Originally Posted by
PeeBee
HigginsGQ, I have a 1997 set up as follows. I have 3" lift nominal Dobinson coils all round, but with the load it sits around the 2" above factory.
Rear axle weight from weighbridge is 1780kg. I run Dobinson 400kg constant arte coils, part number C45-105 and then a pair of BOSS LA15 external airbags that sit between the axle housing and chassis rails. I run Koni hydraulic shockers. Weight is from a heavy rear step with winch and wheel carrier, roof rack, 120L water tank, 230L fuel tank 60L engel 200a/hr battery and extensive spares and tools. The airbags are used to trim and add approx 40mm height to the rear suspension at 40psi inflation pressure.
The ride is good, gives adequate flex for my style of moderate high country driving, I removed the sway bar and it wallows like a pig, but could also be the airbags coming into play. Front springs are Dobinsons 3" 110kg (model C45-108)constant rate, front axle load is 1480kg off weighbridge, running Koni hydraulic shockers and extended front bump stops. Up front I have a chev diesel v8, hydraulic winch, twin batteries and bullbar/side rails.
I am happy with this set-up but looking at either hydraulic bump stops or bump stop extension spacers on the front to reduce possibility of sump contact with front diff housing - has happened before.
Hope this helps. I presented these weights to both ARB and Dobinsons to help with spring selection and neither had any idea how they could be used to select a spring appropriate for use, so it came down to swapping out springs as a trial and error activity within a close selection band, based on the sales guys experience. It took perhaps 3 hrs but they more or less nailed it.