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Prado Kakadu Lift kit versus 2" increase in wheel size

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  • Prado Kakadu Lift kit versus 2" increase in wheel size

    Hi.

    As a relative 4x4 novice, I seek experienced advice re lifting the height of my 2016 Prado Kakadu.

    I have a 2/3 length underbody bash plate protection modification which although very nice, probably exacerbates the low standard height (nice to hear it bash though rather than something important)!

    As many of you would know, finding adaptations for anything "Kakadu" is very difficult due to the complexity of the extra "bits" it offers.

    I have sourced a 50mm front and rear lift kit, rear air bags, and front springs and shocks for $2,800 which will suit most of my needs. It will allow a full 50mm all round suspension lift (the absolute limit of my garage lol) but will disable some of the other suspension features such as the "Sport or Comfort " modes. This of course will also render redundant the rear air lift which allows 41mm increase and 20mm decrease in height from the normal setting (only up to 55klms per hour).

    So my question is, is it more sensible for me to buy new 20" rims and tyres which will allow a full 2" or 50mm increase in all round body and diff height (in other words a real 50mm increase including diffs) or to lean towards the suspension lift?

    The tyre and rim option will of course not disable any of the nice suspension features of the Kakadu and provide a full 50mm increase all round in height.

    The down side would be I will retain the original "soft" Kakadu suspension but this can be modified later if needed.

    Other than having to recalibrate the speedo for the increase in tyre height, are there any sinister implications that I should know about such as:

    1. will it have any negative impacts on the car's off road ability or am I correct in thinking that the 50mm height increase will be better for offroading?
    2. will this stuff anything else up.
    3. would members experienced in these matters advise the suspension or 2" tyre increase option.

    Not sure which way to go with this one so very interested in member comments.

    Thanks.

    David

  • #2
    Stick with the rear factory airbags and change the front springs and shocks all round. You won't really miss the Sport-Comfort settings. This will still retain the height adjustment.

    Not sure what components you got quoted for but you can get good quality King/Bilstein kit for under $1500.

    Changing your rims to 20" does not raise the vehicle if the overall diameter is the same. 20" tyres are also very expensive. Then every few years you have to fork out extra to change the tyres again over and above what you would normally pay for 18" tyres.

    If you wanted a 2" lift, your tyres will need to be bigger by 4" in diameter. So you would go from 265/60R18 to 265/80R18. Apart from these tyre sizes being very rare, even if you do get it, you would have rubbing issues and you will get massive increase in fuel consumption and loss of power. So no I wouldn't recommend changing tyres to obtain a 2" lift.

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Davd,
      If it was me I would certainly opt for the lift and do away with the Kakadu features if you will use it, ie. Go off-road to places where the extra height and flex will be of benefit.

      I certainly would not be opting for the 20in wheels, by increasing the rim dia. you reduce the tyre side wall widith which when 4wding will restrict the ability to air down to gain extra traction, limit tyre cuts etc.. Particularly if you are beach driving the smaller side walls have a huge impact when airing down to allow the tyre to bag out. Not to mention the 20's can be quite a harsh ride.

      This is my 2c from personal experience but if possible in the Kakadu, I would but putting in a good name brand 2in lift and sticking slightly higher profile a/t tyres on your Kakadu. That will raise up your chassis and give you some extra clearance under the diffs, that's what I've done and I'm supper happy with it.
      Last edited by Lski; 30-07-2016, 06:06 PM.
      2016 Toyota Prado GXL auto. ARB deluxe bar, Rock Armor side steps, 9in Penetrator LED spotties (30,000LM), Uniden 8060 UHF, Bilstein/Dobinson 2in lift, 265/70/17 Mickey Thompson ATZ P3's, Safari snorkel, Dual battery system, ARB onboard compressor, Custom rear false floor, Kaon bash plates, Ext. diff/gearbox breathers, Provent 200, Wynnum tow bar, Roadsafe tow points, Phillips crystalvision bulbs, tint, Rhino rack platform.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks guys that's great advice quoting stuff that I had never even thought of!

        Re the $2,800 price for the modification, as per everything for a Kakadu modification, it costs more than a standard model.

        The rear airbags have to interface with the standard Kakadu electronic lift system hence the extra cost (I think).

        I do like the KVSS so am happy to live with the additional costs.

        Can you please explain why opting for a small diameter tyre (17" from 18" standard Kakadu size) gives me a greater diff height????

        I am sorry for my stupidity but I don't get this!

        At the end of the day, my garage door (damn mongrel thing) will only cope with an overall height increase of 45-50mm maximum (including any tyre or suspension modifications).

        Please remember that GXL or VX mods usually do not work for the Kakadu (should have bought the VX and spent the extra $10,000 on mods rather than the Kakadu where I have spent $22,000 on mods!!!!!!!!!)

        Bloody idiot I know!!!! (but better than my wife spending it on perfume and jewellery!!!!!

        So won't a 2" lift + increase in diff height) exceed this allowable space.

