I have a 2016 dual cab 4x4 and experience a very bouncy uncomfortable ride when towing my van which is a Legacy 630, GTM 2440 ATM 2580. Unfortunately I went to a weigh bridge yesterday that malfunctioned so I cannot give weights as yet. However I fitted Thor twin bellows air bags and so far no difference in ride quality at either 50psi or 30psi. I have a Hayman Reese weight distribution hitch and the both vehicles appear level but the ride is awful and I would appreciate any advice as to how I can improve the ride.
Delta18 said
11:30 AM Sep 29, 2018
Have you tried with zero, or at least the bare minimum pressure in the bags?
At 50psi you basically have no suspension, also running the risk of chassis damage.
Moose2 said
12:42 PM Sep 29, 2018
50psi in the airbags! Wow. Not surprised the ride is horrible. Agree with previous reply - let them down. Also what are you running in the tyres?
Peter_n_Margaret said
12:50 PM Sep 29, 2018
Get rid of the airbags and fit decent shockers.
Cheers,
Peter
DMaxer said
01:49 PM Sep 29, 2018
Hi Bravehearts. I have a 2014 DMax and although I was quite happy with the towing of my Windsor Genesis (about 2,2 tonnes loaded up) I spoke with quite a few other Isuzu owners as I was contemplating upgrading the suspension. I previously had read a lot of articles regarding 4 x 4 utes and they all referred to poor standard suspension as a compromise for driving around town and towing. Anyway, I checked most of the after manufacture suspension companies and they all seemed to give your ute a 2" lift with varying results.
I was very fortunate because one of the many knowledgeable forum members contacted me with the solution that he had used. All that was needed was an extra leaf fitted to the rear suspension. I was recommended to a South Grafton business that were primarily blacksmiths and had been for almost 100 years. They make their own leaf springs and do the installation. If that was not enough, they even owned Isuzus and had done it to those vehicles.
You cannot believe the difference it made. There was no need to touch the front suspension and the rear was raised about 1" with the tub unloaded. The ride is better, the towing was good before but now is fabulous. When I went to collect my car there was a Mazda B50 there getting all the after market suspension removed and going back to the basics with the same set up as me. His suspension had gone from being 2" lift to completely flat from towing a horse float about.
The cost for all this after market suspension is around $2500 to $3000. It cost me $700 to have this done with the owner telling me that it would last forever with only the shackles and bushes needing replacing every 100,000 kilometres or so.
I had previously looked at every option but so happy I went this way. If you want the address of the people who did mine send me a personal message and I will send it to you.
Dougwe said
02:15 PM Sep 29, 2018
Hey DM, I did that to my Collie with same results.
Pedders did my job though, I'm a happy camper.
Bravehearts, I was told to stay away from airbags on these utes unless you want a broken back.
Bravehearts said
02:44 PM Sep 29, 2018
Thanks guys for all your comments, was contemplating fitting heavy duty shocks plus a spring upgrade and will certainly release the airbag pressure as advised. Has anyone fitted Helper Springs and is this an option to getting the existing springs upgraded. Just exploring all options .
Bravehearts said
02:45 PM Sep 29, 2018
Sorry Moose I meant to say I am running 40 psi in rear tyres 32 in front
Phillipn said
03:01 PM Sep 29, 2018
I had an extra leaf added to my BT50 about 3 years ago by Green Bros in South Grafton and I am very happy with their work. The rear is lifted 30mm unloaded and makes the BT50 much more stable when towing the caravan.
Stay away from after market springs and get the people who know what they are doing to correct your suspension. Greens had a pile of after market springs in their scrap bin that they had replaced.
As others have said air bags over inflated will damage the chassie. The extra spring cost a lot less than air bags and do a better job.
If you need their contact details PM me.
Bravehearts said
03:56 PM Sep 29, 2018
Thanks Phillipn, I am currently located in Kenilworth Qld, so I need to find a good Spring Company around the Sunshine Coast or North towards Bundaberg area. I appreciate your helpful response.
yobarr said
07:12 PM Sep 29, 2018
Bravehearts wrote:
Thanks Phillipn, I am currently located in Kenilworth Qld, so I need to find a good Spring Company around the Sunshine Coast or North towards Bundaberg area. I appreciate your helpful response.
