Autofab and Camburg 4wd kits

[4x4Explorer]

Who's used them and who's broken them?

 

[410Fortune]

I have done neither, but I have researched them both in length, seen both, and talked with owners of both...what would you like to know?

 

[4x4Explorer]

Just wondering which is better. I used to think Camburg was the best, but I keep hearing about people having problems with axles with their kit. I also heard their kit is a 12" travel kit and the autofab kits are 16".

 

[410Fortune]

That is an impossible question.
Autofab is a top notch kit, it performs amazing, is strong as can be, and it also costs more then the comperable Camburg kit.
The Camburg kits are awesome, there are also about 100 times more of them out there, so its only natural there will be more complaints.

Personally I would go with the Camburg kit if you are installing it yourself, or have John at Autofab buildyour truck if you are having it done.
You cant go wrong with ether one, HOWEVER with any of these kits you can expect to run into minor issues when doing the work yourself, with a custom "kit" suspension like this it is un avoidable....

Camburg is tried and true, Autofab is a true performer. Camburg has more kits out there and they have been refined a little more, the Autofab approach is more simplistic in design. Most camburg kits are installed by Camburg, and the same is true with Autofab. If you are going to go that route (have a shop do the setup) then there are alot more options then these too..

the Camburg setup with the 4" per side extended and trussed beams, custom axleshafts, coilovers, and heim radius arms cannot be beat, but then who can afford that? They use uniballs for the axle pivots, they can even upgrade the brakes and hubs to a much more than stout setup. the sky is the LIMIT with Camburg is you have the $$$.

Autofab does not make beams as wide, but the kit is simple in design and performs EXCELLENT, with less lift and less width.

Either setup should use coilovers, which will require custom mounts.....
So I think it comes down to what you are going to use the truck for?
I mean if you are talking about running through whoops at 45 MPH with 35" tires and 6-8" of lift height you will need to spend about $7500 at Camburg just to get started. You cannot forget about steering setups, width choices, and frame mods to accomodate the new coilovers, bump stops, bypass shocks, etc...
Now if you just want an all around great performing TTB setup, the Autofab is worth every penny.

These are not your only two options, you can also build it yourself, hire a shop to build it, etc...

Like I said loaded question. Your best bet is to read read read all you can before openingyour wallet.

This is an EXCELLENT site to start:
www.dezertrangers.com

 

[DB_1]

And if and when you talk to either one of the companies on the phone, don't call them "kits", they don't like that! lol
The reason I say that is because before I was going to do my SAS I was gonna have Camburg do up my truck and when I talked to tham about having one of their "kits" installed, the guy seemed a little touchy about me calling it a "kit". Well what the hell else do you want me to call it? lol

 

[410Fortune]

hahahah Dave thats why I tried to use "quotes" hahahaha a it bolts on without cutting and welding. Neither of these do that

 

[DB_1]

I guess you just have to ask them if they will modify your suspension with some of their "parts".

 

[sirhk100]

I know it's an old thread but the front end on Paul's Exploder is still my absolute favorite to date!!!

Paul1

paul2

paul3

paul4

Notice the swingset steering!!!

 

[410Fortune]

That is no kit, that sucker is all custom hand built. I was drooling over it at Truckhaven.

Dont count out this explorer however Camburgs ULTIMATE TTB setup...this thing is the SHI*:

http://www.camburg.com/images/extremetrucks/ExtremeExplorer/Powdercoat/PassSuspensionFront.jpg

 

[sirhk100]

I still like Paul's better then that one!!! I think if paul added bumpstops it would be the best of both worlds!!! High speed and slow speed. The camburg rig is 100% high speed!!!

 

[410Fortune]

That Camburg truck is built to take abuse, it has an extreme amount of travel, what makes you think it cant wheel?

And I am not putting down Pauls truck, that front end is SICK, like I said I drooled and discussed the build in length with Winter (the fabricator I believe) at Truckhaven. But it is no match for that Camburg D35 TTB setup no matter what the situation..

Andyes on a beamed truck the bump stops are about the only difference between a dezert built 4x4 and a trail built 4x4, I would like coilovers, bump stops, limit straps and a swing set too on my truck, but I will likely go 4 link solid axle for the type of wheeling I do.....

 

[sirhk100]

That Camburg truck is built to take abuse, it has an extreme amount of travel, what makes you think it cant wheel?

