After a long, very overloaded road trip across the western US, I had my stock Pro4x suspension replaced. (Shout out here to Mule Expedition Outfitters for parts and labor)
Only 21k miles on the stock parts, but zero regrets about swapping them out. New parts:
- OME struts with HD coils up front
- ARB bumper (no winch yet - a pile of Maxtrax has served me well)
- OME Dakar medium leaf pack in back, with the OME shocks.
- Also have a RTT over the bed, ~140 lbs including mounting stuff.
- Stock Pro4x wheels and OEM Hanook P-metric RF10's
I have since added 19k miles to this setup. If I could do it over again, I would have the new suspension on before I ticked over 1k on the odometer. The stock truck is nice, but 2 adults and fuel/water/self recovery equipment for a couple of days off pavement in the desert and you're going to be sitting pretty low in the back.
I daily drive with the RTT on, and usually with a Hi-lift bolted down in the bed and a hard case with some tools (~50 lbs). Rides great, and doesn't ride low in the rear when adding 20 gallons of water, 10 gallons of gas, and some other odds and ends. With only the RTT the rear rake is noticeable, but the ride is not obnoxious. OME says the medium leaf pack is for +150lbs, but I suspect that may be compared to the regular SV leaf pack; the Pro4x cargo capacity is 300-400lbs less than the SV.
Emptying the bed to do errands, you can put just about anything that will actually fit in there without worrying about the weight.
Obviously you're not getting any increased ground clearance with this setup under the rear axle, and not much under the oil pan, but I've had zero issues on obstacles that some would consider unreasonable for the stock tire size and wheelbase. I wasn't going for lift, but it does provide the stated ~50mm front and rear while loaded.
Note, I do not drive like a maniac off pavement, so I can't speak to how the setup handles high speed washboards and whatnot.
I may get some pics up later, but the TL : DR version is that if you're on the fence about getting a replacement leaf pack, just do it.
Only 21k miles on the stock parts, but zero regrets about swapping them out. New parts:
- OME struts with HD coils up front
- ARB bumper (no winch yet - a pile of Maxtrax has served me well)
- OME Dakar medium leaf pack in back, with the OME shocks.
- Also have a RTT over the bed, ~140 lbs including mounting stuff.
- Stock Pro4x wheels and OEM Hanook P-metric RF10's
I have since added 19k miles to this setup. If I could do it over again, I would have the new suspension on before I ticked over 1k on the odometer. The stock truck is nice, but 2 adults and fuel/water/self recovery equipment for a couple of days off pavement in the desert and you're going to be sitting pretty low in the back.
I daily drive with the RTT on, and usually with a Hi-lift bolted down in the bed and a hard case with some tools (~50 lbs). Rides great, and doesn't ride low in the rear when adding 20 gallons of water, 10 gallons of gas, and some other odds and ends. With only the RTT the rear rake is noticeable, but the ride is not obnoxious. OME says the medium leaf pack is for +150lbs, but I suspect that may be compared to the regular SV leaf pack; the Pro4x cargo capacity is 300-400lbs less than the SV.
Emptying the bed to do errands, you can put just about anything that will actually fit in there without worrying about the weight.
Obviously you're not getting any increased ground clearance with this setup under the rear axle, and not much under the oil pan, but I've had zero issues on obstacles that some would consider unreasonable for the stock tire size and wheelbase. I wasn't going for lift, but it does provide the stated ~50mm front and rear while loaded.
Note, I do not drive like a maniac off pavement, so I can't speak to how the setup handles high speed washboards and whatnot.
I may get some pics up later, but the TL : DR version is that if you're on the fence about getting a replacement leaf pack, just do it.
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