What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Ok, as you can see from my signature I have pretty much done everything I need to do to start my Australian Touring trips (the first of which will be the Simpson next year followed by the Cape the year after). There's an Airtec Snorkel coming soon and the last bit to do is suspension and lift.

So as far as I can see there's the OME options offered by ARB and the XGS options offered by TJM, but there's obviously a LOT of other options that may be as good and possibly better value.

Whatever it is I need something bloody good, because I am a mechanical "philistine" and will be relying on everything to be strong and staying together (hopefully I know there's no guarantees) whilst I am away.

Most of you guys know far far more about 4WD's that I'll ever know, so whilst realising that it's bit like the old "Micky Thomson-Cooper-BFG" debate ( I went for BFG as you can see) it will still be helpful as to what I do.

By the way I am NOT towing anything (yet) we may progress to a camper in a year or two (doubtful I'd tow a camper to Cape York), and there's just the trouble and strife and me, the billy lids are well and truly gone (they have their own....billy lids...these days).

So over to you guys for comments

[al_brisvegas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close al_brisvegas]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Hi Mark,

Can't offer an opinion yet, but I am to looking at the last bit on my 150 - ARB v's TJM. So just jumping on the thread to see what the other guys say.
I tow a Jayco Outback every 6 weeks or so, so am looking at a moderate spring and will use Poly airs to pump up when towing. Pricewise TJM come in about $200 cheaper, most of this is labour, I guess they work a little slower at ARB.

I have heard through other mates complaints of ARB stuff sagging after a couple of years. A mate with a Pajero had pedders setup which snapped crossing the Simpson last year and pierced his Polyairs. He has since put OME on, and reckons it starting to sag a bit after a year. He doesn't tow anything anymore so a little disappointed.

Cheers.

[lissted Member Find all posts View Profile Close lissted]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

If you want the best then Bilstein shocks and King springs (or EFS, these are king springs just painted black). ARB and TJM won't mention these as they don't sell them. Speak to suspension specialists who sell a range of brands and ask them. Both Bilstein and Koni (which are good also) can be rebuilt if you have to down the track and doesn't cost that much to do.
Peter

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

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

(or EFS, these are king springs just painted black)

Bzzzt

Kings are Kings http://www.kingsprings.com.au/
EFS are Carrolls http://www.carrolls.com.au

[lissted Member Find all posts View Profile Close lissted]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Bzzzzt
EFS springs are Carrolls which are Kings. I know the guy who worked for Carrolls development for years.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Thanks guys have heard only good things about Bilsteins, what about these Polyair Bags....do I have them as well as upgraded Shocks and Springs??

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Thanks guys have heard only good things about Bilsteins, what about these Polyair Bags....do I have them as well as upgraded Shocks and Springs??

i wouldn't bother with the polyairs - only worry about them when you start towing and even then only if you need them.

[Strider Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strider]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Thanks guys have heard only good things about Bilsteins, what about these Polyair Bags....do I have them as well as upgraded Shocks and Springs??

I have had Polyair Bags and they are excellent for handling extra load from towing and or loading vehicle without affecting the unladen ride. If you are upgrading your suspension they should be installed for no extra cost if done at the same time or $150-$200 later on.

My thoughts
Alan

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Mmm...one said don't bother...one said get them done at the same time...decisions decisions??

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

I went the Polyair bags first up only thinking that I will not do suspension straight away however a steel bar, winch, dual battery kit and roller draws added to my VX have changed my mind and I have the XGS gear going in a few weeks time. I have to add spacers to my Polyairs to suit the raised height kit but.

I tow a heavy duty off road camper trailer and the weight in the rear of the wagon and with the camper I decided to add the bags, my reason was I wanted a lighter weight coil in the rear so I have good comfort for around town but the ability to tow a greater load without compromising ride and height when towing. Even though I did this back to front - bags first then suspension I would still add the bags if I planned to tow later on down the track.

[Magiver70 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Magiver70]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Hello,
First a question to Peter (lissted) about the bilsteins, are they genuine for the 150 as I have been told there is not one available for the front as yet but you can fit the 120 front strut with a 3mm spacer on the lower mounting bolt as the lower bush is longer on the 150 over the 120?
After 2 past bad exeriance I am staying away from ARB and am building my own rig up in quick time for a big trip, so far tough dog or iron man are the only other ones that can supply a front strut with the correct length lower bush for the mounting bolt to go through, has any one fitted a tough dog kit? I am booked in to get fitted friday this week so I'll post photo's and comments if it goes ahead unless someone scares me off.

Regards
James

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

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Hello,
First a question to Peter (lissted) about the bilsteins, are they genuine for the 150 as I have been told there is not one available for the front as yet but you can fit the 120 front strut with a 3mm spacer on the lower mounting bolt as the lower bush is longer on the 150 over the 120?
After 2 past bad exeriance I am staying away from ARB and am building my own rig up in quick time for a big trip, so far tough dog or iron man are the only other ones that can supply a front strut with the correct length lower bush for the mounting bolt to go through, has any one fitted a tough dog kit? I am booked in to get fitted friday this week so I'll post photo's and comments if it goes ahead unless someone scares me off.

Regards
James

What was your bad experiences with ARB???

[lissted Member Find all posts View Profile Close lissted]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Hello,
First a question to Peter (lissted) about the bilsteins, are they genuine for the 150 as I have been told there is not one available for the front as yet but you can fit the 120 front strut with a 3mm spacer on the lower mounting bolt as the lower bush is longer on the 150 over the 120?
After 2 past bad exeriance I am staying away from ARB and am building my own rig up in quick time for a big trip, so far tough dog or iron man are the only other ones that can supply a front strut with the correct length lower bush for the mounting bolt to go through, has any one fitted a tough dog kit? I am booked in to get fitted friday this week so I'll post photo's and comments if it goes ahead unless someone scares me off.

Regards
James

Hi James
This is correct, the front struts were 120 not 150's as they haven't been released. There was no difference in them to worry about. From memory they were 5mm longer overall. It all just bolted up. The rear upper bush was different on the 150 to the 120 shock. We just used the original bush from the shock on the top of the new shock.
Peter

[Magiver70 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Magiver70]

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Hi Hutch,
The bad experiance was over two cars and similar in both circumstances, especially on the last truck which was a 100series turbo diesel fully dressed, the main issue was the shocks being two soft and fading really fast on dirt roads and the rear coils sagged out very quickly, and when asked about it they didn't /wouldn't come up with any solutions.

Regards
James

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

Re: What suspension and lift to go for on the 150???

Hi Hutch,
The bad experiance was over two cars and similar in both circumstances, especially on the last truck which was a 100series turbo diesel fully dressed, the main issue was the shocks being two soft and fading really fast on dirt roads and the rear coils sagged out very quickly, and when asked about it they didn't /wouldn't come up with any solutions.

Regards
James

Hey James,

I have to say i understand your softeness issues as my Jeep was the same up front, i never had any sagging though.
The new sport shocks however seem very different to the old OME's, definately no softness!!