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Thread: Another NPS 300 4x4

  1. #21
    has anybody fitted the parabolic springs now available from ATW for Isuzu and Fuso?.....and if so.....do they work well and are you using them together with Robo Shocks or any other brand?
    Hi Adrian,

    We have only just fitted trial sets to three Isuzu NPS and one Fuso FG and still haven't setup our new machine which will enable us to check the spring rates of each spring pack and then dial them into the weight of each individual truck, so the first ones were a little bit of guess work. We originally guessed the spring rates and nitrogen pressures in the shockabsorbers for the first NPS as being higher than they should have been.........as a result, the ride was too harsh once it hit the corrugations on an outback trip that took the owner down to SA and back mainly off the bitumen.

    When I drove that vehicle earlier, it was fantastic on the country roads around here but obviously it was still too hard for bad offroad conditions. I can tell you that even then it was a dream to drive compared to a standard NPS. We got the vehicle back a couple of weeks ago and changed the rear spring pack and dropped the pressures in the shocks but kept the same valving............below are the comments from the owner of the vehicle after changes to the original suspension setup.

    "The suspension is a vast improvement on previous. We've just returned from several days at Fraser Island - the truck performed well in the sand and on the inland tracks. The highway ride (and probably gravel road as well?) is much smoother; previously every bump or pothole would be felt regardless of speed. Now the truck runs smoothly across imperfections in the bitumen and the suspension feels much more supple. Went for a very short run through the State forest and the suspension seemed smoother on the corrugations ............................The body moves around but all in a reasonable manner and not uncontrolled"

    This vehicle does not have the in-cab ride control that we also offer which allows the driver to alter the shock absorber pressures on the fly and therefore greatly change the handling characteristics of the vehicle .......as an example, when changing from slow and technical offroad driving where articulation should be at a maximum to mid-speed corrugations where a too harsh setup can be damaging or even dangerous when cornering to high speed black top cruising where body roll can be minimized and a setup that is too soft will effect braking. Don't get me wrong, the in-cab control isn't a requirement for this suspension but it is a handy option and does work.

    We will only be offering the parabolic suspension as a complete kit........front and rear spring packs, 4 of our shockabsorbers and Aeon style bump stops.............just putting them on the front does not work. Fitting them without correctly valved shockabsorbers does not work either and we don't want any trucks with them getting around that aren't properly setup and giving the wrong impression.

    Hey, by the way, I'm not the guy who handles the sales of these. If you do want to know anything about that side of it, just call our office.

    Thanks mate. Regards John.
    Last edited by whatcharterboat; 11-05-2011 at 12:56 AM.
    Mark16

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gold Coast Australia
    Posts
    64

    Default Another NPS 300 4x4

    G'day John,
    thanks for the information.....jeez I could have tested them for you having just come back from a trip down the Strezlecki, across the Painted Desert, down the Oodnadatta and up the Birdsville TracksThe only thing which came loose was the Dashboard but I must say it was sometimes slow going. I've been in touch with Shane Kennedy in September but at the time he was still waiting for the second shipment of Parabolics. I will ring him in the next few days.
    Regards
    Adrian

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Oakland, CA
    Posts
    4

    Default Parabolics...

    whatcharterboat,

    Interesting to read about retrofitting parabolics... For those in the US, there may be fair supply of used parabolic setups in truck salvage yards... I posted before about the choice of an older N. American Iveco Euroturbo chassis (1988-1990) for a build project, largely based on the parabolics they came standard with (as well as the 5.9 turbodiesel and Chrysler transmission).

    The parabolics are night and day compared to stacked springs--car-like comfort yet 13-15k pound range and good articulation. Iveco's did however also included some pretty substantial torsion bars/anti-roll bars on both the front and rear. I guess they approached the increased articulation with a "road going" solution that limited them versus relying more on dampeners to stabilize. It's also pretty amazing to look at 2 leaves and a helper, think oh boy, that's going to bottom with 6-7k pounds on them, and then not even hit the bump stops. And the best feature... loaded-up, the ride actually improves. They "settle down" and seem even more comfortable when loaded.

