Page 1 of 2

what length coilovers

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:26 pm
by OL GQ UTE
Just a quick question about coilovers in a GQ UTE.
im slowly building a winch challenge truck, and am thinking about putting coilovers in the rear. Im wondering what length do most guys run?

I've tried the search but didnt come up with much....any info would be great.

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:47 pm
by Sentinel
Hey mate, I've done some searching and found a few examples to look at.

Here is a truggy build up in the members thread, it's running 16 inch coilovers all round. Read the whole thread and couldn't tell what size tire he is running. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic128490-0-asc-0.php

This is a patrol on mog diffs with 18 inch coilovers in the rear. This setup is for TT tho, not a winch challenge so you wouldn't need that much travel or lift. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic174 ... =coilovers

You've seen MUD 000 's rig, it's got coilovers in the rear, don't know what size. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic595 ... =coilovers

This MQ buildup in the US has 16 inch coilovers in the rear. I think it might be running 40" tires. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic20786-150.php

Also have a look here. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic167 ... =coilovers

Hope those links help. Aside from that couldn't find much else out. The question has been asked several times with not much response.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic164 ... =coilovers

Good luck mate.


Jeremy

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:08 pm
by AFeral
10 inch front, 12 inch can be fitted but more work, I was recommended 10 inch. Rear 12 inch for standard suspension arms 14 if you are running 4 link. I'm running 12 inch in the rear.
Have a look at my build thread may give you some ideas.

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:55 am
by Auto-Craft
14" rears if using standard arms will work well, and can be set up so as the roll centre stays where you need it to mkae it handle, without going to high.

14" stroke coil overs are aprox 1 m long, we have found that 12" stroke fronts are about as long as you want for this type of truck set up also, placed correctly for up, and down travel.

Below is some 14" rears, smoothies [coil over without coils ;) ]

Image
Image

And triple bypass fronts, my old GU.

Image
Image


Those lengths give you about as much usable travel as you can have, and still have the car drive and handle well.

Image

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:45 pm
by OL GQ UTE
Thanks for the reply's

i was thinking 14" coilovers for the rear, i know a lot of people use King Coilovers so i suppose they must be good....
How would a Fox Airshock or similar perform on a winch challenge truck? are they more prone to overheating than a coilover?

also does anyone know who would be good to talk to about spring rates??


Thanks again, Paul

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:48 pm
by Auto-Craft
Air shocks, no......

Coil overs are great, and valving easily chnaged by someone handy at home, regassing should only cost $25 from any good offroad bike shop, all parts are availale as a spare part.

Spring rates can be set, and primary and secondary rates how you require, with adjustment on the slider for when you want primary, and secondary rates to come into play.

If it were me, i would go bypass adjustable, and coil over, dearer, but much more tunable.

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:20 pm
by OL GQ UTE
yeh i am pretty much set on using coilovers, just thought id ask the question about air shocks.
i will look into running bypass adjustable and coil overs...
where is a good place to buy King or Fox Coilovers?

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:59 pm
by bogged
OL GQ UTE wrote:yeh i am pretty much set on using coilovers, just thought id ask the question about air shocks.
i will look into running bypass adjustable and coil overs...
where is a good place to buy King or Fox Coilovers?
Darren above would be the place to start.
http://www.auto-craft.com.au/autocraft_ ... age435.htm

from memory that setup on his red ute there was ~$9000

Re: what length coilovers

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:33 am
by 1MadEngineer
OL GQ UTE wrote:Just a quick question about coilovers in a GQ UTE.
im slowly building a winch challenge truck, and am thinking about putting coilovers in the rear. Im wondering what length do most guys run?

