snorkel, and also new tyres and wheels, priced mickey thompson ATZ 4-rib 31" tyres for $320 each and mickey thompson DC-BLACK wheels 16"x8" for $340 each (not really sure how this price compares to other places).

Yes i realise fare bit of money, but at the end it should look pretty bloody good!!

How much was the suspension kit you got??
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:38 am
Location: Melbourne

Post by mellows40 »

Jack S...
As I said I got bits from here and there... it wasn't a kit.. and I got some modifications to the suspension to suit my wants and needs. as I am building up a budget off roader. primarily used off road. so I dont stuff up my daily driver.... I would say all up it owes my around $2500.00 in suspension costs.

But mate I got some NOT standard mods done and not standard bits in it that are not for everyone. you see I got not standard shocks.. with a larger bore and longer travel, non standard shackles and mounts.. and modified leaf springs to give me extra articulation and a softer ride on my FJ40. plus add to that I did most of the work myself so as to save a little money..

Hilux's are already tall enough to fit most larger tyres. and remember the taller you go the more unstable it will be whilst cornering... looks are one thing.. practicality another... I have seen many lifted hilux's laying on their sides cause the driver didn't realize that cornering at speed is not a good thing... they have a tendancy to fall over.. it's that whole centre of gravitiy thing... it can be a cast iron bitch when abused that little too much..

The best advice I can give you is this..
answer these questions...
1, Am i going off road alot?
2, Do i want to tow with it?
3, Will it be carrying heavy loads in the back?
4, Is articulation an issue?
5, Am I going for looks?
6, Am I going for servicability?
7, Am I going to work on it myself?
8, Am i giong to get someone else to work on it for me?

I think that once you've answered these questions. you will have a better idea which way to go..

Then look for the pieces you need or a complete kit that best suits your needs

MAKE YOUR CAR SUIT YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS. and not satisfy some salesmans budget for that particular day

As for advice on particular brands. most of the more popular types like "old man emu", pedders, EFS. tough dog, ironman4x4, pro-comp, Rancho, are all proven quality pieces... it comes down to your needs and budget.. mostly budget....

It's the same old saying "a fool and his money are soon parted"
Mine: A Tough little fj40
and a 105 series diesel
Hers: TJ Jeep Wrangler... Stock
Cheers Eric
Posts: 214
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:28 pm
Location: Bathurst

Post by Jack S »

yes well i wouldnt be getting anything custom made, when and if i find the right kit that should do me just fine!

well at the moment there not enough space under my hilux to fit bigger tyres due to the fact that its sagged a shit load due to only haveing stock suspension with the steel bull bar and steel tray back. so ive been told if i lifted it 2" it would more than likey go up about 4"!!
If i could fit bigger tyres on it now than i would because i would get round an inch lift just off tyres..

These are the answers to the question you gave me,
1, no i wouldnt be going off road too often, would be a weekend here and there sort of thing. unless i started to get real serious.
2, yes ill be towing with it sometimes, for getting fire wood and work etc. but wouldnt be a daily occurance.
3, depending on what happens with new job next year depends on if ill be carrying constant load but at the moment i dont carry any weight.
4, not too sure if i understand articluation, can you explain??
5, yes will mostly be for looks but as i said will be 4wd sometimes!
6, dont really understand this question.
7, no i will be getting a professional to install for me.
8, yes all the work it will need will be preformed by someone else!

any more help!!
(will continue post later)
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Location: Bathurst

Post by Jack S »

see ill get new coils, shocks and struts but i am not really sure if ill get new leafs OR if ill just get my leafs re-set and have an extra leaf added for load! Wjay do you think or advise?

yes it all does come down to budget yet i aslo want good quality gear if i have to pay an extra $100 or $200 for better quality than i will becasue i dont want to be replacing a month or 2 down the track because the quality is shit....
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Location: Canberra

Post by chunks »

