Upgrade suspension on my list too so I'll be watching with interest as well
@Crusty181.
@Smergen has your ute got underbody soundproofing ??? Mine didn't and could get pretty noisy on some roads so I sprayed it with the black goop, a lot quieter now, base model of course.
Suspension is a bit of a minefield with extraordinarily passionate views for particular brands, and equally passionate views against particular brands. Which makes it very confusing and worrying to be honest. Even if the whole suspension thing/bits falls off the car, replacing its only a $2000 odd job, so the cost of the upgrade isn't significant (in the big picture), its more about knowing you've got the right advice from the right people. I originally wanted Pedders because thats their core function and they are (i believe) the only manufacturers left in Oz (for all the components) but they couldn't explain why they were so much more expensive ... made worse when they apparently manufacture for a lot of other brands ... who in turn sell it cheaper.
I need to harden up the soft bum of the Navara for work, but then in order of importance add in towing the Behemoth with the car loaded to the gunnels, a bit of mucking about on the farm, and last and very much least maybe some bush bashing (on freshly graded dirty suburban bitumen streets)
The guy Im getting to do mine was happy (so he says) to put on virtually any brand that took my desire, but he was the only one I spoke to who's recommendation for a particular brand came with confident reasoning the made sense combined with hands on personal experience .... maybe he's just a great salesman and Ive been goosed. But he's also the only one that took into account my very heavy needs today and much lighter needs in 18 months for which he offered tangible alternatives and adjustments when I need them.
One other thing I discovered is that TJM have no company stores and each store is an independent franchise, with each franchise stocking some core standardised TJM stock and then other various stuff they themselves source. ARB don't offer anything outside their own brand, and the guy I spoke to there used the feedback his dad gave him to confidently recommend the only product they sold.
Hopefully Ive made the right choice ... time will tell
