Replacing shocks alone

[DR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DR]

G'day

I am looking to improve the ride on my new Prado when it arrives and have looked into new Bilsteins & Springs but I am not necessarily keen on the resulting lift. Has anyone replaced their shocks only and if so what improvement did they see in ride quality?

Thanks

[DR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DR]

Thanks for the reply Matt.

Its interesting about the standard height spring as the bloke I spoke with reckons he can only replace with higher springs.

I was keen on replacing the springs to something stiffer as I am going with the ARB Bar and a Twin Battery setup and was worried about front end sag but as I said before the extra height is putting me off.

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Hi DR

You can definitely get a standard height, heavy duty, spring - it's a bit stiffer than the standard and may, initially, give a bit of lift, then should settle with the weight of the extra goodies.

Cheers
Chippy

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

DR,

Why are you concerned about extra lift? All the prados I know of that are lifted with good quality springs and shocks drive better than standard.
Even with my roof rack fully loaded mine still handles great.

leachy.

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

You can replace both shocks and springs and keep the original lift...
Replacing the shocks only will improve the handling but not as good
as replacing it with shocks and standard height springs..
Replacing craptecks tyres will improve handling even futher...

[DR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DR]

I suppose I am bit concerned about having a narrow high vehicle Leachy, does the lift affect the centre of gravity much? I will be doing a fair bit of travelling for work ie: 110km + and I keep thinking about the old model Hilux (Rollux) reputation.

I have already arranged to trade the OEM tyres for Bridgestone D694's when the Prado arrives lc120_man. As soon as I pick up the vehicle it's going straight to the Tyre Fitter to be swapped out.

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

DR,

My lift is 30mm front and rear with heavy duty lovells springs and Bilstiens shocks. I have less body roll than a standard Prado and on the occassions when I have encountered bumps and pot holes at high speed the the suspension has handled it great. On the long high speed trips that I have done in WA it has always felt like I'm well within the vehicles capabilties. Friends have had similar experience with +40mm OME suspension. The key is getting good quality components that are matched to the vehicle setup ie. what accessories you have and loads you expect to be carrying. If your planning on a bullbar, second battery, winch etc. get them put on before the suspension.
Make sure you do your research into who supplies/fits your suspension and be clear with them for what type of driving you want the suspension set.
If your in Perth I'm happy to give you a drive of mine. Or you can have a go at the next Pradopoint outing, though I will have the mud tyres on so it may be hard to tell.

leachy

[DR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DR]

Thanks fellas, I am going to go the Bilsteins & Springs.

DR