I've tried the search but didnt come up with much....any info would be great.
what do you want to do with it? winch challenge is a broad term! if you are contemplating coilovers and triple bypass then you are obviously serious and have plenty of $$'s. length is a function of what they are attached to mainly. IE (front end) std or drop radius arms will never use any more than 10" of travel, where a superflex DRA front end will use ~12-13", a custom long arm PRO4 front end might use upto 18-20".
(rear end) ~ std lenght arms and mounts and A frame setups 12-14", long arm 3/4/5 link ~16-20".

there are many other factors to consider in design, more info will help.

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:19 pm
by Auto-Craft
Winch challenge would mean, enough travel, and something that handles, not just flexes, as a "broad term" IMHO.

And if it costs more, and works better, what does $ matter ?

Its either right, or a compromise, and you never want to spend the right $ scond time around when its to late, when you build one.

Standard front arms on drop boxes will use 12" of travel, and remain as you need for such a vehicle, without to much droop, the the control arm angle hinders, instead of helps on steep shelf accesnts, and holes in steep decents.

The long arm with 14"s in the rear is also ideal with roll centre, and length/droop, vs handling, sway bar vs no sway bar etc.

But only if it works correctly.

Flex isnt everything, but momentum, and transmitting torque into drive can be your friend when the vehicle goes where pointed, and soaks it up.

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:02 pm
by Fathillbilly
If you are going to stick with the standard Patrol link system and are mounting the coil overs inboard of the chassis rail, which is the only way you can do it with out chopping the chassis rail, there is not much point in going longer than 12" it's just a waste.

BTW i only have 14" remote res in stock, i do have 12" emolsion, but it all depends on your budget and application, you are probably not going to get the right info of the web

<a href="http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10057w.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10057w.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10040w.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10040w.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Stu[/img]

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:04 pm
by turps
Fathillbilly wrote:If you are going to stick with the standard Patrol link system and are mounting the coil overs inboard of the chassis rail, which is the only way you can do it with out chopping the chassis rail, there is not much point in going longer than 12" it's just a waste.

BTW i only have 14" remote res in stock, i do have 12" emolsion, but it all depends on your budget and application, you are probably not going to get the right info of the web

<a href="http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10057w.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10057w.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10040w.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103 ... 10040w.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Stu[/img]
I think you missed something with the way you inserted the pics.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:09 pm
by Fathillbilly
hay thanks for that Turps

Stu

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:18 pm
by Auto-Craft
Fathillbilly wrote:If you are going to stick with the standard Patrol link system and are mounting the coil overs inboard of the chassis rail, which is the only way you can do it with out chopping the chassis rail, there is not much point in going longer than 12" it's just a waste.

Stu[/img]
Not at all, with correct panhard rod, the rear standard arms will use all 14" of a 14" stroke shock, no problem at all.

12" in the front with standard arms, but the right bushes and panhard rod is about 1" more than you need, in the standard shock location, but thats better than not enough ;)

There is no doubt though, if making all new mounts, and moving the arms, then mounting the shocks forward on the arm, and still using 14" works well also, making for height and rate adjustment, and moving the shocks up out of the way compared to the standard location is the ideal way to install them.

Image

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:31 pm
by OL GQ UTE
what do you want to do with it? winch challenge is a broad term!
i think Assassin summed it up for what i want
Winch challenge would mean, enough travel, and something that handles, not just flexes, as a "broad term" IMHO.
will be competing in Vic winch, Engel ser, Ateco style challenges.
No i dont have bucket loads of money but want to spend what i have in setting the truck up right, rather than changing everything around because im not happy.

am planning on running a long arm kit in the rear, although not 100% set on this, and am now leaning towards 14" Coilovers.
Front will still have standard coils at this stage.

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:58 pm
by bogged
OL GQ UTE wrote:
what do you want to do with it? winch challenge is a broad term!
i think Assassin summed it up for what i want
Winch challenge would mean, enough travel, and something that handles, not just flexes, as a "broad term" IMHO.
will be competing in Vic winch, Engel ser, Ateco style challenges.
No i dont have bucket loads of money but want to spend what i have in setting the truck up right, rather than changing everything around because im not happy.

am planning on running a long arm kit in the rear, although not 100% set on this, and am now leaning towards 14" Coilovers.
Front will still have standard coils at this stage.
What is your budget?

