Suspension upgrade: 50 mm lift & Fournales Suspension' Oleopneumatic dampers... Verdict after 26 000 km (20% off-road) EN/FR

[Dok]

-- English

I did contact a dozen of companies in various countries for springs, dampers, air suspension...
Based on my specifications my choice went to a French company called "Fournales Suspension".

I don't have a single regreat except making my Fournales' dampers upgrade choice earlier.
At least now I can compare both since I've done half of my kilometers with the stock dampers & half with the Fournales'.

I could write for hours about those dampers just to talk about the benefits of the height (& weight) adjustment but the only point to remember is that those dampers give you a whole new vehice to drive.

Safer, more comfort and improve traction... Even at high speed on road and off road.
The worse the conditions, the greater the benefits.

For example, no more tailgating and the car is not (no longer) diving in case of direction switch.

If any of you come across me (right now in France between Alps & Normandy) and want to give it a try, I'd be delighted to do so.

-- Français

Amélioration des suspensions : Réhausse de 50 mm et amortisseurs oléopneumatiques de chez Fournales Suspension... Verdict après 26 000 km (20% hors route)

J'ai contacté une douzaine de sociétés dans différents pays pour des ressorts, des amortisseurs, des suspensions pneumatiques...
Sur base de mon cahier des charges, mon choix s'est porté sur la société française Fournales Suspension.

Je n'ai pas un seul regret, si ce n'est d'avoir fait mon choix d'upgrade plus tôt.
Au moins maintenant je peux comparer les deux puisque j'ai fait la moitié de mes kilomètres avec les amortisseurs de série et l'autre moitié avec ceux de Fournales.

Je pourrais écrire des heures sur ces amortisseurs juste pour parler des avantages de l'ajustement de la hauteur (et du poids) mais le seul point à retenir est que ces amortisseurs vous donnent une toute nouvelle voiture à conduire.

Plus sécurisant, plus confortable et avec une meilleure traction... Même à grande vitesse sur route et hors route.
Plus les conditions sont difficiles, plus on mesure les bénéfices.

Par exemple, plus de talonnage et la voiture ne plonge plus / "vire à plat" en cas de changement, même brutal, de direction

 

[TelRidan]

Did you look at Nimbus oleo-pneumatic suspension as well? They're game changers for me. Much better manners on and off road.

Nimbus Oleo-pneumatic Suspensions for 4x4

Nimbus makes oleo-pneumatic suspensions for Defender, Land Cruiser, Grenadier, Patrol or Jeep, offering unparalleled comfort and traction on all terrains.

nimbus-suspensions.com

The personal service and dedication to technical advancement is second to none as well.

 

[Dok]

Did you look at Nimbus oleo-pneumatic suspension as well? They're game changers for me. Much better manners on and off road.

Nimbus Oleo-pneumatic Suspensions for 4x4

Nimbus makes oleo-pneumatic suspensions for Defender, Land Cruiser, Grenadier, Patrol or Jeep, offering unparalleled comfort and traction on all terrains.

nimbus-suspensions.com

The personal service and dedication to technical advancement is second to none as well.

Yes, I looked into it and exchanged emails and phone calls. Same principle, but Fournales offered the possibility of height adjustment, which they said they didn't do.
And then I did trust friends using Fournales dampers for dozens of years with not a single issue rather than a brand new company!

Also last time I looked on Nimbus web site they say there doing 2 rear reinforcement of shock absorber mounts.
Fournales Suspension did provide 8 = All top and bottom rear and front

 

[parb]

Care to give a review of the nimbus? I just read about them on expedition Portal and they sound pretty great but a bit expensive...

 

[Dok]

Haven

Care to give a review of the nimbus? I just read about them on expedition Portal and they sound pretty great but a bit expensive...

Haven't try Nimbus because I decided to go with Fournales Suspension instead... But should provide the same effect.
I could never have imagined such an improvement in the Grenadier's behavior with those dampers.

I still can't believe how fast I can go over crappy terrain and feel like I'm just wandering around with wheels stuck to the ground

Since the upgrade, my friends did gave a nick name to my car: "bip bip / load runner"

https://www.fournales.fr/concept-technique/

 

[WanderingSniper]

I just took a look and the concept sounds great. In your photo though you still have springs, but in the translation I read these take the place of both springs and shocks. Why did they keep your springs?

 

[Zimm]

Yes, I looked into it and exchanged emails and phone calls. Same principle, but Fournales offered the possibility of height adjustment, which they said they didn't do.
And then I did trust friends using Fournales dampers for dozens of years with not a single issue rather than a brand new company!

Also last time I looked on Nimbus web site they say there doing 2 rear reinforcement of shock absorber mounts.
Fournales Suspension did provide 8 = All top and bottom rear and front

I wanted to look into theses, but unfortunately, I noticed the US web sight is down. I wonder if It's still available here.

