suspension upgrade 100 series turbo diesel

Jen, What K's are on the car and where are you based. Also what accessories have you got on the car. These things all effect the advise I can give you. It is possible to raise the 100TD even with the IFS. The rear end can be raised just about as high as you want. The front is a little more difficult but 2" is generally to hard to get. I would recommend if there is constantly a load in the car to go for the heavier coil springs. I would also recommend changing the schock before the cape as the corrigations are hard on them. There are of course many options for both shocks and springs if you are replacing them. I would recommend either Bistien or Rancho shocks and King Springs. As regarding the Toresion bar on the front It is possible to lift this or even replace it, but I am not sure if a replacement is avialable at the moment. If you can give some more details I may be able to give you more detailed advice. Hope this helps. Cashy

Jen, the maximum payload of the 100 T/D is only about 500/600kg, which is very poor considering the size of the vehicle (the smaller Prado can carry 150kg more!). Find out the Gross Vehicle Mass from the handbook, load the Cruiser up and put it on a weighbridge - you may find the reason for the dragging rear!

I have had the ARB kit fitted. Only a moderate lift but stronger springs in the rear. I tow a Phoenix off road caravan (heavy!), and the combination is fantastic. The ride unladen is a little firmer but much more comfortable and controllable.

What everyone before has said is relevant, BUT, until the end of July 2002, Toyota are selling their genuine shock absorbers for $50.00 each! Sure they may not be a good as some of the "big name" shocks, but for less than a 1/3 of their price, they are very good value. I have Monroe Gas Magnums on my 100 RV and they are only so so, I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the originals that I replaced (after 100,000k's) so after I return from my trip next month I will trash them and return to the originals that I now "have in stock"! Hope that helps. Cheers.

Jen, With the info you gave I would recommend fitting heavier springs. The shocks will not give you any lift and with only 10,000k on them they should be good for at least another 50,000k. But with the load you are decriding I would recomend getting a properly built of road trailer as you are over loading the cruiser and thhat is when your shocks and springs will break on the corrigations. The Poly airs will only spread the load a little from the springs but will not help if you overload the car. I would replace the springs and carry the old ones as spares in case of trouble.

Regards

Cashy

Dear Jen, I have a 100 Series TD purchased December 2000. It has 50 000 kms on the odo. I have done the Gibb River Road and the Gurig Pennisula with the original suspension. Back was a bit low especailly when towing an offroad trailer for the GRR. I recently had PolyAir Springs installed by ARB Darwin for about $450. I recently did the trip from Darwin to Perth via the Rock and the Great Central Road with the new Polyairs. 3 Adults, 2 children and gear (including 41 litre Engel). Excellent for levelling the vehicle. I have been very happy with them so far. Around the city I have virtually nothing in the back. I have done nothing to the front suspension even though I have a third battery and compressor up front. I am thinking about a complete suspension deck out now that I have hit 50 000 kms. I still probably won't go for the extra strong springs because I don't have much in the car when I am driving around town. I hope this helps. Good luck, James.