Suspension upgrade for dual cab

[boatboy50]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/08/28/dc27ee1e9abfab7ae9e3907e7629e855.jpg

Guys,

I've seen a few dual cabs chassis fails and I'm worried about what to do.

I have an aluminium tray with canopy loaded with gear and I tow a 2.2t caravan. The below photo is factory suspension.

I have all the heavy items located directly above the rear wheel at the front of the canopy ie fridge, battery, generator, jack legs ect. Rear of the axle is a 60l water tank which is rarely full, stove and basic storage for not hugely heavy items.

All the suspension sales guys say broken chassis is because of overloaded on the very rear of the tray. How true this is I do not know.

What's the best option for me for a suspension upgrade, preferably on a budget?

We are about to embark on a very long trip so I need to have this sorted properly.

Darren


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[joffo81]

HD aftermarket springs or if you can find a place to do it, have an extra leaf added to your factory set. Also get some decent big bore shocks - factory shocks are usually rubbish and don't last long.

There are some horror stories regarding the use of airbag suspension but there are certainly plenty of people that use them and are very happy with the job they do. Horror stories usually involve too much weight behind the rear axle and towing, too much pressure in the airbags and then some sort hard impact such as hitting a washout on the beach at speed. I have airbags in my navara and really like the versatility of them. I have a canopy on the bag with fridge, drawers, battery etc and regularly tow a heavy camper or 2Tonne boat with no dramas.

Definitely DO NOT just install airbags with factory springs and expect them to do all the work for you. Also, some dual cabs have more strength/support in their chassis rails than others and some have longer trays/towbars than others which can increase the liklihood of problems occuring.

[AndrewB]

I have an extra cab and anguished over same thing. Eventually went full suspension upgrade + air bags. In my situation we have a full metal canopy that is on sometimes but not others and up to 800kg fully laden with undertray water tank etc etc so needed flexibility. If the weight is on permanently then the extra leaf and shockies as suggested by Joffo81 is the go but you will need to know weights, in my case had extra leaf that was 8mm ? but could have gone 10mm which would have gone from 300kg extra weight to 800kg extra weight. If you go the bigger leaf and have no weight you will end up with a pogo stick. I would suggest you go to specialist suspension place maybe smaller operators who should give you time of day and good advice.

[kiwimex]

I have a dual cab Triton that i carry a constant load of around 400kg in the back (tools of the trade)

I had the rear springs and shocks made by Ultimate Suspension in Sydney. I had to take my Ute with my normal load to Jonlin automotive to get weighted and then the spring packs are made and sent up from Sydney and installed by Jonlin Automotive. Painfull process and my ute now rides about 40mm higher in the rear and loading up the ute is not a problem

I highly recommend Jonlin Automotive and Ultimate suspension, they should be able to help you out. Total cost for new springs, shocks and fitting came to about $1100.


Jonlin Automotive
www.jonlinautomotive.com (http://www.jonlinautomotive.com/)
Contact- Lewis
15 Clarence Street
Coorparoo QLD
07 3394 2400


If you want any further information let me know

Cheers Steve

[Chimo]

http://www.ultimatesuspension.com.au/profile.php

[boatboy50]

Thanks guys,

My canopy is removable, so I have the problem of if I fit stronger suspension the ride will to to harsh without load. Are airbags the only option?

What else do I need to do besides airbags? Extra leaf also?

Darren


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