Hi David....Not exactly in your area,but well worth a day trip is Carroll Springs,in Wacol.These guys know their stuff,and upgraded my springs and shocks (EFS XTR?) at a much lower price than that quoted by another well known supplier.They did the whole job, including a GVM upgrade,in a few hours while I sat next door in a local lunch bar/cafe.Highly recommended.....I dont know if Im allowed to give names,but I dealt with a very helpful chap,Doug Butler.Well worth the trip.Cheers
KJB said
09:15 AM Sep 30, 2018
'Decent " shock absorbers will not correct "saggy" springs. Shock Absorbers do not carry Load.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:08 AM Sep 30, 2018
Shocks WILL prevent that bounce though . This can happen if your springs are firmer than than your shocks can handle then rebound off the spring . My old work Rodeo had the same issue . Actually gave me a sore back . If it isnt sagging too much ? I would fit better shocks . NOT original . Drop the bag pressure to 15-20 lb . So they work like a progressive bump stop .,
Bravehearts said
01:02 PM Sep 30, 2018
Thanks again for the advice given and I now have a clear plan going forward. Ugrade the springs and shocks and reduce airbag pressure. I really appreciate all who have taken time to contribute, Grey Nomads rule again.
Moose2 said
01:13 PM Sep 30, 2018
Bravehearts wrote:
Thanks again for the advice given and I now have a clear plan going forward. Ugrade the springs and shocks and reduce airbag pressure. I really appreciate all who have taken time to contribute, Grey Nomads rule again.
Mate - take it one step at a time. First try with heaps less pressure in those air bags. Might take a bit of trial and error. Start low, say 10psi, and work up until you find a comfortable ride. That may be all you need. If that fails then look at the other areas. No point spending money before you know for sure you need to.
Bravehearts said
05:33 PM Sep 30, 2018
Thanks Moose, I figure thats a good plan.
The Travelling Dillberries said
05:33 PM Sep 30, 2018
As a comparison for you Bravehearts I have a 2016 D-Max 4x4 dual cab with canopy. Tow a Jayco dual axle.
Weights are (actual) Van 2100kg, Tow ball 250kg, car 2520kg.
Car suspension is standard. Don't use a WDH.
Van and car sit level, ride is comfortable. Handling is excellent.
yours being a bit heavier the extra leaf will probably do.
Air bags are not recommended for the D-Max. That's from Isuzu and reputable Pedders dealers.
-- Edited by The Travelling Dillberries on Sunday 30th of September 2018 05:34:38 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
05:43 PM Sep 30, 2018
pffft dealers dont get their 40%+!mark up !!
The Travelling Dillberries said
06:58 PM Sep 30, 2018
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
pffft dealers dont get their 40%+!mark up !!
What are you talking about?
Bravehearts said
08:23 PM Sep 30, 2018
Thanks, however I have received different advice re airbags from Pedders, and others including the dealer I bought the ute from and thats why I fitted them. I guess time will tell, however I again thank all who have contributed.
The Travelling Dillberries said
08:29 PM Sep 30, 2018
Bravehearts wrote:
Thanks, however I have received different advice re airbags from Pedders, and others including the dealer I bought the ute from and thats why I fitted them. I guess time will tell, however I again thank all who have contributed.
That's why I said from a reputable Pedders dealer. They advised me that due to the many issues of cracking in the chassis in D=-Max, they would not recommend installing them.
Anyway you have them, so keep an eye on the chassis for cracking.
Aus-Kiwi said
08:38 PM Sep 30, 2018
Its the nutters over inflating them.. Seen a few bent chassis that dont have bags . The nut again . Behind the wheel !!
Warren-Pat_01 said
11:58 PM Sep 30, 2018
Bravehearts,
I have HD Airbag Man airbags on my Patrol. They are rated to 55 psi - the maximum I put in them is 25-27psi. Otherwise, I'd be running with solid springs & chancing possible damage to the car.
And no, because of this possibility, I do not follow the instructions for blowing them up (measure load off, add load & blow up until the measurement is the same).
Warren-Pat_01 said
12:00 AM Oct 1, 2018
The bare minimum pressure in airbags is 5psi to prevent pinching.
Have you tried with zero, or at least the bare minimum pressure in the bags?