 

[Dok]

I just took a look and the concept sounds great. In your photo though you still have springs, but in the translation I read these take the place of both springs and shocks. Why did they keep your springs?

Belt and suspender... In theory, you could do without them, but it hardens and makes the whole suspension more reliable.

Disclaimer: I'm not a specialist. I'm just discovering things and I listened to what the owner, who has 40 years' experience with motorcycles, 4x4, airplanes, .... had to say!

 

[TelRidan]

Graeme Bell does a way better job of reviewing the shocks than I could do as far as writing of their benefits, but I share @Dok's enthusiasm for the technology. Bell put on the Nimbus shocks and he even mentions the capability of the shocks to hold up the vehicle without springs.

Nimbus Oleo Pneumatic Shock Absorbers Review - Get Ready for the Flying Carpet Effect - Expedition Portal

Nimbus specializes in advanced oleo-pneumatic suspension systems designed for off-road vehicles like the classic Land Rover Defender, Grenadier, Jeep, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Mercedes G-Class.

expeditionportal.com

 

[Zimm]

I took it to be, this system behaves much like the hydro/pneumatic system found on the Lexus lx470 (100 series). On the system the spring carried the majority of the weight, and ride height adjustments were with the shock, that could also bear load. I had mine set up with an override for a while while running 33's and it was fabulous. I only deleted it when I went to 35's, and ride height and desire range could no longer be accommodated. The downside being, if you lost the system, you could bottom out as the coil could not bear 100% of the weight.

I wouldn't be surprised if one could design a system around these that utilized a softer main spring and you achieve an even better ride.

 

[parb]

I wanted to look into theses, but unfortunately, I noticed the US web sight is down. I wonder if It's still available here.

Looks like they lost their US distributor.

The concept is interesting. I just learned that this style shock was developed for the Concorde landing gear by the founder of the company.

 

[Dok]

You can still contact them in France

 

[TyHenne]

-- English

I did contact a dozen of companies in various countries for springs, dampers, air suspension...
Based on my specifications my choice went to a French company called "Fournales Suspension".

I don't have a single regreat except making my Fournales' dampers upgrade choice earlier.
At least now I can compare both since I've done half of my kilometers with the stock dampers & half with the Fournales'.

I could write for hours about those dampers just to talk about the benefits of the height (& weight) adjustment but the only point to remember is that those dampers give you a whole new vehice to drive.

Safer, more comfort and improve traction... Even at high speed on road and off road.
The worse the conditions, the greater the benefits.

For example, no more tailgating and the car is not (no longer) diving in case of direction switch.

If any of you come across me (right now in France between Alps & Normandy) and want to give it a try, I'd be delighted to do so.

-- Français

Amélioration des suspensions : Réhausse de 50 mm et amortisseurs oléopneumatiques de chez Fournales Suspension... Verdict après 26 000 km (20% hors route)

J'ai contacté une douzaine de sociétés dans différents pays pour des ressorts, des amortisseurs, des suspensions pneumatiques...
Sur base de mon cahier des charges, mon choix s'est porté sur la société française Fournales Suspension.

Je n'ai pas un seul regret, si ce n'est d'avoir fait mon choix d'upgrade plus tôt.
Au moins maintenant je peux comparer les deux puisque j'ai fait la moitié de mes kilomètres avec les amortisseurs de série et l'autre moitié avec ceux de Fournales.

Je pourrais écrire des heures sur ces amortisseurs juste pour parler des avantages de l'ajustement de la hauteur (et du poids) mais le seul point à retenir est que ces amortisseurs vous donnent une toute nouvelle voiture à conduire.

Plus sécurisant, plus confortable et avec une meilleure traction... Même à grande vitesse sur route et hors route.
Plus les conditions sont difficiles, plus on mesure les bénéfices.

Par exemple, plus de talonnage et la voiture ne plonge plus / "vire à plat" en cas de changement, même brutal, de direction

View attachment 7870918

It looks really cool! You spoke about reinforced supports, but I don’t see them on your picture, just the stock Grenadier hardware. Were they added later on?

 

[Dok]

It looks really cool! You spoke about reinforced supports, but I don’t see them on your picture, just the stock Grenadier hardware. Were they added later on?

If you zoom on the bottom bracket you can see the 2 spacers that fits over the bolt on each side.
The spacers fit the original bolt

 

[TyHenne]

Yes, I can see the spacers. I was looking around, and my buddy Sven has sent me pictures of his setup with the Nimbus Suspensions, which seems to be utilizing the same style support reinforcement as yours with OEM nuts and bolts, but apparently they have switched him to 12.9 grade hardware with a flat surface in the center, he told me it was to prevent those supports from rubbing against the threaded part of the bolt, and offer more durability.

