Upgrade suspension Toy L/C 100

I would do the upgrade now, you will not be dissapointed as yuo would be with the std suspension.

Why a 12,000lb winch.. that is large amounts of overkill!
They also weigh HEAPS more than others.

You should weigh your car before doing anything, then add everything - All accessories/Mods to your car first.
Then weigh it. See the increase in KG, then go and get appropriate suspension for the added weight.

Changing it now maynot work, as you may add More/Less than you think in weight.

Gday Kapow,

Welcome to the site...

If you want a saggy saggy front end on the cruiser with the winch and bar on, then leave the standard stuff in. But I'd reckon for comfort and clearance for medium offroad stuff go and have a look at some of the suspension at TJM, ARB and other larger distributors. You will need to tell them what you are putting on the truck and it's good having the winch up front as they will most likely advise putting a heavy duty spring in. It will also improve your general clearance.

Unfortunately, you will have 6,000 different ideas thrown at you, I run dobinson 3 inch springs with E.F.S big bore long travel shocks and these work for me. The series 2000 stuff is pretty good but expensive.

Your ride may be compromised a little with the higher suspension, it won't be as comfy, but if you like a relatively firm ride, you'll be unfazed!

Good luck mate, and listen to these guys and girls, they are full of great info!

Cheers

Chris.

if you go to www.lcool.org and subscribe to the 100 series email list, there are lots of other 100 and 105 [solid front axle] owners there with differerent set ups, and some discussion re the cracking fromt A arms on the TD 100 IFS.

Kapow

I picked up my new GXL V8 about 7 weeks ago. With previous experience on my side it was not even an option not to upgrade the stock shocks & springs.

The standard gear will not stand up to the extra weight or hash conditions (with this weight). Also the vibration with the stock gear will rattle the hell out of the rest of the vehicle and you will slowly notice all the extra noise's that we dred.

I went for the LTR Old man Emu set up and with the extra weight (family of 5) and our camper trailer I could not be happier.

Good luck and note that the money you save in this area will be spent many times over in other areas if you dont get it right.

I have a new TD L/Cruiser 100 on which I fitted an ARB steel b/bar with 9000lb winch, 3rd battery, rear bar & wheel carrier, steel roof rack etc. Having altered the suspension on my previous 80 series several times to suit the addition of accessories over time, this time I fitted all the major accessories first and did the suspension last. After talking to heaps of people, and given that much of my use will not involve serious off road punishment I decided to fit new shocks all round, fit heavy duty 50mm higher rear coils and have the standard front tortion bars adjusted up about 25mm above standard. Over time I do expect the front to sag and expect that I will have to replace the tortion bars ($700+ a pair) but after 23000 km (about 2000km off road) so far they are ok. My other concern was the front shocks which on the ifs cruiser are smaller capacity than most vehicles and with this type of suspension on a big vehicle they cop a real workout. I was lead to believe that the best shocks to use are the Ralphs, or OME LTR's, both are expensive and the Ralphs are very stiff, so again, given my vehicle use I compromised and fitted the new TJM Cell X9 adjustable shocks. Once again particularly as these shocks are only new on the market, time will tell but so far they too are ok.
Stu

I would recommend not lifting it, just upgrade to get it back to standard after your additions, if it is an IFS. Toyota has a real problem on their hands with the Lower control arm cracking, if you load the front up , beef up the suspension and go offroad, your asking for trouble with it. Keep an eye on the RHS lower control arm, where the torsion bars connects, there is a serious design fault there.