WHATS YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION ?

[guzzla]

first up, ive had a big search but found nothing relating to my specifec needs which are as follows......

CURRENT SITUATION: 75's troopy about to head round oz. currently on stock leaf springs and shocks

INTENTION: re do suspension completely to cater for load carrying that wont exceed factory stats(by much if it does), maintain acceptable flex, and provide ride quality suitable to outback touring. willing to spend the bucks on the better quality gear but the budget doesnt cater for a conversion to coils. prepared to get engineer certificate. will keep existing 33" tyres. will increase wheel track to legal max.

OPTIONS SO FAR: 1) reset existing leaves to 2' higher with new shocks
2) same as above but include poly air bags in rear
3) go with a flexy 3-4' lifted spring with new shocks and air bags.

4)no more ideas at the moment, please advise


regards,
nathan

[plowy]

don't reset and DON'T use poly air bags for fawk sake what ever you do
save your money and go ome or there own cheaper brand wich is identical just made buy a different company to the same specs tho

they can tailor a suspension to your needs and requirements as they come in 3 different wieght ratings

they run a hieght of 2'' above the original standard hieght

and on a full suspension you get a matching set of springs and shocks

but once again don't reset n NO POLY AIR BAGS

[bad_religion_au]

don't reset and DON'T use poly air bags for fawk sake what ever you do
save your money and go ome or there own cheaper brand wich is identical just made buy a different company to the same specs tho

they can tailor a suspension to your needs and requirements as they come in 3 different wieght ratings

they run a hieght of 2'' above the original standard hieght

and on a full suspension you get a matching set of springs and shocks

but once again don't reset n NO POLY AIR BAGS

why not reset? hot reset, then tempered by a blacksmith in the know IS AS GOOD AS new springs. he can also advise on custom spring rates etc...

[plowy]

because ive seen to many reset springs fail within 6 months
so there is no point of paying or doing the job twice

but this is only my experience and my opinion too

[Tojo]

i would suggest that there is nothing wrong with reset springs. I can think of between 15 - 20 landcruisers that i am aware of that have all had factory springs reset by someone who knows what they are doing and none of these have failed or sagged.
I would suggest either a replacement suspension set of matching springs and shocks eg. ARB, TJM etc. or else just buy some shocks and get your factory springs reset by a competant person. Perhaps you could speak to your local spring works regarding reset springs and also visit your local 4WD shop and get some prices on complete suspension setups. Everyone will give you free advice and its worth hearing lots of opinions before you spend your money.

[Slunnie]

From what I understand the Lovells springs and Konis are really good in the Troopy for that sort of work. This is based on the feedback from Wayne V a guide from Great Divide Tours. He was running 265/75-16 BFG muddies though, not 33's.

[Fire]

You get what you payed for!.........Some 4x4 stores are pushing cheap suspensions & shocks' for a Quick sale of the floor!........where they are made oversea's or Philippines......... they sag quicker and just wont last as long.... Made in Aust springs is best.

Reset springs will only last half the life, same as cheap shocks and ware ya tires out quicker!......

A mate of mine had a set of koni's for ten years, rebuid once...... lifetime warranty and you can rebuild them.......

If your in Vic Northren side

Ram Springs. Custom Springs: thomastown. PH: 03.9466-4193 Fax. 03.949-2299........this guy was Carrolls Springs Blacksmith before (EFS)Suspensions came to town!!..... owns the Business - "Aust made"

S.G.Leslie & Sons. Custom koni & Rancho shock fitting: West heidelberg ph 03 9459-2859..Fax 03.9457-1788 .....this guys has been doing this for over 30 years......What ( ARB ) Northren side cant Supply & Fit, are sent here!

Best of luck, and safe Happy Trip

[bad_religion_au]

Ram Springs. Custom Springs: thomastown. PH: 03.9466-4193 Fax. 03.949-2299........this guy was Carrolls Springs Blacksmith before (EFS)Suspensions came to town!!..... owns the Business - "Aust made"

will second him

does good resets too.

knowlegable as hell

[andrewfarmer]

ARB - you can get heavy duty if you're worried about the weight.

Lots of outlets around Aus so if you break something you can easily get replacements...

[guzzla]

guys, thanks heaps for all that info. looks like new aftermarket stuff seems to be the option that has no negative feed backs besides the cheapy stuff but i wont look at that stuff anyway.

arb kits seem to have a good rep but noticed their shocks didnt do too well in the 4x4aust mag test so will look into them.

cheers,
nathan

[tobie]

I have a 75x extra cab, vehicle does a lot of dirt driving and heavy work, i have a custom set of springs made by a black smith, based on toyota springs re set to my liking, i had them made to . heavy front to take winch, bar ect ect, at the rear i had them made to medium grade rear and fitted the bellows air bags. this suspension has been in the truck for 60 000 klms and i have not had any problems at all..when i have a load on the back i pump up the bellows and when empty i let them down, so at all times i have a comftorable ride.

set up has been to the cape and back and extensive outback driving, i can not fault it at all, just do your homework first before you buy .

[rockcrawler31]

i have a troopy which was lifted 2" inches initially, with 350kg extra weight springs in the rear and 100kg extra weight springs in the front.

the springs and shocks came from dobinsons as a kit. I am happy with the springs and other bits , but the shocks were a bit of a let down. they do their job well, but are too short and limit travel (particularly downtravel) I had the rears springs reset, as they still weren't set right from the factory with the weight i carry (rear bar, extra tyre, extra fuel tank, 150 litres of fuel, storage drawers). otherwise the springs and shocks have fared well after a trip to the cape.

overall i can recommend dobby's springs, as long as you are sure how much weight they are gonna carry. if you are gonna get their shocks, then put the springs on first, ramp it and work out what size shocks you will need before getting them. (open and closed max required lengths).

as for poly airs or helper springs, what is wrong with them. I have found that the springs i have won't compress when wheeling, and limit up travel as they are too stiff, but they can't be taken out as i need them for load carrying. i was considering taking out the extra leaves for flex, and putting in the polyairs for load work. trying to maximise flex and load carrying. why wouldn't this work??

MILO

[sierrajim]

Lots of outlets around Aus so if you break something you can easily get replacements...

This is definitely something that needs to be taken into account being that the vehicle is destined to head around Australia. This way you have warranty repairs available if needed in most major towns/cities.