        Comment


        • #5
          The greater height in the wheels is by increasing the tyre profile. I'm not sure what the equivalent would be in the 18's (there are threads on here that discuss it), but for my 17's I went from a 265/65/17 Std to a 265/70/17. I am contemplating looking at going to a 16in rim to give me a bigger sidewall again, but not sure if it's possible with the brake size. To be honest I probably don't need to, I'm happy with the current performance off-road.

          Just let your tyres down each time you go in the garage! Hah!
          2016 Toyota Prado GXL auto. ARB deluxe bar, Rock Armor side steps, 9in Penetrator LED spotties (30,000LM), Uniden 8060 UHF, Bilstein/Dobinson 2in lift, 265/70/17 Mickey Thompson ATZ P3's, Safari snorkel, Dual battery system, ARB onboard compressor, Custom rear false floor, Kaon bash plates, Ext. diff/gearbox breathers, Provent 200, Wynnum tow bar, Roadsafe tow points, Phillips crystalvision bulbs, tint, Rhino rack platform.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by pradokakadudavid View Post
            At the end of the day, my garage door (damn mongrel thing) will only cope with an overall height increase of 45-50mm maximum (including any tyre or suspension modifications).
            Don't forget you can use the Lo setting on the rear airbag height control setting to drop them 20mm below normal rear height. It may help you squeeze in your garage.

            I've just gone from 18" wheels on my Kakadu to 17" wheels and tyres for some of the reasons posted earlier, namely more sidewall height and cheaper future tyre purchases. The only suspension modes I've done to mine are to replace the front springs and put spacers under the rear airbag sensors to achieve an approximately 40mm lift after settling. I still have the original TEMS shocks and all the in-cabin adjustments. The suspension tweaks were done when I still had the 18s on, now that I have changed to 17s I've gained a small lift again (went from 265/60/18 to 265/70/17).

            Have a look here to see the differences a change in tyre size can make, this will help you to factor any suspension lift into the equation.

            http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by pradokakadudavid View Post

              Re the $2,800 price for the modification, as per everything for a Kakadu modification, it costs more than a standard model.
              This is a myth. All it needs are 4shocks and a pair of KDSS specific springs at the front. It would in fact be cheaper.

              Can you please explain why opting for a small diameter tyre (17" from 18" standard Kakadu size) gives me a greater diff height????
              It doesn't. Only altering the tyre size will give you greater diff clearance.

              Please remember that GXL or VX mods usually do not work for the Kakadu
              yes they do.

              Comment


              • #8
                Well thanks for all the advice but in the end after much research I went for the following.

                # On the front - Bilstein front shocks and platinum springs from CalOffroad for a 2-3 inch lift subject to adjustment.
                # One the rear, Bilstein long travel shocks and Caloffroad adjustable airbags.

                This gear is KVSS compliant and fully compliant with all Kakadu features.

                So I can adjust the rear air bags to 45mm high to suit the standard N setting on the Kakadu which is a 2" increase and still have an extra 40mm on the rear by using the H, height adjustment feature.

                Cost was $2400 which included $150 freight from NSW to WA and it will cost me $400 fitting when it gets here.

                Expensive but covered all the bases including that damn stupid garage door.

                Thanks to all for your valuable advice.

                Comment


                • #9
                  I certainly hope you read the caloffroad horror threads first.. Some people have had a lot of trouble with their gear..

                  A 2-3" lift at front and less than 2" at rear is going to have a huge rearward rake.
                  Head up bum down.

                  What are the airbags they are supplying? Standards will do a 45mm lift comfortably usually.
                  Are they going to be a steel retaining pin or plastic?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Have you already paid for the order?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Don't forget the diff drop. Over 2" you will need it.
                      My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Thanks for your advice guys.

                        The maximum rear lift on installation will be 2" so no other mods apparently needed.

                        I will also set the front for 2" lift so there should be no "leaning backwards" as you say.

                        The rear airbags on standard height will be 45mm which equals the height of the HIGH setting on the Kakadu now but on NORMAL setting.

                        I can then increase the height by an extra 40mm using the HIGH mode on the Kakadu if required.

                        I can find negative comments about almost any 4x4 gear on forums but the 4x4 shop fitting the gear thought it was good value and good quality gear and they have no affiliation with Cal Offroad.

                        They recommended Tough Dog gear but I can find negative comments about these as well so I thought I would be safer with Bilsteins which usually get good reviews.

                        At the end of the day this was the only rear airbags I could find that were adjustable on installation which was important to me so that my Kakadu will fit in my garage.

                        Thanks for the honest advice.

                        Hope it all works well!!!!

                        David

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          The kit is 2-3" lift but I will have it set for 2" to match the rear 2".

                          The shop did advise me of the need to drop the diff and replace some other bits but 3" was too high for my garage anyway.

                          Thanks for the advice.

                          Cheers.

                          David

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I would suggest checking the front springs before installation. If they are the same length don't go ahead.
                            My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by mjrandom View Post
                              I would suggest checking the front springs before installation. If they are the same length don't go ahead.
                              And also measure the shock lengths to make sure they are long enough.

                              Comment

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