Suspension for Beginners

[Kels]

Hey

Knowing very little about cars is making doing my zuki up quite difficult. I have read through past posts but am still lost.

Im looking into upgrading her suspension and gettin her lifted but have no idea where to start.

I was considering Rancho 9000's, but have been told that with the Zuki being so light they wouldn't be worth putting in. King & Ridepro springs have been recommended but I dont know anyone that has them.

Basically she plays in the mud, on the rocks and on the dunes.. Anyone know where I should start?

[christover1]

ranchos make adjustable shocks, too..9012 I think is what people use, then they are as soft/hard as you want.

[Kels]

Could u recommend any other shockies - just so I have some idea

[Toos]

Ive got OME shocks and Enforcer 2 inch lifted springs and a 30 mm bodylift which work well all for under $800.

[Caveman]

Hi Kels,

Depending on where you are located, there are usually a couple of zook clubs around.
Find your closest one, and get along to a meeting, or outing. I'm sure the members will be only too happy to have a look at your truck, and recommend a couple of options for you start modding her.

Good luck.

[christover1]

Could u recommend any other shockies - just so I have some idea

I've been using ARB OME (old man emu) shocks and 40mm springs lift for 8 years, I very happy with them, they flex well and lift well, and last well, but are not cheap..Don't know current prices though, sorry, christover

[fightara]

ranchos make adjustable shocks, too..9012 I think is what people use, then they are as soft/hard as you want.

Not sure if it's the same on Sierra's, but on my GV the Ranchos are useless on anything but the softest setting.

YMMV.

[christover1]

ranchos make adjustable shocks, too..9012 I think is what people use, then they are as soft/hard as you want.

Not sure if it's the same on Sierra's, but on my GV the Ranchos are useless on anything but the softest setting.

YMMV.

Only going on 2nd hand info, never tried them myself, but yes, most ppl set them on the softest and leave them there......but my ome are great, designed with zook lightness in mind, and are reactive, ie, soft at slow speed, and stiffen at high road speed, christover..

[Gwagensteve]

Not knowing much about cars I would fit an OME (old man emu) Kit and leave it at that. Much of the discussion here centres around modifications that will have more compromises than you are willing to make untill you fully understand the implications of what you are doing.

Most of our cars here in vic run OME springs and they ride very well and are very durable even under "adverse" conditions.

Rancho shocks are a bit of a nightmare. While I run and recommend them, there is NO valving information available, and they are chosen purely on fit. For most Zuks, that means that the common lengths chosen are intended for a much heavier car, and so they tend to only ride properly on setting 1.

the part number 9012 that Chris is referring to is 18" long compressed and 33" long extended and the only reason so many people here use them is becuse they are longer than anything else available (and quite soft too) They are completely impractical in a mildly modified suzuki.

I have no experience with "short" Ranchos on stock sierra mounts, but I would find it difficult to justify the extra $100 per shock over an OME for a shock that only has 5" of travel.

[stumped]

i've only done fairly mild mods on my zook... went with the OME 40mm lifted leaf springs and some monroe shocks (i think off a VP commodore rear, can check if you are interested...), and extended shackles. the leaf springs are good, nice and flexy, and the shocks do the job - cost less than $200 for the 4 of them i think - better than spending $180ea on ranchos if you are looking at doing more mods later. also found that the rancho's to fit the mild lift actually limited flex.

[DeWsE]

Welcome Kels

I would recommend ome gear as thats what I have and I like it. But be aware that it is pretty pricey. Their are other kits which are widely available in wa some of which I would never recommend.

If you like you can come out driving sometime and i'll organse some zooks to show from around perth. That way you can look at all the pros and cons of different setups. It's much easier to choose suspension if you know what it does.

Also be prepared to out spend your budget by way more then you would like to image, you are an outerlimits member now!

Matt

[droopypete]

I also have arb springs and shocks fitted and I am very happy with them.
Peter.

[Kels]

Thanks for the tips, seems the OME are pulling ahead in the popularity states.

Im still abit lost with the Shockies situation but will do a little more research. Basically I was trying to figure out the most important basic mods to do first and then i'll get carried away

Im in the process of getting prices and such at the moment.

Thanks for ur help
Kels

[DeWsE]

Thanks for the tips, seems the OME are pulling ahead in the popularity states.

Im still abit lost with the Shockies situation but will do a little more research. Basically I was trying to figure out the most important basic mods to do first and then i'll get carried away

Im in the process of getting prices and such at the moment.

Thanks for ur help
Kels

Just make sure you try a few rigs before you start parting with your cash.

[Kels]

Very true.

I would appreciate ur earlier suggestion about heading out for a drive so I could have a squiz and get a better understanding of what i like.

What kinda budget do u think (personal opinion) I should set for suspension? I'll be heading into the major 4x4 shops (ARB, OL and TJM) this week and dont want to get too carried away with stuff I wont really use - or that i can't afford!

Basically I have about $1800 for my inital spending spree. One mate suggested Lovell Springs with a 2" lift, a snorkel and exhaust makeover... Im not really sure which way to go and what to invest in..

