Suspension upgrade for 150 Prado
Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 at 15:52
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phantom
Lots of options out there and wondering if anyone has first hand experience with EFS
suspension.
Car is 2016 diesel GXL, no bull bar but with drawers, drop down fridge slide and dual battery in the rear with third row seats removed. Plan on doing a lot of outback travel towing a camper when restrictions are lifted ( in
Melbourne).
Reply By: Member - Suitcase (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 at 21:29
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 at 21:29
Have a look at posts on Pradopoint. I have a 2013 SX with King Springs, Bilstein shocks and Air bag helpers on the back. The
suspension does lift the body a bit but that not important (I wish it didn't as the Prado doesn't need it for the type of travelling we do). We tow a small off road van - about 1900kg. Very happy with the
suspension. We do quite a bit of dirt road travel out west.
cheers
AnswerID:
633722
Reply By: Member - rocco2010 - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 at 22:02
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020 at 22:02
Do you really need it?
My 2013 Prado has taken me everywhere I need to go (including csr) on standard
suspension.
Previous owner towed a boat so fitted airbags to level up ( I don’t tow) but most of time I forget to check the pressure.
I suspect my shocks are probably close to done after 160,000km so I’d look hard at them before another desert trek but that would be all.
Hope you can get on the road soon.
Cheers
AnswerID:
633723
Follow Up By: Member - Bigfish - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 07:25
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 07:25
Totally different vehicle set up needed if towing a van/camper/trailer off road than what is required for a vehicle not towing. Straight away there is an immediate 150kg minimum on the tow ball and you will also find the rear of the vehicle will be loaded up as
well. . The standard
suspension that comes with the majority of 4wd vehicles is not particularly suited to off roading regularly. Its a compromise at best.. I bought a brand new Pajero and a brand new Hi-Lux...both suspensions were way too soft off road when towing ...as is common. Many people say...."Oh my
suspension is great"...until they get in a vehicle that has had the
suspension set up to suit their vehicles traveling needs. Great
suspension is a must for off road travel.
FollowupID:
910807
Follow Up By: Member - peter_mcc - Thursday, Oct 15, 2020 at 12:57
Thursday, Oct 15, 2020 at 12:57
You sound like my father! His Prado is a bit older but he swore the
suspension was ok. I drove it a few times and disagreed... it wallowed and bottomed out over speed humps at low speed. His one had done CSR,
Simpson Desert a few times, etc as
well on the standard
suspension.
FollowupID:
910815
Reply By: OBJ - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 07:25
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 07:25
If you have a Climax
suspension place near you, have a chat to them. I had my Landcruiser (not a Prado) upgraded and am still happy with the results. They fitted Koni Shock absorbers and heavier springs (leaf).
Expensive, but to me,
well worth it. But I went to them after enduring the ramblings of some of those who work in the so called 4WD outlets (no names, no packdrill) who immediately told me a needed a 2" lift, bigger tyres and all the fruit that all the bogans like to stand around, beer in hand and stare at.
Took my car across the Simpson (
Madigan line) 3 months later. No shocker fade etc. Perfect. I appreciated their advice and the finished job.
OBJ
AnswerID:
633726
Reply By: Member - nickb "boab" - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 20:42
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 20:42
we have EFS on a 100 series IFS ..torsion bars & shocks all round & i hate it !! with no load on vehicle it rides like a brick sitting on a concrete floor :((
AnswerID:
633735
Follow Up By: phantom - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 21:00
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020 at 21:00
Thanks Nick, appreciate the information.
FollowupID:
910809
Follow Up By: Member - Suitcase (QLD) - Thursday, Oct 15, 2020 at 09:20
Thursday, Oct 15, 2020 at 09:20
I had EFS on a Rodeo and it was very stiff too. Best thing I did was change to Koni shock absorbers.
FollowupID:
910811
Follow Up By: OBJ - Thursday, Oct 15, 2020 at 19:05
Thursday, Oct 15, 2020 at 19:05
x 2 for Koni shockers.
FollowupID:
910819
Reply By: HKB Electronics - Monday, Oct 19, 2020 at 13:15
Monday, Oct 19, 2020 at 13:15
Prado 120, KONI shocks, king springs with air bags in the rear. Rides
well not to harsh, airbags offset the camper weight when being towed
If you wish to do some serious exploring I would go for a raised setup, I have alloy bullbar, winch, draws etc, had a GVM upgrade to keep legal. Doesn't take much in the way of accessories and tow ball weight to push it
well over the legal limit.
Air bags keep the rear level when towing, without the harsher ride of the heavy duty springs.
AnswerID:
633780