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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: V8ute on March 24, 2011, 08:15:25 PM

Title: Which Shockies??
Post by: V8ute on March 24, 2011, 08:15:25 PM

I am asking for some experienced based advice about shock absorbers as i have never had suspension work done on a 4by before.
As good suspension cost a bit and before i outlay any hard earned coin on this i am curious to see what other people have on there trucks, more so anybody who has done it on the current model cruiser utes, but all opinions are welcome!!

I have received some good options from quality brand name but i know jacks#!t about shocks.

 The choices are
Efs
Ironman foamcell
Rancho 9000xl adj
Boss adj
tough dog 40 mm or a little more for 45mm adj

I have opted for 3" lift 8) have the rest all sorted but Shocks.

Thanks in advance,

                     V8ute :cheers:

 
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Isuzumu on March 24, 2011, 08:27:05 PM
If you don't mind spending the money the Rancho 9000's are good value, have a set on the MU Wizard that have done 170 thousand K and still good. The other shocks I have are OME (Old Man Emu) also up in the price range but are going great on the MU,now done around 70 thousand K.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Teabag on March 24, 2011, 08:30:14 PM
Check out KONI, IMO the best shocks around and re-build able. ;D
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Black Diamond on March 24, 2011, 08:40:36 PM
Bilstein or Koni's if you want the best. :cup:
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: jk on March 24, 2011, 08:52:37 PM
We've been running EFS springs and shockies for about 7 or more years, done plenty of work ( Carnarvon, Cape York, Beach Work and Highway etc ) and never had any issues at all, no leaks, worn bushes or failures.


Very happy with the quality and reliability.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: JCOJ on March 24, 2011, 08:59:11 PM
I have the  Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks and am very happy with them.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: darren on March 25, 2011, 03:15:05 AM
Ultimate. Rebuildable, can have the valving changed, 140 bucks each
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Sharky on March 25, 2011, 07:58:56 AM
I'm running Ironman Foamcell shocks on Ironman springs - very happy after 80,000km.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: SKEMPIE on March 25, 2011, 08:08:12 AM
A vote for tuff dog here have changed over from Old man emu( monroe ).
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: D4D on March 25, 2011, 08:15:54 AM
I'd go EFS if price sensitive or Koni if not price sensitive.

Although it is more important to match the shocks to your springs than to worry about the brand.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: discoteddy on March 25, 2011, 10:13:40 AM
Im with Darren, have alook at the Ultimates (Ultimate Suspension). Rebuildable, they valve them to your car setup, and the service is top notch! :cup:


Had Iron Man for 12 months and suffered front strut failure and a rear shock collapsed and the bushes failed twice in twelve months >:( >:(. Just my experience though.


Cheers,

Disco.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: GU Rich on March 25, 2011, 10:21:26 AM
Im with Darren, have alook at the Ultimates (Ultimate Suspension). Rebuildable, they valve them to your car setup, and the service is top notch! :cup:


Had Iron Man for 12 months and suffered front strut failure and a rear shock collapsed and the bushes failed twice in twelve months >:( >:(. Just my experience though.


Cheers,

Disco.

I agree with the Ironman, I had one seize and one leak after 19k.

I have RidePro now and I'm very happy with them so far.

Rich
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Red Dog 4x4 on March 25, 2011, 10:30:29 AM
If you look at EFS, and are going to fit a 3'' kit have a look at the extremes. Now comes the interesting part if you ring EFS most places will tell you thay don't do them for your vehicle but, the V8 cruisers run the same shocks as a patrol, so look for the 4" Extremes for a patrol bit extra wheel travel and a big bore shock.

Red Dog
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Beachman on March 25, 2011, 12:25:59 PM
With my last 4WD I went EFS and was very happy with the price, service and performance of the shocks. They were one of the few companies that gave correct information when getting quotes, so that’s why they got my business.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Gunna Do on March 25, 2011, 12:44:44 PM
I've got Ultimate shocks all round and so far they have been good.

Great to deal with over the phone, can be valved to suit your requirements or likings, rebuildable, reasonably priced, and prompt delivery.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: MarkGU on March 25, 2011, 12:47:00 PM
I have the  Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks and am very happy with them.
x 2   :cup:
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: shanegtr on March 26, 2011, 11:26:12 AM
If you look at EFS, and are going to fit a 3'' kit have a look at the extremes. Now comes the interesting part if you ring EFS most places will tell you thay don't do them for your vehicle but, the V8 cruisers run the same shocks as a patrol, so look for the 4" Extremes for a patrol bit extra wheel travel and a big bore shock.

Red Dog
Im currently running EFS extreme and the build quality of the shock is there, but to me the valving of the shock is very ordinary - enough to turn me away from EFS products
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: kiwipete on March 26, 2011, 02:22:00 PM
RidePro took me into the Simpson and up the HayRiver and I was packed to 2.8Tonne and not a problem bloody nice shocks...
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: time on March 26, 2011, 02:56:34 PM
RidePro took me into the Simpson and up the HayRiver and I was packed to 2.8Tonne and not a problem bloody nice shocks...

