DIY Airbag Man OA6011 install in 120 Grande

[Troy1]

Craig,

I believe Autocraft do a 3inch Bilstien kit for the FJ which will suit the 120. That was where my train of though was going. Initially i was told he could remove air bags, do some modifications and put springs in. But I thought if I could keep the airbags might be better.

Cheers

Troy

[craigm]

Hey guys,

Do you think if you fitted the machined spaces and the new airbags. Would you be able to fit a 3" lift to the grande? Interested in peoples thoughts.

Troy

With an appropriate length shock...


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[Troy1]

Hey guys,

Do you think if you fitted the machined spaces and the new airbags. Would you be able to fit a 3" lift to the grande? Interested in peoples thoughts.

Troy

[Philphy]

Hi Guys,
Been looking through a lot of info lately and not sure if it's a good thing or not :/
Looking at the data base for front shock length it seems that for a 40-50mm lift that a 15mm longer shock will be fine but larger is also used. Therefore will you get more benefit from a longer choice?
I put an enquiry in to an Australian shop for some extended airbags and coils and got a phone call to check what I was wanted to achieve, (which I was very surprised and happy to get after business hours) but when I said that I was looking at getting Bilstein 5100 out of the States he said that the yank build ones are crap compared to the German ones here. Any thoughts?
So now I have found three Bilstein options.
5100 front and rear approx $500 delivered 5160 +$260
BE5-A712/BE5-A713 $880 delivered
Not sure about the CalOffroad ones but are closely designed for different cars at $1068 but haven't talked to them to check any info.
Tough dog seem to be just over $2000 for the full kit and about the same when broken down.
Bags $880 and coils $240.
Hopefully I have overlooked something and there is an easy choice.
Thanks again
Philip

[1coolbanana]

Oh boy.......you have a lot of reading to do

Might be a good idea to do a search.

[wathools]

G'day Guys,
This thread is very informative, thanks.
I'd like to ask a few questions and appreciated your feedback and experience.
I'm currently looking to upgrade my 2005 GXL Prado with a Grande (120 still) but I have concerns regarding the Grande suspension and the ease of upgrading with a 2inch lift.
I tow a Goldstream Crown camper trailer which is 1600kg, our current setup on the GXL with Ironman springs with Firestone airbags works very well.
Therefore I'd like to know the following:
1. If yourselves are towing, what is the maximum trailer weight you are towing? (ie: would the Grande airbags be able to continously tow the Prado maximum tow rate of 2500kg for long without failure)
2. Are the Bilstein 5100 & 5160, or the Toughdogs BM404400 & BM401111 compatible with the Grande ride adjustment of Soft & Firm/Sport modes (or do you just disconnect the solenoids from the original setup?)
3. Besides the above mentioned, what are the options to provide a 2inch lift on the Grande?

Hi guys,
shocks Bilstein 5100 and maybe the 5160 from Downsouth Motorsport in the states.

Those are the shocks I'm running.

Have even considered getting king springs from Downsouth Motorsport and going with 16"/406.4mm with 600lb or 650lb rate which could be the complete wrong idea.
Only have and alloy bull bar up front. Any suggestions?
Thanks Philip

The 16" front spring is too long for just an alloy bar installed. I run Dobinson C59-302 on the front. The ride is a bit soft but better for offroad I guess.
So if you look at the suspension database
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nsion-Database
if you want to stay with a similar spring rate to factory, then you would choose something around 600lb/in and about 25mm longer than factory spring, so about 395mm. as the Bilstein struts have circlip grooves to alter the height of the spring seat, you can move up one position should you add more weight later to get the height back.

Or if you want slightly stiffer, you could go for the King KTFR-101H.

[1coolbanana]

Hey Phillip
If you want something good and local (in Oz) I can recommend Toughdog BM404400 complete strut assemblies with TDC 974 or TDC 974H springs (if you plan on adding more out front).

You can get them as complete assemblies which is just making the job really easy.
I use this setup with the Airbagman extended airbag 6011 and the Toughdog BM401111 long travel 150 series shock or you can use the BM401116 120 series shock.

This is the adjustable setup, you can save some dollars by using the same without the adjustability.

Fantastic setup in my 03 Grande, Im very happy with it.

Cheers
Marc

[Philphy]

Hi guys,
Been trying to work out what to do with my 03 Grande as it is sitting on the left hand bump stop and just off the right hand side every morning. Went down to my local ARB shop as it the only 4wd shop in Alice Springs and all they said was good luck. I've been looking at getting AirBag Man extended bags and for shocks Bilstein 5100 and maybe the 5160 from Downsouth Motorsport in the states. Choosing the front springs are proving difficult as all my searching has been online and finding the right store with the right spring just doesn't seem to be working for me. Have even considered getting king springs from Downsouth Motorsport and going with 16"/406.4mm with 600lb or 650lb rate which could be the complete wrong idea.
Only have and alloy bull bar up front. Any suggestions?
Thanks Philip

[Way2go]

As discussed by PM Marc, it's been a lost cause to date.

No-one seems to know anything about how it works or what could be the problem - especially given the height control via the dash switch still works (which suggests it's not the sensors giving up/breaking, and Marc and I have pretty much determined the relay is OK too).....

Any suggestions/help/etc. gratefully received though!

On another note, it looks like I need to contact the AirBag Man - I never got a swaybar spacer when I got my airbags.

[1coolbanana]

Just ordered my bags since my rear has been starting to sag in the mornings lately (the cars!)
No stock at present so have to wait a couple weeks.
Its also not self leveling anymore, wonder if anyone ever got to the bottom of that?
Waytogo?

Right. Now that I know where the spacer goes, I shall get it on.... soon ... -ish.

I think you need to have ramps on opposing diagonal wheels to 'measure' flex to get 'weight' on all corners. Sorry, can't really describe it properly. To me, flex is a measure of compression on one side and extension on the other side.

[craigm]

Installed the extended sway bar spacer today. Only to half an hour or so to do. but I forgot to do some before and after measurements of the flex. (Doh). I imagine I could do this by simply jacking up the rear chassis on the side of the vehicle and raise until the wheel leaves tera firma?

[Way2go]

Welcome to the club!

Yep, welcome to the club - you won't look back!

[craigm]

With your Bilsteins it probably won't increase suspension down travel, but it may give you better flex.

Which is what i've found my Grande has been lacking Peter. Trips down tracks such as Ormeau has found the rear wheels in the air a little too easy, so if I can even get a little more flex in the rear it can't be a bad thing...
Basically house bound this weekend with the crappy weather Qld is currently experiencing, so I might bung them in tomorrow...




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