gq castor

[gut42]

how much castor can u get outer using bushes? i got a 4inch going into a gq and would likke to regain 3 degrees of castor back.

[JBE]

3 deg are the maximum you get with offset bushes. I bought the Snakeracing ones for my 5" lift and I am happy with them so far.

[gut42]

thats great! can u recall how much they set u back JBE

[Suspension Stuff]

Castor plates suit a 5 inch lift but are commonly used for a 4 inch lift.
Drop boxes are a better option because they are setup for a 4 inch lift and they are the same price as your castor plates $250 for a pair. They are part bolt on and part weld on and can be engineered if you speak to the right engineer who knows all about them. Freight is free.
They are very solid.

Castor correction bushes are good up to a 3 inch lift and are $100 + postage.

Shane on 0409 593 414
4WD STUFF

[JBE]

I think castor plates over correct a 4" lift and can cause the wobbles.
Given that the castor seems to vary from Patrol to Patrol, I think the best way to go is to go to an alignment shop, get the castor reading after the lift with standard bushes in and then determine the neccessary correction.

I think I paid around 110$ for the bushes plus fitting.

Cheers
Joachim

[Tiny]

I think castor plates over correct a 4" lift and can cause the wobbles.
Given that the castor seems to vary from Patrol to Patrol, I think the best way to go is to go to an alignment shop, get the castor reading after the lift with standard bushes in and then determine the neccessary correction.

I think I paid around 110$ for the bushes plus fitting.

Cheers
Joachim

the problem is every vehicle is set up different, and diferent weights etc and different spring rates ebd up with 4" lifts that are anywhere between 3" to 5"

plated, arms and boxes are a better fix as the bushed will flog out relitivly quickly, but the bushes are a cheap way to get the orrect castor correction for a TRUE 4" lift

[Suspension Stuff]

Castor Correction bushes won't correct the castor properly on a 4 inch lift. They only just do it for a true 3 inch lift. Most castor correction bushes are setup to correct the castor on a 2 inch lift. However they are a lot better than nothing. We don't seem to have flog out probs with the bushes we use but drop boxes will definitely be the better option. Castor plates are not too bad if it is a true 4 inch lift.

Shane

[Tiny]

Castor Correction bushes won't correct the castor properly on a 4 inch lift. They only just do it for a true 3 inch lift. Most castor correction bushes are setup to correct the castor on a 2 inch lift. However they are a lot better than nothing. We don't seem to have flog out probs with the bushes we use but drop boxes will definitely be the better option. Castor plates are not too bad if it is a true 4 inch lift.

Shane

to factory spec yes, but it will correct to within reason, but as you and I know, many WILL come back with issues, better to spend a hunge more and do it right imo

[gut42]

this is real helpful but could u please explain y dropboxes are so much better? are they strong enough for comp?

[Suspension Stuff]

They are plenty strong enough for comps.
Nissan bushes are more compliant than castor correction bushes because rubber is more rubbery so better flex.

Plates are set for the 5 inch lift (used for 4 inch) because they have to put a bolt on the outside of the existing castor plates and it is physically impossible to get any closer unless you weld plates over your existing plates and redrill your castor bolt hole to suit your lift. This is done of course as a repair because your existing castor hole got flogged out as they do from time to time.

Another reason is with your plates your leading arms are already diving down and the boxes level them out as it was standard. They say you get more flex with the boxes because there is more free movement up and down when for the plates it is mainly free movement up. Due to this extra down flex it is possible you will hit the cross member with your front tail shaft, so some booty fab is in order.(Search)

Also when negotiating a rock at a 90 degree angle with castor plates. It is working against you because your front diff has to move forward on compression which can push your vehicle back when you want to go forward.

I am sure Tiny can add to this because the MRS just got home and it is my turn to cook dinner

[gut42]

thank you so much for your insite! you have convinced me to do the job properly. do you supply these items or call you recomend somebody who does plz?

[Suspension Stuff]

$270 including free freight to most places for drop boxes. Castor correction plates are the same price. Just send me an email at fwdstuff@bigpond.com or phone on 0409 593 414.

Shane

[Tiny]

I am running drop boxes.....done before arms were available anyway, run it for comps and they are more than adequate......some say the boxes could snag and hold you, but I can say honestly that I have never being stuck due to the drop boxes

[Suspension Stuff]

Just a note. They are a visual thing for cops/transport department to see if you don't get your rig engineered. Castor plates are as well to an extent.

In Qld I could put you in touch with an engineer who knows about them.

Shane

[bru21]

stay away from the bushes. every set i have seen the owner has pissed off in less than 12mths. one mate even fitted them to his 80 series and thay rotated within a week to the exact opposite making the castor worse. they can also stress crack your mounts as they cannot flex as the bolt is so close to the edge and they use shite urathane that is hard as.

drop boxes are good and suit a 4" well.

That said 3rds arms are even better and can be had in 3 or 5 degree and cost $1495 but have a swivel at the back as well as a 80 series syle bush for more flex. they offer far more clearence than either factory or drop boxes as they are high outta the way.

cheers bru

[gut42]

thanx heeps guys 4 your input ill have to save some pennys and give you a call shane

[JOHNZ]

how much castor can u get outer using bushes? i got a 4inch going into a gq and would likke to regain 3 degrees of castor back.

castor plates will do the job just fine & only $175

[Suspension Stuff]

That is a good price on castor plates. Where do you get them from?