Jack S how come your not considering the Bilsteins? I have spent a lot of time fitting various suspension kits to current model Hilux's and the Bilsteins are by far the best in my opinion. Many other leading 4wd shops seem to agree -

http://www.macquarie4x4.com.au/IMAGES/P ... chesA4.pdf

http://caloffroad.com.au/products/corpr ... 2005on.htm

http://www.superiorengineering.com.au/s ... _11_50_221
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Post by Jack S »

right oh thanks mate, ill look into them!

are you talking about a blistein kit or just there shocks paired up with other brands??
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Location: Melbourne

Post by mellows40 »

Hello jack s
Ok mate .. now with all "I's'" dotted and "t's" crossed.. you should now be able to make a decision...for more info look into the different brands on line.. that way you can look at them in your own time and avoid the "salemens pitch" ...

If you can't already tell I don't like salesmen much.. but thats my opinion. I have fallen into the wow factor trap of salesmen too many times...

This site has given me a world of real time info from guys who use the stuff and not from some pimple faced kid who has read a pamphlet...

I hope we have given you somthings to think about..

As for articulation that is the amount of travel or.. the mount of movement up and down the suspension has.
It can be the diference between getting where you want to go can depend on how much traction you have and keeping the wheels in contact with the ground or obstacle you are trying to get over or through. If you are not going to get into serious off roading for a while. then maybe a standard suspension change over is all you'll need.

Now too much info can be more confusing than not enough eh...
Mine: A Tough little fj40
and a 105 series diesel
Hers: TJ Jeep Wrangler... Stock
Cheers Eric
Posts: 214
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:28 pm
Location: Bathurst

Post by Jack S »

yes i have been hit with information in all angles and very confused with what to go for....

I have spent many hours looking on this forum and also 'new hilux.net', many hours gathering info off internet and also sales reps (although you dont like them).

well with what ever kit i end up getting i will want the best travel because of doing mostly on road yet off road every now and again.....

Also you said your using bilstein shocks!
your opinion, how are they?? any problems?
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Location: Nowra, nsw

Post by Toyo80 »

The more questions you ask the more confussed you will get. Just buy what ever you feel you like the sound of.

If it was me buying right here & now? I'd buy Dobinson Springs & the Boss adjustables shocks.

Dobinson is an Australian company who have been around for years.
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Post by chunks »

Jack S wrote:right oh thanks mate, ill look into them!

are you talking about a blistein kit or just there shocks paired up with other brands??
Bilstein shocks paired up with other brands. Bilstein don't make a lift kit for a Hilux, just the shocks. If you have a look at the history of Bilstein shocks you will see they are one of the best brands in the world with a very good reputation in all forms of motorsport and road going vehicles.
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Post by Jack S »

right oh than, thanks for that!
so if i said i would go the blistiens shocks, what brand coils and leafs would you advise me to look at??
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Post by chunks »

My personal preference is for EFS or Dobinsons mate, you can't really go wrong with either of them and they are priced well.
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Post by Jack S »

cool, thanks chunks! ive kinda scrapped tough dog yet the people i talk to say there a great brand....

but in your post you left before didnt you say that blisteins are the way to go? what happened to them?
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Post by chunks »

Sorry mate, what happened to what? Not sure what you're asking?
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Post by Jack S »

chunks wrote:
Jack S wrote:
Bilstein shocks paired up with other brands. Bilstein don't make a lift kit for a Hilux, just the shocks. If you have a look at the history of Bilstein shocks you will see they are one of the best brands in the world with a very good reputation in all forms of motorsport and road going vehicles.
you said that bilsteins are the way to go?

Than you said you would go with EFS or Dobinson...
???
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Post by mellows40 »

Hey guys.... lol I'm starting to feel sorry for Jack s..... soo much info... soo much choices... it reminds me of how i felt when I first started modifing my 40.... :oops: :roll: :? :?
Mine: A Tough little fj40
and a 105 series diesel
Hers: TJ Jeep Wrangler... Stock
Cheers Eric
Posts: 214
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:28 pm
Location: Bathurst

Post by Jack S »

mellows40,
dont worry about it brother, i want to get as much information as i can get, yet i would have to say the amount of information i have recieved off this forum has confused me so much more than i previously was lol.