Did they provide you with lengths and travel?

I’d be curious to see what their temperature ratings are. I wasn’t able to find much technical information about their specs, and haven’t gotten a reply to my call or email.

I’m still on the edge about which one to pick. I’ll pull the trigger soon. Thanks for the information. I’ll keep you posted on the final decision.


View attachment GRENADIER-ON.jpeg

 

[Dok]

Yes, I can see the spacers. I was looking around, and my buddy Sven has sent me pictures of his setup with the Nimbus Suspensions, which seems to be utilizing the same style support reinforcement as yours with OEM nuts and bolts, but apparently they have switched him to 12.9 grade hardware with a flat surface in the center, he told me it was to prevent those supports from rubbing against the threaded part of the bolt, and offer more durability.

Did they provide you with lengths and travel?

I’d be curious to see what their temperature ratings are. I wasn’t able to find much technical information about their specs, and haven’t gotten a reply to my call or email.

I’m still on the edge about which one to pick. I’ll pull the trigger soon. Thanks for the information. I’ll keep you posted on the final decision.


View attachment 7874570

When I looked (and exchange with) at the Nimbus they were only offering front bottom support reinforcement and they were not providing height adjustment.

I do have 4 bottom and 4 top support reinforcement with the Fournales Suspension version.
I also have height adjustment.
I also have ongoing further developments (...)

This explain why I decided not to choose Nimbus and to go with Fournales Suspension.
But the driving upgrade should be very similar and not sure I could make a difference while driving!

I haven't change yet bolts since it is still a prototype.
Going to the factory in the next weeks to get the final version + bolts & nuts switch.
I will indeed use partial thread.

On the 1 year factory shocks I kept I can see the bolt thread impression on the rubber spacer.

 

[TelRidan]

I’ve been driving on the Nimbus suspension now for a bit and I am extremely happy with the upgrade over stock. I also like the fact that the rebuild timeline is every three years and that Nimbus will offer the option to upgrade the product as refinements are made to the design. The strength of the housing and the craftsmanship are top notch.

I do have a couple of questions about the Fournales prototypes if anyone has some insight. Are the mounts actually reinforced, or is it just part of the set up of the shocks for bolt-on? The Nimbus version does use aluminum spacers in mounting the shocks, so maybe that’s similar?

Also, about the height adjustability, how does that work? As I understand the oleopneumatic technology, there is flexibility to adjust the compression to account for weight, but it’s not really like an air suspension set up where you can adjust on the fly. Nimbus set up their shocks to the weight of my Grenadier and my anticipated driving habits, so I wonder also if Fournales isn’t just doing the same? The Nimbus model has a valve to adjust them if there is a significant change in weight on the vehicle.

I have to wonder if Fournales' American distributor closed due to market considerations, or if it had anything to do with quality issues. It would be interesting to hear from Fournales France about the economic viability of business in the long term given that the US market is probably the biggest in terms of sheer numbers of potential customers (although they could probably just ship directly to the US). Even though, as was pointed out, Nimbus is a newer entry into the market, I would think they benchmarked their product against the existing competitors’ models and have tried to improve on them.

In any case, I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying my Nimbus purchase and encourage anyone to consider the technology, whether it’s from Nimbus, Fournales, or another supplier (are there any?).

 

[parb]

I’ve been driving on the Nimbus suspension now for a bit and I am extremely happy with the upgrade over stock. I also like the fact that the rebuild timeline is every three years and that Nimbus will offer the option to upgrade the product as refinements are made to the design. The strength of the housing and the craftsmanship are top notch.

I do have a couple of questions about the Fournales prototypes if anyone has some insight. Are the mounts actually reinforced, or is it just part of the set up of the shocks for bolt-on? The Nimbus version does use aluminum spacers in mounting the shocks, so maybe that’s similar?

Also, about the height adjustability, how does that work? As I understand the oleopneumatic technology, there is flexibility to adjust the compression to account for weight, but it’s not really like an air suspension set up where you can adjust on the fly. Nimbus set up their shocks to the weight of my Grenadier and my anticipated driving habits, so I wonder also if Fournales isn’t just doing the same? The Nimbus model has a valve to adjust them if there is a significant change in weight on the vehicle.

I have to wonder if Fournales' American distributor closed due to market considerations, or if it had anything to do with quality issues. It would be interesting to hear from Fournales France about the economic viability of business in the long term given that the US market is probably the biggest in terms of sheer numbers of potential customers (although they could probably just ship directly to the US). Even though, as was pointed out, Nimbus is a newer entry into the market, I would think they benchmarked their product against the existing competitors’ models and have tried to improve on them.

