Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hey guys, well i bought my 97 TD42 GQ ute a few weeks ago with a 4" lift and a nice set of EFS shocks on it. and 35" tyres.
and it really looks the part.

trouble is, get it in the rough stuff, and its just dogshit. all lean, no flex.

so i had a closer look, and in the front the shocks only travel 20mm from rideheight before full extension.

so i checked the part numbers, and sure enough, 4" king springs, 2" EFS shocks :(
the rears i might get away, gotta play with that, but they are EFS extra longs or something.

anyway.

i rang superior engineering after hearing they know what theyre talkin about with patrols and it seemed that he did. i got some prices etc and i was wondering if someone wouldnt mind having a look, seeing if there is anything i missed that i will need, or any alternatives and if anyone knows of better prices please let me know.

to start:

4" drop boxes $385 set
adj. panhards cheapo lovells with urethane bushes $200 ea.
superior engineering with genuine rubber bushes $250 ea
Lower control arms, 16mm longer with new bushed $330
coil drop outs $90 for the set. (theres some on ebay that i might buy if they stay cheap)
and, Procomp shocks, $120 each.

i went with the procomps on his suggestion as i am trying to save money and feel no need to run an adjustable shock (i have them in my corolla but just set and forget)

so, what do people think. anything ive missed, anything i dont need, anything i do need, anything i can use something else for, and anyone selling stuff cheap?

cheers, andrew

Andrew,
Mate you willhave to let me know how you go with that, as i am currently looking at grabbing a GQ ute and want to do the same, and if Superior do it fairly cheaply then i will definitely use them, I know their products are some of the best. Have you looked into the front arms, rather than drop boxes??

Cheers
Todd

mick from superior advises not to use arms on a road vehicle as he recons the boxes drive better.

i guess he would kno too since he has relaced his boxes for arms in the last 2 months

if you have the money definatly go the arms, you will also need longer brake lines

sorry for being naive but what are arms? and whats theyre difference to drop boxes?
and they a different radius arm or something?
im rather lost
todd, ill let you know. all donations are appreciated. im still only a first year :(

cheers, andrew

Donations!! LOL
I could use a few too, i will be spending a little bit myself, new custom tray, 4" lift, already have the cheezy bar, need a highmount and will be getting sum decent rims, and thats just the start, will then look at turbo and lockers.

First i need to find myself a decent Coil Cab, there are a few around, just need to find the one i want.

So to confirm, drop boxes are the way to go?? I looked at some arms and god they are expensive!! By the way, do the drop boxes get welded to the chassis or bolted? Havent had much exposure to them.

weld in or bolt in drop boxes depent on the brand, dropped radius arms are like the standard front radius arm with a bigger drop from the chassis end to the diff to correct the caster

So does Superior have a web site or email addy? I am currently Overseas and am doing the research so when i get back on can move on this!

www.superiorengineering.com.au

love ke70 wrote:sorry for being naive but what are arms? and whats theyre difference to drop boxes?
and they a different radius arm or something?
im rather lost
todd, ill let you know. all donations are appreciated. im still only a first year :(

cheers, andrew

harden up cobba, we were all first years once. first years are over paid already these days

in terms of flex, whats better, dropped radius arms or drop boxes?
and how much is the difference?

cheers, andrew

love ke70 wrote:in terms of flex, whats better, dropped radius arms or drop boxes?
and how much is the difference?

cheers, andrew

Flex is exactly the same.

LudaCris

sweet

so whos gonna hit me with the best deal?

badger wrote: harden up cobba, we were all first years once. first years are over paid already these days

bet you didnt buy a $15000 ute in your first year though did ya

nastytroll provided me a link to a set of wizard drop boxes for sale at a reasonable price, but they are for a 5-7" lift, how would these go on a 4" lifted vehicle? would the extra drop/extra castor correction make it just as much of a pig too drive?

cheers, andrew

I thought they where 1/2 size brackets, they will still drive ok but will hang down low, maybe better to look at the 1/2 size brackets they do pop up from time to time.

by half size bracket do you mean something better suited to a 4" lift.

im in no rush...got a couple of months anyway, so i will keep my eyes open.

and yeah, later in the thread he states they are 5-7" drop boxes

love ke70 wrote:

badger wrote: harden up cobba, we were all first years once. first years are over paid already these days

bet you didnt buy a $15000 ute in your first year though did ya

nastytroll provided me a link to a set of wizard drop boxes for sale at a reasonable price, but they are for a 5-7" lift, how would these go on a 4" lifted vehicle? would the extra drop/extra castor correction make it just as much of a pig too drive?

cheers, andrew

25k 4by actually
and since u wanna compete a house at the start of third year

I would suggest that you get adjustable lower control arms instead of the fixed ones just in case you change your coils for some reason. That way you can re-adjust the rear without getting new arms again.

