200 Series suspension?

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 14:27
ThreadID: 131981 Views:3489 Replies:5 FollowUps:9
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Just purchased a replacement for my much loved 100 series landcruiser.
The 200 suspension makes it wallow like a whale.
I have used many different suspension systems over the years, most recently the OME springs and shocks.
I am thinking of going heavy duty King springs and blistein shocks for a change.
Any comments / suggestions re this combination?
It will have all the usual " essentials " fitted, so the weight will go up a fair bit.
Rob M

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Reply By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 14:54

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 14:54
I like the idea of Bilstein shock absorbers.

Have you considered a GVM upgrade? If so then keep that as oner of the parameters when choosing the upgrade parts. Getting the right components now makes it easier later, and maybe even cheaper.

All we had to add was a pair of air bags for the rear to aid in stability more than height and weight.

Phil
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Follow Up By: TomH - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 15:10

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 15:10
I found a pair of King progressive springs were far better than airbags.

When empty it sat more level than with originals and still rode soft enough. When loaded the hard bottom half of the springs held it up better.

I had put the airbags in but after putting the springs in just left them at 10lb as couldnt take them out as had removed bump stops to fit them.

Remember with a GVM upgrade and now the 200 has a published GCM it will reduce towing capacity.

A better set of shocks will be good also
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 20:40

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 20:40
Here's a grab of the Kings Coil Spring catalogue for the 200 series.



Few different options available there?

Bob


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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Geepeem - Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 20:46

Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 20:46


GVM as well as tow capacity can be upgraded
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Saturday, Apr 02, 2016 at 06:07

Saturday, Apr 02, 2016 at 06:07
GVM upgrade from 3280 to 3700 Kg. Seating was reduced to 5 from 8. The drawers are actually bolted in and we have no intention of removing them. No change to anything about towing etc but we don't tow so that's of no concern either.

Maybe the towing in the ACT is GTM. I find the proliferation of accronyms damned annoying but what can one do!

Phil

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Reply By: garrycol - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 16:00

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 16:00
The 200 original suspension is quite poor. My brother bought a brand new Sahara in 2014 and the front suspension sagged before it had travelled 3000km.

Of course Toyota would have been prepared to replace under warranty but as this was a know issue and would be ongoing he decided a warranty claim and went straight for aftermarket - not sure what brand but it is working well and he has now covered over 30,000km with a lot of towing a large van and absolutely no issues.
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Reply By: Warren B - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 16:46

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 16:46
Hi rob, had an 80 series with OME still doing the job 20 years later, then a Dmax and put Ironman on that ( wrong choice ). just fitted OME to my 200 series, service was excellent, product was real good until I took it up the bush ( today ) product now excellent. I have air bags fitted cause our off road van is 280kgs on the ball. no idea how it tows yet but this little black duck is very happy with OME suspension. ask 10 people and you will get 11 reconmendations read the fourms and you will weed out the ones to steer clear of.
Hope this helps. warren
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Follow Up By: cookie1 - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 23:21

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 23:21
Put OME on my 200GX when I got it, after putting them on my last 3 Patrols, loved them then and still love them - wore the shockers out but having done the Simmo, CSR, Robe, High Country, Kimberley I reckon I got my moneys worth and just replaced them after 4 years

cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Young Nomads - Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 19:21

Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 19:21
OME 2" lift (400kg rating) with ARB sports shockers
Just changed them out after 10 years of heavy loads and towing..nothing wrong with them really, but they were not "holding things up" like they used to.
Doing another remote trip this year, towing our TVan, so every bit of lift is good..we also have firestone airbags in the rear (only as assistance with load sharing)
Very happy with OME and ARB :)



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Reply By: Gronk - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 18:12

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 18:12
King springs and Bilsteins are a good combo.

I went a lot cheaper and did King springs and Tough Dog.....no complaints after 2 yrs !
AnswerID: 598027

Follow Up By: Member. Rob M (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 18:26

Thursday, Mar 31, 2016 at 18:26
Thanks Gronk,

I tried OL tough dog Ralph's a few years ago on a patrol and they leaked oil badly.
Probably a lot better now, but once bitten twice shy, as they say.
Rob M

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Reply By: D-MaxerWA - Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 00:29

Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 00:29
Seems to me that a lot of you Toyota owners are having problems with suspension. Just an observation.
D-MaxerWA

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Follow Up By: Member. Rob M (QLD) - Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 07:50

Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 07:50
Not really problems, just like to change the handling characteristics to more suit my needs. No different to replacing tyres or adding driving lights.
Rob M

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Follow Up By: Warren B - Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 08:51

Friday, Apr 01, 2016 at 08:51
Hi D maxer. the 200 suspension is made to suit the saudies, the brits, the yanks, for Toorak tractors, horse floats, and vaners,. Mine has 130k's front left was 30mm lower than right, rear right was 41mm lower than left, front right was about the best it sagged only 20mm. Its just par for the course mate the springs on most are only good for about 80k's. part of the problem is we put a steel bulbar on , winch, driving lights etc then roof rack, drawer system, fridge.etc etc.
I had problems with my d max ended up lifting it etc. the reason you hear more about Toyotas is perhaps cause there are more of them.
As rob said my main reason was to better suit my needs.
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