In any case, I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying my Nimbus purchase and encourage anyone to consider the technology, whether it’s from Nimbus, Fournales, or another supplier (are there any?).

I'd love to hear a review from you of the differences you're observing with your new suspension. especially any difference vs highway, trail and rock/obstacle handling. Both vs stock and any upgraded suspension system you have experiences with.

I hear good things about the evictus and king shock suspension. If i lift my grenadier i'm certain that i am going to change out the shocks for something better.

 

[WanderingSniper]

I’ve been driving on the Nimbus suspension now for a bit and I am extremely happy with the upgrade over stock. I also like the fact that the rebuild timeline is every three years and that Nimbus will offer the option to upgrade the product as refinements are made to the design. The strength of the housing and the craftsmanship are top notch.

I do have a couple of questions about the Fournales prototypes if anyone has some insight. Are the mounts actually reinforced, or is it just part of the set up of the shocks for bolt-on? The Nimbus version does use aluminum spacers in mounting the shocks, so maybe that’s similar?

Also, about the height adjustability, how does that work? As I understand the oleopneumatic technology, there is flexibility to adjust the compression to account for weight, but it’s not really like an air suspension set up where you can adjust on the fly. Nimbus set up their shocks to the weight of my Grenadier and my anticipated driving habits, so I wonder also if Fournales isn’t just doing the same? The Nimbus model has a valve to adjust them if there is a significant change in weight on the vehicle.

I have to wonder if Fournales' American distributor closed due to market considerations, or if it had anything to do with quality issues. It would be interesting to hear from Fournales France about the economic viability of business in the long term given that the US market is probably the biggest in terms of sheer numbers of potential customers (although they could probably just ship directly to the US). Even though, as was pointed out, Nimbus is a newer entry into the market, I would think they benchmarked their product against the existing competitors’ models and have tried to improve on them.

In any case, I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying my Nimbus purchase and encourage anyone to consider the technology, whether it’s from Nimbus, Fournales, or another supplier (are there any?).

Thanks for the write up and helping me spend my money. . I had never heard of these and the very few reviews I can find all seem to love them. Was everything Bolt on or was there anything major in the changing out to the Nimbus from factory spec?

 

[Dok]

I’ve been driving on the Nimbus suspension now for a bit and I am extremely happy with the upgrade over stock. I also like the fact that the rebuild timeline is every three years and that Nimbus will offer the option to upgrade the product as refinements are made to the design. The strength of the housing and the craftsmanship are top notch.

I do have a couple of questions about the Fournales prototypes if anyone has some insight. Are the mounts actually reinforced, or is it just part of the set up of the shocks for bolt-on? The Nimbus version does use aluminum spacers in mounting the shocks, so maybe that’s similar?

Also, about the height adjustability, how does that work? As I understand the oleopneumatic technology, there is flexibility to adjust the compression to account for weight, but it’s not really like an air suspension set up where you can adjust on the fly. Nimbus set up their shocks to the weight of my Grenadier and my anticipated driving habits, so I wonder also if Fournales isn’t just doing the same? The Nimbus model has a valve to adjust them if there is a significant change in weight on the vehicle.

I have to wonder if Fournales' American distributor closed due to market considerations, or if it had anything to do with quality issues. It would be interesting to hear from Fournales France about the economic viability of business in the long term given that the US market is probably the biggest in terms of sheer numbers of potential customers (although they could probably just ship directly to the US). Even though, as was pointed out, Nimbus is a newer entry into the market, I would think they benchmarked their product against the existing competitors’ models and have tried to improve on them.

In any case, I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying my Nimbus purchase and encourage anyone to consider the technology, whether it’s from Nimbus, Fournales, or another supplier (are there any?).

Each of my 4 shocks comes with 4 spacers,
2 for the top and 2 for the bottom. Front and rear.
So you have all the possible reinforcements.
My shocks were made to get a 50mm lift and a little more weight.

Durability should not be a concern.
Friends using Fournales Suspension oleopneumatic shocks on their car and their motorcycle for dozens of years with not a single issue.
That was a big part of my decision.

When I made my benchmark the specs of the Nimbus were:
- 30mm lift,
- Partial reinforcements,
- No height adjustment,
- Nitrogen
Haven't check since then. It may have changed

Right now I can adjust with a manual high pression pump (less than 1 minute for each).
I can’t adjust as a "classic" air suspension… Yet
But it is part of my upcoming upgrades and new prototypes!

In a bunch of weeks I should have the final version.

Nimbus and Fournales Suspension should be very similar as Nimbus as been created by former employees of Fournales.
The whole set cost me EUR 4000 including 20% VAT.
(Did discover those 2 last info after placing my order)