Suspension upgrade - Adelaide

[tracemul7]

Hey Folks,

We're looking for somewhere decent to get our suspension upgrade done.
Decided to go with Tough Dog big bore adjustable shocks, 2" lift, 2 degree castors and Tough Dog RTC steering damper (non heavy duty) - now looking around for the best price to fit it.

Any suggestions for Adelaide area? We are northern suburbs, but can take it anywhere within reason :)

Also looking for a snorkel (inc fitting) - at the same time if the price is right.

Trace

[mudski]

2inch lift you shouldn't need offset castor bushes. And RTC dampeners are garbage. I'm on the second one under warranty, after I was told not to get an RTC I still did. Just buy a decent brand non RTC.
If you were to go a 2inch lift I would go Old Man Emu any day.

[Clunk]

2inch lift you shouldn't need offset castor bushes. And RTC dampeners are garbage. I'm on the second one under warranty, after I was told not to get an RTC I still did. Just buy a decent brand non RTC.
If you were to go a 2inch lift I would go Old Man Emu any day.

All down to personal preference thought mate, I liked my RTC and had no issues with it..... Until I came down on it a bit too hard one day and bent it.

Can't help with where to get stuff installed though, you might need to wait for one of the SA members to chime in. But fitting a 2in lift is relatively simple to do without paying for someone to install

[happygu]

It is personal choice, but I am with Mudski on the RTC Steering Damper, as I dont like them either. I can't recall the exact reasons why, as the last one i tried was twenty years ago, but i remember they make the steering react un-naturally, which can cause more problems than they solve. The steering will tend to self centre anyway without one, but at a slow controlled rate, and you get to swing it faster if you need it.

I junked mine, and just use standard ones now, and I am happy.

Mic

[threedogs]

Have a talk to the guys at TJM St Marys and Nailsworth,

[tracemul7]

Have a talk to the guys at TJM St Marys and Nailsworth,

Thanks :) will contact them today!

[threedogs]

My Bad the St Marys shop has moved to 1178 south rd Clovelly

As for the RTC I was of the opinion they would
mainly aid the bigger tyres like 37"

[BigRAWesty]

What's your location in Adelaide.
A 2" suspension lift is really an easy mod. Maybe we have a member who could save some workshop costs and could aid in installing for a box of beer.
I know I would but I'm mount Gambier.

[the evil twin]

Unless you are running BIG tyres I wouldn't opt for the RTC.
I don't like them at all actually and don't have one on my ute with it's 315 x 75's and it drives sweet as a nut.

I like the rest of your choices, Togh Dog and Patrols just seem to go together.
I usually opt for castor correction, agree they shouldn't need it for 2 inch or less but some do and it isn't a big outlay to keep the geometry neat

[growler2058]

Ive always done all mods myself, but the guys at Opposite Lock at St Marys were bloody good eggs when I was dealing with them buying my xrox bar. Could be worth a chat to them

[tracemul7]

What's your location in Adelaide.
A 2" suspension lift is really an easy mod. Maybe we have a member who could save some workshop costs and could aid in installing for a box of beer.
I know I would but I'm mount Gambier.

We're near Gawler - but I work in the city, so can go anywhere really .... but Mt Gambier is a bit too far :P

[tracemul7]

Ive always done all mods myself, but the guys at Opposite Lock at St Marys were bloody good eggs when I was dealing with them buying my xrox bar. Could be worth a chat to them

Got a quote from Opposite Lock on NE Rd ... but was a bit put off when they quoted $425 to install a snorkel! TJM quoted less than half that price!
Might try the folks at St Mary's instead and see what they can offer.

[mudski]

All down to personal preference thought mate, I liked my RTC and had no issues with it..... Until I came down on it a bit too hard one day and bent it.

Can't help with where to get stuff installed though, you might need to wait for one of the SA members to chime in. But fitting a 2in lift is relatively simple to do without paying for someone to install


It is personal choice, but I am with Mudski on the RTC Steering Damper, as I dont like them either. I can't recall the exact reasons why, as the last one i tried was twenty years ago, but i remember they make the steering react un-naturally, which can cause more problems than they solve. The steering will tend to self centre anyway without one, but at a slow controlled rate, and you get to swing it faster if you need it.

I junked mine, and just use standard ones now, and I am happy.

