Landcruiser V8 trayback which new springs/shocks for Canning Stock Route

Flynnie,

I have just picked up the ute after having the original springs re-set. They had been upgraded as part of the original stretch and GVM improvement so I didn't really want to spend a fortune on brand new springs. I picked up an extra 80mm in ride height as well. Having seen the Tough-dog big bore adjustables working on the Canning last year, I have opted to give them a go. I'd go the Koni's but at $1200 plus a pair, they'll have to wait. The only issue with the Adjustables is that I have welded on a small bit of plate to protect the adjustment knob at the bottom of the shock. The plate is on the main lower spring and shock mount.

At $790 delivered for a set of four it's good value as well.

Cheers Mick

hi fynnie
my choice for your vehicle would be the tough dog big bores

before i did my last stint on the canning with my mazda bravo i fitted a set of t/dog foamcells 41mm

when the tour leader saw them he said
i hope your carrying some spare shockies as they wont make it

how wrong he proved to be they were excellent and serveral others commented that my vehicle was the only one that was tracking on the horregations without scittering all over the tracks viewed from behind while they were following me

they went on to do 85th k's before the seals started to fail after a lot of rough driving around the states tracks and also rocky farm tracks loaded and pulling a trailer and/or caravan as well on a constant basis

your criuser is a lot heavier than my bravo hence my recommendation
imho you wont be dissapointed
enjoy your travel
cheers

G'day Flynnie,

I had a set of Tough Dogs foam cells which were OK but i only got about 60k out of them. In fact after the CSR I needed to change the bushes on both front shocks which was a bit of an epic trying to get them at the northern end.
I have now go Koni 88's which have been faultless. They are a bit hard when the vehicle is unladen but loaded they are excellent.

Will

Gday Flynnie,
Just my opinion, but shocks on rigid axle 4wds tend to last longer and withstand corrugations better than on other 4wds. So most brands will go OK on your vehicle.

Like Craig's experience I know of many 78/79series owners who do the badly corrugated tracks and have got lots of K's out of their factory shocks, or OME or Lovells. I've used the factory shocks and OME without a problem.

Putting an extra leaf into your standard rear springs won't hurt. I really like the Toyota leaf spring bushes - better than any of the aftermarket options. Its pretty hard to stay under GVM on the Canning.

Cheers
Phil

Thanks for all the suggestions. It has helped me a lot. I will stay with the standard springs and get new shocks. I will keep the option open of adding an extra leaf.

I have read with interest the reports of the standard shocks doing OK in the desert. This was not my experience, at least on the rear, where I thought they were way underdamped on rebound. Maybe I overheated them, anyway the rear ones are pretty crook now and need replacing.

Not sure what shocks I will get yet. So far I a have not been able to confirm if Koni 90s and 88s are available for the cruiser. Been away a couple of days and need to follow up on that tomorrow.

At the moment I am thinking Koni 90 or 88 and then Tough Dog in that order. Cost is relevant and it may be what I can afford is less than what I might want.

Flynnie

Update on selection of shock absorbers.

Earlier I had listed finalists as Koni 90, 88 and Tough Dog. I have been in touch with Toperformance, Koni distributor, and been told that the 90 & 88 are not suitable as I have standard height suspension and they are suited to raised suspension cruiser trayback but not standard height. I do not want to raise the suspension at the moment so the 90 & 88 are out of contention.

After some questions and answers on my vehicle and how it was set up the suggestion was 82 series shocks.

82-2347SP1 front
82-2348SP1 rear (plus one turn when carrying heavy load)

I will give these a go.

Flynnie