Bigcat's Journal

Hi guys,

Been lurking on here for a while so finally decided to register seeing as there is such good info on here :)

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I'm on my second XT, this one being owned since 08. It was lowered when I bought it but I found it to scrape a fair bit on the 19's so I raised it back to stock. Then treated it to a 3inch turbo back and a Verso tune, a resinatorectomy and a K&N. It knocks out 230hp at all four wheels, which is fine for me. The rims are 19x8 HP designs in shadow chrome, plastidipped matt black. I really like them in black so I'll get them repainted/powder coated satin black soon.

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Just last weekend we went up to Lancelin and Wedge for a couple of days. Got the Foz up on the dunes and on the beach for a blast. Those 245/40/19 tyres aren't really suitable for offroad and I think my stockie suspension is probably dead after 250K kilometres so I'm looking at a spare set of rims with General or BFG ATs and perhaps a 35mm Kings/KYB lift. Also got a custom light bar/skid plate on the cards similar to Rally Innovations that I want fabricated and a re-tint.

Nice to be here anyway! Great site :)
 

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Hello again.

Now I see why you need those 16"s!

If you do replace your struts with KYBs I'd love to cut up your old ones for R&D purposes.
 
G'day again Bigcat :)

Sounds like you had a great time. Great pics too mate, the 2nd one is a beauty :raz:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
I think you may just be right there stilson :)

Give me a little bit & I'll see what I magic I can come up with :iconwink: :ebiggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
taza said:
Hey mate, Welcome to the forum. You'll have to come on a trip with us sometime. There's quiet a few of us Perth members. .
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Hi Taza, thanks for the welcome :)

Funny thing, I've been reading your threads on your lift kit, very interesting. I just rang Malaga Suspensions for a quote on some Dobinsons and struts for my XT with SLS. The guys seems to know what he's on about compared to the others. I tried Wilkinsons ($1400 for Boge/Kings) and WA suspensions ($1750 for KYB/Kings!!) so hopefully he'll come back with a much better quote or I think I may cry. I need to get them done asap as my car is driving a bit odd like the rear tyre is flat, so I'm guessing the shockie is cactus. I really want my rear jacking up more than the front too and I seem to remember yours did the same?

I do have a question for you though - I notice on many Foresters that have had lifts that the wheels seem to look off centre in the wheel arches when viewed from the side. I know this can be fixed with trailing arms spacers but the guy at Malaga Suspensions reckons camber bolts would fix that. Now I'm no expert but I though camber was a totally different thing. Just wondering how you got your wheels lined up correctly in the arches?

Cheers :)
 
Camber bolts will not centre the rear wheels as you said.

For a spring only lift (~1"), trailing arm spacers are not usually required.

Those prices are excessive.
 
You think that's excessive? Just got the quote back from the other mob - $2000! That's with new KYBs all round, raised Dobinsons and camber bolts front and rear, fitted and aligned. Where does everyone else get theirs done so cheaply??

Also just found some BFGs 215/70/16 on special for the same price as Grabber AT2's ($230/corner). Not sure which I'd prefer...
 
Yeahvwe can help you fit them and get them at wholesale price. Stilson n me do this all the time.
I'm an auto sparky and have full access to our workshop afterhours so I'll give you a hand on a Saturday or Sunday if you want? We can do it for less than half that last price.
 
Hi guys, I'd love to hear about wholesale pricing, that'd be great thanks! I think i like to go the Dobinson route though rather than Kings and I'll need KYB struts front and back thanks to the SLS. I also like the sound of camber bolts. Please let me know what you'd like for sorting it out in terms of cartons etc heheh

I've never fitted suspension before though but I'd love to learn. The more I can do on my own the less i'll get wallet-raped in the future. Either that or I can get CK Autos to fit them, that guy is awesome.
 
Bigcat said:
I've never fitted suspension before though but I'd love to learn. The more I can do on my own the less i'll get wallet-raped in the future. Either that or I can get CK Autos to fit them, that guy is awesome.
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Hi mate and welcome, good to see more guys from Perth.

Youl normally find most Suspension places charge over the top hey (they think because they specialize:rolleyes: in something they can charge more).

Even if you decided to pay someone to do the work for you (ie-CK Autos) if you supply the parts etc youd still save a fair bit compared to going to a Suspension shop.

And IMO a good mechanical workshop will do a better job as well.
 
Urrgh this is doing my nut in. I'm on holiday this week and really need this sorting before I go back to work as its a pain getting to these suspension shops from where I work.

Malaga Suspensions won't have any Dobinsons springs for 2 weeks as they are currently being manufactured, but they are ludicrously expensive. However, I like the idea of having the rears 5mm higher than the fronts. Pedders can fit me in friday for Pedders struts / raised Kings but I don't know if Pedders struts are any good. The best quote I got was for Boge struts and raised Kings and the struts have a lifetime warranty, but I've not heard of those either. CK said he'd charge about $400 to 500 to fit struts and springs if I gave him the parts but I have no idea where to get hem from. The only mob i can find that'll fit KYBs is WA suspensions but they ain't cheap either.

Think i'll just crack a beer and give up :lol:

EDIT: Just got it sorted finally. Going Dobinsons/KYB next week. Also got my steelies to the powder coaters and BFGs on order. Thank god for that! My head hurts. Should have some nice pics for you in a few days!
 
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Sounds great Bigcat :raz:

Looking forward to seeing it once it's done.
And don't forget to get a couple of before & after pics & measurements too :raz:

If it's not too late & if your having the silver lip, perhaps you could have the center cap done in silver aswell, to match the lip :shrug:

Just my 2 cents worth :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
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