EFS vs OME Shocks?

[Rock Trol]

It's time to replace the Pedders Trak Ryder shocker cr@p in the front of my Patrol. I just came back from doing the Border Track with stuffed front shocks. They have been a little soft in the last few weeks but once I hit the track the car was bouncing over ruts and making a loud 'boing' sound even over small obstacles. The thing that cheeses me off is that the front shocks are only 3 years/35 000 km old but have failed while the OME Nitrochargers in the rear which came with the car and look quite old are still OK. They probably have around 150 000 km on them.

I am thinking of replacing all 4 with either OME or EFS. I recently put EFS springs on the car and am very happy with the lift and ride. Would the EFS shocks make a better match with the springs? As far as reliability and performance which ones are the go? I am only looking at gas shocks. The Pedders where foam cell so don't want to go down that path again.

[MudRunnerTD]

OME all the way for me.

[Rock Trol]

OME are also Australian made which is a bonus. Has anyone used both EFS and OME on their cars? That would be the best comparison between the two.

EDIT: EFS have a 3 year / 100,000 km warranty while ARB have a 3 year / 60,000 km warranty.

The Pedder's had a 2 year / 40,000 km warranty. Mine are still within km warranty but about 3.5 years old.

[Hodge]

Hi Rock. I haven't used EFS on my Patrol. But I had EFS initially on my D22 Navara. Torsion bars and leaf springs. I lasted a month before I had enough. Very very rough ride, way to stiff. It was a 2" lift. Plus I had Torsion bars swapped under warranty after a week as they kept getting loose.
Got it swapped to OME torsions and leafs and car had a magic ride. ON and off road.
Can't speak about coil springs though. Never tried them. Had OME in my last patrol and they were great.

[ashmccormick]

Hi Rock,

I had a full set of EFS coils and shocks put on my GQ at the start of the year. I'm actually pretty stoked with them, solid ride and feels firm on the highway too. Can't compare them to OME on my own car, but every car Ive been in with OME's has felt good too...
IMO EFS is good quality, get a longer warrantee and price is easier on the wallet! My full coil and spring combo came in at under $1000 fitted, OME was nearer $2000 just to take it out the shop.

Ash

[threedogs]

@ Hodge that might explain a few things , most here would know of my condition and my quest for a softer ride.
When I booked the Patrol in for suspension I asked for the softest available for the accessories I have fitted,
bullbar,winch and dual batteries. I get a terrible ride now I think about it.
The front takes most of the pounding imo, thats why I'm opting for Terrain Tamer remote smoothies.
But out of the two EFS or OME for price Id go EFS for comfort Id go OME.
Im surprised no one here likes Koni, fully adjustable and fully servicable

[Rock Trol]

I might get a price on Koni as well. Might be worth the extra. Depends if they are in stick.

[threedogs]

I might get a price on Koni as well. Might be worth the extra. Depends if they are in stick.

I know the TLCCV guys rave about them. a mate had them on his patrol tipper ute.
Destroyed one going to the Cape, Koni flew in a new one, cant complain about that.
other than failing in the first place, Qhe sera sera

[Bacho86]

Im surprised no one here likes Koni, fully adjustable and fully servicable

My dad runs Koni shocks in his 105 series and whilst it's a nice ride, they carry a premium price and they're reasonably expensive to get rebuilt as well


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[Rock Trol]

I don't want to buy on price again as the Pedders will work out quite expensive for the time they were on the Patrol.

[threedogs]

Yeah on price I think Koni are $500 a corner,
you would think $250 will buy a decent shocker for Aust conditions

[Rocket55]

I've got the Pedders Trak Ryder stuff on my Patrol and I got to admit it soaks bugger all up, it just tends to crash through everything. As funds permit they will be making an undignified exit...

[nissannewby]

OME all the way for me.

Im keeping an eye on availability of the new bp-51 shock arb have done. Its a 51mm bore remote res with compression and rebound adjustment. They look awesome as well.

[Rock Trol]

I've got the Pedders Trak Ryder stuff on my Patrol and I got to admit it soaks bugger all up, it just tends to crash through everything. As funds permit they will be making an undignified exit...

So its not just me. I wasn't impressed with them either when they were still working. That's two strikes against them. I think they are made by Gabriel for Pedders.

[threedogs]

Im keeping an eye on availability of the new bp-51 shock arb have done. Its a 51mm bore remote res with compression and rebound adjustment. They look awesome as well.

