Offroad-Express

Hi guys, I've finally got my own truck, a 1997 surf. Its raised slightly with adjustable Rancho (I think thats what they're called) shocks. It came into the country like this and went through compliance okay, but they did require an adjustable bar across the back to be replaced with the standard version.

Problem is that it clonks when going over bumps, I can't see anything loose underneath and the dealer said its just the way they are when they're lifted, but I've been in plenty of raised trucks that don't do this.

Any ideas what may be causing this? Is it possible that its because the adjustable bar in the back was switched for standard (Sorry, don't know what its called, goes from one side of the truck to the other) or is it something we'll just have to live with?

Apolgies if this is covered elsewhere, I've searched but couldn't see anything. Thanks for any assistance.

have you broken one of the rubber swaybar mounts and now its knocking around. The mounts don't usually last long if your offroading them.

Nah, sway bar mounts look sweet, but while I was looking I noticed one of the shocks was loose. Looks like its lost a bush where its mounted at the top.

So thats cool, I know what it is. Disturbing that it got through compliance like that though!

Thanks for your help.

Mike.

The panhard rod is what you're trying to say I think. Goes from the chassis one side to the axle the other... if the bushes are worn on the one they put on then it could be that - did they just put the standard rod onto the lifted truck? The adjustable one would have been there for a reason... generally when you lift a truck you need to lengthen the panhard rod to keep the axle in the right place

Oh, and the dealer is trying to get out of fixing it - take it back and keep doing so while quoting the consumer guarantees act and other official legislation things at him...

Steve

Yep, thats the one. Apparently it was due to compliance that it needed taking off, but we've still got the adjustable one which I'll chuck on when I get around to it.

The dealer is in CHCH and we're in timaru so I can't be shagged chasing him for it. We got it from total vehicle solutions on Waltham Road. While its a great truck, I wouldn't deal with him again, tried to pull a few swifties.