Prado Suspension

I'm surprised you lasted this long to upgrade the Toyota crap springs (had done about 50,000 km). I have a 2002 model and had similar sag problems without a full payload of fuel, just the rear _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx and recovery gear in the back was enough to drop by 50mm below standard. Had TJM (XGS suspension) fit a set of thier heavy duty standard height rear springs and a set of Polyairs for extra support for trips towing the van and carrying extra gear in the back. The whole setup was cheaper and more effective than changing shocks as well, as they were fine.

As a matter of interest if you get the Polyairs I had the inflation valves fitted to the rear of the side steps on the black plastic end peice (either side). It is very easy for access. Polyairs will remove most of your suspension sag problems. Even with heavier or replacement springs an reasonable load and towed appendage will cause it to drop. I had a lot of problems with front tyres scrubbing due to the rear suspension problem, a set of Grandtreks lasted 45,000 km!. Every thing has been fine since.

I talked to Pedders who seemed to think I needed higher springs with higher shocks along with the Polyairs and on and on went the cash register.

I'd take it to a 4WD suspension specialist, TJM, ARB or someone like that.

Wizard
Prado TD
Gold Coast

I ran heavier springs and kept the factory shocks. Factory Prado shocks are excellent quality - they are Japanese made Tokicos.

By all means fit the heavier springs and add polyairs if you want some adjustability. Then if you also want new shocks, then consider buying new Toyota ones - last year I bought a set from CMI Toyota for just over $200 for the 4 - they were on special.

And get someone else to fit them - the front struts need compressors and the rear top shock nuts are hard to access.

Cheers
Phil

Hi Sam07,
I had a set of XGS Heavy Duty Springs (45mm Front, 50mm Rear Lift) and shocks fitted by TJM in Coopers Plains (Brisbane) when my Prado was 105,000Km's old. It's now got 120,000 Km's on the clock and is a big improvement over the standard Toyota setup. Indeed, the Toy hasn't looked back since. It has significantly improved the ride and handling in all conditions, whether fully or lightly loaded. We recently went to Inskip Point with 4 adults and the back loaded to the top - and it handled everything with ease.
The lift does not hinder on-road handling at all - in fact it handles better on-road now than it ever did before the suspension upgrade.
Hope this helps,
PradoBoy