Rear Spring Tower Strengthening on GQ

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne

Did a search, found nothing specific, maybe punched in insufficient title.

I have a 97 LWB GQ and carry a heavy load in the rear of the vehicle. It currently has 200kg constant rate coils from ARB that have worked really well. I am concerned about the structural integrity of the top tower mount and understand its an area that has been reinforced by others. I do not have a body lift so clearance above the tower might be limited.

The spring lift is the standard nominal 50mm above factory. I am seeking solutions to fix the problem before it happens out the back of nowhere after a day on the corrugations.

The vehicle is not doing comps or anything really hard - more fatigue management I guess. One solution I have received is to weld a RHS across the tops of the towers between the chassis rails - unsure if I have the clearance though.

Suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Phil

Joined: 29 May 2006 Location: Melbourne

superior engineering do a bolt on brace.. check out their website.

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne

Thanks for that, just ordered one, be here in a couple of days. Bolt on unit across the two towers, just have to drop the coils first - unfortunately!

Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Location: around the place

how effective is mearly tieing the two spring perches together?

i would have thought bracing each perch back to the chassis would be a lot more effective.

Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast - Brisbane

sw1 wrote:

how effective is mearly tieing the two spring perches together?

i would have thought bracing each perch back to the chassis would be a lot more effective.

yes this is how my brothers is done. each perch braced to the to the crossbars infront and behind the tower. and belive me they can get ripped off.

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne

Thanks Guys. I had a look at the superior eng website and there isnt any chassis above the top height of spring hat to brace to - so according to them the only way to overcome it is to tie the mounts together and stop them bending up. I am happy with that EXCEPT you need a 2" body lift to get the member in place, which I don't have, nor want, so unfortunately that cancels the order - back to square 1!

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne

OK< back onto Superior Eng, have bought the weld on chassis brace units, 2 per side, coils can stay in place, which is much better. All happy now, guys at Superior quite helpful.
Thanks to member inputs and recommendations.
Phil

Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Location: around the place

weld in brackets, external to the spring hat, are going to be tricky to install on the drivers side - theres brake & fuel lines in the way (well at least on my GU anyway)

it is possible when the braces are internal to the spring hat.
atoc make a very nice set of braces that work.

Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast - Brisbane

if u want a pic i can find one of how the gq is done

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne

Money killer
thanks, if you have a photo, I would appreciate it. I have just received the superior eng braces, one per tower. I willhave a look tonight at how they fit, but might also want to do the cross tower mod as well. I know I can't do it using the off the shelf channel from superior, but am sure it can be achieved somehow.

The brace pieces are approx 6mm thick ms, laser cut. They have to be welded in place.

Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast - Brisbane

PBBIZ2 wrote:

Money killer
thanks, if you have a photo, I would appreciate it. I have just received the superior eng braces, one per tower. I willhave a look tonight at how they fit, but might also want to do the cross tower mod as well. I know I can't do it using the off the shelf channel from superior, but am sure it can be achieved somehow.

The brace pieces are approx 6mm thick ms, laser cut. They have to be welded in place.

mate i cant find a pic thought i had one the car is not here with me sorry . only can find this one of wat can happen. oh and i got the chassis plated also in middle of chassis cause they crack there also.

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne

Thanks. Thats a big enough nightmare of a situation to consider, so 'a stitch in tim' approach is my aim. I will post up the finished job, could be a few weeks though.
Phil

Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Location: melbourne

who makes the braces for this?? weld on versions obviously. would like to get my hands on a set. preferably melbourne based but just like to see who has made what for them.

any help appreciated.

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne

Mikesmith,
Superior Engineering in QLD. Ordered them at 2pm and they were sent overnight by express post, on my desk at 10am next day in Melbourne. Cost $118 delivered for 4 weld on braces.
Brilliant service.

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: Warner, Brisbane Nth

money_killer wrote:

WTF were you doin for this??

Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast - Brisbane

just driving up camp rd at LCMP

Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Location: NZ

This photo shows the batteries mounted on top of the spring hats to strwngthen them. It has 3x50mm plate welded on the sides of the hats and then a 50x50x3 angle used to make the battery crandle.
What I would do is weld the angle so it sits flat and then there will be nothing sticking up about the hat. The front of the hat will ne something folded as it isn't a 90* angle. Joining hen is the best option as the inside bends up first and causes the join to the chassis to fail.