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| paul w |
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Hello everyone.
New to this site. I have just got myself a lovely EF Gli wagon - one owner, 125,000km, regular service every 10,000km, etc. The guy really looked after it. Have been reading the posts and info here (and on other sites) to see what I can expect from the thing, and I figure the best thing to do to begin with is change the shocks. It seems the standard items last about 50,000km? So, any suggestions as to what type? I'll be using the car mostly for drives to the Snowy Mtns for fly fishing (can sleep in the back). Cheers.
_________________ EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km. |
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| fairlane6970 |
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Suspension is a personal choice, as everyone has an opinion that seems to differ from everyone else! but if you will be doing a fair few country miles (snowy mts trips) I would think some sports type shocks rather than touring or std, I've got Pedders red sports ryders and I'm pretty happy with them but a good quality set will make a nice difference on the road, probably look at some lowered springs while you're at it and a rear sway bar for good measure.
_________________
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| efxr6wagon |
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If you can find someone wrecking a '94-96 XR6 wagon, you buy the Tickford lowered rear leaf springs. They give a good ride, good handling, cope with as much load as the GLi's, and the car will look better lowered a bit.
I've had Monroe GTs on my EF XR6 wagon and didn't like them - too little control. KYBs give very good handling and braking, but the ride is quite harsh. Koni reds are beautiful - nice ride and good control. They are pricey, but can be adjusted for wear, so they last a long time - and can be rebuilt so you will never have to buy another shock.
_________________ 95 EF XR6 wagon, 17" FTRs, DBA rotors, KYB/Koni, AU bottom end, ported EF head, backcut valves, SS Inductions, Territory intake, 10.2 CR, Auckland 1258 cam, vernier gear, PH4480 headers, no cat, Tickford 2.5", 2800rpm stall, J3 chip |
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| BenJ |
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If you want to retain the std ride height, and just replace the shock absorbers I would recommend the Ultima brand shocks. They are available easily from eBay in Sydney for $130 a pair for front struts, and for a HD option for the rear $139.
I will be purchasing these soon myself, and they are a good choice for the budget minded. I will be getting the Short length versions for the front to match my Super Low springs etc. Cheers BenJ
_________________ BenJ's EB T5 DOHC Ghia Wagon - Current Ride |
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| paul w |
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Thanks for the replies.
Not interested in lowering the car, just improving the suspension - I figure it's the best bang-for-your-buck improvement to handling/ride. It also seems to be something that can be done without spending heaps. It would seem to me the addition of new shocks, and a rear sway bar would be the best option (especially the sway bar).
_________________ EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km. |
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| creeture3 |
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Just be a bit careful with the addition of the sway bar at the rear. The very basics of suspension setup say that if you tighten up one end, you loosen the other. In other words, by making the rear more "stiffer", it is probable that you will increase the tendency for understeer.
UNDERSTEER: hitting the wall front first. OVERSTEER: hitting the wall rear first KILLERWATTS: how hard you hit the wall TORQUE: how far you move the wall after hitting it     
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| chris sieclay |
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imo EF's need a bit of tightening in the rear anyway
_________________ South Australia.. Heaps good. |
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| creeture3 |
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Yeah, iirc, the leaf spring rates were altered between the EL and EF, and the front suspension mount points were also changed slightly.
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| SWC |
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Check your PM's
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| SWC |
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Pics of the swaybar install. These are from Benj car but will be the same setup for you.
Attachment: swaybar 1 Wagon.jpg [ 65.66 KiB | Viewed 590 times ] Attachment: swaybar2 wagon.jpg [ 59.81 KiB | Viewed 292 times ] Attachment: swaybar3 wagon.jpg [ 47.64 KiB | Viewed 269 times ] Attachment: swaybar4 wagon.jpg [ 59.53 KiB | Viewed 289 times ] Attachment: swaybar5 wagon.jpg [ 60.66 KiB | Viewed 273 times ] |
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| SWC |
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Not sure where these came from
 but thanks to whoever they belong too.Attachment: swaybar6 wagon.jpg [ 184.65 KiB | Viewed 670 times ] Attachment: swaybar7 wagon.jpg [ 181.23 KiB | Viewed 320 times ] Attachment: swaybar8 wagon.jpg [ 201.45 KiB | Viewed 279 times ] |
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| snap0964 |
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SWC wrote: Pics of the swaybar install. These are from Benj car but will be the same setup for you. They're from my XH ute.SWC wrote: Not sure where these came from XH5LWEPN's XHII XR8 ute. but thanks to whoever they belong too.Original thread: gearbox-suspension-brake-driveline-f4/xh-xr8-suspension-t54544-20.html As mentioned though, wagon setup is same.
_________________ 96 XH Longreach 'S': LPG, Alarm, 3.23:1 LSD, Cruise, Trip Comp, ABS, Power Windows, Mid Series Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl |
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| paul w |
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Thanks for that.
Got the suspension done. I have no issue with the work done, but there is a nasty one about the price. Yes, I know it's obvious, but always get a written quote. I will, from now on. To receive an email that makes up s**t about what was said to me - a complete fabrication - is a real kick in the guts. Anyway, the gas shocks were fitted, and just driving from the workshop one could tell the difference; a nice, taught feel. On a dirt road near my home, the difference was obvious; wheras before the car would sling out it's rear end at any opportunity, especially over the ruts, now it does not, and even when it does, the slide is minimal. Just got myself a rear sway bar, and will fit it this week.
_________________ EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km. |
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| MICKYYYY |
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Which brand shocks did you get?
_________________ Wanted Either Capri/Cortina/XY/XW/XR/XT with tough V8 stroker engine, auto, 9inch, upgraded brakes etc[/SIZE][/size][/color] |
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| paul w |
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At the moment, I am talking to a lawyer friend about my options, so will not identify the brand and business.
Oh, did a fuel economy check, and with the drive from Bathurst to Katoomba, then from Katoomba to Campbelltown and back (via the freeway), I averaged 8.9lt/100km. This is an estimate, as (unlike my Pulsar), I cannot see where the fuel level is in the fuel pipe. When filling, the fuel supply automatically shuts off when it's close to full, so I wait for the third shut-off, and use that as my guage. Not exactly accurate, but as close as I can get. Also, the oil is in very good condition - even after 2,000km since the last oil change, it's clear and clean, which is reasurring. At 126,000km, I hope to get quite some mileage from the motor. I keep an eye on the water level (to keep ahead of the dreaded head gasket fail), and I will also be doing regular oil change/service for the auto transmission. The town fuel usage is a bit of a shock after the little Pulsar, no suprise as it's a big car and it's so hilly around here, but the country mileage seems reasonable, and something I can live with. Everything else is great, though I'm not a fan of power steering. Getting used to it, but still feels a little vague and unconnected.
_________________ EF GLi Wagon. Burgundy. Gas shocks. Rear sway bar. Nice stereo & speakers. Factory bull bar. Driving lights. Roof racks. Great car. 2nd owner. 147,000km. |
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