    I'm curious about the history of the Iveco parabolics and assume they had a military/off road origin? Seems rather odd that their US Commercial truck offering was running parabolics in 1988. The truck does however have a pretty sophisticated Mann designed/stickered 2 stage air filter/separator and massive roof mount snorkel, so I'm assuming it was designed for rougher terrain, then applied to the delivery market. Would be interesting to know the history (particularly since I'll eventually need a rear locker ).

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    UT
    Posts
    1,436
    Would you be so kind as to share photos of the interior of your truck?!? I would really like to see how you have it laid out.

    Regards,
    Brian
    "Do you know what a soldier is, young man? He's the chap who makes it possible for civilized folk to despise war." -Allan Massie

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gold Coast Australia
    Posts
    64

    Talking Parabolics

    G'day all

    Do I have a smile on my face???? You bet I have.....just had parabolic springs fitted to my NPS incl. fully adjustable Boss Offroad Shocks.
    Was lucky enough to meet the guy who designed them for ATW and who was also overlooking the fitting.
    Heading off to WA next week and will drive over plenty of different tracks,roads and highways with bitumen, gravel, sand and rocky surfaces.
    Should be a good test.

    Happy travels

    Adrian

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Tasmania, Australia
    Posts
    88
    Hi Adrian,

    Lucky you !!! I am very interested to know your initial thoughts on them, even just on the road driving home. We all know how hard these trucks are even on average roads. I assume the shocks that you mentioned are the ATW robo shocks? I am waiting on the same conversion to be available down here.

    Anthony

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gold Coast Australia
    Posts
    64
    Quote Originally Posted by bptp7270 View Post
    Hi Adrian,

    Lucky you !!! I am very interested to know your initial thoughts on them, even just on the road driving home. We all know how hard these trucks are even on average roads. I assume the shocks that you mentioned are the ATW robo shocks? I am waiting on the same conversion to be available down here.

    Anthony
    G'day Anthony
    The ride home, Sunshine-to Gold Coast is of course all Highway but the ride was definately smoother.
    More comments to follow (see above)
    The shockabsorbers are not the Robo's but a "Boss Suspension" product. See australian website: Offroadboss.com.au
    Regards
    Adrian

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gold Coast Australia
    Posts
    64
    Quote Originally Posted by Thespoon View Post
    G'day Anthony
    The ride home, Sunshine-to Gold Coast is of course all Highway but the ride was definately smoother.
    More comments to follow (see above)
    The shockabsorbers are not the Robo's but a "Boss Suspension" product. See australian website: Offroadboss.com.au
    Regards
    Adrian
    There is a better link for this shocks: www.bossglobalinc.com

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Rockingham WA (AUS)
    Posts
    355
    Adrian
    a picture tells a thousand words
    some big cheesy photos from a proud father would be appreciated
    Im aiming on doing the same to my FG when i make it to yandina and would love some decent user feedback
    BTW what sort of difference to lift has the spring pack made?
    anything has to be an improvement on the standard spring travel
    Cheers
    STU

    LIFE Its an adventure - Not a race

    blackduckontour.com

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gold Coast Australia
    Posts
    64
    G'day Stu
    I'll try to get some photos up later.
    There will be some feedback once we will be on the road(end of this week)
    The lift on my truck was about 20-25mm over what it was before, but then they wern't the original springs. It could be different on your truck.
    As I said above, smoother ride, a bit more body roll (of course) 100% happy so far.
    Regards
    Adrian

    Quote Originally Posted by blackduck View Post
    Adrian
    a picture tells a thousand words
    some big cheesy photos from a proud father would be appreciated
    Im aiming on doing the same to my FG when i make it to yandina and would love some decent user feedback
    BTW what sort of difference to lift has the spring pack made?
    anything has to be an improvement on the standard spring travel

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