New Suspension for 100 Series Cruiser

Shaun
We have a 100 series, and since new have had fitted a Pedders suspension, consisting of stronger rear springs with air bags, and better shockers all round, have now towed caravans approx 100 thou ks and no problems what so ever.
From memory when fitted cost about 700, probably a thousand now a day.

Cheers
Baz

Shaun,
It won't help performance or fuel economy just the handling.

Without knowing the type of travelling you want to do then it is a bit hard. Mainly road touring or some hard off road?

If you just want to fix the sag when the van is on then just fit polyair bags. If the sag is present when the vehicle is lightly laden then upgrade the springs. Make sure the shocks are matched otherwise the ride will be dissapointing.

If the front is not causing any problems then the existin front torsion bars can be cranked up to reset the ride height but not to achieve a lift with quality ride.

Define want you need to achieve for your purposes otherwise the 4wd stores will just sell you a full kit, that is what they are in business for.

cheers

The easiest and cheapest way is simply to put a set of PROGRESSIVE springs in the rear Cost for a set of EFS $186 Cost $60 to fit them.

The vehicle sits a bit flatter and rides much the same full or empty as it rides on the appropriate part of the spring.

You also dont say if you use a WDH which should be mandatory if towing more than a camper trailer.

I also have Polyairs which had I thought it out properly I wouldnt have wasted the money on, the springs are quite enough.

Replacing springs and Polyairs do NOT return the weight distribution in the car when you hook up a van. ONLY A WDH can help with that.

I have towed a 2800kg van for 50,000km and even fully loaded the rig sits nice and level and the ride is good whatever the load.
This is more attributable to a correctly set up van and a WDH also set correctly.

Perhaps you could look at how you load the van and check the ball weight.

You may be in for a surprise at the weighbridge, lots are.

Legal weights for most 100ser are 3260kg fully loaded including ball weight and 6680 GCVM (1HZ loaded is 3160)

Hi Shaun,

A bit of info from my experience that may assist. A good mate of mine had a 2005 100 series, and towed an off road Trak Shak camper trailer. He opted to replace the shockers with Koni shocks all round, but leave the original springs / torsion bars. He also fitted Polyairs in the rear to cater for when towing. This was a very effective solution. Ride around town was not compromised, and he could carry a load OK. I have driven his car for about 5000 km, so can vouch for the quality of the ride. He has also towed the camper with this setup across some pretty interesting places (ie Simpson desert, Boggy Hole, etc) with no problems to speak of.

I also have a 2006 100 series. I've gone down the route of upgrading the springs and shockers, with Bilsteins, giving about a 2" lift in the process. The ride is certainly firmer when unloaded, but not offensive. I've also put Polyairs in the rear to carry a load and when towing our camper.

So, either option works well from my experience. Just depends on your preference.

Cheers, Mark.

Thanks for your reply's

I am have decided to get The Edge 4X4 at West Gosford to replace the front torsion bars, front shocks (nitrocharger sport),wishbone reinforcing kit, rear coils rated at 400kg constant, rear sport shocks, stone guard kit, fitting and a wheel alignment.

My friend had them do the same job to his LC 100 series 4 years ago with 200kg and Polyairs my friend said he doesn't have to touch the airbags when he puts the load on the back.

Dave from the Edge also recommended not to fit the airbags as they can interfere with thesuspension.

Thanks

Shaun