Outer Limits 4x4 Board

looking at buying an mq patrol, whats the biggest lift i can get and where from, and whats biggest tyres i can fit?

most do 2" spring,2"shackle,2"body lift
tyre size depends on your requirments i suppose

wheres the best place to get the parts... its also short wheel base btw

new or 2nd hand ??
ive got everything here but postage from brissie to u would cost three arms and two legs
try the for sale/ wanted sections
stuffs on there all the time

Or if you are serious, go Spring Over Axle conversion - 4" lift straight away!

Don't recommend shackle lift, unless you like side-flex in your springs. It _shouldn't_ be a problem, but tends to be... Also messes up spring rates.

You can get 3" spring lift (had a set in a LWB MQ wagon) - was from Iron Man, but don't know if they still do kits.

New is best - set up by someone who knows what they are doing (as opposed to thinks they do). Cost me $1500 to get the 2" lifted springs, new shockers to suit as well as new shackles and the whole lot fitted. Of that, only $500 was labour. Since it took him almost a week (the bushes in the chassis are a total mongrel to replace), I reckon it was money very well spent. Very good ride (best I've experienced on a MQ/MK, and I've owned 7!) and good flex.

I would recommend Hi Tek suspension in Lilydale, but they've closed down. If you want to do it yourself, get longer springs from someone on the forum, get slightly longer rear shackles from a LWB (they are longer than SWB).

Insurance is your biggest hassle - Shannons will probably insure any level if it isn't a daily drive, but I'm only running 2" spring lift, 1" body lift as that fits 33" nicely. You do intend to at least get 3rd party property insurance that covers off-road use, I assume? Need to read fine print as quite a few policies don't cover use "off gazetted roads".

You can chop the guards and that removes the need for spring lift to avoid scraping with 35"...

Anything more than 2" spring and 2" body definitely requires engineer's certificate to be legal in Victoria, though from what I heard with the new laws, they are talking 2" TOTAL LIFT. That is 2" from tyres, springs OR body and that is all you are allowed! I hope that doesn't get passed...

Go second hand 2" springs from the forum and chop the guards if you feeling cheap. Go Spring Over Axle (SOA) if you want max lift.

Scrapper, been there, done that, got the truck to prove it.

my MQ has 40's

the spring over is a hassle because of the cast front diff centre.

If you're worrying about how big you can really go, then SOA is a serious consideration. Also if you are planning on going over 33", I suspect on-road handling is not high on your list of priorities...

Hey Wicked, what setup are you running to use the 40"s?

SPOA Front 4-link rear 109" WB

Scrapper85 wrote:get slightly longer rear shackles from a LWB (they are longer than SWB).

WTF - how much longer ??

(EST)MahviaDeTyrk wrote:

Scrapper85 wrote:get slightly longer rear shackles from a LWB (they are longer than SWB).

WTF - how much longer ??

About 1" from memory - but since they are from that model Patrol, etc, etc, you will never have hassles with RWC or what ever. Softens the ride a little - part of the reason for the helper springs (silly idea that they are).

IF you have access to them, then I'd say fit the LWB ones, else just get the right springs and don't worry...

I am also using MQ front shackles (new), as they are serviceable, unlike the MK shackles. Also slightly easier to source springs (genuine or aftermarket).

so u guys are saying that LWB shackles are longer than SWB ???
well ill have to have a look
i will let u know the difference

Scrapper85 wrote:I am also using MQ front shackles (new), as they are serviceable, unlike the MK shackles. Also slightly easier to source springs (genuine or aftermarket).

serviceable ??

MK front leaf front end is wider then MQ one - How can You use narrower shackles with wider leafs ??

(EST)MahviaDeTyrk wrote:

Scrapper85 wrote:I am also using MQ front shackles (new), as they are serviceable, unlike the MK shackles. Also slightly easier to source springs (genuine or aftermarket).

serviceable ??

MK front leaf front end is wider then MQ one - How can You use narrower shackles with wider leafs ??

As I was suggesting, use MQ springs. Easier to source replacements.

Also wider spring on narrower chassis (comparitively speaking) means more twist will occur in the chassis bush as opposed to the spring bush, eg MK. The chassis bush is several orders of magnitude harder to replace, so not desireable!

If you are serious about 'wider springs' , then you'd use something from a 40 series 'cruiser; but this would make the 'flex in chassis bush' even worse. If you then start messing around with wider chassis mounts, you may as well go get a truck with coil springs and save copious amounts of grief.

My recommendation from extensive experience:
Use custom set (to suit your requirements) 'MQ' springs.
Use new MQ greasable shackles.
Use quality bushes and keep them greased! All types will wear with use - it happens. The harder you flex or load the truck, the quicker they wear. Dirt doesn't help.

If you can afford it:
use LWB greasable shackles for the rear
use greasable flex pins (the 'fixed end' of the spring)