Spring rates used and bypass shock valving isn't going to allow it to compress easily under it's own weight. At least that's what I think!!! I know for instance when I crawl with mine I just bleed the air bumps off and it makes a world of difference on compression. Bypass shocks on prerunners are typically valved so that last tube acts as a bumpstop.

Winter definately set that thing up nice!!!

 

[410Fortune]

Yes that is true, but the shocks can be re-valved. Pauls truckwould need the same thing done to the C/O's if he wanted to hit the whoops like the Camburg truck too..

I am all about the best of both worlds, I still have a TTB dont I?

 

[Josh S.]

I just threw on some camburg buckets, eibach coils, and King shocks to add to the camburg heimed radius arms and beams that I had. It seems to be working pretty well so far. Only had it on since late saturday night so too soon to tell how badass it is. I still need to throw on bumps and limiting straps up front(not to mention the rear), then it'll be better. Oh and I need to cycle the suspension cuz I'm pretty sure the shock bodies are gonna bash on the radius arms as is. anyways, the KIT haha is purty bueno on the street so far, and I can't wait till MDR in august(?) to romp it hard and give it a good test.

The install was a pretty big *****, but that was partly my fault for not having upper uniballs in the shocks, had to make lower shock mounts, etc. Some of the 6 predrilled bolt holes on the buckets you can't even freaking use tho cuz they either interfere with each other, or the bolt is jammed up against the motor crossmember etc. I actually had to modify the damn buckets and cut off a piece on the passenger side so it would go over the axle pivot bracket. The process was made a bit simpler however, with the ol' plasma cutter . But yah, as 410 fortune said, these "bolt-on" things are not always just simply screwing in bolts, you actually have to think, problem solve, weld(for shock mounts), grind off rivets, drill holes, cut **** off, etc. Little stuff like brakelines going through the stock coil buckets(relocating those), trimiming back fender well skirts,etc. I will have a writeup on how to do the install soon and will post it.

here's some pics, grinding rivets off/removing stockers.

 

[Josh S.]

1.workin' late!
2,3. shocks, coils and buckets on truck

forgot to take pics of the finished product but i will someday...

 

[sirhk100]

Oh crap... you're gonna be hanging with me now!!! We'll see how well those shocks are valved!! I revalved my rear shocks again and they seem to be doing pretty damn good so far. I haven't had a chance to really beat on it hard yet though. If you end up running Bilstein 7100 in the rear let me know before you mount them and I'll get you the valving info you need...

 

[410Fortune]

Looks sick Josh!

It may be the Camburg buckets were Ranger based and the Explorer is slightly different in that area, this is always an "issue"
You are going to be VERY happy with the ride now, and can I borrow some $$$ So I can get some coilovers and 1 up you? hahahaha. Damn I need heims, some tube work, and some coilovers......

 

[Josh S.]

Yah dude, these were valved for the back of a yota so I don't think they are right man. I still get a bit of wheelhop over storm gutters and stuff. We'll see, I don't really know much about this stuff. Still gotta take care of some stuff but yah Khris, we gotta race!!! haha. finally I'm getting somewhere. The thing shakes less around right turns now, doesn't vibrate at higher speeds on the highway, and does pretty good through dips in the road and those big whoop-style speed bumps. I can't wait to get it out in the desert!! Its funny man, I used to be like holy crap dude your explorer rides so damn nice, and mine is gonna be comparable now!!! Definitely have to take care of some issues before I beat it in ocotillo or johnson valley, like bumps and straps all around, then I should be good to go!

and sorry jamie, refer to the text above my avatar

As for the rear, I'll beat the 5150's for a while cuz I got them for free, then I might just skip straight to 2.5's sticking up through the floor!!!...or even better yet, bypasses

 

[4x4Explorer]

I see pics of that Camburg Explorer everywhere & it looks pretty sick, but I've heard some bad stuff about it. I've never seen any pics of it off-road and I've heard that thing broke a lot of front end parts even though it rarely goes off-road. Anyone know if this is true?

 

[4x4Explorer]

Oh yeah, I also heard that Camburg doesn't even do the 4x4 beams, that Baja Racing Products sells them to Camburg. Is this true too!!!!!??????

Thanks for all the info, it'll really help to make my decision.