Hi folks,
I've been lurking on PradoPoint and doing a lot of research prior to changing anything on our new GXL D4D. Very pleased with the car but I had great results with aftermarket suspension on my Hilux a few years ago so hoping to get the same on the Prado. I will be using mostly on road, some beach and some gravel track. I don't think I will be rock crawling or mud plugging. I will be putting a towbar on the car but no other accessories (bullbar, dual battery, etc) in the near future and I’m happy to change the suspension in the future if this happens.
Thanks in advance for any comments or advice on the points below.
My understanding is that WA has adopted NCOP 11, VSB 14
https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/...ov_2015_v4.pdf
This states the following mods are allowed without engineering; MC classification vehicles may have up to 50mm greater overall nominal diameter wheels + tyres (section 4.2.4) and because it has ESC, no more than 50mm overall lift (section 2.6).
Do I understand this correctly?
First choice replacement tyre: Bridgestone D697 LT 265/70r17 – 28mm greater diameter = 14mm lift
Second choice replacement tyre: Bridgestone D697 LT 275/65r17 – 14mm greater diameter = 7mm lift
I’d like to go with the LT265/70r17 and add a small lift. There is some conflicting advice in the forums. Whether a tyre rubs or fits under the spare wheel cover seems to be specific to the brand and model. So, does anyone have experience with these specific tyres?
- do they rub at all, including full lock and articulation? Without a lift, with a lift? I have read that the 265/7r17 can rub on the mudguard and UCA but I’m not clear on whether this is with or without a lift.
- do they fit under the cover? What if the pressure is reduced?
And so the lift; most adverts, articles and forum threads are for 2” (50mm) lifts. Is it possible to get smaller lifts in order to stay under the 50mm limit in conjunction with larger tyres? ARB advertised a 30mm lift kit. Do any other brands offer this?
Remote reservoir shocks sound like a good idea. Is there an opinion on the Dobinsons or the PME BP-51 now? There is a long thread in the Pajero forums that say the Dobinsons MRR are performing really well after a few early problems.
Finally, can anyone recommend a suspension workshop in Perth, WA?
Appreciate there are a lot of questions above! Many thanks in advance.
Mark
I've been lurking on PradoPoint and doing a lot of research prior to changing anything on our new GXL D4D. Very pleased with the car but I had great results with aftermarket suspension on my Hilux a few years ago so hoping to get the same on the Prado. I will be using mostly on road, some beach and some gravel track. I don't think I will be rock crawling or mud plugging. I will be putting a towbar on the car but no other accessories (bullbar, dual battery, etc) in the near future and I’m happy to change the suspension in the future if this happens.
Thanks in advance for any comments or advice on the points below.
My understanding is that WA has adopted NCOP 11, VSB 14
https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/...ov_2015_v4.pdf
This states the following mods are allowed without engineering; MC classification vehicles may have up to 50mm greater overall nominal diameter wheels + tyres (section 4.2.4) and because it has ESC, no more than 50mm overall lift (section 2.6).
Do I understand this correctly?
First choice replacement tyre: Bridgestone D697 LT 265/70r17 – 28mm greater diameter = 14mm lift
Second choice replacement tyre: Bridgestone D697 LT 275/65r17 – 14mm greater diameter = 7mm lift
I’d like to go with the LT265/70r17 and add a small lift. There is some conflicting advice in the forums. Whether a tyre rubs or fits under the spare wheel cover seems to be specific to the brand and model. So, does anyone have experience with these specific tyres?
- do they rub at all, including full lock and articulation? Without a lift, with a lift? I have read that the 265/7r17 can rub on the mudguard and UCA but I’m not clear on whether this is with or without a lift.
- do they fit under the cover? What if the pressure is reduced?
And so the lift; most adverts, articles and forum threads are for 2” (50mm) lifts. Is it possible to get smaller lifts in order to stay under the 50mm limit in conjunction with larger tyres? ARB advertised a 30mm lift kit. Do any other brands offer this?
Remote reservoir shocks sound like a good idea. Is there an opinion on the Dobinsons or the PME BP-51 now? There is a long thread in the Pajero forums that say the Dobinsons MRR are performing really well after a few early problems.
Finally, can anyone recommend a suspension workshop in Perth, WA?
Appreciate there are a lot of questions above! Many thanks in advance.
Mark
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