Info re suspension and lift kit....

[cliffo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cliffo]

Hi All,

I am looking to get a lift kit/new suspension for my 150 series Altitude. Having been to a few different places, I am getting a lot of information and not surprisingly, most of it's different with each pushing their own product.

I have sort of narrowed the search down to (ARB) Old Man Emu, TGM and Tough Dog - not much narrowing I know!

All are pretty much on par as far as price goes, but essentially I want something where comfort is not "hugely" compromised. I don't envisage (sigh) doing massive/heavy duty off road, but I do tow a van and would like the extra clearance.

I apologise if this sort of info is elsewhere, but I couldn't find it.

Anyone got any tips/info that they could share with me??

Thanks in advance.

Cliffo

[Guest Close Guest]

Cliffo,

There are lots of info in the 120 and 150 suspension section on Pradopoint. You will get many views on the subject but overall, you will find that a lot of owners are actually happy with their own choice of suspension. Hopefully with a bit more reading, you can see what brands people are happy to recommend and there are a couple of threads where people have found the suspension to have sagged or not performing as expected in a short period of time.

ARB certainly have a great dealer network to purchase from and they are usually good with warranty issues. You might find that Bilstein/Kings combos are quite popular.

Also have a loot at the suspension database where it has some characteristics of suspension components that you can compare, like spring lengths and weights, and shock open and close lengths. Unfortunately there are no data on damping rates.
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nsion-Database

[Trevc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Trevc]

Cliffo

I've a 150 VX and had OME shocks and springs installed with the lightest duty spring along with rear airbags.
I don't carry any payload on a day to day basis hence the lighter duty springs, however I still get around 35mm extra clearence from memory and the body roll is pretty much gone and comfort maintained.
We tow a KK from time to time so i had the airbags installed to help level the rear out.

Can't remember part numbers etc but could probably dig them out if you need them.

Trev

[vxcruiser08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vxcruiser08]

It does your head in, I've been researching this extensively for a few weeks. At the end of the day everyone has different experiences and all the products have their negatives and positives!

I had not actually spoken to Brendan at Ultimate Suspenion until today, he did my 200 series too. What can I say, I asked him about 20 questions via email and he answered each one in great detail. Honestly, you do not get this level of service and time from the other big guns in the industry.

So I have finalised my decision to go with Ultimate Suspnsion.

Also from past experiences of my own and from what I've read, they will always go out of their way for you if you have any issues.

Matt

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

It does your head in, I've been researching this extensively for a few weeks. At the end of the day everyone has different experiences and all the products have their negatives and positives!

I had not actually spoken to Brendan at Ultimate Suspenion until today, he did my 200 series too. What can I say, I asked him about 20 questions via email and he answered each one in great detail. Honestly, you do not get this level of service and time from the other big guns in the industry.

So I have finalised my decision to go with Ultimate Suspnsion.

Also from past experiences of my own and from what I've read, they will always go out of their way for you if you have any issues.

Matt

If I was not able to source suspension at discounted prices, was not a vehicle technician and didn't know which way to go, I would have maybe made the same decision.
I'm pretty sure ultimate are supplied their shocks & springs by Lovells.
Which I have not used but am told are very good, would be happy to use.

There are so many advantages and disadvantages of different brands its a hard decision.

I prefer Dobinsons, king or Lovells springs.
I prefer to use any shocks made by Monroe (eg; ome-Arb) or Powerdown (raw 4x4)
For he extra $$$ for billsteins or koni, I don't think it's worth it, especially after seeing failures and poor dampening at low kilometres on bills.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

It does your head in, I've been researching this extensively for a few weeks.

I'm with you on that one! As a Kakadu owner my choices are even more limited.

I'm about to have a 3rd attempt at fitting my winch which will obviously add some weight to the front, already have the steel bullbar on. AFAIK my springs and shocks/struts are all stock. The funny thing is this Kaka had an ARB bar and Mako winch installed by the previous owner (have a photo) but someone swapped them over for just the TJM bar prior to my ownership (suspect car yard, owner says it wasn't him). I'm surprised nothing was done to the suspension when the previous bar, etc was fitted.

[vxcruiser08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vxcruiser08]

I'm surprised too Fido...

When I added the winch to the front of my previous 200, it felt really unsafe. I think once you fit it you'll want the lift right away. Not just from sagging, more the handling. Even though the sagging can look a bit funny!

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

#############, interesting on springs, local 4wd bloke mentioned that he is just using Dobinsons or Lovells as he found Kings to be a bit inconsistent.
I have had good run with Bilsteins, but then I have only ever sourced them from Qadrant Suspension, 5 year 100000km warranty. Done 125000 in the Liberty and 140000in a Jackaroo. Koni`s were good too, just didn` last as long, needed a rebuilt after 80000km.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I think once you fit it you'll want the lift right away. Not just from sagging, more the handling. Even though the sagging can look a bit funny!

Well she does tend to bounce around a bit at the front, we have some killer speed humps in our street that showcase that. I've checked with the previous owner (he must be sick of my questions) and definitely no lift or harder springs were done at the time the bar and winch were fitted.

[pwop Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pwop]

I used Guess 4x4 - wonderful service and advice.