GQ V GU aftermarket handling comparison

[fnqcairns]

Hi all, 2 cars a 90s GQ wagon and a GU wagon up to say the GU2 and fitted with exactly the same 2 inch aftermarket suspension kits handle/feel near identical on the road?
Or would there be a sizable difference and why?

Not interested in seats or driving positions, vision etc purely handling and ride.

cheers

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

GU has a wider stance, higher CoG, and is substantially heavier (over 200kg I think), plus the driver has less vision 'over' the bonnet unless the seat's been modified. There are "significant" handling differences and differences in the "feel" for those onboard. GU sits 'more firmly' and responds less to poor surfaces, handling is more direct, but definitely not 'startlingly direct,' it is after all, just a few tonne of truck! The GQ actually feels more like a truck!!

Why all the questions? You looking at changing/upgrading??

[fnqcairns]

Hi Peter, the reason is I used to drive long distances in 02 and 03 GUs Government fleet cars fully kitted out with aftermarket gear from one of the major suppliers. These cars were 'tools' and were treated as such, they had everthing from the winch to F&R difflocks.

On the tar they behaved OK but on rough dirt roads fully loaded around western NSW they had exceptional handling I cannot remember one one time when pushed (a bit more than sensible) they reached their limit of handling.

They were not race cars, I have spent some time driving offroad race cars in my younger years but compared to all the other big 4wds I have driven on dirt they were exceptional IMO.

I was looking to emulate the handling in my GQ but was unsure if each model had near the same suspension and steering geometry to make it possible.

cheers fnq

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

I've watched more than a few of those Government cars get set up, and yes, you can do the same to your GQ!! Bear in mind though, that some of the bigger set-ups required an increase in GVM for the vehicles. My 94 Patrol 'was' set up in a similar manner, and I had to do the GVM increase too! It is not such a difficult thing in SA, or even NSW, but I don't know about elsewhere!!?? Does any one else out there know how hard it is to get a GVM increase in their home state?

Keeping that in the back of your mind, most of those Govt vehicle set-ups are just the top of the line kits, mixed and matched to suit the particular needs of the vehicle application, with equipment drawn from the major suppliers; ARB, TJM, and Opposite Lock. They tend to contract the fit-out job to a 'one stop does all' shop, and I know that OL Australia does a lot of government vehicles. I've also seen ARB do them, and I've seen enough TJM gear on them to suspect that TJM also get some of the fit-out contracts. In many cases, the fit-out is transferred from one vehicle to the next, as they retire them due to age!

Get the catalogues from the big suppliers, and start marking up the things you'd like/reckon would do it for you. Once done, if you want to tempt the heart attack, work out what it would cost full retail, making sure you are sitting down when you hit the final = button!! Then take your wish list around the dealers, asking what order they'd recommend in doing it, and what $$$ they can do the lot for, given that you'll want to spread it over (however long) one year or ten! You might be surprised at the price reductions you can get if they know they'll get the whole lot, even if spread out a bit.

Have Fun now!!

[tracky389]

Anyone Increased the GVM on a GU? Or know of someone who has? Heard of rought estimates to $10000+ for first test.

[Yom]

Will really come down to the suspension you use.

Both when kept at an absolute maximum of 2" lift are very fine handling vehicles for what they are. Suprisingly capable cornering wise and are built upon a dynamically sound chassis and suspension arrangement.

IMO though, the GU is too heavy and you can feel it. Best handling GU is the 3.0L turbo diesel. The short 4cyl puts more weight behind the front axle than any of the other engines - the result is a less nose heavy vehicle and results in less understeer when pushed. Win.

For the record I believe my GQ handles quite well. My last few cars have been hothatches and I'm used to cornering at tripple the speeds the pootrol is capable of doing things at :p