Hi all am new to the site and I after some advice. I have a 2003 TJ AWD it is currently lowered on Pedders springs and shocks........in a word pure utter crap.

I am read a few posts but am still undecided on what to fit.

Any ideas thoughts.........

Mal

Go to wreckers and buy the standard bits?

. . . . just a thought . . . . lol

Offer someone a swap for standard bits?

Thought of that but it does look good lowered.....on 18's.

Sell your current setup, buy a decent setup?
It'll still cost quite a few hundred though

I went with Kido coilovers - a good solution because you get springs and shocks at the same time, but how much ride quality do you need?

Mine is not too harsh on the softest setting, but I think I'd prefer a smoother ride.

Also, they don't cope too well with a bump in the middle of a corner - it bounces the car too harshly instead of just handling it. But on a smooth corner it's perfectly OK.


Other thing I would be tempted to try is custom springs from K-MAC in Sydney's south. I had some progressive rate springs from them on a car I had from 1994 to 2001 and I though very highly of them.
They made the spring to my required height and I was very happy every time I drove that car. I'd say it probably handled better than my AWD Magna. (because it was 700kg lighter!)

Id just change springs to either lovells, kings or dobinsons they have a better spring rate then pedders springs

+1 for coilovers.

To source custom rate springs costs and doesn't solve the damper issue, unless you go for Koni's. The final bill for a set of custom springs and Koni shocks is a around the same as a set of coilovers - last time I priced this option it was going to cost me $1100. Just with coilovers you save weight (handy in an AWD) and you have ride height adjustment.

Having said that I got good mileage from a set of KYB shocks on Kings lows. Boge/Sachs is the new way to go I hear for a cheap but effective alternative to standard suspension.

Lovell springs are good,

If you still want to retain a somewhat lowered stance, VRX/GTVi factory springs and some new shocks will make your ride less harsh.

It depends what you're chasing..

This is a touchy subject on here, but I'll give you a little food for thought.

If you only want to lower it a little and keep superior tide quality a decent shock and spring combo is the pick of the bunch.

If you want to slam it on its rails, have ridiculous camber and stiff dampening.. Grab yourself some coilovers.

My coilovers are compliant as ever on 8/6kg springs and the softest setting.. I'm now on 10/8kg and softest setting and its spot on how I like it.. Its stiff, but not overly bouncey. It's still comfortable as my daily ( ... For me, because I love a stiff ride ;) ... )

Don't rush your decision.. Have a good think about it. Its not like changing your underwear, it's a pricey-ish decision.

SuFz

My wagon is on Dobinson springs and boge shocks/struts. Cost under 800 for the parts and steers/handles better than any other car ive spent twice that on!

Thanks

Going to give Dobinsons a try I have dealt with Marty at Dobinsons at Smeaton Grange before he is will to give me a set of springs to try with the Pedders struts/shocks.

Also doing ball joints rack ends tie rod ends and strut tops and bump stops in the process......easier while it's out I say. Any recommendations on strut tops and bump stops?

Cheers
Mal

I havent seen any aftermarket strut tops for magnas, i could be wrong though, bump stops i had replaced with genuine ones and they havent failed yet, (i do track work) with shock/spring if your looking for looks want cheap and dont care about ride quality, lowered springs are the best, if you want your car to look good, handle well and dont care about ride quality, a set of Kido coilovers will do wonders, im amazed at the difference it made, if you live where there are bumps everywhere, in a week you will get over it !

My son has coil overs in his VE and let's say he ride is rather harsh with the crappy quality of our local roads.....

I have sent Mal from Mits Fix a couple of emails......

Will keep you posted.....

Mal

I have moved this to the appropriate section.

Good luck with your suspension!