Outer Limits 4x4 Board

looking at a new set of shocks for a gq wagon just wont to get everyones ideas on the subject. Is it better to have soft shocks or firm and wich is the best situation for onroad and offroad.

Too firm, you get a rough ride. Too soft, you get too much body roll etc. Soft is ok for going slow off road but probably not worth getting out of your 4WD for. I think Procomps are the best for anything over a 2 inch lift because of longevity. I love the idea of adjustable but I don't know of any I could recommend at the moment.

Also they cost $500 delivered for a set of 4 if you buy them from me.

If you don't mind waiting and spending extra money, I think the Platinum Skyjacker shocks are going to be a force in the future in Australia.

So far I've had Koni (std height), then TJM XGS (3in lift), then Rancho (6in lift), now OME (4in lift)...

Konis were 7+yr old going by the date on em.. Good but were stock height. These I didnt do much offroading with, driver training in Sydney out Menai, but were worn out.

XGS - 3in lift, fairly firm, very good touring stuff, and for loaded car. These are currently on another GQ in Shitney, have done 2 cape trips, and 2 simpsons still going.

Rancho - biggest let down since owning a ducati. Worked well on club trips to Robe etc, and also on terrain such as Vicrange and Rocky, but kept blowing seals.

OME LTR front - Nitros rear - have had them 4-6 mths and have done Murray Sunset, and about 8,000klms. Offroad they articulate well, great on road with or without trailer.. did well on the freeways out Murray Sunset (3-4lane wide dirt roads) that were very fast. They did well up Toolangi on Vicrange and Rocky Track. They have done well so far..

Out of the 4 brands I've had, Konis have THE best reputation, but you do pay for it. They are rebuildable (as long as they arent 7+ yrs old ) but so are OME LTR's.


So, in order of what Ive had and how I'd buy again
OME
Koni (on Reputation)
XGS


There are different options too depending on what lift you would like to go for.

Remember what ever you get, match the springs to the shocks.

I have just upgraded my suspension. 3"lift

I used:
Procomp shocks
Trekmaster coils (dobinson or lovell rebadge)
ironman steering dampener
FRNT coils HD
REAR coils Softer

All went in easy and rides pretty good although HD in the rear might have been better? Actual lift by measurement is 4"FRNT and 5"REAR according to local shop. I only picked up a small amount of bump steer but I have kept the original cntrl arms, etc and only changed the castor bushes with 3.5 degree correction bushes.

I bought them from shane @ 4WD STUFF. He's a good bloke to deal with and helped sort out a few tall tales that different shops gave me.

thanks for your advice will have a look at the procomps.

This debate keeps rolling around.

I have been involved in fitting a large number of shocks to GQ and GU patrols.

If you set up a test jig and put Rancho, Koni, Tough Dog, Bilsteins on it and run them through a varied test procedure the differences are hard to pick. At the end of the day you need to pick a shock that will last and doesen't carry a bullshit price. I have been using Ridepro shocks for the last 8 months. Our customers have done some long dirt drives (canning, cape york) and not one has complianed of shock fade. You will find alot of the Outback Challenge trucks this year are running Ridepros for that same reason and they are very well priced ($125 ea).

Just before I go... don't get talked into adjustables... unless they are incab Ranchos. Adjustables are like a dimmer switch in your new home. For the first two weeks you are busy setting mood lighting and trying to turn your missus on, for the following so many years you never touch the dimmer again.

Pro comp everything including the steering stabiliser.

LudaCris

I've got OME Nitros. They're too firm for me and I've got the soft ones. I
My view is that if you've got a coil sprung vehicle you might as well have a good ride. The roads are rough where I live.

I'd rather have a shock on the softer side than the firmer side. A lifted 4WD is not a sports car. I reckon it shouldnt ride like one (or be expected to handle like one)

I wouldnt mind trying the 3000 series procomps - apparently they are softer valved than the 9000 series..........

Mark2 wrote:I've got OME Nitros. They're too firm for me and I've got the soft ones. I
My view is that if you've got a coil sprung vehicle you might as well have a good ride. The roads are rough where I live.

I'd rather have a shock on the softer side than the firmer side. A lifted 4WD is not a sports car. I reckon it shouldnt ride like one (or be expected to handle like one)

I wouldnt mind trying the 3000 series procomps - apparently they are softer valved than the 9000 series..........

What tyres and pressures are you running?

Ive always found the soft OMEs to be just that.
I recommend the firm optiion every time.

bazzle

bazzle wrote:

Mark2 wrote:I've got OME Nitros. They're too firm for me and I've got the soft ones. I
My view is that if you've got a coil sprung vehicle you might as well have a good ride. The roads are rough where I live.

I'd rather have a shock on the softer side than the firmer side. A lifted 4WD is not a sports car. I reckon it shouldnt ride like one (or be expected to handle like one)

I wouldnt mind trying the 3000 series procomps - apparently they are softer valved than the 9000 series..........

What tyres and pressures are you running?

Ive always found the soft OMEs to be just that.
I recommend the firm optiion every time.

bazzle

Am running 235/85 stockers at present, at around 35 psi on the road. I wish I had the same experience with the OME's as you. Unless ARB sold me the wrong ones.........The part number had an 'F' after it. I asked twice if this meant firm and the salesman said definitly not, it designates the comfort (soft shocks). Seemed strange to me but I checked it another ARB store and they confirmed it......