GU patrol questions, setup for Touring/fun

[BIGDAVET86]

Hey fellas,

im looking at some new gear for my 04 GU ute, I was going to get the 4" flexi coil kit from suspensionstuff.com.au and was going to be running 315/75r16 mtr's and i wanted to get some opinions on a few of the items.

Im going to be using it for some hardcore touring to go fishing and shooting plus the odd trip out just for some fun . in the Pilbara, kimberly and Top end.

The ute has a steel tray with steel framework and a canvas canopy, twin tanks, a 75l water tank and will usually have less than 200kg of extra gear in the back, but when loaded up to go bush might have another 500kg of camping gear, fridge, grog and other random shit. It has twin batteries with a steel bar and srub bars with side steps/sliders

Im asking for peoples experience with the EFS extreme shocks. Are they worth the extra cash? any problems? i know they will limt the flex a bit but im not after a comp truck or anything wild just a good capable tourer/fun x-over.

Also drop boxes versus dropped radius arms. Are the arms really worth the extra $$, even thought here aint much in it? Big o dropped arms with bushes $885 plus freight vs superiors drop boxes and new bushes $625 plus freight

Keeping in mind i will regularly be doing big km's (2500km round trips fairly regularly) on tar and dirt, which of the two is going to give the best ride, steering and safety?

thanks for your input.

Cheers
Dave

[weeman]

Hey ive kinda setup my wagon in a similar way but havnt gone the same height.

I went 3" lift and koni 88 series shocks nice lift and got the stuff from shane @ suspension stuff.

Seeing that your doing so many k's i would get reliable shocks, that can take the punishment, im not bagging the EFS stuff but i dont know many people that have had them last on lengthy corrugated roads and once you go over 3" most shocks are just for travel and dont have the oil reservoir required to cope with the harsh conditions of the obc.

With my 3" and even when i had my 2" i ran 315/75/16 (35's) handles heaps better and still looks tuff, remember the higher you lift higher COD and with extra weight at speeds you could potentially roll.

My opinion would be to get a decent 3" kit, and spend the money else where like superior lower arms, or decent shocks koni 88 or go and get some king smoothies or fox... (i would have got them but just couldn't afford it as of yet.)

[BIGDAVET86]

Yeah i was thinking of the 3" but i really like that litle bit extra, to get that touch more clearnace and travel. plus im sure it will sag in pretty quickly.

I hope you wern't talking about these, they are way outta my price bracket.
https://www.suspensionstuff.com.au/shop ... 9bfe84daae

Cheers
Dave

[nayto]

4" is fine touring or play rig IMO, a well setup rig is very comfortable and handles great at that size lift, my old Gu ute had a 4" kit, with the BIG O arms, to be honest i wished i went with drop boxes, they rode MUCH better in other patrols that iv owned. I also have used the efs extreme shocks, i couldnt fault them in anyway at all.

[maverick01]

Personally i wouldnt run efs extreme shocks up north or obn heavily corrugated roads as i run tehm on my GQ and i havent long been back from cape yorka nd yes they did run cold most of the time, but they also gave me a very harsh ride up there.

If i was going up there again which i will be, i would try to get adjustables, obviously this all depends on if you could afford it but thast my opinion.

[chunks]

I have a 06 gu ute running 4" Dobinsons coils, EFS Xtremes, Superior drop boxes, panhards, trailing arms etc and 35" Maxxis Trepadors. So far I have been pretty happy with the setup, though my coils are very soft and not ideal for touring. The Xtreme shocks have a pretty good rep with the winch trucks and I haven't really heard of any failures with them, they seem to be a well built shock - plus they come with plenty of warranty. The ride isn't too bad in my opinion, especially compared to my last 60 series! I'm not going to run the 35s for long distance touring as they are always going out of balance and the increased scrub radius with the cruiser offset rims makes it a bit of a pig at times. I'm going to put some 285s on the standard GU rims for longer trips. Also I will be bracing my rear spring towers soon as they have a bit of a reputation for busting off when carrying some weight with heavier duty springs. Hope that helps mate!

[BIGDAVET86]

cheers for the replies fellas, i was a bit concerned with the flexi coils being to soft but i reckon if i get the heavy duty items i should be allright seeing as the weight isn't going to be there all the time, pluss springs are relatively cheap if they turn out to be no good.

chuncks, what is the 'scrub radius' you refer to and how does it affect the handeling?

Cheers
Dave

[gu town]

hey bud. i live in the NT. i also own a GU. i went from a 6in with drop arms to a 3in flexy lift with drop boxes and the ride is awesome. because the radius arms are at the right angle to take the bumps/corrogations.

i still run 35's. i have a mate up here with a 3in in a gu with castor bushes and the ride is a heap better in mine. i cant stress it enough go with drop boxes and a 3in its heaps.

i have suspensinstuff's branded shocks and they seem to be doin the job well. i belive the fade less than the old toughdog adj. i had.

i also have a heavy tray with a big full length drawer underneath full of recovery gear and a steel framed canopy. the XHD 3in flexy coils are great. they are slightly taller than than the normal 3in coils i have in the front. but all good. with the back a little higher (doesnt look like a dragster or anything) you get a better view over that big bonnet, less wind drag IMO and when ya all loaded up she sits level.

definately brace your rear top coil seats.

suspensionstuff all the way!

good luck in your travels mate whatever you choose. might see ya up this way some day.

cheers.

