Thread: ARB + Suspension = WTF!!!

I would have to agree that ARB Canberra does lack the required level of customer focus.

Yo Fro

If you are serious about keeping the SLS with spacers then really ask around for the best fit shocks... the airbag has different compression / rebound characteristics than springs so standard shocks may give you a suss rear end.

Can vouch for Suspension Stuff but were unable to source SLS compatible shocks.... Looks like Bilstein are the only off the shelf longer shocks, unless anyone else can add to this...

Also double check the ABS and brake lines lengths on the back end in a controlled environment at full articulation... I had to unclip the ABS lead from the chassis clip on the passenger side.

Would like to use the SLS spacers but they are illegal in Qld

As for the ARBs in Brisbane... more than happy with them

Originally Posted by pohm66

If you are serious about keeping the SLS with spacers then really ask around for the best fit shocks... the airbag has different compression / rebound characteristics than springs so standard shocks may give you a suss rear end.

I don't quite know what a "suss rear end" means. However air springs have some inherent damping while coils have none. So using shocks designed for coils will just mean that you are slightly overdamped, but shouldn't produce any issues.

I fitted air springs to my rear axle, and kept the same shocks (bilstein) and I have no issues.

I've got SLS with Tombie's kit as a lift. I went to ARB Dandenong some years back and they fitted OME shocks. They infact wanted to verify that I had a lift on the SLS system as without it there would be a problem. Don't know if it is the best system I could get but 5 years and numerous km off road it's still going strong.

Well after all last night and a lot of this morning researching all over the interweb, I have shortlisted down to the following:

Shocks = either Koni (pricey) or Bilsteins (apparantly hard/harsh?)
Springs = Dobinsons, Lovells or LRA's in-house springs

I would greatly appreciate everyones feedback on all or any of these in any combinations.

Cheers in advance

Fro

Hey Ben...

What I meant by "....a suss rear end " is that usually shocks and springs are matched to compliment each other especially in the off road, load and braking areas.

With the standard shocks matched up with SLS these characteristics maybe different to the detriment of effective braking or loose back end on corrugated corners etc. Braking though is majority front end biased.

Just passing on the feedback I received from ARB, Suspension Stuff and Dobinsons when I went through this exercise.

Fro, in my case I ended up with Dobinsons, happy so far but the back is a lot stiffer... not sure if that 'cos the previous shocks were shot though....

I have been researching this one for a while now and although I would probably prefer Bilsteins because the mono design is better at dissipating heat in situations where the corrugations are measured in days rather than distance it seems that only Koni are recommended to suit the SLS from the manufacturer.
I have tried just about every Billie expert around and they all have different tales to tell but when you mention SLS they will often cross themselves repeatedly and try to change the subject.... or recommend you convert the vehicle to coils.
So I reckon it will be Koni heavytrack for me.

Hey mate,

Thought you'd have them fitted by now ya slack bugger! Don't understand why Canberran's make things so hard, at the end of the day its a bloody sale!

I went with OME all round with my SLS kit & my local ARB bloke didnt even question me nor did he talk about warranty.

I havent had any problems with the rating for the rear shock vs the airbag either; has performed great on & off road.

Would like to use the SLS spacers but they are illegal in Qld

Woops! Didn't realise they were illegal in QLD!

itchynipl