ARB's new Old Man Emu MT64 shock absorber line

ARB’s suspension brand, Old Man Emu, has released a new shock absorber line that has been designed specifically for the demands of off-road travel.

The MT64 slots perfectly between the brand’s iconic Nitrocharger and the ultra-high-performance BP-51.

Touring the expanses of Australia often means covering long distances and carrying heavier loads, so Old Man Emu has taken features from 45 years of Nitrocharger manufacturing and 10 years of high-performance BP-51 production and combined them into the MT64.

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By taking attributes from both and combining them into a single monotube shock absorber, the MT64 has reset the bar on everyday comfort and provided exceptional responsiveness whether towing on the blacktop or tackling tough terrain.

The development of the MT64 included extensive off-road simulation using Finite Element Analysis on a computer. This highlighted any weak points so that the design could include maximum strength and durability from the beginning.

A wide range of data was also collected during field testing and testing of prototype shock absorbers, which ran through millions of cycles to simulate real-world scenarios.

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“This shock is suited to the daily driver that doesn’t have lots of accessories, and we’ve tuned it specifically for that, but it will also suit the guys that are fully loaded up with all the accessories and all the gear who want to spend days or even months away in the 4WD,” said Stuart Fooks, OME Head Engineer.

“That’s the really big advantage of this shock, you can spend all day in the 4WD, just eating up the kilometres comfortably,” Fooks added.

Showcasing the same solid 6061 aluminium construction as the BP-51, as well as a hard-anodised finish to protect the shock’s surface, these monotube shocks have 72mm bodies and 64mm internal bores. The larger bores allow more oil in the shock which increases heat dissipation and responsiveness, perfect for severe corrugations and desert driving.

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With unmatched comfort and reliability, MT64s will keep performing as the road gets rough and the tracks get tough. The MT64 is also designed with a hydraulic end zone top-out, which provides added padding at their shock’s full extension, to compensate for any unexpected bumps. For $500 per shock, this is good value for money.

The MT64s are height-adjustable using sap-ring grooves in the body that allow different spring seat positions. Lifts up to 50mm can be achieved where the geometry allows and adjusts lift to suit models that suffer from droop. The spring seat is made from ultra-strong forged aluminium for maximum durability.

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The MT64 features an adjustable snap ring which allows installers to pre-load the spring for heavier applications while still achieving the same advertised lift. This makes stocking far easier with only one spring part number, and it means if a customer changes their setup all they have to do is adjust the preload to suit, not buy a new spring.

This also means the groove of the MT64 can be used for height trimming without the need for a separate trim packer where required. If necessary, the MT64 is rebuildable.

The MT64 dampers are engineered to handle heavy loads, long distances, rough roads and heat, which makes them ideal for off-road adventures.