shocks for wh stato

[hovo]

Hi Greg
Mate, my wh stato now has 111,000kms on the clock and rides on the shocks I suspect she rolled out of the factory with. She is standard apart from exhaust, extractors, duspeed otr and an oztrack tune, meaning it probably has around 300kw at the crank. I'm 53 yrs old, usually drive sedately(ish) and don't want lowered suspension. I tow an 18foot caravan that is up around the 2000kg mark. I'm suffering axle tramp especially when towing and needing to use the right foot to get the heavy bastard moving. It has the self levelling back end which I think is a cool idea in theory, but I suspect the air part of the shocks is fine but the oil section is inadequate. Am I better off with heavier progressive springs and decent gas shocks? or just new self levellers (original only, $169 each and unless mine are really worn, shit) My wife has a crook back so I'm reluctant to just fit heavy duty standard height springs in case it is too stiff without the caravan (which is most of the time). I wouldn't even be upset if it rode a little high on variable rate coils so that when the load comes on it sits like normal(or at the same height as the air shocks achieve). How much dearer are Bilsteins? and do you think my situation warrants the price? I had the mechanic check the whole car because I thought it was an engine mount but everything is good and he suspects axle tramp.
I'll also need new fronts as well but I think KYBs will be fine at that end. Can you please give me some advice and prices. Post code 2440
Thanks
Jim

[gslrallysport]

Hi Jim,

Funny mate, halfway through ready your post, I was thinking a Bilstein rear and KYB front combo, and that's exactly what you eluded to at the end! Bilstein's will keep the rear end in check and reduce that axle tramp, and KYB's in the front will be heaps if you're not actually using the car for track work. If you're happy with the ride height (both laden and unladen) then I wouldn't worry about going to a higher spring, but I would suggest getting a standard height, slightly uprated spring for the rear, because with the Bilstein, it'll want a slightly uprated spring. You'd find the ride would actually be worse if you kept the standard spring because the Bilstein would be slightly overvalved...

Front springs I'd keep standard. The other thing I'd do if you're suffering from axle tramp is a couple of the rear bush kits. Price on everything as follows;

Front KYB $145 each
Rear Bilstein $209 each
Rear King Springs $145 for the pair
Rear Cross member outer mount (Whiteline W92350 BUSH KIT-C\DORE REAR OUT MOUNT) $149
Rear Diff mount inserts (Whiteline W92616 BUSH KIT-DIFF MNT INSERT VU SER II - VZ) $30

Shipping to 2440, $15.

Any other questions just let me know!

Regards,
Greg