suspension for 98 Prado-OME or tough dog.
Submitted: Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 13:01
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willow2839
I would like some advice/ opinions on the Old man Emu and tough Dog
Suspension kits. I intend on upgrading the
suspension on my 98 Prado to incorporate a 2"
suspension lift and am considering these two brands.
Firstly - I have been told that the
suspension upgrade that will give up to a 2" lift can be replaced with out doing any other adjustments or replacements beside a wheel allignment (bolt straight in). Is this the case?
Secondly - From peoples experience/ knowledge, which of these brands or any other recommendations would suit the 98 Prado better. I intend on doing some extended trips, both touring and offroad with loaded car and family.
Thirdly - What are the advantages/ disadvantages of; adjustable shocks like the Tough Dog as opposed to the standard OME; Gas shocks as opposed to foam filled.
Any advice opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Reply By: prado4x4 - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 13:46
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 13:46
I haven't seen or used the tough dog gear, so can't comment on it.
I do have the OME setup in my 2000 model prado (same model as your 1998)
and it works very
well. Just make sure you pick the right spring rating (light/med/heavy on the front, medium/heavy on the rear) to suit your vehicle and
loads.
Most guys on the prado groups believe that a Lovells springs / Bilstein shocks combo is the way to go. It has been tried and proven to be excellent.
Prado Group:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/90scool_aus/
Hope this helps a bit
John
AnswerID:
130413
Reply By: 120scruiser - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 13:57
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 13:57
Gday willow2839
I am currently running Lovell springs with standard Toyota shocks.
Try my site HERE as it may offer some answers as to medium rated springs or heavy duty. I have just installed the coil rite air bags on the rear as of yesterday and I am now in the middle of loading it up for a 4 week trip through the flinders, Ayers Rock, Alice, Simpson etc and I am confident with the toyota shocks. Maybe reduces my wheel travel a little compared to after market but it has saved me over 1200 bucks and for the touring I do it will be fine. I have a few customers with Prados running stock shocks and have been all over Aus,
Cape York etc with no problems.
Just my opinions and experiences.
BTW my Prado
suspension is the same bar a little bit more travel in the front.
Cheers
120scruiser
AnswerID:
130417
Reply By: Member - Stan (VIC) - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 14:38
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 14:38
Willow,
1. Yes that is correct.
2. While OME should be OK for most stuff, if you load it heavily
it will sag... also from what I heard (which might not be correct) the OME
suspension gone up in price. The Bilteins/Lovels setup is definitely best
for the Prado and for the type of usage you specified. I am running them
myself and been through Simpson, etc... and very happy with the way
it performs.
3. Have no experience with Tough Dog stuff...
AnswerID:
130421
Follow Up By: ACDC - Saturday, Sep 17, 2005 at 20:22
Saturday, Sep 17, 2005 at 20:22
The bilsteins were developed in Australia for the Prado's and do work great, but would prefer king springs from lovell's.
FollowupID:
385044
Follow Up By: Member - Stan (VIC) - Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 17:27
Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 17:27
What is the reason for preferring the king springs over lovells (other then cheaper price of king)?
FollowupID:
385152
Follow Up By: ACDC - Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 18:22
Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 18:22
Well the brand we normally fit is one of the top brands on the market which are sourced from King springs, there was a stage where they changed supplier to Lovells, we had nothing but trouble, poor quality,sagging and ,vehicles sitting uneven. After all the complaints they went back to King springs and no problems.
All the top brands use King springs made to there own spec's.
FollowupID:
385154
Reply By: prado-wolf - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 15:56
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 15:56
Willow,
on my 2002 Prado i have the OME setup but had to replace the medium coils at the rear with the heavy 300+ rated once and when i finally cut the
suspension aid rubber cone and fitted Poly air bags i was happy with the set up. Last trip we had total weight 3200 kg and no sagging.
AnswerID:
130427
Follow Up By: Member - Steve (ACT) - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 16:23
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 16:23
Done the same re replacing the coils with heavy 300+, but without the polyairs, no sagging.
I'm happy with the OME setup and would do the same again.
Steve
FollowupID:
384884
Follow Up By: prado-wolf - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 16:46
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 16:46
Steve,
sagging was so much of a problem but over the simpson the rubber cone always hit the stop and gave me the bleep s.
FollowupID:
384885
Follow Up By: Member - Steve (ACT) - Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 17:27
Friday, Sep 16, 2005 at 17:27
We converted to tent
camping from a campertrailer and out first weekend loaded up was when we discovered that we didn't have the heavy duty coils we thought we had. The constant bumping was driving me crazy.
All sweet now though
FollowupID:
384887
Reply By: prado_95 - Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 at 23:14
Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 at 23:14
having recently come back from a trip to the Cape & witnessed the performance of new Tough Dog shocks on two cars I wont be spending any $$ on them. On eof those vehicles had the in cab adjusters - the shocks on the rear of that car failed big time.
One car has King springs and Terrain Tamer shocks (after throwing away the Bilstiens that killed shock rubbers every 10K km). have OME on another car, and they have performed OK.
I'm happy with either the OME or Terran Tamer shocks & King springs on my Prado TD.
Theres a bunch of discussion on this topic on the Toyota Prado list :
http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/90series
Dave
AnswerID:
131103