Yep, I run Ridepro shocks and springs on a GU IV Patrol, 70mm lift, works fine for me, over 30,000 ks of rought (CSR etc) driving.  Have had Koni in the past on a Hilux, they also seemed to work OK, but for the $s I would go Ridepro again.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: jeeps on March 27, 2011, 01:49:19 PM
I've got the Rancho adjustables. I think they are a great shock for lighter vehicles such as my less than 2 tonne jeep but i'm not sure about heavy land barges. I've had them in since 2004 (60,000 or more klm) without issues. The first time my wife and i hit some bad dirt roads & corrugations, on roads we had travelled before with the stock shocks, she turned to me and said "Ok, they were worth it!"  :cup:  About 2 years back i fitted the in-cab kit & compressor system. Here's a pic of the incab kit located at the bottom of the pic next to the gear knob:

(http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp300/jeeps_photo/sony01.jpg)

The difference in ride from setting 0 up to 9 is highly noticeable and because i have the in-cab kit i adjust them reguarly at will, and usually half a dozen times per trip as the road conditions change.

cheers
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Foo on March 27, 2011, 02:20:48 PM
I've had EFS Elite for 4yrs now on my Patrol and am happy. The only thing I would do different would be go a heavier spring rate for the towing side, which was not asked for when ordered by my Boss of the time.  :) Got a little bit of sag in the rear end now but still works well.

Would I buy another set, certainly would. ;D
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: V8ute on March 29, 2011, 05:46:20 PM
Well guys the decision has been made  ;D
Thank you for all opinions, the only way to find out is ask others who have been there and done it :cheers: :cheers:
I opted to go Toughdog 45mm adjustables, 3" lift, 300 kg rear springs, Firestone airbags(for the extra load times), greasable shackles and all new bushes.
All booked in and happening in 3 weeks. 8)

   Now to save for F&R air lockers.

    Thanks Guys,
                  V8ute :cheers:
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: craigtempo on March 29, 2011, 07:03:48 PM
I have the  Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks and am very happy with them.

x 3

craig
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: DAZnBEC on March 29, 2011, 08:44:11 PM
Good to hear Simon, is John looking after you price wise?
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: JAV6 on March 29, 2011, 08:51:54 PM
In my opinion OME and Koni.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: V8ute on March 30, 2011, 05:04:50 AM
Good to hear Simon, is John looking after you price wise?
Hey Daz,
           John has been really helpful, The price seems to be pretty good, I am getting more gear for less coin than some of the other quotes i got.
He sounds like he knows his Shit, and his customer feedback seems all good.
Looking forward to getting out and seeing the difference.
       Cheers,
                V8ute :cheers:
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Redback on March 30, 2011, 06:52:58 AM
My opinion is Koni or Bilstein, if you want a good comfortable ride, personally I think Ultimates (Red Riders) are the worst shock on the market >:D

Dobinsons are a good shock and rebuildable, good value too, a mate of mine has them on his 79 Series V8 ute, it rides very nice.

Baz.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: darren on March 30, 2011, 07:01:08 AM
My opinion is Koni or Bilstein, if you want a good comfortable ride, personally I think Ultimates (Red Riders) are the worst shock on the market >:D


Baz.

 They are made by Gabriel.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Gunna Do on March 30, 2011, 07:06:39 AM
My opinion is Koni or Bilstein, if you want a good comfortable ride, personally I think Ultimates (Red Riders) are the worst shock on the market >:D

Dobinsons are a good shock and rebuildable, good value too, a mate of mine has them on his 79 Series V8 ute, it rides very nice.

Baz.

Baz, do you mean Gabrial Red Ryder Shocks?  I googled Ultimate Red Rider shocks and it pointed me to Gabrial.  Any clues?

I run Dobinson shocks on my 60 Series Cruiser and had a good run out of them as well.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Teabag on March 30, 2011, 07:13:30 AM
Would never touch OME ever again, even if they where free.....IMO, OME = POO..... ;D
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: ddr on March 30, 2011, 07:26:01 AM
Koni 90 Series Raid.  Awesome shocks for when your carrying weight.

In our recent trip after 1.5 hours of corrugations we compared my shock heat to Lost's, mine were quite warm but you could still hold them, lost's you couldn't put your hand even close.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: Redback on March 30, 2011, 07:35:04 AM
Baz, do you mean Gabrial Red Ryder Shocks?  I googled Ultimate Red Rider shocks and it pointed me to Gabrial.  Any clues?

I run Dobinson shocks on my 60 Series Cruiser and had a good run out of them as well.

Yes Gabrial Red Riders, I have a set of rear Ultimates sitting in the garage, they rebuilt them after setting the valving wrong, I had them reset the valving to 400 compression and 100 rebound, they set them to 275 rebound and 140 compression, Ken reckoned this would be ideal for our car >:D might as well have stuck fence posts under the car >:D

I put my old Bilsteins back in the rear and what a difference, back was the smooth ride and correct valving.

I wasn't impressed at all and told them so, which didn't go over to well, especially as I had them done for the Gulf trip >:D >:D >:D

I still have Ultimates in the front, worst ride I have ever had in the car.

I will be getting rid of them very soon and replacing them with Bilsteins.

Land Rover specialist my arse >:D

Baz.
Title: Re: Which Shockies??
Post by: DAZnBEC on March 30, 2011, 12:41:34 PM
Good to hear Simon, post some before and after shots when its done.

Daz