Outer Limits 4x4 Board

G'day, Does anyone here have some of these, or know someone who does? Thinking about getting some for my '89 widetrack, Ruf with 2inch lifted springs, running 30x9.5R15's on -15 15x7rims. Basically wondering how they'll go with my setup and if the twisting of the spring and shackle will affect steering at full lock, or if theres anything else to watch out for and mainly if there any good. http://www.superiorengineering.com.au/shackles.htm
Thanks
Emu

I am not a big fan of any sort of drop, folding or "wacky" shackle. Generally, they involve a lot more work than they look like needing and they have some nasty side effects.

You will need longer shocks to get anything out of them. This will require cutting and welding of the shock mounts and careful choice of shock to not harm the ride/handling. Also factor in brake lines, and possible driveshaft effects (particularly on the front)

They do nothing to improve ride. the biggest cause of 'orrible ride in sierras is a very short front spring. This has a high resonant frequency- so tends to be "choppy" at the best of times.

The may acually mean you have to decrease tyre size, or do more work to open the guards up. (this is true of any method to increase articulation) once you can droop a wheel right down, you need to be aware that that means that the compressed wheel is getting higher up into the guard. Take this into account when figuring out how much more articulation you can add without a whole lot more work.

when drooped, the unfolded front shackle limits approach angle, and they end up being "overloaded" and damaged when jammed into stuff once opened up. I wouldn't recommend them at all on the front.

they have a habit of unfolding when the car is on side angles or has a wheel in the air. rears can even unfold on steep descents, which will feel really uncomforatable. Sometimes poeple leave them locked shut under these circumstances but I reckon if a mod makes the car worse some of the time off road it is pretty useless- we all spend as much time descending as climbing off road.

when they are unfolded and power is applied, remember the spring now has no control over wheel position, so you tend to get a lot of awkward bouncing about and clacking as they flap about, especially if the car has soft shocks fitted.

If you are investing in 4 longer shocks and the cutting welding and fab to fit them, don't stuff around, go RUF and get the travel along with improved ride and more firewall clearance. dont worry about the back, with the 4" of extra droop inthe front you won't really feel lik you need much more travel, and back having less travel than the front makes the back hook up really well and keeps front wheels on the ground.

sorry for the rant

Steve.

give mick a call, hell be very honest with you about them. give him a call, its worth it.

Sounds like Mr Emu has RUF already.

I haven't used the superior shackles myself, i have however used some scissor type shackles. Mr Gwagensteve has seen these in action.

These were/still are in my red sierra. Originally installed due to the lack of time to install the hilux springs on the shackle mounts that i put on the car too far forward. The "whacky" shackles effectively gained me around 2 inches of spring length and saved me from inverting shackles for a weekend trip.

The front end of the car did have great flex, however the suspension was continually loaded and unloaded. Being that i have MQ diffs i'm not too worried about busting CV's when this happens. With a sierra CV this may be an issue.

What you really need to work out is how much flex you need to wheel the car in real life situations, by that i mean in the bush and not on an RTI ramp.

If you're running 30" tyres i don't think you're doing the mega hard stuff yet, perhaps you should look at upgraging something else that will provide you with greater benifits? Maybe a locker if you don't have one already??

James

BTW from what i hear, Superior Engineering are quite open to the fact and also notify people that their shackles are not intended as a straight bolt on part. I believe that they do advise people that you need to modify/install other components to get the most out of their product.

These may include, trac bar, limiting strap, shocks etc etc.

I have dealt with Superior with Hilux parts and have found them to provide a quality service and quality parts. Maybe give them a call and talk to them before you make up your mind.

Thanks for the input, always good to hear what other peoples opinions are! Will definatly give this a bit more thought and give the boys at superior a call. Cheers
Emu

i wouldnt suggest superiors on the front. its looks like an insane amount of travel/flex steer wich would make steering where u want a hard task.

due to the light weight of the zooks, they dont work 100%. however once
bigger tyres, heavier wheels etc the seem to open up better, since they are mde to provide droop not lift to make all 4 touch the ground adding to
stability.

u dont need all that jazz to make it work either. mick offers kits with ladderbars, shocks, mounts etc if u want to take ur car further
>>>THEY ARE NOT "MUST HAVE ITEMS"<<< as far as i no but i am not
an authorized distributer or technical dude just info i piece together thru
observations of customers rigs.

my personnal preferance would be scissor shackle the front and superior droppies for the back.

i engineered my own but i dont drive on the road much

just had a quick look at the site where it states diffrent makes and modles under Any modifications needed? it states "Suzuki Sierra Fit on front and rear with no modifications."

Spartacus wrote: since they are mde to provide droop not lift to make all 4 touch the ground adding to
stability.

Sorry Spartacus, I don't see where you are heading with this.
Peter

dont worry droopy, he is saying almost word for word what michael from superior has told spartacus and myself. he thinks that suzukis are to light to take advantage of the folding shackles.

i dunno, mull is just strange

if your in vic i know the only victorian supplier for superior engineering and they are good shackles he runs them on the front of his 45 tray if u want a decent price pm me and i will give you his number