Shane

[gut42]

with those castor plates you sugested john2, is there any drilling/welding involved? or do they just bolt on. also shane whats involved in fitting dropboxes?

[AdrianGQ]

hey there could someone please post a pic of drop boxes installed

[JemmyBubbles]

And I will pipe in now.

Castor plates necessary for a 4" lift will require drilling (Higher lifts require more correction thus the 7 degree plates bolt straight in). And for the task of drill near the pumpking you will require a 90 degree bit. You are better off paying someone to fit them for you. Do not weld as engineers much prefer a bolt that they can attest to the strength of rather tham mr. x's weld that may/may not be up to snuff.

As has been said Genuine Bushes are the go. Do not even think of putting urethane anywhere in your motor vehicle especially the leading arms. I have 3 degree bushes in for, as bru said under 12mths , they were noisy, harsh and restricted articulation (If the front of a standard linked patrol ever has any). Many people will attest to the genuine bushes argument.

Castor Plates/Rotating Nuckles/Correction bushes are really a bandaid fix as your arms are maxed out for down travel due to the lift. Which is why, if you intend to keep your standard radius arms, drop boxes are a far better idea. It nearly restores geometry to standard.

At willowglen I watched tiny (i didn't say hi though.. to shy) and a few other cars that had drop boxes up fairly close as they drove over a few logs. Yeah the drop boxes hit the logs on all occasions but was not enough to halt progess.

I have castor plates with brand new genuine bushes. THe only reason I don't have drop boxes is that I didn't know they existed when I fitted the kit..

talk to much

[Suspension Stuff]

The drop boxes are part bolt on and part weld on.
You bolt it up using the existing bolts for the transfer case.
You then put 1 or 2 30mm welds on either side of the drop boxes.
So there is no lining up required but a couple of welds are needed.

You can get drop boxes for a 3 inch lift also. And as others have said you can go with out them. If you are driving 10kph down a track then you couldn't care less if your castor is out unless it is restricting flex.

I do agree with everything that JemmyBubbles said but there are different brands of castor correction bushes. Some are more harsh than others however your standard Nissan bushes are better. If only they had rubber castor correction bushes. In my opinion they are only good for your 3 inch lift. No one has complained to me about the castor correction bushes I sell but they won't be as compliant as Nissan bushes. I bought repco bushes for my Patrol and it was harsh as. You could feel every pebble.

If you have a SWB Patrol/Mav then I wouldn't be considering drop boxes. They are near the middle of your ramp over angle in a shorty.

Shane

[giantracing]

300 pair for drop boxes. i make them to suit anything

[JOHNZ]

300 pair for drop boxes. i make them to suit anything

CASTOR PLATES REQUIRE DRILLING. THE RH SIDE IS A BITCH. EASIER IF YOU HAVE A RIGHT ANGLE DRILL. MY PREFERENCE IS SHORT DROP BOXES. BUT 4 INCH LIFT IS OK WITH CASTOR PLATES.

[gut42]

it would be great if 1 of you guys could post a few piccies of the dropboxes install thanx

Geoff

[Liam]

Theres 2 degree and 3 degree castor bushes. 3 degree works well on 4 inch lifts. 5.5 degree castor plates on a 4 inch lift over corrects it.
There's different brands around of bushes, some will last 6 months, some will be happily going years later. You get what you pay for. The quality's not the only problem with the cheapies- the design is different, the cheapies mostly don't have a stepped shoulder so the whole bush has force on it when the arm twists laterally. the centes aren't bonded well on the cheapies and start to turn.

[vn15]

it would be great if 1 of you guys could post a few piccies of the dropboxes install thanx

Geoff

Pics

Very happy with them, and as said, level out the arms, less bumpsteer. Had plates before, boxes are much better, I have 6" lift

[ludacris]

If you dont want to weld the drop boxes to your chasis there are bolt in ones available.

LudaCris

[65Mog]

Theres 2 degree and 3 degree castor bushes. 3 degree works well on 4 inch lifts. 5.5 degree castor plates on a 4 inch lift over corrects it.
There's different brands around of bushes, some will last 6 months, some will be happily going years later. You get what you pay for. The quality's not the only problem with the cheapies- the design is different, the cheapies mostly don't have a stepped shoulder so the whole bush has force on it when the arm twists laterally. the centes aren't bonded well on the cheapies and start to turn.

with 3 degree bushes on a 4 inch lift your caster angle is crap, around 0 to 1 degree negative, you should be aiming for a better caster angle than that.

[JemmyBubbles]

Yes and No dude...

My shorty is lifted exactly 4" and I required the 5.5 degree castor plates to achieve positive 2.5" I sit on 33" tyres. There is a chippy I was talking to the other day who has binskins 4" (Actually sits about 5") F.A.T gear in his LWB on 35's and without any correction he still has only just positive 2" of castor.

My diff rotated a long way forward and his just didn't.. i find that wierd..