New Bilstein Suspension by Mikem

[Wilkie]

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.

Thx I'll take your old TJM's off you...PM me your nr pse

[CarloG]

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.

Thx I'll take your old TJM's off you...PM me your nr pse

Sorry Wilkie - taken

[hugejp]

Looking good!

What did it cost incl installation?

[CarloG]

Looking good!

What did it cost incl installation?

Excl the front bumpstops but including the steering dampener was about 21k inclusive.

[DawidT]

Hi Carlo,

I PM you. Need your contact details but see the PM is sitting in my outbox?

[Kagiso II]

me thinks me must put "debs" on Carlo's car .. seems like he really puts in to make it the ultimate Croozer gatskopper AND the "MOST WANTED PATROL" out there.
Dis goed om te sien hoe jy jou Patrol met sorg versorg en toerus, mater.. rerrig.

Gee bikki terugvoer , wat het die "Besoek aan Abel" tot gevolg gehad? [hoop jy jy is spyt nie? ]

[CarloG]

me thinks me must put "debs" on Carlo's car .. seems like he really puts in to make it the ultimate Croozer gatskopper AND the "MOST WANTED PATROL" out there.
Dis goed om te sien hoe jy jou Patrol met sorg versorg en toerus, mater.. rerrig.

Gee bikki terugvoer , wat het die "Besoek aan Abel" tot gevolg gehad? [hoop jy jy is spyt nie? ]

Dankie Mac - ek sal in Mozambique en Kruger vir die volgende vier weeke wees. Waneer ek terug kom sal ek terugvoer. Alreeds vergeet van die storie met Viper en RBTS. (Thats about the best Afrikaans i can muster - been about 25 years since I've written anything in Afrikaans! )