So ive been very tardy but finally got around to installing my front struts today. Have been driving on the rears for a few months and was amazed how that tightened up the rear end. Of course, i knew from many test drives with Mark what his suspension can do, and also that i would not have attempted the type of driving i did this afternoon for my test drive, unless i had seen Mark drive like that first. Its a nice feeling when its finally mine ;-)
For comparison, originally i ran a Caloffroad Bilstein setup (24-218528 /1478 LT). The 555mm struts didnt last long and i killed one, presumably and based on pulling it apart and inspecting the destroyed open bump stop, from too much topping out. I replaced them with Bilstein 24-173032 - these had a heavier valving and heavy duty body for a P150. They were considerably stiffer, and offroad i could handle obstacles at approximately twice the speed of the 24-218528 - presumably due to the longer open length (575 mm) and valving. I considered that setup (Bilstein 24-173032 / 1478 LT) the best Bilsteins for my setup - an offroad orientated FJ maxed out on its GVM, and was very happy how they performed..... until a few hours into the Simpson desert and the rear shocks fading.... and vehicle pitching and bucking at any speed above 20 km/hr for the next 500 kms ;-(.
The custom valved Ironmans are in a totally different class in terms of handling obstacles and managing body motion. I did my test route with the old setup, and a few obstacles totally mucked with the vehicles handling..... a sharp 90 deg set of traffic islands I sailed over... on the Bilsteins they thudded and bounced over i had to brake almost to a stop to disperse the body modes. The Ironmans.... what traffic islands. My son sitting next to me even took the brace position when he saw what i was going to attempt. I dare say i could have driven faster.. Mark would have.... but i didnt want to. At the end he was laughing with me at the gutters, traffic islands and speed humps consumed.
All in good time for the High Country opening in a few weeks ;-).
If anyone in Melbourne is sitting on the fence before the group buy ends, and is willing to come to deep S/E Melbs for a test run, get in touch with Mark and he can supply my details.
Somehow i double posted. Ill add that I had to collect some Foamcell material for analysis from Kristian this week (the Ironman shock product manager), and was really surprised to know the volume of shocks Ironman are doing. He said around 10,000 shocks / month (worldwide).
The Ironman Foamcell Pro group buy has now closed for business!
It has been an epic 4.5month long group buy, which by the end will have re-valved 48 vehicles, including x13 FJ Cruisers, x14 120 series Prados, x19 150 series Prados, a Lexus GX460, and even a 105 series Landcruiser! Suspension was sent out to every state and territory in Australia except Tasmania, and even a Texan was thrown into the mix who successfully attempted the re-valving himself following my re-valving tutorial.
There are a few thank you cards that need sending out!
First of all a group buy like this can’t happen without Pradopoint administration being on board, so big thanks fellas for enabling a lot of people to get great suspension on their vehicles!
I couldn’t have achieved these great valving curves without the assistance of Ironman. I can’t say enough about how enthusiastic and helpful their shock builder Kristian is, and we’re still working on projects for the future! Thanks also to Brendan who has also been up to his armpits in oil testing different stacks! Top work from everyone involved at Ironman!
I also couldn’t do this group buy without an Ironman distributor. My good mate John from Zordos Suspension stepped up and went out of his way to help me out, and has been there every step of the way building struts, ordering stock, driving around, and packing up boxes. John has also sadly finished up being an Ironman distributor today in fact after 25 years! At least you went out with a bang mate!
To every Pradopoint and FJCC member who has participated in the group buy, huge thank you one and all for taking part, and I know you will all enjoy this suspension out in our great 4wd playground! I really enjoy reading your trip reports and your feedback on how the suspension is going, so keep it coming! Well done to all of you!
I’d also like to emphasise to all the group buy members that every component in your struts and shocks is rebuildable, serviceable and available from Ironman and their distribution network throughout Australia. This network is also rapidly growing!
For those Pradopoint members who are still interested in trying this custom Ironman setup, even though the group buy is now closed I will still be here in the future, and I am hoping to come to a new arrangement with another Ironman distributor to allow me to keep re-valving. You also have the option to send me your Ironman Foamcell Pro struts and shocks and I can re-valve them for you, however I will be charging for my re-valving services.
Lastly I want to thank my extremely patient wife who has also been covered in oil for the past 4.5 months, helping out every step of the way and enduring all of the ups and downs with me in our little oily abode!
I hope you all enjoy the benefits of my research and development, get out there into the rough stuff and enjoy your suspension!!
Best from the Bris
Mark
2006 GXL petrol auto. ARB deluxe bar x3 HID IPF's, ARB alloy roofrack, ARB awning, BFG A/T, Safari snorkel, Piranha breathers, Pacemaker extractors, custom Ironman 45710FE 436-569mm with Dobinsons 350, custom Ironman 45682FE 383-618mm with Dobinsons 487, Firestone kevlar 60psi airbags, 30mm extended Roadsafe links, AMTS bashplate and recovery points, ABR Flyer with Powersonic AGM.
Now we're talking, a RZ party! I'd definitely like to celebrate the end of the group buy, it has been hard on my arms...I might have just enough power left in them to sip on a few RZ's!!!
2006 GXL petrol auto. ARB deluxe bar x3 HID IPF's, ARB alloy roofrack, ARB awning, BFG A/T, Safari snorkel, Piranha breathers, Pacemaker extractors, custom Ironman 45710FE 436-569mm with Dobinsons 350, custom Ironman 45682FE 383-618mm with Dobinsons 487, Firestone kevlar 60psi airbags, 30mm extended Roadsafe links, AMTS bashplate and recovery points, ABR Flyer with Powersonic AGM.
Comment