Mic

Yeah. I though the RTC's were good. But the second one is almost cactus. But this could boil down to brand and type too??? Many people said to me they are crap...
Funny thing is my car pulls to the left. I rang Pro Axle today to discuss it and they told me that an RTC is the only real answer. Offset knuckle bearings work they said but are smaller in diameter than the OEM bearing and they have seen a few crush under the weight of larger tyres so they don't recommend using them. So mines booked in on Thursday to see what they can do. So I may be eating my words on Thursday. Lol.

[Jonesy_sa]

Hi,

I drive past this place and they seem to have allot if business, might be worth a call. It's near Port Adelaide. http://www.pro4x4.com.au/
No affiliation

Keep me posted as I would like to add a "2 kit to my Maverick, not sure if it can be done at home.

[BigRAWesty]

Have seen reports of some of the work there.
Short cuts taken and the like.

[tracemul7]

Looks like we're gonna go with TJM - great advice and good recommendations, with sound explanations.
Also decided to not bother with RTC Steering damper, just the Tough Dog Heavy Duty steering damper :)

Methinks I will be spending more money there in the future too!

[happygu]

Excellent work .... be good to hear what you think, as I normally go for Old Man Emu gear from ARB, or as I have for the last few trucks, Kings springs and Koni Shocks

Mic

[mudski]

I think I will now eat my words after visiting Pro Axle today. My drifting issue is now gone. Due to them spending the time to properly adjust the RTC dampener. Happy man now....

[threedogs]

Got a quote from Opposite Lock on NE Rd ... but was a bit put off when they quoted $425 to install a snorkel! TJM quoted less than half that price!
Might try the folks at St Mary's instead and see what they can offer.

St Marys has moved to Clovelly still on Main South Rd though

[threedogs]

Yeah. I though the RTC's were good. But the second one is almost cactus. But this could boil down to brand and type too??? Many people said to me they are crap...
Funny thing is my car pulls to the left. I rang Pro Axle today to discuss it and they told me that an RTC is the only real answer. Offset knuckle bearings work they said but are smaller in diameter than the OEM bearing and they have seen a few crush under the weight of larger tyres so they don't recommend using them. So mines booked in on Thursday to see what they can do. So I may be eating my words on Thursday. Lol.

Most cars and 4x4s and trucks will pull to the left , thats the way we build roads
I'm with Happy your steering will RTC naturally, having a spring force it seems
unnatural to me. I'll never use one, If they were that good Nissan would fit as OE
Plus how can you work on your brakes and such you'd have to tie rope on your steering
wheel to hold the wheels on lock

[tracemul7]

St Marys has moved to Clovelly still on Main South Rd though

Didn't bother with them in the end :)

Booked in with TJM on 22nd! Can't wait!!

[BigRAWesty]

Didn't bother with them in the end :)

Booked in with TJM on 22nd! Can't wait!!

Good outcome mate.

[MudRunnerTD]

Yeah. I though the RTC's were good. But the second one is almost cactus. But this could boil down to brand and type too??? Many people said to me they are crap...
Funny thing is my car pulls to the left. I rang Pro Axle today to discuss it and they told me that an RTC is the only real answer. Offset knuckle bearings work they said but are smaller in diameter than the OEM bearing and they have seen a few crush under the weight of larger tyres so they don't recommend using them. So mines booked in on Thursday to see what they can do. So I may be eating my words on Thursday. Lol.


I have had the Safe-T-Steer offset King Pin bearing fitted to the top bearin on the left side of the GUIV for 5 years and 150,000 kms running 33s and 35s. Rate it as one of the best mods done to the car. As 3dogs states the pull left problem is due to the Camber of our roads and is not a manufacturers defect. I reckon 3Dogs is spot on with his responses here. A RTC is just hiding the issue. IMO.

[tracemul7]

Well ... it's done ... i'm poor, and our Patrol looks amazing!
Gained about 75mm on the back and slightly less on the front :D :D

Before and After - sunlight is a bit naff, so hard to see the lift, but snorkel is looking nice :)
54223

Rear - better pic
54224

Rear with ruler
54225

Front with ruler
54226

Springs
54227

[Clunk]

Wow, that's a shiny driveway you have......... Oh a nice lift to ;)

[tracemul7]

Wow, that's a shiny driveway you have......... Oh a nice lift to ;)

Hahaha it's actually pretty dirty! Half the beach washed off the Patrol onto it - hoping for some rain to clean the drive and gutter of all the sand!