[DeWsE]

Okay be prepared for an a**e rapen if your going to those stores. Just be aware that they will try push gear on to you. I don't really rate nylon bushes/geasable shackles and all the other stuff that comes with their kit.

Ome springs are about 880 and shocks are about 400. They are easy to install yourself.

One of my mates has lovell, only prob is the front springs have a reverse eye at shackle end. to me it seems pretty dumb. reasons i can't be bothered typing.

Some good tyres are a must! I started with 235/75/15 bfg mudders and were very happy witht he added performance. I ran them with no added lift just a bit of guard cleaning. A good mod would be to lose the sway bar off road.

I'll let you know when I go out again...usually every weekend

[Gwagensteve]

Listen more...buy less

Learn to drive it rather than buy it

I'm not much of a "consumer" either, but I tend to build what I need.

2 shackles
1 Snatch Strap
1st aid kit
Fire extinguisher
OME suspension kit (for a stock sierra). - That should do it.

Everything else is an accessory.
and will generally result in loosing more capability in some areas than you gain in others. as for bling lights, floor mats, chrome dodads etc, or spare tyre covers (eeeeurgh )i won't even start on that stuff.
Dewse's idea for 235 75 15's is a good one. You will be happy with these for long enough for your driving ability to catch up to your car's ablity.

[Kels]

Sounds good.

To save my arse from certain violation can u recommend shops that are worth having a look in?

[droopypete]

That is some very good advice Steve.
Peter.


Now get back to work!

[DeWsE]

Did I mention that I had some 235/75 second hand tyres for sale on 7 inch rims

Yeah work...hmm thats what i'm supposed to be doing

[P_Byrne]

I'm a noob myself and I recently checked out my local TJM store - they wanted $1700 for a 2" lift, plus fitting!

Me thinks not

Certainly not when places like Suziwest, suziworx and suzisport (pick a trend here) sell kits for around $800.

[DeWsE]

Sorry P_Byrne but I wouldn't bother spending the cash on a hard top anyway.......just look at my thread and see what happens
J/J

Welcome aboard anyway. I get the feeling your from WA as well?

Just remember you get what you pay for!!!!!

Suzi west sags very quickly so if your after lift then think twice, but they flex great and lift is over rated anyway.

[P_Byrne]

I like my hardtop

I'm in brissy at the moment, will wind up back in Perth in a few years though...

After looking around these boards I also get the sense that OME are the way to go.

It's my daily driver atm, but I want to learn off road driving and make the wheels a little more capable than stock. I just need to convince the cash controller that the zuk is worth spending money on!

[-Mick-]

I like my hardtop

I'm in brissy at the moment, will wind up back in Perth in a few years though...

After looking around these boards I also get the sense that OME are the way to go.

It's my daily driver atm, but I want to learn off road driving and make the wheels a little more capable than stock. I just need to convince the cash controller that the zuk is worth spending money on!

Welcome The hard top is a little more top heavy but its not that bloody bad Just do a 2" body lift, put some 235 muddies on and have some fun with it It'll be great to learn in and won't cost much at all

[-Mick-]

Listen more...buy less

Learn to drive it rather than buy it

I'm not much of a "consumer" either, but I tend to build what I need.

2 shackles
1 Snatch Strap
1st aid kit
Fire extinguisher
OME suspension kit (for a stock sierra). - That should do it.

Everything else is an accessory.
and will generally result in loosing more capability in some areas than you gain in others. as for bling lights, floor mats, chrome dodads etc, or spare tyre covers (eeeeurgh )i won't even start on that stuff.
Dewse's idea for 235 75 15's is a good one. You will be happy with these for long enough for your driving ability to catch up to your car's ablity.

Fantastic advice

[P_Byrne]

235's require 7' rims don't they?

I have stock rims with 215's atm, was thinking about 30" when these road tyres wear out...

[-Mick-]

235's require 7' rims don't they?

I have stock rims with 215's atm, was thinking about 30" when these road tyres wear out...

There's a bees d!ck difference between 235/75/15's and 30's About half an inch

Few tyres measure to their stated size anyway so it's much of a muchness

[suzukisam]

Basically she plays in the mud, on the rocks and on the dunes.. Anyone know where I should start?

kels, when i started i bought the biggest set of mud tyres that would fit in the hole and a winch. since then i have done numerous mods as i see the need. just get out there and drive it...it becomes obvious what needs improving the more you get stuck......

it's the guys that overbuild their trucks before they know their capabilities that get into trouble.

[muppet_man67]

Listen more...buy less

Learn to drive it rather than buy it
.

That sounds kind of like me. 255 posts and my only mods are removing the sway bar and big steves old bullbar.

[Wesley]

Ill tell u straight out dont listen to anyone most ppl r full of shit and just out to rip u off. The best way is to go to your local 4x4 club b4 u do anything have a look at all there rigs ask if u can go out with them im sure somone will give u a seat and have a look how all there vehicles go on the road and in the bush then decide what your going to do and with some clubs u can get discounts at 4x4 shops so u can save some money in the process.