Formula 4x4 Big Bore Customer Feedback
The following is a detailed review of our Formula 4x4 Big Bore shocks absorbers. Sent in by one of customers who is currently toruing the Australian outback.
As part of planning a trip up the Central Arnhem Road and back across the Savannah Way, I needed to replace the OEM shock absorbers on my 2016 Patrol. I contacted Fulcrum Suspensions for advice. They have been my go to suspension company for over forty years on both my rally cars and 4X4’s. Their advice was to try the new Formula 4X4 Big Bore shock absorbers. My first impression driving the Patrol home after fitting, was that it was much nicer to drive as the front end was not as soft, thus reducing the inherent understeer. 9300 kilometers later I have found these initial impressions to be correct.The Formula 4x4 shock absorbers performed exceptionally on all road surfaces from smooth bitumen to corrugated dirt. After hundreds of kilometers of corrugations they were still cool enough to touch. I will not hesitate to recommend them to all my friends.
The Formula 4x4 Big Bore shock absorbers where fitted to my 2016 - Y61 3 Litre Turbo Nissan Patrol Wagon towing Aussie Swag hard floor camper trailer (weight about 1 tonne with 170 Kgs tow ball weight). Vehicle moderately loaded with slightly more weight on left hand side.
Summary
The below is my summary of the shock absorber performance and above is a photo of my Patrol at the Wearyan River crossing on the Savannah Way. (This was the overflow part of the river, the crossing was about 800mm deep and very rocky). Hope this helps and thanks for the opportunity to try out the shocks. I will give you a call when I get a chance.
Standard front springs, King Springs with air bags in rear. Air bag pressure 18 PSI rear left, 14 PSI rear right. Tyres BFG KO2, Light Truck. Pressures on bitumen 32 front, 36 rear (cold), Pressures on dirt 24 front, 26 rear (cold).
Note 1: Most temperature reading taken mid morning after 2/3 hours driving.
Note 2: Each set of readings taken within 2/3 minutes, however it was noted that with just a light breeze the shock absorbers did start to cool by 1 or 2 degrees within a few minutes.
Note 3: The exhaust from the turbo and CAT is not far from the left front and may have added a little to the temperature readings. The exhaust is close to the left rear and most likely contributed to the temperature readings, particularly at lower speeds.
Note: 4 Total kilometres: 9200, approx. 3000 on dirt.
|
Shock Absorber Temperatures in Degrees C |
|||||
|
LF |
RF |
LR |
RR |
Ambient |
Road Type |
|
36 |
32 |
38 |
32 |
28 |
Typical outback highway – rough bitumen – Av. speed 110 KPH |
|
36 |
38 |
41 |
39 |
34 |
Typical outback highway – rough bitumen – Av. speed 110 KPH |
|
36 |
37 |
38 |
36 |
32 |
Mainly smooth bitumen – Av speed 115 KPH |
|
35 |
39 |
39 |
35 |
30 |
Average dirt, some corrugations – Av. speed 80 KPH |
|
44 |
38 |
44 |
36 |
27 |
Rough dirt, some corrugations and washouts – Av. speed 80 KPH |
|
36 |
36 |
40 |
38 |
26 |
Rough dirt, some corrugations and washouts– Av. Speed 60/ 80 KPH |
|
39 |
44 |
41 |
42 |
26 |
Rough dirt, many corrugations, some bull dust holes, several river crossings – Av. speed 60/80 KPH |
|
43 |
36 |
38 |
37 |
24 |
Rough dirt, many corrugations, some bull dust holes, several river crossings – Av. speed 60/80 KPH |
|
37 |
40 |
41 |
38 |
29 |
Typical outback highway – rough and smooth bitumen – Av. speed 110 KPH |
|
31 |
31 |
34 |
32 |
26 |
Typical outback highway – rough and smooth bitumen – Av. speed 100 KPH. Temps taken after 6 hours driving. |
