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Post Info TOPIC: suspension


Senior Member

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suspension


Has anyone got the alko IRS suspension fitted on their van , more so a off road or semi off road van .

I'm wondering how the suspension handles corrugated surfaces . It looks very simplistic and little maintenance.

I have seen several new off road vans advertised with it fitted . 



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Guru

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I have it fitted supposed to be all-terrain; and not impressed very soft when walking around van without stabilisers down - If child bride steps on step when I'm in shower it'll throw you out of the shower. Needs to be constantly realigned - Prefer solid beam axle with leaf springs as previous vans.

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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan

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Guru

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Thanks for your comment, Possum.
I had considered changing the suspension on my pop-top to something that gave a little more travel before the axle hit the bump stops. Perhaps I could replace the bump stops with those Aeon units, taking into consideration as to whether the shackles turn back too far.
I know friends who have "their" ideal independent suspensions & they too have needed realignment.
Before I do anything, I'll consult with a specialist (not someone who is marketing only XYZ suspensions).

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Warren

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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!

2019 Isuzu D-Max dual cab, canopy, Fulcrum suspension; 2011 17' Jayco Discovery poptop Outback



Guru

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If you get the AlKo suspension tailored to the weight of the van it is a good suspension. As you know how heavy your van is you can order the suspension specifying the loading needed. The best off road vans built are the old Phoenix models built by Barry Davidson and his staff. They used the AlKo suspension.

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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 



Guru

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HI.

40 odd yrs ago we had it on our tinnie trailers.
I had 2.
One end of one of them did rotate one sq. (4 sides)

BUT.. that was a lot of yrs ago.

Nowadays they seen pretty good.
If Barry fitted them. They'd be top line believe me.
As said.
his vans (Phoenix) were the best OFF roaders on the market.
Bar none.
As are his later versions. But they ain't cheap.

I often wondered how they'd work with shockers though.
I used Symplicity for my last 3 vans. (Roadstars\Compass)
Just weld the setup under chasssis and away.
Only one fault with the Tandems but easy to modify.

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Senior Member

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Thxs for the input , I'd read they are good if set up correctly to the GVM , because some manufacturers had ordered them using the ATM and it would shake the billy o out of the cupboards on corrugations as it was too hard.

What about the vans with the latest and greatest suspensions , twin shocks etc on cantilever arms , has anyone experienced problems on a newer van.

I'm considering a new van and theres a myriad of set ups out there..



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Guru

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Date:

Best.

Air... Super Exxy.

Second.
A GOOD "Independant" Rocker arm leverage with shocks.
Nearly... As super exxy.

Third,
Symplicity. Proven. Military used for yrs, still do?????.

Mainly affordable.. (coupla grandish.)
I never complained once in 20 odd yrs.
AND Travelled INSIDE van with first one.
to check them out.

I reckon EVERYBODY should travel INside their van for a while.
Just to realise what the interior goes through on normal bitumin roads.
(I've slept in ours on long runs)

Fouth
Axles. and springs., with. without shockers\Air bags.
And springs mounted both ends. NOT "slippers".

Everybody's pricing.
and will do everything for everybody
with just a few more rocks and bumps than others.

Fifth.
Wheelbarrow and strong arms.
Cheap Chuckle.


Mainly ON Road van.
just a decent Axle\s unit with Good quality springs and shocks
will do Comfortably anywhere. Incl med off road.
BUT hate Corrugations.

Personally, Looking at what's avail.
in single axle, I'd be going the rubber unit. Hopefully, with shocks.
(softer than leaf. if set well.)

Dual, All depends on back pocket I reckon.
and how far on corrugations, rough. you intend travelling on.

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Guru

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Date:

mezza56 wrote:

Thxs for the input , I'd read they are good if set up correctly to the GVM , because some manufacturers had ordered them using the ATM and it would shake the billy o out of the cupboards on corrugations as it was too hard.


 Mark, GVM = ATM. GVM is the maximum weight allowable for a motorised vehicle, ATM is used when the vehicle is a trailer. Did you mean GTM )the maximum allowable weight on the wheels) and not GVM?



-- Edited by PeterD on Tuesday 6th of June 2017 01:02:48 PM

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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 



Guru

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Posts: 2052
Date:

Hi PeterD,
The suspension you mentioned (AlKo suspension) - is that the rubber torsion bar type?
If so, yes I've seen it in the past & was impressed but I'm not certain how the rubber would last in the tropics. Exposed rubber cracks, although I was stunned to find my Nissan's spare tyre was ten years old - had no cracks as it had been covered with a vinyl cover.

It might be a good exercise to see whether it would fit my van.

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Warren

----------------

If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!

2019 Isuzu D-Max dual cab, canopy, Fulcrum suspension; 2011 17' Jayco Discovery poptop Outback

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