Nissan GQ replacement springs

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 11:43

ThreadID: 6419 Views:2556 Replies:7 FollowUps:6

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michael

I would like opinions regarding coil spring replacement options. Usually one trip per year fully loaded with dinghy on rack plus towing Jayco offroad camper is our normal use with the rest being around town. Orig. coils with Polyairs and Koni gas/hyd. adjust. have done the job but now I feel a replacement/ upgrade is due. I am confident shocks are ok and to retain these, a standard height /heavier coil replacement would be the only option because of shock length.
Will this option be too rigid for everyday use or would longer(say to 50mm.) heavier coil provide comfort because of spring length ?
Would progressive longer(50mm legal) stiffer coil (eg. King Springs) be a better option with increased load capacity yet softer when empty ?
My query is GQ specific because of inherent tendency for front end shakes. Mine is fine having found accurate wheel balance and BFG AT'S to alay problem, so I'm endeavouring in this search for experience to avoid a bad / expensive choice of coil spring.
I have mentioned King Springs but welcome ideas/experience of other brands.
ARB have Old Man Emu which for my requirement the package offered to me at there Osborne Park store had progressive spring rear with constant spring on the front. It does become a bit confusing !
Thanks DRC

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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 12:44

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 12:44

For once a year, your better to change the coils for that one trip. Takes 1-2 hours tops to change them. Then your set.

If you go for longer coils, you need longer shocks.

Having heavy springs all year round makes for a rough ride Mon-Fri. Work on settin up car for what you do most of. which in your case is Mon-Fri, with 1-2 Big Trips per year.

My GQ has 6in lift, and is always packed with lot of gear so soft is not the best option.

Talk to a quality suspension place and tell them what you want to do.

AnswerID: 27026

Reply By: tristjo - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 14:24

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 14:24

Michael,

I agree with Truckster, in that it would be a much better option to change your springs for a once a year trip, rather than put up with a harsh ride for 50 weeks of the year.

Your best option, depending on what type of bar and accsessories you have fitted, would be to go for a 16-17mm diameter spring up front, and an 18mm on the rear for every day running. When tripping, a 20mm spring on the rear should be more than thick enough to cope with the added load.

In my experience, changing coils has only taken around 15-20 minutes, and is not at all difficult. This would probably be the best solution, as long as you are prepared to do the swap.

Let us know how you go.

Tristjo.

AnswerID: 27034

Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 14:52

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 14:52

Michael,
I have the Heavy duty springs fitted in my GQ, lifted 50mm as per the standard, what everybody else does, I have the OME LTR shocks on and I've had the castor angle bushes changed, I also drive on BFG A/T's and have had no vibration problems to date, rides really well as far as I'm concerned, articulation is still good, I also have the camper trailer, drawers etc I do more than one trip away so i don't mind the ride being a bit harder I quite like it actually it gives the truck a better feel. Tristjo, with regard to the 15 to 20 minutes to change the springs, on the back with the long range tank and a three inch exhaust it's now a P***K of a job, original set up is as Tristjo says, easy. Front's still easy but. I don't know what you have fitted to your fourby Michael but this is something to be aware of for the future, I'm dreading changing the springs and shocks next time on the back. Keep the shiny side up

AnswerID: 27037

Follow Up By: tristjo - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 15:03

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 15:03

Martyn,

What size tyres are you running with your 50mm lift?? My brother is looking at fitting a 50mm lift to his GQ, and hopes to run 265/75/16's, preferably without any rubbing on full lock or whilst at full articulation.

As for changing the springs, I can a imagine the difficulty assosciated when you have a LRT and 3 inch exhaust fitted, there'd be nowhere for your hands!!!! Peice a piddle without 'em, though.

Tristjo.

FollowupID: 18564

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 15:18

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 15:18

I run 33s on Toyota Offset rims, and still hits on full compression, 6inch lift. I'll have to sus it out one day...

Dont let it bother you!

FollowupID: 18566

Follow Up By: Martyn (WA) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 17:45

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 17:45

Tristjo,
I'm only running 31 X 10.5R X 15's baby tyres but it goes where I want it to go quickly and economically enough though. I've got CSA alloys on with the standard Nissan offset I assume. Nothing touches the front mudflaps are the closest obstruction. I get about 12L / 100 klms if that's any help. Keep the shiny side up

FollowupID: 18575

Follow Up By: Brian - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 20:00

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 20:00

33 X 12.5 Pro Comps on 15" Sunraysia's.... 2" lift... only rubbed on the front mud guards... so I took 'em off....... Rubs a little on the rear flexi flares ... right at the bottom where because I haven't set them right, the end "turns" in....... never mind!

FollowupID: 18590

Follow Up By: Brian - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 20:02

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 20:02

Not mud guards...... mud FLAPS.... yes... stoopid of me I know.. so I thought I would get in first before everyone else did!!!! :-)

FollowupID: 18591

Follow Up By: tristjo - Monday, Aug 11, 2003 at 20:38

Monday, Aug 11, 2003 at 20:38

Thanks guy's, much appreciated.....

FollowupID: 18927

Reply By: kezza - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 20:49

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 20:49

I use an OME 21mm GU trayback spring (Sorry but I forget the part no.)on my GQ and its fantastic not rough loaded or unloaded - no sag even when carryig a gvm of a shade over 3,000kg and a good solid coil - gives me approx 4"-5" lift. Local ARB guys pretty fanatical about competing so a valuable resource of whats interchangable and what works between the models.
Kes

AnswerID: 27090

Reply By: Ferret - Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 23:07

Thursday, Aug 07, 2003 at 23:07

G'day, I've just fitted ORE's Ridepo stuff to my 95GQ and am very pleased so far. I looked at Kings etc but was quite impressed with the size,look and feel of the Ridepro stuff and the guys selling the stuff (Myaree) asked all the right questions so I thought i'd give 'em a go. Apparently. the bloke who designed the OME stuff now builds this Ridepro gear.....
PS got about 60ishmm lift

AnswerID: 27104

Reply By: Hero - Friday, Aug 08, 2003 at 09:08

Friday, Aug 08, 2003 at 09:08

Try talking to suspension specific shops, not just parts vendors with flashy badges, these guys live and breathe these sorts of questions, about $150 pair should hand you a decent set of coils.

The problem with parts vendors is they have to know something about 100 completely different ranges of product and usally resort to a half assed sales pitch and unachievable promises so you buy it.

AnswerID: 27135