A little dissapointed with new ARB lift kit

[omaroo]

Hey all

I just had an ARB suspension kit installed last Friday. After speaking with (obviously uninformed) ARB staff, they told me I'd expect around 45mm lift front and rear and a better, more stable ride. I wanted to install the kit so that I could absorb the extra weight of my (to come) drawer system, 40L Engel fridge (got it last Thusday - the 40th anniversary model, with digital temp readout!!!!), all of my recovery gear, food, tents, etc,etc,etc.

It came back with about 15mm lift at the front and 25mm at the rear. I was a little shocked. They told me that they "reckoned" that the Laredo is already highr than the Limited and Overland diesel models. I guess I kind of already knew that, but I was dissapointed nonetheless. I think that they should have told me this if they knew it already.

My biggest dissapointment was its handling on a slightly corrugated dirt road near Newnes on the weekend. Compared to the stock suspension, it skittered all over the place to the point where I had to wash off around half my normal pace on that kind of surface for fear of losing it. The stock suspension was supremely confident as it was. I'm hoping that the extra weight when I install the drawers will hold it down to the road a little better.......

I'm going to be talking to the ARB dealer tomorrow to get an idea from as to what they expected their kit to do for me.... and my $1,200. I'll let you know.

Cheers
Chris

Sorry to hear about your disappointment. I just put new rancho shocks with new SRA tyres and I got exactly what I was after (even though I got no extra lift as yet). I was advised that the tyres should run at 40psi and not 33psi as recommended in the books. This seemed to remove all "skittereing" that I prevously experienced . I now get a very direct and much improved ride and not harsh at all. I would get back to ARB and insist they explain why it's so. Good luck

[wrench]

Hi Chrismal.
When I started checking out lift kits I found ARB to be a little vague on the actual ride heights. I prefer to be told a specific height rather than "about xx mm mate".
This is a bit vague when there are varying suspension setups fitted std.
Whilst I wont knock the OME product as I believe they are excellent quality, I feel that the need to be a little more specific.
Too often the perception of ride quality depends on the current load & road.
Pedders sprigs as I fitted ride exellently when loaded for trips but feel a little firm around town when empty.
I would like to experiment with CRD coils & spacers to see how this rides & the try some different shocks but never seem to have time.
It does seem a shame to mess with what is originally a great riding car but they certainly need more clearance than standard.
Cheers
David.

[billsta]

im suprise you are that not happy with it..
i was very happy with mine for the little time that i had it in...

but the point is, OME really market their springs/shock packages as "Suspension Kits" not as "Lift Kit" per se

plus i really think that OME usually states less than it actually does in reality...

maybe the diesel is heavier than the V8?

the diesel is taller than the V8's?
as far as i know, ARB made the springs on a 99WJ and up till 2000 me thinks... all the grand came in to the country with up country suspension packages.
and after that they took them out for some reason...

really it should sit ok on a CRD me thinks..

[80LIX]

Mate I had this problem a few years ago with my Pathfinder, spent $1000 bucks or so for 10mm lift. I took it out myself and brought it back for a refund, bit of a pain.

Why dont you just buy some 2" spacers from the US, she rides the same as before with a bit more height and space for slightly bigger tyres.

Most liftkits bull**** about there height, 3" usually means 2".

[goodol55]

Originally Posted by billsta

maybe the diesel is heavier than the V8?

the diesel is taller than the V8's?
as far as i know, ARB made the springs on a 99WJ and up till 2000 me thinks... all the grand came in to the country with up country suspension packages.
and after that they took them out for some reason...

The dealer assured me the Laredos still have upcountry suspension and showed me how mine sat taller than the the Limited parked beside me.
The diesel's only 15~20kg heavier than the v8

[Apteryx]

Chris,

I had an OME suspension fitted to my 2001 Laredo V8 just prior to the 2002 Jamboree. Had similar expectations - 2" lift. In reality it averaged 20 mm front and 15 mm at the rear.

I'm now thinking of getting some spacers.