Suspension

Dont know much about the $790 kit. But it sounds good if it works as described.

There are many unknown brands of shock and spring combination that will do the job very well. Problem is most of us will go for the Branded name Lovells, ARB, OME, Iron Man, Tough Dog the list goes on and on.

A Coil spring is a coil spring provided it is engineered correctly and not overstressed. Overstressed springs sag quickly. If the correct rate spring is chosen then there is no problem. Shock absorbers are what makes the suspension good or bad. Correct valving and resistance to fading are very important. In this respect size does matter and gas is better then just an oil shock.

Problem is good shocks are expensive and that is not to say some of the cheaper ones are junk. In the end it all depends on what use you are going to use them on. I have seen shocks burn the paint off the outside due to the heat build up under harsh conditions and that is why you see off road vehicles fitted with 2 or more shocks per wheel. Doing this means the individual valving of the shock can be softer and hence less heat is generated.

I have Pedders on my HJ80 it came with them, they are ok for normal off road touring that most of us do. I have found that Polly air bags are needed if carrying a reasonable load just to keep the vehicle from being low in the back.

Its great to read other peoples comments on the suspension they have fitted and to read some non payed for articles on the various setups available.

In many cases the most expensive is not necessarily the best for your application.

Wayne B

I have Poly bags in the rear with the engel firewood and all the other crap we carry, I still have the original shocks and springs and had no probs doing the Simpson. As a matter of fact the tojo suspension was pretty good but time for an upgrade.

I must admit that I run Lovells Shocks and OME springs and torsion bars from ARB on my 100.

I know about the Prado kits as members of my 4WD Club have them on their 90's and 120s and suggestthat they are good value. Dobinsons are Australian own and manufactured items.

I do like the invitation to buy a kit that suits: - regular driver - 150kg, 150-300kg, 300kg +. Which means that there is some thought behind the product.

I am lead to believe that the shocks are Lovells units valved to specifications.

I just changes from EFS shocks to Koni for a trip to the Cape. They made a hell of a difference on the 80 Series.The springs are ok though.
Regards
Geoff