[RIZZO]

Hey fellas,

im looking at some new gear for my 04 GU ute, I was going to get the 4" flexi coil kit from suspensionstuff.com.au and was going to be running 315/75r16 mtr's and i wanted to get some opinions on a few of the items.

Im going to be using it for some hardcore touring to go fishing and shooting plus the odd trip out just for some fun . in the Pilbara, kimberly and Top end.

The ute has a steel tray with steel framework and a canvas canopy, twin tanks, a 75l water tank and will usually have less than 200kg of extra gear in the back, but when loaded up to go bush might have another 500kg of camping gear, fridge, grog and other random shit. It has twin batteries with a steel bar and srub bars with side steps/sliders

Im asking for peoples experience with the EFS extreme shocks. Are they worth the extra cash? any problems? i know they will limt the flex a bit but im not after a comp truck or anything wild just a good capable tourer/fun x-over.

Also drop boxes versus dropped radius arms. Are the arms really worth the extra $$, even thought here aint much in it? Big o dropped arms with bushes $885 plus freight vs superiors drop boxes and new bushes $625 plus freight

Keeping in mind i will regularly be doing big km's (2500km round trips fairly regularly) on tar and dirt, which of the two is going to give the best ride, steering and safety?

thanks for your input.

Cheers
Dave

Hey mate, i have efs shocks for a 4inch lift on my dual cab patrol and I hate them, they are rough and overated, I'd go for the tough dog big bore shocks like i do on me wagon, fulladjustable, cant go wrong, there beautiful and smooth, can set them up for whatever ride or load , thats my opinion anyway as I have owned both, and i swear these efs shocks are crap,

[chicken]

we use the efs extreme in the mine , and dont last long , fade quickly and always seem to be replasing them every few months,
but having said that they do cop an absolute hammering and always in extreme heat.

[chunks]

cheers for the replies fellas, i was a bit concerned with the flexi coils being to soft but i reckon if i get the heavy duty items i should be allright seeing as the weight isn't going to be there all the time, pluss springs are relatively cheap if they turn out to be no good.

chuncks, what is the 'scrub radius' you refer to and how does it affect the handeling?

Cheers
Dave

Hey Dave, its just from the wider offset rims meaning centre of the tyre sticks out further from the hub which can make the car track around more on the road.

[BIGDAVET86]

hey bud. i live in the NT. i also own a GU. i went from a 6in with drop arms to a 3in flexy lift with drop boxes and the ride is awesome. because the radius arms are at the right angle to take the bumps/corrogations.

i still run 35's. i have a mate up here with a 3in in a gu with castor bushes and the ride is a heap better in mine. i cant stress it enough go with drop boxes and a 3in its heaps.

i have suspensinstuff's branded shocks and they seem to be doin the job well. i belive the fade less than the old toughdog adj. i had.

i also have a heavy tray with a big full length drawer underneath full of recovery gear and a steel framed canopy. the XHD 3in flexy coils are great. they are slightly taller than than the normal 3in coils i have in the front. but all good. with the back a little higher (doesnt look like a dragster or anything) you get a better view over that big bonnet, less wind drag IMO and when ya all loaded up she sits level.

definately brace your rear top coil seats.

suspensionstuff all the way!

good luck in your travels mate whatever you choose. might see ya up this way some day.

cheers.

hey mate im in Port Hedland at the minute but will probably end up out at Palmerston running a big land development called "Bellamack" around april. Also we have got some work doing up sections of the Stuart Hwy near Katherine so i might get a chance see ya some time.

seems by all accounts the EFS are a no go, and im hearing tuff dog and the suss stuff shocks, what else can people recomend. I hvae heard bad things about tuff dog and i dont really know anything about the Suspension stuff shocks.

Cheers
Dave

[chunks]

Its funny this is the first thread I have heard bad stuff about the xtreme shocks! Who are the suspension stuff shocks made by?

[BIGDAVET86]

I've just had a look at the suspension stuf website and it says that their brand of shocks are still under development. Are there any other options out there?

Cheers
Dave

[SuperiorEngineering]

In mid to Late January Superior Engineering's Range Of remote Reservoir shocks to suit toyota and nissan's, 2,3,4,5,6 inch lifts will be released!
30 stage adjustable externally on rebound as well as 30 stage adjustable externally on the compression.
Fully rebuildable as well !
They come in either piggy-back or remote canister.
The are made to suit our specs and can be made to any size we require.
Price will not be much more expensive than the tough dog 45mm so that make them a hell of a lot better option than any other shock on the market.
Full details will be posted on our website in early to mid january and they will be available for sale by late january.
At this stage we are not giving away much more detail until there launch.
If you are looking at purchasing shocks within a month or so it may pay wait.

