New Bilstein Suspension by Mikem
Posted: 25 Jul 2018 20:29
For interest I'm sharing some photos of my 2005, 4.8 that I got back from Mikem Suspension today. I have had OME (2" lift) on a previous 4.8 and had the TJM XGS Gold that this one had on it. After much desktop research including looking at some options I saw in Australia I decided to go with the Bilstein, custom made by the guys at Mikem. "Custom" sounds larny but they dont have a 'kit as OME do so they make the reservoirs, mounts etc as required for the vehicle.
First up i must say that these are the first guys I have met in person that have actually been able to explain to me how suspension works. They spent some 90 minutes with me made and this probably made me lean towards them doing the work. Barend in particular deserves a mention.
I did get quotes on multiple options from 4" lifts to OME BP51 (that quote came in at R90k for a 2" lift) to the standard OME 2" lift that we often see. Overall I am delighted by the workmanship and attention to detail. I opted to stay with an approximately 50mm lift as I utilise the car mainly for touring with my young family, towing an overloaded conqueror companion and a roof rack that has always got too much on it.
I am mostly ignorant on suspensions but opted to install external reservoirs and not have adjustable shocks. I have overheated and 'blown' more than a handfull of shocks in my life hence the former option. On adjustability - I drove a cruiser fitted with BP51's for a month earlier this year in Australia and while I tend to think more options are better, I quickly realized that my understanding of how compression and rebound work in reality (versus the manual) fall short if utilising the option to its full extent. Further - I concluded that most of my driving is not done at the limit of any application - i don't race and i don't do extreme rock crawling that requires an Xlink or something similar.
Only drove it for about 90km today but it feels superb. Bumps, swerves and one pavement all elicited just one action from the suspension which is how I think suspension should work.
Oh yes - for R500 someone can have my outgoing TJM Coils (all four) + TJM XGS Gold Front and Rear shocks. They weren't poked/broken but are not new. 2" lift. Update: sold.
First up i must say that these are the first guys I have met in person that have actually been able to explain to me how suspension works. They spent some 90 minutes with me made and this probably made me lean towards them doing the work. Barend in particular deserves a mention.
I did get quotes on multiple options from 4" lifts to OME BP51 (that quote came in at R90k for a 2" lift) to the standard OME 2" lift that we often see. Overall I am delighted by the workmanship and attention to detail. I opted to stay with an approximately 50mm lift as I utilise the car mainly for touring with my young family, towing an overloaded conqueror companion and a roof rack that has always got too much on it.
I am mostly ignorant on suspensions but opted to install external reservoirs and not have adjustable shocks. I have overheated and 'blown' more than a handfull of shocks in my life hence the former option. On adjustability - I drove a cruiser fitted with BP51's for a month earlier this year in Australia and while I tend to think more options are better, I quickly realized that my understanding of how compression and rebound work in reality (versus the manual) fall short if utilising the option to its full extent. Further - I concluded that most of my driving is not done at the limit of any application - i don't race and i don't do extreme rock crawling that requires an Xlink or something similar.
Only drove it for about 90km today but it feels superb. Bumps, swerves and one pavement all elicited just one action from the suspension which is how I think suspension should work.
Oh yes - for R500 someone can have my outgoing TJM Coils (all four) + TJM XGS Gold Front and Rear shocks. They weren't poked/broken but are not new. 2" lift. Update: sold.