Which lift?

[SiberianPatrol]

Need some advice on lift kits. Have 3 options available here where I am - OME, ToughDog, or IronMan.

The OME is of course the most expensive at ~$1500
IronMan & ToughDog ~$850-900

I'm needing something that will hold up well to extreme temperature differences (read really, really cold). It's not extreme off-roading but it is rougher roads in varying temps and conditions.

Which is the best option where I won't want to change them out within a year of having them? Is the OME worth the 600 extra or are one of the other brands just as good?

[Rock Trol]

Hard to say as we just don't get the cold that you do in Siberia. My Patrol came with OME suspension when I bought it and I was not that impressed with the springs. They sagged heavily with 100,000 kms on the clock. They were also very stiff and you could feel every bump on the road.

I dont one know too much about the other two but a friend has had Tough Dog for about 3 years and is really happy with the set up.

[threedogs]

Thats $600 that could be spent else where,
Do you have a warranty with the lower two.

[SiberianPatrol]

Thats $600 that could be spent else where,
Do you have a warranty with the lower two.

I'd have to go to the shop and ask about the warranty. Nothing is mentioned on the website.

The Ironman and ToughDog are both foam cell shocks, OME is gas. Don't know much about the foam cell shocks - how long they last.


1999 GU RD28Ti turbo diesel; manual transmission; 33" Khumo mudders; ... more mods on the way

[SiberianPatrol]

Hard to say as we just don't get the cold that you do in Siberia. My Patrol came with OME suspension when I bought it and I was not that impressed with the springs. They sagged heavily with 100,000 kms on the clock. They were also very stiff and you could feel every bump on the road.

I dont one know too much about the other two but a friend has had Tough Dog for about 3 years and is really happy with the set up.

Interesting. Seems like with OME you either love them or hate them. At this point I'll probably go with one of the cheaper setups for now and see how they work. $600 is a considerable savings that could go towards more needed things (fuel tank heater, extra insulation, etc)


1999 GU RD28Ti turbo diesel; manual transmission; 33" Khumo mudders; ... more mods on the way

[happygu]

My preference would be

OME
IRONMAN
TOUGH DOGS

but I have never used the tough dogs, and only have bad stories from guys I used to go away with 10 or more years ago ... the other stories since then have been much more positive ( some of the Australian Tests have had them as the best value and the winner in head to head comparos )

[Patrol'n]

I can't comment on the OME or Ironman as I haven't used them, but I have a 2 inch tough dog lift, it was a little harsh on bumps at first, particularly on corrugations but a few thousand k's down the track, it is brilliant, comfortable and works well with everything I have used my truck for, coastal beach and tracks, rock climbs, clay and mud etc.

Not sure on cold weather performance much either though, since Western Australia doesn't tend to do cold...

[SiberianPatrol]

Just found another option for order here - Dobinsons. Same price point as the TD and Ironman. Anyone have any experience with Dobinsons springs or shocks?

Also, what other items would I need to consider buying in conjunction with this 2" lift kit? Castor correctors, steering damper, new pan hard rods?

[Rock Trol]

I have only used Pedders Trak Ryder foam cell shocks but they did not last. Three years and 30000km. About to swap them out for Terrain Tamer shocks which are similar to Lovells. I am going gas from now on. That's just my experience with foam cell. The other brands might make them better.

I have never used Dobinsons but they are popular with generally good reviews.

[Patrol'n]

My lift required springs, shocks and steering damper. I didn't need castor correction bushes, although my castor reading went slightly negative, it drives well. That said most people I've heard from did use castor correction bushes.

I am considering extended sway bar links, (with a rear disconnect) but it works fine the way it is on my truck at least.

I was told by one suspension place I had to have an adjustable drag link, and new panhard rod if I wanted my steering wheel to be straight. Turned out that all that was required was to take the wheel off and adjust by one tooth, and it sits perfectly straight! Glad I didn't use that workshop...