lift kits on prado
Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009 at 21:38
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Member - one way ticket (VIC)
we are travelling the
Kimberley later this year,
mitchell falls, kalumbaru and maybe the csr. would you lift a standard petrol 120 series or alter any
suspension?
thanks
Reply By: leachy_9 - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009 at 22:22
Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009 at 22:22
I guess you will probably be carrying a fair amount of gear, so yes I think a
suspension upgrade would be a good investment. There are several options depending on your budget and performance expectations. These are all discussed in a fair amount of detail on
Pradopoint.
For what it's worth I run a + 50mm lovels springs / Bilstien shocks combination with Firestone airbags in the rear that has performed
well for the last 70,000km
AnswerID:
352088
Follow Up By: George_M - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 07:34
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 07:34
As a minimum
suspension upgrade for such a trip you should consider airbags for the rear. Coil springs give a great ride, however the standard Prado rear
suspension sags a bit with a bit of weight in the back. You might strike it lucky with the
grader over the roads you're planning to travel - if you don't you'll be giving your rear bump-stops a fair workout unless you upgrade your
suspension. Tyres are also an important consideration....
George_M
FollowupID:
620304
Reply By: Tenpounder - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 09:22
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 09:22
Hi there. I have a 90 series Prado, and decided on a combination of 50mm lift with 100kg stronger coil springs all round, and new heavy duty shockers all round. No air bags have been added. Then I had to replace the hitch tongue to correct the towing levels.
The result is a rig that still tows the van
well, and can handle rough stuff fairly
well, including eliminating most of the tail end sag that others mention. TJM in
Adelaide provided the suggestions and supplied the gear, and didn't try a hard sell to add the kitchen sink.
In the desert, I have to carry 200 litres of water and 80 litres of fuel, plus all normal camping gear, and this arrangement has met the need (and, no, don't mention GVM out loud.)
It's all about how much money you can (or wish to) spend, eh?
Hope this helps
Chris (SA)
AnswerID:
352125
Follow Up By: Tenpounder - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 09:29
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 09:29
Hi George_M: I wouldn't disagree with your suggestion about airbags. But, in my case, the Prado was already suffering from middle aged droop, so spring/shocker replacement rather than just an upgrade was called for.
Chris
FollowupID:
620325
Follow Up By: Member - Ingo57 (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 15:32
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 15:32
200 litres of water?????
FollowupID:
620368
Follow Up By: Tenpounder - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 16:24
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 16:24
Yes, Ingo. I thought someone might pick me up on that! I've done duty as a Water Stop in the
Simpson Desert Cycle Classic for the last few years, and I've started off with close to 200 litres to make sure there's enough for us (planned 5 days, plus a margin) and also enough to augment the rider's supplies. I think 170 litres will be enough this year, as long as it's not too hot (last year, the very end of September, it was high 40's, which made for some thirsty people!
Tha's the explanation.
Chris
FollowupID:
620379
Follow Up By: Member - Ingo57 (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 16:51
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 16:51
Ahhh so there is a method to the madness
For a minute there I thought you were a camel Lol..... Great place to have a job thou!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Tenpounder - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 16:54
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 16:54
No, Ingo: lots of madness, very little method! Not a job, though, it's a
recreation. Perhaps, as a Simpson traveller yourself, you'ld like to join us in 2009? It's a great week, I can tell you.
Chris
FollowupID:
620386
Follow Up By: Member - Ingo57 (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 17:02
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 17:02
SWMBO has put a ban on any travels this year after
Easter for we are having our 3rd around June and July, but you got me thinkin for a second there.
Cheers Ingo
FollowupID:
620388
Reply By: spliney - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 10:53
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 10:53
I tow a Trackabout Safari CT with a 60L Trailblaza on the drawbar, so it's quite a heavy ball-weight.
I had the rear coils upgraded on my 120 series for about $240. Handles beautifully.
Spliney
AnswerID:
352131
Reply By: Anthony (Vic) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:06
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:06
Yes, I would upgrade springs for increased load in the rear, shockers and LT tyres. I found the rear shockers on our 2003 Prado have got a fair amount of stone damage and dents in the lower part of the shocker body.
I think ARB (maybe others as
well) sell a stone guard that bolts onto the shocker tube to deflect stones from damaging the shocker. I will be looking at these before my next trip.
AnswerID:
352139
Follow Up By: Wherehegon - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 15:52
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 15:52
Yes Anthony ARB do have them. I have have them fitted to the OME shocks on the rear of my 95 series and its surprising how many stone dents are in them from the gravel roads. Worth the extra few $$$ that they were. ..........WHG
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Reply By: RobAck - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 18:47
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 18:47
The answer is it all depends on what you are carrying and the way you drive. We've had clients do the
Kimberley and I mean all of it over a two month trip on standard
suspension 120 Prado with poly air bags as the only
suspension modification. They were camping and travelling reasonably loaded but I would not rate them as heavy as per a Simpson trip as you don't really need to carry that much equipment. The only other change was AT tyres, Bridgestone D694 and we customised a weekend training course to help them prepare for the trip.
They covered something like 3850 km off bitumen, had no punctures or vehicle damage and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Well they did have a tail-light globe fail if that counts for much.
Regards
RobA
AnswerID:
352197
Follow Up By: HGMonaro - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 21:32
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 21:32
my father-in-law did
Mitchell Falls, Bungles with std
suspension and GrandTreks. No problems except for a tek screw in main st of
Port Hedland! We did same towing wind-up camper (only up to to Drysdale Stn, took tent to
Mitchell Falls) with polyairs and D694's. No problems at all. The need for lifted HD
suspension is not required for those roads, however if you're replacing tired suspemsion, you might as
well get a lift at the same time.
FollowupID:
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