Post suspension modification retrospective

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

I recently received a PM asking me about my suspension lift, specifically what I thought of the Bilsteins and 50mm vs 40mm of lift. I thought it might be helpful to all readers if I posted my reply here as well.

Firstly, I'm very happy with the Bilsteins, they are very good, they made an incredible difference to the ride and they were worth the extra $400 odd.

If I had my time again I might not go for the 50mm lift - getting the steering right has been a challenge and I'm still not totally happy with the feel. 40mm might have been better - foolishly I trusted the ARB dealership and they just fitted the off the shelf 50mm Old Man Emu springs without first discussing the steering ramifications with me. To add to my frustrations, the wheel aligner guy they recommended (and charged me $110 to use) wasn't all that helpful in getting it right. It's covered elsewhere on pp.com.

The whole installation cost me $2,000. That's a shirtload of cast to fork out - I'd rather not be reminded of the pain! :lol:

Then after the installation I ended up with more arse end sag when towing (despite the fact that the ARB literature says "better towing" - bollocks) so I ended up going down the PolyAirs path - more cost! :roll:

Hope this helps anyone else or stimulates a bit of discussion,

Drew.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Drew,

Thanks for an honest perspective.
On the recommendation of my suspension supplier (WA suspension) I have lovells/bilstien +30mm front and rear. He said that while he could proivde a 50mm lift he would not recommend it and thought it would cause front end issues. I'm really happy with the way the Prado handles have had no wheel alignment issues. But I must admit to "lift envy" when I see guys with 50-70mm lift. It's tempting to go and get more lift but obviously there is a sensible limit and it sounds like from your retrospective that is around the 40mm mark.

Leachy.

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Drew,

Thanks for an honest perspective.
On the recommendation of my suspension supplier (WA suspension) I have lovells/bilstien +30mm front and rear. He said that while he could proivde a 50mm lift he would not recommend it and thought it would cause front end issues. I'm really happy with the way the Prado handles have had no wheel alignment issues. But I must admit to "lift envy" when I see guys with 50-70mm lift. It's tempting to go and get more lift but obviously there is a sensible limit and it sounds like from your retrospective that is around the 40mm mark.

Leachy.

Hi Leachy.

I dont remember your suspension measurements for this thread
:arrow: http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=1056.
Or is it you didnt give them????

Drew.
As you know I got my front springs replaced under warranty. Actually got stiffer ones in as the replacements.
I havnt had any dramas with wheel alignment at all.
So when the old girl was up on the hoist getting aligned after the springs went in I went out to ask a few questions and poke my head under there.
He said it had heaps of adjustment left. and I mentioned I had heard of the cooper tyres pulling left.( which I had not experienced just wanted to ask)
And he said that to combat this tendency with american tyres (even he believes it, must be true) he tips the passenger wheel in at the top a bit.
And on the trip home I tried several times to see if the car ran off to the left with all most 50/50 yes/ no result. Mostly straight running.

Seems odd you have had trouble.

JeffS

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

Jeff,

It's hard for me to put into words what I'm not happy with about the my wheel alignment - it's one of those strange things.

It certainly isn't as bad as it was at first (or even after the second attempt) - but it still feels "strange". The main thing I notice is the bump steer effect, especially around 60~70km/h on an uneven road. It just doesn't seem to track exactly where I put it.

I'd love to drive someone else's lifted 120 that they think is fine - this will sus out whether I'm just being hard to please! :lol:

Drew.

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

you have definitely given me a lot to think about. There are a few 120's in the 4wd club i am considering joining with just about every suspension combo under the sun.

So over the next few months/ weeks i will be getting in and hopefully driving a few of them to check out the different setups before throwing down my hard earned.

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

Thanks matt,

My only issue that i have with the ATS setup is cost and i am generally really impatient.

So my plan is to buy bits and pieces as i can and then fit it up.
I have sent ATS an email, though i understand Darren is off on a trip so i haven't received a reply as of yet.

I will say this though, a big shout out goes to the guys at TJM Newcastle.
They have had the patience to listen and answer my questions every time i go in there and for generally being just a great bunch of people.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Very interesting.

a few questions tho, as i am going to lift mine later this year.

what is the max lift i can get while still keeping the OEM shockies?

I am also going to put 70 profile tyres on it, so how much lift to i actually need?

What handling differences have people noticed with 40-50mm lifts?

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

what is the max lift i can get while still keeping the OEM shockies?

I am also going to put 70 profile tyres on it, so how much lift to i actually need?

What handling differences have people noticed with 40-50mm lifts?

Sorry but dont know the maximum lift with OEM shocks.
Got some shocks and struts in the shed so could measure them and we can compare with some after market shocks. Does anyone have some after market ones we can measure?
But saying that, after market shocks that handle extra sprung weight make the Prado fantastic to drive on and off road (any of the OME, Bilstien, Koni shocks will do)

Im guessing your thinking the tyres will foul on the body somewhere if you go to fit taller tyres? I hope Im right in that assumption.
Answer is you wont need a lift JUST to fit tyres, I would just recomend a lift to gain a better overall package. (tyres, springs and shocks)

As far as handling problems encountered..... mmmm.... So far all posts have been positive untill this thread was started.
As Drew mentioned, he cant quite put his finger on the feeling he is getting from his ride.
So I could probably say that 99.9% of lifts undertaken have produced better handling than stock.
Thats for the type of driving most of the members from this forum do.

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

Just to clarify - my handling is great - vast improvement on stock. I guess I'm just picking the flycrap out of the salt when it comes to the steering side of things. It's not all that bad. Like I said, it could be just a problem with the nut behind the steering wheel! :lol:

Drew.