Suspension upgrade

Post by **gqpilot** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:21 pm

I want to upgrade the suspension in my GQ from a 2' lift to a 4'. The 2' is less than year old, Bilstein shocks and lovells springs, done less than 20000. My question is how much do you reckon I should be looking at selling them for? And what is a reasonable price for a 4' lift of about the same age? Thanks guys. Keep getting hung up at the same place that my mates in defenders (cringe) have no worries with!

Post by **0xyg3n** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:09 pm

I paid $220 + freight for barley used 2 inch lovells springs and shockers off the O/L for sale board in Feb this year. Had had about 5000 km use and were in top condition.
just a note, if you have insurance check with your insurance as to weather your insurance will be valid with the extra lift.

Post by **mickyd555** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:38 pm

id say keep the smaller lift incase you ever need to change it back for an inspection of any sort

Post by **Suspension Stuff** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:44 pm

Bilstein shocks and Lovells coils are the best in the business IMHO so if they are in good nick I would be asking for $600+ to start with. Somebody is going to get a good deal.

I would be looking into a 3 inch lift for practicality. You know you can't beat the Defender

but a 3 inch lift should get you close.

Pm me for prices on new stuff for 4 inch if you can't find a bargain or phone on 0409 593 414.

Shane

Post by **gqpilot** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:22 pm

Thanks guys. I'm going with TCIS insurance so I don't think that insurance will be a problem, will check though. Is there much of a difference on the black stuff between a 2in 3in or 4in lift? What do most people consider the best for an everyday driver that you still want to be really capable off road?

Post by **Brunsy** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:13 pm

I picked up a saggy LWB and was sure I wanted 4inch lift, I eventually setteled on EFS 2.5inch lift and 33inch tyres, this has lifted the vehicle much more than I expected and I wouldnt go higher as I tow things frequently so its a compromise, Offroad though I think the height is sufficient but i guess it depends on the type of terrain you cover. Procomp among others have 30mm nolathene spacers which may be a cheep alternative, they will give you lift but articulation will remain much the same. Since you have spent more on suspension than most "bilsteins" i would get your moneys worth and run the spacers and consider a tyre diameter upgrade if you havent, if you have 7inch rims like me you can still get 33x10.5 in all terrain and mud from BF goodrich. You can have a look at my vehicle how it sits now on "overlander" readers rides.
cheers brunsy

Post by **Seafarer** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:44 am

How much do you want for just the Bilstein shocks? Presume it would fit a GU TD42T.

Post by **CB0569** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:27 am

Just one for thought.
I can get my MAV insured with G.I.O. if i get an engineers report.Have found a guy in Newy that will do it for under $300.

Post by **gqpilot** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:51 pm

Hey Seafarer I'm not going to be selling the bilsteins until I make a decession on new shocks and buy them and that wont be for some time. Just doing some research. If I'm going to sell them I'll put them up in the for sale section.

Brunsy like the Patrol same colour as mine as well! Mine is the 4.2D though. I do a bit of towing as well, didn't really think about that. Have you put the spacers in your truck? It looks quite a bit higher than mine. I've got a set of 33' simexs for the play stuff.

Post by **Brunsy** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:26 pm

I havent used spacers, just EFS 2.5 in lift and shocks, I dont have the flares that most GQ's have as mine is the poverty pack. It may look higher because i have 33's and being only 10.5 wide they sit inside the guards. Spacers are a very quick job too only need a trolley jack and spring compressors, dont even need to remove them from their seats.

Post by **bru21** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:21 pm

mickyd555 wrote:id say keep the smaller lift incase you ever need to change it back for an inspection of any sort

I highly reccommend that too.

i got $200 for mine now i have shat to work on my motor, exo etc with the 7" coils

Post by **bogged** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:36 pm

gqpilot wrote:Is there much of a difference on the black stuff between a 2in 3in or 4in lift? What do most people consider the best for an everyday driver that you still want to be really capable off road?

What is it your 2inch kit does not do that you want? You have some of the best kit there with the bilsteins?

You may get more out of a properly matched and setup 2inch setup than some off the shelf 4inch setups. one we fitted a OTshelf 4inch kit to a mates truck recently, the kit had shocks that were way too short, and had no articulation. Jeffyboy was impressed!!

Not all off the shelf setups are matched shock to springs, to the car weight, and driving conditions etc.

IMHO,
going from 2-3inch is not worth the effort, go with a 2inch body lift instead. cheaper by lots of $100's.
Going from 2-4inch is costly for the gains. unless your after bling. brakelines, panhards, dropboxes/casters etc etc etc

3inch kits:
- 3inch is a happy size for weekend wannabe work.
- 3inch most insurance companies dont have issues, although that is gettin worse by the week.
- 3inch doesnt need engineers for legalities which saves $300-400
- 3inch you can run 35s with a bit of body lift (or 36swampers with a bit of guard trim hey Dave

) - but then you still need engineers for 35s
- 3inch lift with matched springs and shocks you can get excellent articulation
- depending on tires, you can fit into underground carparks still :(

You couldnt ask for more.

What do you want from the truck? Competition, or just the odd day trip? What tires do you want to run?
What do you do with the truck mostly?

As for what you will get for your old gear, most places good$, this board very little, but some good advice on keeping it for later..

Post by **gqpilot** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:22 pm

bogged wrote: IMHO,
going from 2-3inch is not worth the effort, go with a 2inch body lift instead. cheaper by lots of $100's.
Going from 2-4inch is costly for the gains. unless your after bling. brakelines, panhards, dropboxes/casters etc etc etc

Thanks for the advice bogged. Had some trouble with the ramp over angle with the 2 lift. I'm sure you know how it is. You go out with your mates you get hung up, they don't, you want more lift

Or is that just me?

bogged wrote:What do you want from the truck? Competition, or just the odd day trip? What tires do you want to run?
What do you do with the truck mostly?

The truck is my every day drive no comp work. Use it for going out on the weekends and playing and couple of months ago crossed the simpson. Wasn't aware that the bilsteins where top kit. As you can tell i'm rather new to this. Think the best idea is going to be stay with the 2 lift get some rock sliders (so I'm not so worried about the sills and can use momentum, everyones friend) and maybe one day go a body lift and 35s. ha ha. I'm running 31 BFG AT for touring and round the town stuff and 33 simex Jungle Trekkers on cruiser offset rims for the weekend stuff.

Post by **BIDS** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:31 pm

GQPILOT,
Have a look in the Classifieds Accessories section. There is a 4-5" Kit for sale currently for $850 ( User Name :- DBW ). The kit has Coils / Shocks & Castor Plates. Would be interested myself except for lack of funds.
BIDS

Post by **bogged** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:34 pm

GQpilot, is it a shorty or longy? You may have mentioned it but im pissed and cant read well.

Post by **gqpilot** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:42 am

bogged wrote:GQpilot, is it a shorty or longy? You may have mentioned it but im pissed and cant read well.

Ha ha it is a LWB 1993 4.2D

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