Have you had a chance to look at the Terrain Tamer remote reservoir smoothie shock?

[nissannewby]

Have you had a chance to look at the Terrain Tamer remote reservoir smoothie shock?

Just had a quick look. They look ok. It is always good if you can have rebound adjustment as well as compression. They are a little smaller at 46mm bore compared to the ome but if valved correctly shouldnt be an issue.

[threedogs]

Thanks I have an opportunity to get a set fitted for free. not holding my breathe
but hopefully get a reply this week or next.

[Rock Trol]

Terrain Tamer could be another option. Built in same factory as efs (cofap) in Brazil. Anyone had exp with TT shocks. Unfortunately I can't wait for TD to get his and review them. Need to sort out soon.

[Rock Trol]

I finally made the purchase today. After asking about the OME and EFS I went with the Terrain Tamer TGS SERIES EXPANDED BODY SHOCK ABSORBER.
I looked on the web and most reviews where positive about the TT stuff. It's made by COFAP so would be same quality to EFS and TT have a good reputation with honouring warranty (3 year/100,000 km). It's a big bore gas shock (40mm bore, 20mm shaft) so I am hoping it will last the distance, at least the warranty period.

I also had a look at the Terrain Tamer Pro series shockies and they do look good. They are about $400 a corner though so its similar to Koni RAIDs (but still cheaper). The TGS came in at $128 per corner with my 4WD club discount. For $514 all up if they are a half decent shock I will be happy. They certainly are big buggers though.

Has anyone else used the big bore Terrain Tamer's?

EDIT: I was checking part numbers on the net and the TT TGS shcks have the same part number as the Lovell's Gas Legend shocks.

[Rock Trol]

I had the Terrain Tamer Expanded body shocks fitted today. At first I thought they where valved a little soft but the car drove nicely and didn't wander over the road at rough/patched sections (60km/h). They are certainly valved softer than the OME Nitrochargers which had me a little worried that they might not work on the open road. I drove north out of Adelaide (Pt Wakefield Rd) and at 110 km/h the Patrol was steady as a rock. Changing lanes was no problem as the car was steady as well. Suspension felt supple over rough patches of the road and the car did not get pushed off its line.

I then turned off onto a dirt road in Virginia and went for a drive at 80km/h. The car was steady as a rock even when going over large pot holes. Kept its line and absorbed all the bumps. I am very happy with the set up as this is a new feeling for me. :) The original springs where so stiff that the car skipped over a lot of bumps and I felt every one of them. Once the springs where swapped for EFS units the car absorbed much more but was very jittery and needed constant correction from the driver to keep it straight. Finally the car drives as it should!!

As for the old shocks, the ARB Nitrochargers at the rear (152,000 km) where a little soft but still functioning. Happy with these. The Pedders Track Ryder foam cell units at the front where not destroyed as I suspected but still seemed to work OK (resistance both in and out). They are with Pedders at the moment getting tested. I suspect the new 120kg constant load springs at the front where just too much spring for the Pedders to handle.

As for Terrain Tamer longevity? Time will tell. Reviews I have read on the web are very promising.

[Clunk]

I had the Terrain Tamer Expanded body shocks fitted today. At first I thought they where valved a little soft but the car drove nicely and didn't wander over the road at rough/patched sections (60km/h). They are certainly valved softer than the OME Nitrochargers which had me a little worried that they might not work on the open road. I drove north out of Adelaide (Pt Wakefield Rd) and at 110 km/h the Patrol was steady as a rock. Changing lanes was no problem as the car was steady as well. Suspension felt supple over rough patches of the road and the car did not get pushed off its line.

I then turned off onto a dirt road in Virginia and went for a drive at 80km/h. The car was steady as a rock even when going over large pot holes. Kept its line and absorbed all the bumps. I am very happy with the set up as this is a new feeling for me. :) The original springs where so stiff that the car skipped over a lot of bumps and I felt every one of them. Once the springs where swapped for EFS units the car absorbed much more but was very jittery and needed constant correction from the driver to keep it straight. Finally the car drives as it should!!

As for the old shocks, the ARB Nitrochargers at the rear (152,000 km) where a little soft but still functioning. Happy with these. The Pedders Track Ryder foam cell units at the front where not destroyed as I suspected but still seemed to work OK (resistance both in and out). They are with Pedders at the moment getting tested. I suspect the new 120kg constant load springs at the front where just too much spring for the Pedders to handle.

