Suspension upgrade

[Arri]

I have seen many threads on suspension upgrade old man emu, tjm etc. I would like to hear your opinion on 2X4 suspension upgrades for better onroad handling and ride. Mikem suspension offers some nice bilstein gas shocs and camil is a local product with coil springs available, there's also loadhog leaf spring supports and superspring leafspring supports. What do you reccomend? Regards Arri.

[Dadz Toy BFI]

Arno I'm afraid it really comes down to:

how deep are your pockets:

Not too shallow: Mikem
Quite deep: Iron Man
Cavernous : OME Aussy iron

All three products are pretty much on par, only the self imposed prestige that divides them mos

[Arri]

Thanks for the info, I like ome, But the thing that I'm pondering about is that it may be overkill to fit such great offroad suspension on a 2x4 that stays onroad most of the time...I like Miken too, Ironman ans tjm seems to be the same as ome just different brands.....

[OOOOMS]

Ironman and OME are both Auz products, OME was owned by 2 brothers. And then split.

In my opinion they are pretty much the same. Accept OME do far better marketing! Ironman is much cheaper.

Your 4x2 will also gain a lot handling with fitting suspension on-road.

[Arri]

Thanks Ooms

I have experience with ome's on a landy, they do the job well especialy when driving on those corrugated dirt roads. I've been browzing through arb's catalogue and they have some amazing ome upgrades for hilux. But in my case I am looking for an onroad upgrade tha will increase ride comfort and handling on tar.....I will speak to the guys at Miken and hear what they suggest. The camils are cheap and claim to do what I'm looking for, but because they are half the price of the big brands, I am little cautious about fitting them.....

Regards Arri

[Arri]

I've recieved some quotes from the guys.....and they are all competetively priced give and take a hundred......

OME suggests replacing rear shocks and front struts and rear shocks

Mikem suggest changin leaf springs for: LEAF SPRINGS COMFORT RIDE +30MM
GREASABLE SHACKLES POLYURETHANE BUSH KIT EXTENDED U-BOLT KIT

and camel suggest changing all 4 shocks for camil shocks.......

[Ruger]

Hi Arrie

I had TJM XGS's (shocks only) fitted on my Hilux 2X4. Great improvement in ride quality. Handling and road holding on tar and dirt roads extremely good. I am impressed. I can recommend TJM.

Regards
Andre Janse van Rensburg

[legend35]

I agree with the (shocks only).To change the springs wont give you a big improvement.
m2cw

[ravenvonmolendorff]

Hello Arno , i promise you , you wont go wrong with Mikem suspension , that was the best money ever spend for my lux

[Arri]

Okay, so here are the options and recommendations I have recieved from some of the popular fitment agents:

Mikem

LEAF SPRINGS COMFORT RIDE +30MM 2 1,800.00

GREASABLE SHACKLES 2 350.00
POLYURETHANE BUSH KIT 12 25.00

EXTENDED U-BOLT KIT 4 350.00

FITMENT COSTS 1 500.00

R 7,410.00

Camil:
1) Camil front per pair R 3850.00 + VAT

2) Camil rear per pair R 3150.00 + VAT

3) Fitment excluding alignment. R 400.00

Old man emu:
2 x front struts – R2366.00 each vat incl

2 x rear shocks – R1315.00 each vat incl

1 x fitment – R540.00 vat incl

1 x wheel alignment – R190.00 vat incl

Ironman:
I would recommend the Performance Nitro Gas suspension. It is designed for every day driving aswell as the odd occation away.
The springs will carry an extra 0-200KG of weight.
The kit sells for R 12 495-00 incl VAT. The kit consist of 4 Nitro Gas shocks, Front coils, Rear Springs, U-Bolts, Polyurethane bushes.

I'm still making up my mind........

[Mud Dog]

Considering that this is not an off-road vehicle and that you're looking for better road holding and more comfort, consider the following.

The replacement of springs will help, but it's not going to make a dynamic difference, except maybe the front ones. Ride comfort is 80% dependant on the front suspension, not so much the rear. Road holding is also more dependant on thre front suspension.

It makes more sense to me to just do the shocks, but if you have the extra moola do the front springs as well. Personally I'm an OME fan, but Ironman and Mikem are also OK. I have'nt heard any stories singing the praises of Camil stuff, actually more the opposite, so I would give them a miss.

I hope this helps to make a better choice to suit your needs.

[Arri]

Thanks for the info. I am thinking along the same line, currently considering Oldman Emu or Ironman shocks and front springs......

[Arri]

Some more Old Man Emu suggestions I have recieved:

SUPPLY & FIT OME SUSPENSION
FRONT
OME883 Hilux Coils Front L/Duty 2.00 2,677.90
OMEN167S Hilux Vigo Shock Strut Front H/Duty 2.00 4,433.90
ESTIMATED LIFT +/- 50mm
REAR
OMECS044R Hilux Vigo Leaf Spring 2.00 4,594.30
OMEN168 Hilux Vigo Shock Rear Nitrocharger 2.00 2,631.90
OMESB98 Hilux Vigo Spring Bush Kit 2.00 Each 725.90
ESTIMATED LIFT +/- 50mm
FIN145 Workshop Consumables 1.00 100.00
LABOUR Workshop Labour 4.00 Hour 1,120.00

[Family_Dog]

Arri,

Have you asked for a quote from Louis at 4x4MW Menlyn? He offers special pricing for Hilux Forum members.


-F_D

[Arri]

Thanks I will if I make up mind as to what I am going to fit, At this side I am considering Ironman kit that seems to be a good balance between quality and value for money. I have not recieved a quote from the tjm suppliers as yet but I believe they will be more or less the same.

[Arri]

TJM.......

Thanks for your enquiry.

I would recommend a set of TJM XGS shocks if you are not carrying heavy loads.
The price fitted would be about R8500 for the shocks only.

[pompy]

I have now covered 110 000kms and am going to fit new shocks soon. I have decided on Monroe 4x4's as I will have covered 200 000kms before the end of this year and then need to trade on a new 3.0. I'm sure they'll do the job well enough - 95% highway and the rest farm roads.