I have an enviable position testing and evaluating 4×4 products. Yep, it’s fun playing with big boys’ toys… er… researching, testing and evaluating products, but it brings with it a sense of responsibility.
Yes, I am responsible for ensuring I test, assess and report accordingly and fairly. But when promoting or recommending products to strangers, friends and family, that’s a whole extra bundle of responsibility.
I get asked often, “What is the best… insert whatever product you want here… for my 4×4”. My answers are always taken seriously, often preceding plenty of questions to ensure I offer the right product that is fit for purpose.
What’s the story?
The perfect example was a couple of years ago when a mate asked what brand of suspension he should fit to his twin cab Colorado. Given it already had sagged, aging, possibly incorrectly rated and most likely overloaded aftermarket suspension (as fitted by the previous owner). And was carrying its fair share of weight via a bull bar, winch and canopy stuffed with drawers, tools and camping gear. He hooks his camper trailer up for a yearly bush retreat, carts rubbish to the tip in his box trailer, heads onto the beach for a fish and gets out when he can for your average weekend away camping with mates. It’s an all-purpose touring setup similar to thousands of other dual / twin cabs on the road.
I went through a few options but suggested if it was my ute, I’d fit the relevantly rated rear Terrain Tamer parabolic leaf springs, front Smart coils and expanded body shock absorbers. No, this kit is not best for all scenarios, but I reckoned it would suit perfectly for this common use.
I also suggested he do his own research and see what he came up with. One week later, he dropped in to say he had ordered a Terrain Tamer kit and that I would help fit it for him! Well, I don’t recall offering that bit, but we did the suspension swap in my shed.
Terrain Tamer DIY fitment
I only suggest doing this if you know what you’re in for and pretty handy on the tools. It took us a very long day, interrupted only by a few meat pies and sauce, compared to the few hours a workshop would take; plus, he had to drive in for a wheel alignment after the fitting to ensure everything was pointing where it should be.
The immediately noticeable height difference was quite astounding. Having gone from badly sagged suspension to a fresh kit, complete with four-leaf parabolic leaves and Smart Coils suited for the added weight of the bull bar and winch. All bushes, shackles, greaseable pins and hardware came in the kit, making for a complete suspension overhaul.
Testing, Testing…
After fitting, the initial play in my bush block to test out suspension flex proved the increased ground clearance, as it did the superior flex. Driving around our local second-rate, pothole-infused, rural roads proved the ride comfort had been transformed from bone-jarring to down rite comfortable. Later, an interstate drive loaded with all the usual gear proved the load-carrying capacity ideal. The load-carrying capacity, combined with steering and braking control (no nose diving under hard braking), has all improved with the installation of the Terrain Tamer kit.
So, my mate is a happy camper with his Colorado and I’m sure you would be too. Just don’t ask me to help fit it.
Fast forward about two years, and the Colorado and its Terrain Tamer suspension is still going strong, has not sagged, still offers all the benefits as when new. My mate?… he’s still wrapped with the suspension and my advise. Now, he’s asking about new tyres… oh my, I can see me fitting them soon!
Terrain Tamer Parabolic summary
No, not all utes are equal, but consider the ride enhancement we have found with the Colorado to be similar across the range of utes, regardless of brand. If Terrain Tamer offers their parabolic and Smart coil kits for a single, extra or twin cab ute that you either have or are considering purchasing, I would not hesitate to recommend them.
For more information on the range of Terrain Tamer products, check out www.terraintamer.com