But please hit me with information...

you stated that you gt hit with info when looking at suspension. How did you make your final mind up????
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Post by chunks »

Jack S wrote:
chunks wrote:
Jack S wrote:
Bilstein shocks paired up with other brands. Bilstein don't make a lift kit for a Hilux, just the shocks. If you have a look at the history of Bilstein shocks you will see they are one of the best brands in the world with a very good reputation in all forms of motorsport and road going vehicles.
you said that bilsteins are the way to go?

Than you said you would go with EFS or Dobinson...
???
Sorry should have made it a bit clearer. Bilstein shocks matched with EFS or Dobinsons springs.
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Post by Jack S »

fare enough than mate, sorry if i read into it bit more i could of figured that out myself....



this is what i got quoted today for a full 2" EFS lift kit consisting of:
- light duty coils (need to look at medium duty)
- elite shocks and struts
- leaf springs (weight 250kg to GMV)
- new greasible shackles
- U-bolts
- bushes
- installation
- wheel alignment

Comming to a total of $1900....

Just wondering how this price stands up to what others have been quoted or installed???
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Post by mellows40 »

Jack.. This is how I made my mind up...

For me and my FJ40 it came down to two things.... money... and what i realy wanted..
Of course money won out in a way... Thats why i pieced the suspension together over a few months, so whilst the total $$$ spent was more than I expected.. By buying a little bit at a time with a goal in mind..The price hit was spaced out, in the end what i ended up with was close to what I wanted... But not the ultimate for me.......I had to stay with leaf springs...and make em as flexible as possible. What I realy wanted was a complete suspension change... 4 link coil over.. But the quote i got was $5,000.00 for the rear and $5,000.00 for the front.. Thats all the conversions done and engineered. Thats $10,000.00 plus gst... Needless to say I haven't got it......
But I am real happy with what I do have..... :D

And now I have a new camera I can start to get some good fotos and post em up..... :D :D
Mine: A Tough little fj40
and a 105 series diesel
Hers: TJ Jeep Wrangler... Stock
Cheers Eric
Posts: 206
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:59 pm
Location: Rockhampton QLD

Post by Pauwolf »

Make you seem to be looking for a magical answer that is impossible to give. there is no right or wrong, just varying degrees of good

if you want the best go with bilsteins matched to quality springs and a ifs housing drop bracket, it wont be the cheapest but it will be best

if you want value for money, you will need so sort out the rest. OME, EFS elite, BOSS, Toughdog all pretty good value for money

personally I had series 2000 TJM springs and Rancho shocks in my 80 series for 150000 km, I have OME shocks in it now with the same springs.

I have had the bistein kit from maquarie 4x4 fitted to my 100 series and it is fantastic

remember You WILL get what you pay for

Paul
91 FJ 80 Project on the go - air lockers, 3in lift, super duper 3F, 36" pedes, toyota V8 getting prepped now
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Post by Jack S »

seeing i wont be doing that much 4x4 work and it will be mostly on road, ive been told to go cost over quality because of what ill be using the hilux for. Is that right?

Saying this than i should be going for the tough dog kit valued at $1600 over the EFS kit at $1900.....

Also if i chose to match bilstein shocks with the rest for the tough dog gear, would that workor is there another brand that i should match uo with?
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Post by chunks »

$1600 for a Tough Dog kit supplied and fitted does not sound right.
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Post by Jack S »

mate ive got the quote sitting in-front of me now, its $1600 for everything.
i know it doesnt sound right but ive had a few blokes look at it and they all said its happening for cost price and hes not making any money out of it..

so i am guessing with your reaction its a pretty dam good price??
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Post by Jack S »

so the price, $1600, for a full tough dog kit, is that pretty good??
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Post by Jack S »

who knows the coil diameter for tough dog springs??
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