The Desert Diva March 2015
We’ve had the “car with no name” for almost 2 years now and in that time its seen some pretty heavy overlanding action – from the high dunes of the Empty Quarter to uneven sabkhas, not forgetting a hundred and one gatch tracks. The springs we originally fitted had started to sag so it was time to source some new ones.
I contacted Al Shiba Trading, located at Nad Al Sheba (in the little cluster of motor-themed shops behind the Emirat gas station) to seek their advice with the following remit
“We need new suspension for our 2010 Nissan Patrol GU61. We don’t do extreme driving with it but we do intermediate+ routes in very extreme places, such as the Empty Quarter in Oman and of course Liwa and Magreb.
Our car does a high mileage – around 55,000kms per year
The car has stock bumpers with a concealed winch on the front”
They recommended Koni Heavy Track Suspensions (part numbers 82-2347 and 82-2348) and King Springs (part numbers KDFR-42H and KDRR-43H) which were fitted to our Patrol for a very reasonable price by Mehran’s Garage in Sanaiya, Al Ain.
First impressions are good – the shocks are performing well and have already absorbed quite a few hard bumps on gatch tracks . The linear springs have quite a bit of bounce compared to our old progressive springs but the ride is comfortable and I’m told that they should last longer. With the weight of the winch we have achieved a 1.25″ lift on the front and a 2″ lift on the back, which is great if you are short like me and have difficulty seeing over the car bonnet.
Check back for an update in June or July.
You can contact Al Shiba trading on 04 3333666 or 050 5470355. Tell them the Desert Diva sent you!