Prado 120 Tyres & Suspension

I put a 50mm lift in my Prado.

Around $300 got me 4 springs. took 2 hours to fit.

I used the factory shocks and front struts.

HUGE improvement, and the 33" tyres no longer rub.

Well worth the money, even with factory shocks the handling and comfort offroad is amazing.

http://steven.4wdpics.com

I have a few pics of the lift there

I am working on front hook at the moment, just looking for the best place

Drew,

If you are going to do a bit of off roading you definately need some lift in the suspension department. Before my change two trips out and I nearly scrapped the rear bumper away both times. I have fitted OME front and rear and that has taken the harshness out of the suspension and lifted the rear about 60mm. No scraping now.!

As far as recovery hooks go you are very limited. I have commissioned a company to design and make rated recovery points and I expect them to be available within the next month or so.

Hi Drew,
I have purchased an equalizer strap that attaches to 2 front hooks and spreads the load. My ARB dealer advised that the factory hooks were fine for , snatching and my hand winch, but not for being recovered by the likes of a bulldozer.

Re suspension I got a OME MED rated 40mm lift and longer travel nitro shocks fitted.With a full load travelling some very tough fire trails the 100 series and Nissan Patrols in our group had no advantage. Infact the Prado turning circle handled the switch backs better.

I am running 265/70/17 Mickey Thompson MTX all terrains. They chopped up badly on trip, but the tyre people advised so would have Coopers and BFG as all 17 inch available at present are passenger rated. Cooper will have LT rated tyres in about 3 months. In mean while I am fitting 16" steel rims and 265/75/16 and will have full selection of choice, and have picked Cooper STT.
Regards
Joe

Drew,

Just today I talked to my friendly tyre dealer about new boots for the Prado when it is delivered. He said to bring it round the day I get it and he will fit Cooper A/Ts in 265/70R17 for a changeover of $750 for the 5 original GrandTrek AT20s. Retail on these tyres is $295ea so that sounds like a decent deal to me.

Went to my Toyo dealer after work to see if this would make any difference to Insurance (Dealer organised) and they said no (I might still check that with the insurance company later!). While I was there they showed me a Prado that is for delivery to customer tomorrow that has just had these fitted ($850) and they looked the goods.

I was worried about the Overall Diameter being increased by more than 15mm which is apparantly the maximum increase allowed under ADR on the tyre on the placard but both the tyre dealer and the Toyo dealer said "no worries". Will make some more enquiries on this.

StevenL

Hi,
Does anyone have an update on new Prado recovery hook issue - I got new Prado when they first came out and couldn't believe they had deleted it. I wouldn't have bought it! Can't believe a year later still hasn't been resolved. Do the new ones now have a hook at the rear? Mine only has the tow bar & another loop.
I have gotten bogged a couple of times at Fraser in soft dry sand due to loss of momentum (didn't gun it) or stopping on incline as turkey coming down wouldn't giveway. With low clearance bottoms out on engine & gearbox bash plates (needs a snow plough arrangement to throw sand into the drive track-truely!) - thanks Toyota for dropping the new one 25mm - real smart now we have to pay more to get a lift kit to get 50mm back. Don't bother with 10mm won't be enough alone. What tyre pressure do you run on in the sand I found with the standard GXL tyres that I did better putting air back in the tyres to get a bit more height not dropping further. I tried 25, 20 & back to 25psi was fine. I used snatchem linked with a rated winch strap for longer length & a sensible recovery driver to ease the car out not rip it out stupidly. An equalising cable between the two loops sounds like a good idea. Otherwise used rated tow ball and same sensible approach for getting others out.
I helped a Forrester get out & he had bought a new strap on the Island & some turkey snapped it on him - luckily didn't damage the car or kill someone.
Its a good car although thirsty around town up to 16l/100km (10.3l/100km highway) with Turbo Diesel 3.0. What economies others getting?
Cheers, Maccas.