HD Springs, air bags or better shocks

[TJMNAV]

Hey guys,

I have a D22 single cab 4x4, I am a carpenter and have all my gear on the back of the ute. I have TJM's heaviest duty springs on the back which are pretty much inverted now and I also have the TJM shocks to suit - just XGS Gold's.

I have compressor, fridge and two massive toolboxes with a ROPS style steel tray and steel frame and roof with rear ladder racks aswell.. I dont really wanna know how much it all weighs either haha. None the less, the back gets a bit bouncy, you can tell the springs are moving with the weight.

I am coming to a point with a twin wheel carrier on the way, fuel and water storage under the tray, foxwing and roof top tent (not always on there), that im going to need to either, buy heavier duty springs, bellows or better shocks to contain the bounce (which I don't think is the answer)

Im no suspension specialist and Im sure others on this forum load their vehicles up as well, so Im putting the question out there.. What should I do

Cheers guys

Dan

 

[tweak'e]

get heavier springs.
sounds like the TJM springs are crap. no way they should sag that much.
also get lifted springs. that gives you a bit more travel.

 

[TigerST]

Agree seem that you are carrying alot of weight all the time so even if you need to get the heaviest you can and add a few leafs you'll be set. There are leaf pack out there that have 10-12 leafs so you should be able to find/make something to suit

 

[ben85]

i'd say heavier springs too. have seen a few utes bend inhalf with airbags.

would help to know how much it weighs for spring selection.

might be best to take it to someone that does a lot of hd suspension, buying something off the shelf might be a bit of a gamble, sounds like you have a fair bit of weight.

 

[gunning1987]

I think you may need to have a clean out first before laying down more hard earned cash.

 

[TJMNAV]

Heavier springs were my first port of call. Well, not much to clean out, saws, hardware compressor, drop saw, air and power, other chippy tools and what not. Boxes are alloy aswell... I just don't think my springs are overly good to start with hehe. Any one recommend any brands?

 

[rabbit-chop]

Ive got some monster rear shocks for sale mate. Theyre pedders foam cell, they are massive. much more powerfull shock than the new konis I replaced them with. was using them with ome constant load leaves, had it overloaded all the time, drove like a car when loaded right up (well over a ton) but a bit harsh when unloaded. Food for thought anyway, if you don't want mine id recommend new ones anyway, seriously heavy shock.

 

[180degrees]

don't get airbags whatever you do, it puts shear strain on the chassis rail where they mount.

 

[TJMNAV]

Thanks for that rabbit-chop, still wondering what to about shocks. I found the issue with the springs, they are 5-1 and the 5 ride leafs are sitting on the 1 big fat one on the bottom, and then bending that a bit, so any chance it gets, it will want to springs off that load bearer. My current shocks are not capable of containing that either. I have found some rock crawler springs that take constant 400 to gvm - what you guys think of them

and def not going air bags, they look yukky to chassis rails

 

[TigerST]

I heavier still. It wouldn't surprise me if your carrying a ton all the time. Take her to a weight bridge and see then go talk to a suspension place and let them know.

 

[TJMNAV]

Ok, weighed her in a 2.82 tonne with a pretty full tank

Mind you I will soon have a steel twin wheel carrier, steel frame canopy with an aluminium roof, extra fuel and water tanks, 80L water and 120L fuel (not going to be full all the time - might have 40L of water on me at all times) roof top tent (again not all the time) foxwing and a winch.

At best:
As is - 2.82 tonne
Awning - 13kg
Wheel carries and wheels - 130kg-150kg
Winch - 50kg or there abouts..
Canopy - around 65-70kg

So, soon to be total weight all day with out any water will be about 3.1tonne ish

Worst will be around 3.3-4 tonne.. (Laden for the cape next year)

All I can say is shit. GVM is around 2850kg from memory and im sitting on that at the moment.

*sigh*

 

[TigerST]

Will need to find one of two things. Gvm upgrade with twin shock and stupidly heavy springs. Or sell her and buy a bigger truck. But even then you may need a gvm upgrade. Might have to start looking in things you dont need. Or go an alloy tray if you haven't already

 

[TJMNAV]

I dont really wanna sell her, I do love my truck however this weight is an issue. I will see if I can gvm upgrade

 

[ben85]

going to want some HEAVY DUTY springs that's for sure.

 

[TJMNAV]

Sax springs ? I hear good and bad about them but they seem like they look good

Might have to go twin shock at rear or get a Bilstein shock for rear off a 70 series ute std height

 

[TigerST]

Maybe 6x6 or lazy axle conversion

 

[180degrees]

Sax springs ? I hear good and bad about them but they seem like they look good

Might have to go twin shock at rear or get a Bilstein shock for rear off a 70 series ute std height

Sax is one of those companies where everyone always goes on about how good they are but then you realise just how shit a product they actually sell, do yourself a favor and keep looking.

 

[sparra04]

i had a similar issue with my 22 dual cab
i fitted efs constant load,was still sagging in rear due to all my barwork and drawers in tub
quick call to zordo and he sent me an xtra leaf
i now load up with all my gear,fuel ,fridge,2 spares ,ect,ect (2800kg ) and tow a loaded camper
ute sits good when loaded up
a bit high in rear when its unloaded
imo
stay away from sax and airbags(in leaf springs there no good,coils ok)
send zordo a pm
he is our suspension guru
great bloke who really knows his stuff
he will look after you
cheers

 

[Navmania]

Sax springs ? I hear good and bad about them but they seem like they look good

Might have to go twin shock at rear or get a Bilstein shock for rear off a 70 series ute std height

Nooooooooooooo!!!!

DON'T USE SAX SUSPENSION. Whatever you do. If you want to use them save your money and go to Bunnings and buy a length of hardwood and jam it between your chassis and diff housing. It will give you the same result. Search the forum for their product reviews. Talk to Zordo mate and save yourself a headache.

 

[TJMNAV]

Whats the problem with sax