What Should I be Comparing

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

My fellow PPers, I am swinging into full research mode and have started to put together a clever spreadsheet to compare my suspension options. I'm pricing up a 2" lift from the main players, including ARB/OME, TJM, EFS, Ironman, Dobinsons, Lovells and King/Bilstein.


I'm seeking input into what exactly I should be comparing. So far, I have the obvious: Price and Warranty. What else should I use to come to a sound decision? Piston Diameter? Body Diameter? Spring Colour?

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

You will get pretty much a different opinion from everybody on this. For me it came down to being proven, AU wide warranty/support and buying a matched kit. I fitted OME (non-sport) 7 years ago. Other than the shocks being soft now, the coils are only a few mm lower than when they were fitted. I am planning on swapping out the shocks and replacing with OME Sport when I get around to it. The new bypass shocks look interesting but they're not proven yet.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

I figured I would. - I have now included a "good Feeling" column,which encompasses reputation, recommendations, etc.

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

can the shocks be rebuilt might be a consideration, how much? is it worth doing?
perhaps someone might be able to comment if this is worthwhile considering.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Good feeling column...... conjurs up all sorts of images.

Can I suggest you mention if you're ok with a firm ride / soft ride. Yes being serious, no reference to the first sentence.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Aftermarket suspension with a happy ending. Now there's something new.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Good thread Spilsy! Id be interested to know myself.
It'll probably be a big personal preference thing in the end i would imagine though.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

Im using work's standard 40% weighting for price. I am then dividing the remaining 60% into all my other columns - This is what I have so far.



Ignore the TJM Price, I am yet to hear back from them so have thrown in a dummy number for now.
Does anyone know the warranty period on Bilstein Shocks? One website said 1 yr/20,000km, another said unlimited...

[Guest Close Guest]

Can get King/Bilstein cheaper for you if you like.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I always factor in Australian Made when making purchases. And Like D4D said, reputation, nationwide support, having a warranty is different to standing by a warranty. R&D, have they done much / any, or just made a set of shocks and springs that fit and said good enough? All reasons I am running the old Man Emu.

Cheers Andrew

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

What Should I be Comparing

I always factor in Australian Made when making purchases. And Like D4D said, reputation, nationwide support, having a warranty is different to standing by a warranty. R&D, have they done much / any, or just made a set of shocks and springs that fit and said good enough? All reasons I am running the old Man Emu.

Cheers Andrew

This is why I chose old man emu originally , because I didn't know a lot about suspension so chose a reputable brand , but because of their lack of standing by their warranty and lack of support & interest in solving an obvious problem, this is why I will never buy or recommend this brand again . I'm sure there are great stories out there about this product . This may be just a OLD thing & my experience
Cheers Matt

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

I had another reason to choose my suspension. When I did the research a few years ago, ARB were the only company that would put in writing that they had tested their suspension and that it would not adversely effect the VSC. It is a Vicroads requirement that when modifying a vehicle fitted with VSC that you do not adversely effect the VSC operation. A lot of folks don't worry about modification laws, however I am a conservative old fart and had no wish to give my insurance company an excuse to not payout on any claim. Oh, and another reason was a friend had another brand of suspension and went around a corner and his 150 just wanted to go in the opposite direction to where he was steering. Dunno what caused it but I have my suspicions
Cheers......Wayne

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

Can get King/Bilstein cheaper for you if you like.

Thanks for the offer. Same price as the group buy?

My problem is getting them installed. I want to get this covered through my lease so I'll likely need them to be installed by a someone who does suspension.

[Guest Close Guest]

Thanks for the offer. Same price as the group buy?

Yes

My problem is getting them installed. I want to get this covered through my lease so I'll likely need them to be installed by a someone who does suspension.

Fair enough.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

I don't think I could submit a reimbursement claim for a slab of beers/ciders for my mechanic mate to do the install.