As for Terrain Tamer longevity? Time will tell. Reviews I have read on the web are very promising.
Do just to confirm because eyes aren't engaging brain........ you're running TT shocks, with EFS springs? Is that 120kg load rating fronts only or all round?

[Rock Trol]

Do just to confirm because eyes aren't engaging brain........ you're running TT shocks, with EFS springs? Is that 120kg load rating fronts only or all round?

Yes they are EFS springs. 120kg constant at the front and 300kg constant at the rear. The car is quite heavy with the drawers and bar work all around it. Empty it weighs in at 2.8 tons (full fuel tanks) and then I load my gear in it. The 300kg springs at the rear are firm but not harsh.

The original question was EFS vs OME but on doing some research it was apparent that EFS are manufactured in Brazil by COFAP as are the Terrain Tamers. The specs of the two shocks where pretty much the same so only the valving would differ (maybe) and the same warranty (3yr/100,000km). Terrain Tamer are about 1 km away from me and their shocks where $200 cheaper than EFS with a club discount. I took a punt as it was so convenient.

It was a close call between EFS/TT and OME but I decided to try something different as if they work out well it means that I will have good quality and well priced suspension gear in the future.

The other thing I noticed while doing the research on the web is that the warranties for the shocks are determined by who manufactures them and not by who brands/resells them. COFAP do 3yr/100,000km warranty so EFS, TT, Lovell's etc all have the same warranty. OME/Monroe have 3yr/60,000 km warranty and Pedder's/Gabriel do 2yr/40,000 km warranties. It's a bit of a hint as to where the shocks are manufactured, especially if a Brand has several sources.

[Clunk]

Yes they are EFS springs. 120kg constant at the front and 300kg constant at the rear. The car is quite heavy with the drawers and bar work all around it. Empty it weighs in at 2.8 tons (full fuel tanks) and then I load my gear in it. The 300kg springs at the rear are firm but not harsh.
Thanks mate, looking for a new setup fir mine, so will keep an eye on how yours are doing...... I got given a set of rear 300kg constant load King springs, so just need some for the front and new shocks all round

[Rock Trol]

Thanks mate, looking for a new setup fir mine, so will keep an eye on how yours are doing...... I got given a set of rear 300kg constant load King springs, so just need some for the front and new shocks all round

I'll do another update after a couple of off-road trips.

[Clunk]

I'll do another update after a couple of off-road trips.

Hi mate, just wondering how you were finding the TT shocks?

[Rock Trol]

High Clunk. I really like the TT shocks so far. They are valved softer than an OME so there is a little roll at first but then they firm up nicely thanks to the variable valving. The car is very controllable at all speeds. It just floats over rough patches on the road and it doesn't go off line.

since I put the shocks in I have been to jakem farm twice which is hilly and rocky terrain. The car flexed well and was very stable over the rough stuff with the suspension doing all the movement and the body being very stable. No long corrugated roads though so can't comment on that.

my EFS springs are all heavy duty and the shocks match up well giving a more comfortable ride than if they where very firmly valved. Maybe for soft springs these would be too soft? Not sure. Generally I favour firmer suspension but with the original Telstra spec OME springs/shocks it was ridiculously hard. So far I am happy with the shocks and the price I paid.

[Clunk]

High Clunk. I really like the TT shocks so far. They are valved softer than an OME so there is a little roll at first but then they firm up nicely thanks to the variable valving. The car is very controllable at all speeds. It just floats over rough patches on the road and it doesn't go off line.

since I put the shocks in I have been to jakem farm twice which is hilly and rocky terrain. The car flexed well and was very stable over the rough stuff with the suspension doing all the movement and the body being very stable. No long corrugated roads though so can't comment on that.

my EFS springs are all heavy duty and the shocks match up well giving a more comfortable ride than if they where very firmly valved. Maybe for soft springs these would be too soft? Not sure. Generally I favour firmer suspension but with the original Telstra spec OME springs/shocks it was ridiculously hard. So far I am happy with the shocks and the price I paid.

thanks for the feedback bud, I also got a quote today for $128.70, so will try and get them next week.

[Rock Trol]

Let me know what you think after you put them on.

[Clunk]

Let me know what you think after you put them on.

no worries will do......... will be interesting to see how they marry up with the heavy duty king springs