Koni apparently have some new shocks which they say is suitable for a Prado with a raised suspension. They include an adjustable rebound feature and are serviceable. Details below:
· Front Part No: 88-1712SP2 Max/Min: 560/432 mm
· Rear Part No: 90-5404L/RSP2 Max/Min: 617/391 mm
I am considering getting these for my car as part of a 40mm lift. Does anyone have any experience with them? How is the off-road performance? The Max/Min specs for the front suspension seems a little short in travel. Any opinions?
These lengths are an improvement over the first gen RAIDS, but the strut open length is still shortish, and the shock closed length is longish, and you'll prolly want to space your rear bumpstops a little.
While the valving of the first gen struts was ok, the real question is if the very low rebound in the first gen rear shocks has been increased to a magnitude that is appropriate for off-road handling, otherwise you'll end up with a pogo stick in a loaded Prado!
Best
Mark
2006 GXL petrol auto. ARB deluxe bar x3 HID IPF's, ARB alloy roofrack, ARB awning, BFG A/T, Safari snorkel, Piranha breathers, Pacemaker extractors, custom Ironman 45710FE 436-569mm with Dobinsons 350, custom Ironman 45682FE 383-618mm with Dobinsons 487, Firestone kevlar 60psi airbags, 30mm extended Roadsafe links, AMTS bashplate and recovery points, ABR Flyer with Powersonic AGM.
While the valving of the first gen struts was ok, the real question is if the very low rebound in the first gen rear shocks has been increased to a magnitude that is appropriate for off-road handling, otherwise you'll end up with a pogo stick in a loaded Prado!
Ah, thank you for pointing that out, that was not an issue I had thought of. I'll see if Koni will provide any numbers on the compression+rebound of the shock.
Picking out suspension for the car is taking a surprising amount of effort - nothing seems quite right for the job!
Checked my suspension measurements today, I have an OME setup front and rear (it was on when i bought the car,)
Measurements;
790mm F/R,
790mm F/L,
835mm R/R,
820mm R/L.
my recent purchase of a prado 120 came with Oz Tech "big bore long travel" structs and shocks. It works well (plush but fair bit of body roll) with kings stand 2 inch lift front springs and rear airbag conversion spring. The car is stock other than a set 70kg+ draws and 40lt Engel fridge fitted to the back.
I rang Oz Tech (base in Brisbane) and they gave me the following open/close data for the shocks:
Front Strut: 64108: open 560; close 405;
Rear Shock: 64148: open 590; close 355;
The Grande "40mm raised height 0-100kg load" spring is the KTRR-102AB.
With a rate of 260lb/in and a free length of just 405mm this spring would not give me the height I wanted with the weight in my Grande, and in my opinion was also doubtful as a combination with my long travel rear shocks.
For Grande/Kakadu owners, Dobinsons have released an airbag to coil conversion kit aimed primarily at the US market and the GX 470.
The conversion kit gives you greater flexibility because it will allow you to use any Prado rear spring, downside is it costs $350AUD plus springs.
The Grande "40mm raised height 0-100kg load" spring is the KTRR-102AB.
With a rate of 260lb/in and a free length of... 405mm...
King Springs also have a standard height airbag conversion spring as a replacement for the standard Toyota pneumatic spring.
The KTRS-102AB with a rate of 260lb/in and a free length of 380mm.
"Sure it’s quiet, for a diesel, but that’s like being well-behaved… for a murderer."- Jeremy Clarkson
Hi Peter and all on this thread...I enjoyed the database compiled for suspension on the Prado a number of years ago.
For someone like me, who is not overly technical and not always bush, are you able to provide some guidance on a good set up? I won't hold anyone accountable for advice you provide, I am more looking to ensure I get the right stuff and don't get ripped off.
I've got an 04 120 series GXL petrol Prado with factory set up all round, 300k on the clock. I've got drawers permanently in (rear seats in the garage) and steel tray roof rack, bull bar, tow bar and an awning. When I hit out, I am usually carrying a roof top tent, fridge, water etc. nothing too unusual. I have a trailer but it stays at home most of the time.
I'm heading for the Gibb in the middle of this year for a month with a couple of others and was contemplating a 2 inch lift kit as an option so i'm not the one getting stuck. There is a lot of variation in cost of coils and struts (which I gather is what I'm buying and not reservoir etc.). In 2019 speak, are there any well proven set ups you might be aware of that work better than most and represent the best value for a once or twice a year adventurer partaking in reasonable terrain activity?
Hoping someone might take the time to drop me a note in return....thanks in advance...Al
The Grande "40mm raised height 0-100kg load" spring is the KTRR-102AB.
With a rate of 260lb/in and a free length of just 405mm this spring would not give me the height I wanted with the weight in my Grande, and in my opinion was also doubtful as a combination with my long travel rear shocks.
I ended up going with Kings direct conversion 0-100kg raised rear spring in combination with EFS Elite long travel shocks to suit an 80 series Landcruiser. Exact same shock body the Prado would use, but valved differently. The car rides slightly firmer unladen and also handled weight better than expected when loaded up heavy for Easter camping recently without sagging too much. My previous 90 series had +150kg constant load King springs & TJM Gold shocks and it sagged noticeably more than my 120 did with the same weight on board. Plus EFS susp components are so well priced. I considered Amts constant load rear springs but was a tad concerned about having an uncomfortable jarring ride when unladen which is most of the time. I may slip 10-20mm spacers above the rear springs at some stage for extra lift & to create a positive rear to front rake. The brake lines have been re-shaped where required to allow this extra lift when the original 13yr old rear airbags were pulled out and binned. I also considered long & hard about the $350 conversion kit (top & bottom spring locator & retainer). But in the end thought I’d give it a miss due to the extra cost. Maybe next time, but I think for now I’d go with the exact same shock again when it comes time for replacement eventually and keep the existing springs.
Heights are: 790mm front and 825mm rear.
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