What suspension upgrade next?

[Jackal]

Front: I recently fitted OME shocks and torsion bars on the front of my bakkie and its been the best money I've spent on my bakkie so far, its like driving a new bakkie and off-road and dune performance is incredible. I considered just going spacers for lift but with my heavy ARB bumper decided on torsion bars. Next I'm thinking of fitting sway bar disconnects to improve articulation, is it worth it?

Rear: My rear is still running the standard leafs, cheap Monroe Shocks and Firestone air suspension (which I pump when loaded and deflate when doing grade 4's). Full OME at the rear is going to cost about R10,000 and because I have the air suspension I'm thinking to leave the blades, just replace the shocks with longer OME ones for more travel and maybe do some kind of mod with spacers or extended shackles to try and get some better articulation and lift the rear without my air suspension pumped up.

My biggest issue right now is my front and rear wheels lifting high off the ground on tough obstacles on grade 4 trails. Any advice?

[4x4Maniac]

Also did the front with OME torsions and made a huge difference, I couldn't believe the difference... I'm doing the OME leafs this weekend 8 blades but removing the one until loaded with the canopy... It depends on if you will be carrying a permanent load. My personal preference would be to go for the leafs of OME as well...m2cw

[Tjokkie]

Then Mikem with 100mm travel will definitely not suit!!

Try EFS...

[GeorgeJvR]

I need longer shocks for the rear as i have a blade added and don't have much travel left downwards

[Jackal]

Also did the front with OME torsions and made a huge difference, I couldn't believe the difference... I'm doing the OME leafs this weekend 8 blades but removing the one until loaded with the canopy... It depends on if you will be carrying a permanent load. My personal preference would be to go for the leafs of OME as well...m2cw

I agree its first prize to get the full OME but its just a lot of money! How much are you paying for your upgrade if you don't mind me asking?

[WayneSchalk]

I need longer shocks for the rear as i have a blade added and don't have much travel left downwards

I put in Gabriel Safari HDP to get more travel, in my mind also a good improvement. Im just not sold on spending that ammout OME will cost you. 4 HDP's cost R3800.00

[4x4Maniac]

I agree its first prize to get the full OME but its just a lot of money! How much are you paying for your upgrade if you don't mind me asking?

I know it is expensive, but well worth it. Not sure what the normal prices are. I paid +-R3500 for the torsions and will pay another +-R7500 for the leafs springs, shocks are another +-R6500. If you become a Hilux member you can get some discount from 4x4Megaworld Menlyn

[Hoppy]

Too much suspension travel causes stability problems at high speed, if you have a locker at the back, why do yo need both wheels on the ground?

[zepplin]

Also check out Rancho shocks. Very impressive for their price.

[Jackal]

Too much suspension travel causes stability problems at high speed, if you have a locker at the back, why do yo need both wheels on the ground?

Are you referring to the back or the front Allan? (didn't you remove your sway bars totally?)

With my rear locker on I very seldom have any problems, the bakkie climbs all obstacles at Tierkloof, Babylonstoren and Boegoeberg no problems but I do find that I need to have my rear locker on for most of the tougher obstacles.

I've also found sometimes it feels like I'm going to roll the bakkie because my wheels go so high off the ground!

Also note that I am quite a novice driver so have a lot to learn.

[Jackal]

Would it be worth fitting extended shackles to the rear? Or does this compromise road holding and stability?

[WayneSchalk]

Would it be worth fitting extended shackles to the rear? Or does this compromise road holding and stability?

I have the extended shackles on my van, no difference in the ride.

[Mikem1]

Hi Guys.
My rear suspension kit supplied with shackles,bushes,leaf springs etc fitted will cost R6K.We only raise the vehicle by 40mm from std.We dont raise more than that as you are restricted by the front IFS suspension and can only adjust the torsion bars so much.
We have 3 different rating leaf spring set-ups for different loads so we can accomodate what load you going to be carrying.There are major implications if one does go higher than this.

The main pack of leafs is designed to raise away from the helper or load blades to create max comfort unladen and will carry the load effeciently.
This works very well and have had great results.

Regards
Darrell
Mikem Suspensions
011 493 5181