At 50psi you basically have no suspension, also running the risk of chassis damage.
50psi in the airbags! Wow. Not surprised the ride is horrible. Agree with previous reply - let them down. Also what are you running in the tyres?
Cheers,
Peter
Hi Bravehearts. I have a 2014 DMax and although I was quite happy with the towing of my Windsor Genesis (about 2,2 tonnes loaded up) I spoke with quite a few other Isuzu owners as I was contemplating upgrading the suspension. I previously had read a lot of articles regarding 4 x 4 utes and they all referred to poor standard suspension as a compromise for driving around town and towing. Anyway, I checked most of the after manufacture suspension companies and they all seemed to give your ute a 2" lift with varying results.
I was very fortunate because one of the many knowledgeable forum members contacted me with the solution that he had used. All that was needed was an extra leaf fitted to the rear suspension. I was recommended to a South Grafton business that were primarily blacksmiths and had been for almost 100 years. They make their own leaf springs and do the installation. If that was not enough, they even owned Isuzus and had done it to those vehicles.
You cannot believe the difference it made. There was no need to touch the front suspension and the rear was raised about 1" with the tub unloaded. The ride is better, the towing was good before but now is fabulous. When I went to collect my car there was a Mazda B50 there getting all the after market suspension removed and going back to the basics with the same set up as me. His suspension had gone from being 2" lift to completely flat from towing a horse float about.
The cost for all this after market suspension is around $2500 to $3000. It cost me $700 to have this done with the owner telling me that it would last forever with only the shackles and bushes needing replacing every 100,000 kilometres or so.
I had previously looked at every option but so happy I went this way. If you want the address of the people who did mine send me a personal message and I will send it to you.
Pedders did my job though, I'm a happy camper.
Bravehearts, I was told to stay away from airbags on these utes unless you want a broken back.
I had an extra leaf added to my BT50 about 3 years ago by Green Bros in South Grafton and I am very happy with their work. The rear is lifted 30mm unloaded and makes the BT50 much more stable when towing the caravan.
Stay away from after market springs and get the people who know what they are doing to correct your suspension. Greens had a pile of after market springs in their scrap bin that they had replaced.
As others have said air bags over inflated will damage the chassie. The extra spring cost a lot less than air bags and do a better job.
If you need their contact details PM me.
Hi David....Not exactly in your area,but well worth a day trip is Carroll Springs,in Wacol.These guys know their stuff,and upgraded my springs and shocks (EFS XTR?) at a much lower price than that quoted by another well known supplier.They did the whole job, including a GVM upgrade,in a few hours while I sat next door in a local lunch bar/cafe.Highly recommended.....I dont know if Im allowed to give names,but I dealt with a very helpful chap,Doug Butler.Well worth the trip.Cheers
'Decent " shock absorbers will not correct "saggy" springs. Shock Absorbers do not carry Load.
Mate - take it one step at a time. First try with heaps less pressure in those air bags. Might take a bit of trial and error. Start low, say 10psi, and work up until you find a comfortable ride. That may be all you need. If that fails then look at the other areas. No point spending money before you know for sure you need to.
As a comparison for you Bravehearts I have a 2016 D-Max 4x4 dual cab with canopy. Tow a Jayco dual axle.
Weights are (actual) Van 2100kg, Tow ball 250kg, car 2520kg.
Car suspension is standard. Don't use a WDH.
Van and car sit level, ride is comfortable. Handling is excellent.
yours being a bit heavier the extra leaf will probably do.
Air bags are not recommended for the D-Max. That's from Isuzu and reputable Pedders dealers.
-- Edited by The Travelling Dillberries on Sunday 30th of September 2018 05:34:38 PM
What are you talking about?
That's why I said from a reputable Pedders dealer. They advised me that due to the many issues of cracking in the chassis in D=-Max, they would not recommend installing them.
Anyway you have them, so keep an eye on the chassis for cracking.
I have HD Airbag Man airbags on my Patrol. They are rated to 55 psi - the maximum I put in them is 25-27psi. Otherwise, I'd be running with solid springs & chancing possible damage to the car.
And no, because of this possibility, I do not follow the instructions for blowing them up (measure load off, add load & blow up until the measurement is the same).