I think getting your castor set right is probably the most important thing to do for road drivability so get ones to suit the lift.
Superiors drop boxes are setup for bolt on but you can weld them in also or instead if you wanted to.

Shane
Suspension Stuff

Hey mate,
sounds great what you are doing.
The only suggestion I would have is to go for Desert Fox panhards.
You can buy them on ebay for $205 each with rubber bushes and they are well chunky.
Have you also considered TJM shocks?
I have just finished a 5 inch lift in a swb with drop boxes, adj rear arms etc. Dont forget you might want to change your steering arms as well.
BBm do some great extended brake lines and they are quite cheap.

you can get brake lines made from a brake shop for about $40 each, maybe have a chat with 4WD stuff, he is local to you

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Adj-Panhard-Rod- ... dZViewItem

are they the panhards you are talking about baxy?

only panhards i can find on ebay, and they have urethane bushes :(

whats this about changing steering arms? longer ones/adjustable ones? please explain

Shane, do you know, are the standard control arms made from a hollow rod? i think they are, and i was thinking of making my own adjustables, what would you think of such a thing...?

might send you a PM regarding prices on what you can supply shane.

also, why TJM shocks? superior seemed to think for the lower price range the procomps were a good choice of shock?

cheers, andrew

Love ke70,
Mate i have run Pro Comp shockies before on a GU Ute i used to have. I found them to be quiet good actually, didnt have a problem with them on or off road, I didnt travel too far on them though as in distancem but they are a little softer than Tough dogs but just as capable i think.. Just not built for smashing it over large rocks constantly!

But for the cheaper option i would suggest pro comps too.

However that said, i will be looking at a different set up for my GQ when i get it, any suggestions on springs and shocks for a play toy/tourer?? I was thinking king springs and maybe koni's, or tough dogs! Just for duarability!

ToddCPO wrote:Love ke70,
Mate i have run Pro Comp shockies before on a GU Ute i used to have. I found them to be quiet good actually, didnt have a problem with them on or off road, I didnt travel too far on them though as in distancem but they are a little softer than Tough dogs but just as capable i think.. Just not built for smashing it over large rocks constantly!

But for the cheaper option i would suggest pro comps too.

However that said, i will be looking at a different set up for my GQ when i get it, any suggestions on springs and shocks for a play toy/tourer?? I was thinking king springs and maybe koni's, or tough dogs! Just for duarability!

Other guys on here have raved about the EFS extremes if you got extra dollars and plan to give them a flogging over long periods of time, however I can't justify it for most people due to being double the price at $230-$250 each.
Koni are good but I would suggest you get a 3" lift for your GU then Koni won't be long enough, I think Bilstein are better anyway.

If you get the 3" lift coils I sell, you can put the 700mm extended rear shocks on which is the same length as most have on their 4 or 5" lift hence same articulation as the 4 inch lift and therefore don't have to cough up the extra cash for adjustable panhard rods etc.

love ke70 wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Adj-Panhard-Rod- ... dZViewItem

are they the panhards you are talking about baxy?

only panhards i can find on ebay, and they have urethane bushes :(

whats this about changing steering arms? longer ones/adjustable ones? please explain

Shane, do you know, are the standard control arms made from a hollow rod? i think they are, and i was thinking of making my own adjustables, what would you think of such a thing...?

might send you a PM regarding prices on what you can supply shane.

also, why TJM shocks? superior seemed to think for the lower price range the procomps were a good choice of shock?

cheers, andrew

Hi Andrew,
These are the ones but mine arrived with rubber bushes??
I have heard pro comps are pretty good for the price but all my mates have tjm and have given them a flogging and not one leak??
I guess its really up to what you prefer or budget as 4wdstuff has said.
In regards your rear traling arms if you pulled off your standard arms you will be surprised at how light they are.
I made some adjustable ones out of 12mm wall tube with a rose joint at the chassis end and the standard rubber bush at the other end.
Once powder coated they look a million dollars, a fair bit of stuffing around but.
Baxy

solid lowers, adjustable uppers is the best way to do it for strength. drop boxes are cheap and mick makes them for your lift (4") i suggest you get braided brake lines. panhards id also look at superior items as they make an awsome comp proven product.


i dont work for superior engineering, ive just had nothing but good experiences with the work and their service.

we had the same problem so they traded 5" long extremes for 2" elites