Spring & shock lift coming soon

[Blue C]

Originally Posted by Bushtracker Bandicoot

Bomber
Any update on your suspension? Are you still happy with it? Have you had any teething problems? Any disappointments? Would appreciate all negatives as well as positives.
Any issues with the roll mitigation stuff?
I'm keen to go with your system if it's proving up well.
Bandicoot

Bushtracker
I am new to this forum but you may have seen prior photos of my car posted on this forum by another clubmember on my behalf early July 07. I have 50mm terraflex spacer lift with Bilsteins all round (now) & polyairs at rear. Now have custom Aurora springs all round too (did not have these available for Simpson crossing July last year & rather than start again with 50mm longer springs I have gone for standard length but heavy duty- front shockers & springs were stock across Simpson in July 07 & took some serious pounding- lost about 15mm in height at front. Rear Bilsteins however were brilliant across desert -French line was seriously rutted - we had >200L diesel (130L auxillary tank); 60L water; 2 spares on roof, food, camping gear etc -all up GVM close to 3 tonnes. So if ever a lift was going to be tested that was it- no problems at all with ESP on way up & back (turned off in sand of course). In fact it worked well on couple gravel corners and was quite effective! Front lift was about 90mm including Cooper ST's.However new front Aurora springs (stiffer) have given me 100mm even though same length as stock springs. Rear similar although I did not do before measurement at rear I regret- hard to explain but Alfred & I have both repeatedly checked measurements as we both have Terraflex spacers (he hasn't new springs though). The ride is firm on road but handles v well & excellent ground clearance (under front bash plate 295-310mm depending on rear load compared without about 190mm before lift). Bilsteins are great. Front end is now excellent- way too underdamped for off road before with OEM shockers (including desert crossing -but couldn't get front Bilsteins from Germany until Oct 07). Now seriously capable off road-just needs bull bar! I have no hesitation in recommending Terraflex lift but Bilsteins are strongly recommended; springs optional- not really necessary unless you have hammered oringinals as I did! Beware French line- it's really rough!! I thought something would break frequently! If you are interested in Simpson crossing see Jeep Action Oct/Nov for photos/report or online at www.adelaidejeepclub.com (under trip reports: Simpson crossing). Finally I have been somewhat of a test mule for custom Aurora springs- not yet available as commercial product but as I am happy should be sometime soon.

[Bushtracker Bandicoot]

Blue C
thanks for that comprehensive update!
If you now had your time over again, what would you go for. Lift? Springs? Shocks? Polyairs? All of above??
Did you do this yourself or get someone to do it for you? If so, who?
I've done the Simpson 3 times now (none in Jeep) and #4 is coming up in sep this year (in Jeep), so definately need something done in next few months! All advice much appreciated!
BB

[Bomber]

BB I'm still really happy with my setup. it works really well around suburbia and it has become an awesome tow vehicle. Only comment I'd make is that it is a but stiff at the rear when off road - need to make sure the back comes down steps & into holes gently. I'm planning to talk to ATS but I suspect that's the price I'm paying for a near level car with 2 tonne of caravan / 200kg ball weight behind and no level riders needed.

[Blue C]

Originally Posted by Bushtracker Bandicoot

Blue C
thanks for that comprehensive update!
If you now had your time over again, what would you go for. Lift? Springs? Shocks? Polyairs? All of above??
Did you do this yourself or get someone to do it for you? If so, who?
I've done the Simpson 3 times now (none in Jeep) and #4 is coming up in sep this year (in Jeep), so definately need something done in next few months! All advice much appreciated!
BB

BB
Glenn Bull of Mt Barker 4x4 SA (ph:08-83914391) did all the suspension upgrades & with a local engineer the rear deep cycle battery installation. He is extremely competent & resourceful & a passionate Jeep man (his personal car is a heavily modified TJ). The problem I had was tight time line- had to be done by July 21st last year (for Simpson crossing) & not much was available by then (got rear Bilsteins from Sydney just in time). Glenn recommended the Terraflex spacer kit & didn't recommend the Dobinson springs (not sure exactly why).
To answer your question if I was starting over: I would go for 50mm lift heavy duty springs & Bilstein shockers all round. I needed polyairs as I still had standard rear springs & heavy load. However with new springs you may not need polyairs. My suspension is now definitely on stiff side but pays dividends for towing & off road when car is level.
I also fitted DP 31 chip late last year & extra torque (565nm at 1600rpm) means it holds 4th or 5th up hills towing 1000kg camper quite easily (I realise that is relatively light compared to alot of others). Economy is about 14L/100km full laden & towing above camper. Good luck for Simpson crossing- sorry you obviously know all about it so won't add any more advice there!! I will add that Commander did it easily (4 sand dunes needed a 2nd attempt out of ~1100 & 3 of those were in high range).

[Bushtracker Bandicoot]

Blue C
thanks for that
who did the chip for you? Any problmes with it? Any issues with Jeep re warranty on vehicle or engine?
BB

[Blue C]

Glenn Bull (Mt Barker 4x4 as above) put in DP31 chip for me. No problems with it at all. Extra power is noticeable & slight improvement in economy. Jammy Jeep has same chip I believe & has said much same.
DP offer warrranty on chip. My experience with Jeep is they will use any excuse to avoid warranty claims- my lift & suspension upgrade has attracted their attention with numerous warnings about the warranty but no comment so far on chip when I have had it serviced.

Note the DP chip is "tuneable" for more power with a tiny rotary "dial" which is set on 5 when you get it (scale 1-9) or you can use a laptop & appropriate software but Glenn Bull recommends I don't try it- As long as I don't blow up engine by going for too much power I think I am fairly safe!! (it's about 185kw at present). By way of comparison "Powerchip" offer 190kw & 590nm for the 3L CRD but that chip is $1700+ vs about $1300 for DP. The DP chip is easily removed & even transferable between compatible vehicles whereas powerchip is not.

[jammy jeep]

I just take the chip out if I need to take the car into jeep. But since I don't get it serviced there, its rarely a problem.