[BowTieGQ]

You're such a shock tease.

[BIGDAVET86]

.

In mid to Late January Superior Engineering's Range Of remote Reservoir shocks to suit toyota and nissan's, 2,3,4,5,6 inch lifts will be released!
30 stage adjustable externally on rebound as well as 30 stage adjustable externally on the compression.
Fully rebuildable as well !
They come in either piggy-back or remote canister.
The are made to suit our specs and can be made to any size we require.
Price will not be much more expensive than the tough dog 45mm so that make them a hell of a lot better option than any other shock on the market.
Full details will be posted on our website in early to mid january and they will be available for sale by late january.
At this stage we are not giving away much more detail until there launch.
If you are looking at purchasing shocks within a month or so it may pay wait.

that works out pretty nicely, i dont get back from work until late Jan early Feb. and wasnt planing on buying until late jan. Are the shocks going to be well suited to my aplication or are they more of a racing/comp shock.

Cheers
Dave

[SuperiorEngineering]

They will be suited to all applications from road use to rally, touring, hardcore 4wding.

.

In mid to Late January Superior Engineering's Range Of remote Reservoir shocks to suit toyota and nissan's, 2,3,4,5,6 inch lifts will be released!
30 stage adjustable externally on rebound as well as 30 stage adjustable externally on the compression.
Fully rebuildable as well !
They come in either piggy-back or remote canister.
The are made to suit our specs and can be made to any size we require.
Price will not be much more expensive than the tough dog 45mm so that make them a hell of a lot better option than any other shock on the market.
Full details will be posted on our website in early to mid january and they will be available for sale by late january.
At this stage we are not giving away much more detail until there launch.
If you are looking at purchasing shocks within a month or so it may pay wait.

that works out pretty nicely, i dont get back from work until late Jan early Feb. and wasnt planing on buying until late jan. Are the shocks going to be well suited to my aplication or are they more of a racing/comp shock.

Cheers
Dave

[mickyd555]

gonna do bumpstops mick?

[1MadEngineer]

gonna do bumpstops mick?

i am still trying to get the valving options sorted. I am building Mick a shock dyno so he can test shocks properly, not half-arsed guesswork like some others.... I even want to encorporate an enviro cell so they can be tested under elevated temp conditions.

[chunks]

Looking forward to seeing these Superior shocks, will they come with any warranty?

[Jimbo]

Any updates from 5 days ago lol!



Very interested

[BIGDAVET86]

How about the tuff dog adjustables, a mate has them on his 100 series, lifted 4" and swears by em, and have talked to a few others around town and they reckon they go good. I have only ever heard bad things about them on the forum and wanted to get a few more opinions.

Cheers
Dave

[BIGDAVET86]

In mid to Late January Superior Engineering's Range Of remote Reservoir shocks to suit toyota and nissan's, 2,3,4,5,6 inch lifts will be released!
30 stage adjustable externally on rebound as well as 30 stage adjustable externally on the compression.
Fully rebuildable as well !
They come in either piggy-back or remote canister.
The are made to suit our specs and can be made to any size we require.
Price will not be much more expensive than the tough dog 45mm so that make them a hell of a lot better option than any other shock on the market.
Full details will be posted on our website in early to mid january and they will be available for sale by late january.
At this stage we are not giving away much more detail until there launch.
If you are looking at purchasing shocks within a month or so it may pay wait

How are these going? Production bonuses come out next week, so money will be available and burning holes in pockets

Cheers
Dave

[chunks]

Got the Superior Engineering newsletter in my email the other day, said they are going to be in soon and cost $440 ea.

[Jimbo]

Any more news???

I thought these were meant to be similar price to Tough dogs. $440 each is the same as fox smoothies

[Jimbo]

Double post

[BIGDAVET86]

i think im probly gonna go the 55mm koni big bore adjustables, i dont have alot of info on them but they look pretty good and koni gear is generally top stuff so for $330 each i reckon they will do the trick for me.

Anyone have these shocks or know specifics?

Cheers
Dave

[MJP]

Hey Dave,
I have the Tough Dog adjustables on my 4.2TD GU and have found them really good. Been through the Flinders, Vic High country and many others touring as well as plenty of tough weekenders with the 36" Pedes on. I have about 3-4" of lift (Pro Comp coils).
Also have a mate who got the Koni's and trashed them so has swapped to EFS extremes and is very happy with them (4.2TD GU Ute with similar lift). He is normally on all these trips with me too.

[bogged]

i think im probly gonna go the 55mm koni big bore adjustables, i dont have alot of info on them but they look pretty good and koni gear is generally top stuff so for $330 each i reckon they will do the trick for me.

Anyone have these shocks or know specifics?

Cheers
Dave

Dan has the Koni 90's, and has done Cape york towing a mobile shanty town, numerous high country, fraser, all over Vic trips, and they are still like new. You wont regret them.
Love my Koni's too...I'd get 90's if the wallet was that thick, as you said, Koni is top shelf.