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:36 pm
by OL GQ UTE
not 100% sure, but definately not $9000 for a rear setup

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:02 pm
by bogged
OL GQ UTE wrote:not 100% sure, but definately not $9000 for a rear setup
The $9k was at the time for the whole setup. But times have changed, ask Darren for a quote, he maybe ugly, but he doesn't bite...

Do you wanna spend $1000 for front/rear or $5000 or... ??

Ball park figure will help people tell you what you best options are.

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:08 pm
by bog warrior
If you had 20k + to spend ,what would you do????

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:33 pm
by B.D.R
bog warrior wrote:If you had 20k + to spend ,what would you do????
Buy a truck already done :D

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:54 pm
by mickyd555
B.D.R wrote:
bog warrior wrote:If you had 20k + to spend ,what would you do????
Buy a truck already done :D
where do you buy a truck ready for winch challenge for $20K???

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:58 pm
by bog warrior
B.D.R wrote:
bog warrior wrote:If you had 20k + to spend ,what would you do????
Buy a truck already done :D
True :lol: , but how much would that setup on the GU cost :?:

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:04 pm
by B.D.R
mickyd555 wrote:
B.D.R wrote:
bog warrior wrote:If you had 20k + to spend ,what would you do????
Buy a truck already done :D
where do you buy a truck ready for winch challenge for $20K???
Mick here ya go, not a GQ, but for 16 grand, i would prefer it :D

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic175483.php

Old chalenge truck's come up, for around the 20's semi regular, so it's not impossible :cool:

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:07 pm
by bog warrior
[

Old chalenge truck's come up, for around the 20's semi regular, so it's not impossible :cool:[/quote]

True but not with setups like that GU

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:42 pm
by bogged
bog warrior wrote:
B.D.R wrote:
bog warrior wrote:If you had 20k + to spend ,what would you do????
Buy a truck already done :D
True :lol: , but how much would that setup on the GU cost :?:
which GU?

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:04 pm
by bog warrior
which GU?


The one in the photo above.

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:33 pm
by bogged
bog warrior wrote:which GU?


The one in the photo above.
Yea, which one?

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:36 pm
by bog warrior
The Grey one

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:38 pm
by bogged
bog warrior wrote:The Grey one
Give Stu a ring.. he wont bite...03 9303 9850

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:18 am
by Auto-Craft
OL GQ UTE wrote:
what do you want to do with it? winch challenge is a broad term!
i think Assassin summed it up for what i want
Winch challenge would mean, enough travel, and something that handles, not just flexes, as a "broad term" IMHO.
will be competing in Vic winch, Engel ser, Ateco style challenges.
No i dont have bucket loads of money but want to spend what i have in setting the truck up right, rather than changing everything around because im not happy.

am planning on running a long arm kit in the rear, although not 100% set on this, and am now leaning towards 14" Coilovers.
Front will still have standard coils at this stage.
We have had coils made which are a 3" HD lift, but stay captive with the 14" rear stroke shocks, and 12" stroke fronts, for this purpose, so with the spring rate, and tunable bypass shocks, you can self tune to suit the application, before looking at any revalving.

One is early straight tapered wind, which this design doesnt work, spring sags over time, so we went for a tapered wire wind, so they work.

Below is our 100mm longer free height coil on the left, a sagged straight wind, and a coil same ride height, but standard free height, which wont stay captive.

Just as an idea.

Image

So they stay trapped at full droop
Image

We also use these coils with our 10stroke front and 12" stroke Fox Bolt on kits.

Image
Image
Image
Image

no bosy lift on 35" ride height
Image

And ride height on Q78's with 40mm body lift.

Image

GU unloaded on 37's.
Image

Loaded on 35's
Image

And they have to handle, when driving hard, and a little neg camber with bigger tyres sure helps with a patrol!

Image