Renew or renovate Tough Dog suspension on 2007 D4D, thoughts anyone

[tj5233 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tj5233]

Hi all,
Just going through a few options here, but first a bit of background info. 2007 D4D purchased with 80,000km. All std suspension no bars accessories etc. I have put Tough Dog adjustable shocks on all round, springs are TDC974 (not the H model) in front and TDC975H in the rear. Reason for this combo was I had originally thought to put a rear dual wheel carrier on. I have removed middle row seats and fitted shelving+60L water tank. Fridge is in the rear with a 120AH AGM battery (35-40kgs) On the front went a TJM steel bar, no winch yet.

From the get go I thought it was a bit soft on the front around town but loaded up and away on tour it felt ok. I have been long thinking to harden the springs up front and am now nearly convinced I should as the rim/flare measurement is back to 745mm, i.e. front has sagged back to almost std suspension. I've walloped a few rocks on the underside whereas in the past it was never an issue. Where I could get under the car on a creeper now I can't in the front area.

So my question is now the car has 185,000km on the clock (i.e has done 105,000km on suspension since we have had the car, purchased in 2010) should I put new HARD springs in the front to raise it back up and continue to play around with the adjustable damping settings, or should I get new suspension all round. I ask this because 1. I don't know if the shocks are in spec, 2. worth rebuilding (that is cost effective).

If I went new suspension, I'm wondering if the Bilstien/Kings combo will give me anything more over the TD set up currently. If I went new I'm also considering if i'd be better to fit std springs in rear and go for airbags as we will be buying camper trailer by the end of this year.

I'm keen to keep the car for a few more years, it gives us a good run and we know the history of the car.

Cheers for input.
Tim

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

There is probably some life left in the shocks but maybe not much. Depends how hard they have worked. Given the job of changing the front springs I would be inclined to change the struts too. If the rear springs are ok and the shocks ok leave them alone unless you feel an imbalance between the front and rear. To be honest I would probably change the lot but the back is certainly an easy change.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Struts & shocks should be replaced every 80,000kkms on bitumen.
More often when used offroad, the wear is obviously increased.
You springs are sagged, so you need a new kit & maybe try another brand, that's pretty bad sagging - if that's what it is.

[tj5233 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tj5233]

I'll give the TD dealers a call tomorrow and see what they have to say regarding rebuild costs for the shocks. It may be more cost effective to have a new set up with a warranty installed on the car. Thanks for replies so far, I know suspension is one of those hot topics on here, good to have a couple of pointers when it comes time to make a decision.
Cheers
Tim

[tj5233 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tj5233]

Ok , so I called OL in Adelaide today and was advised the shocks are a sealed unit and cannot be rebuilt. I was a bit surprised but not overly dissapointed. Given this i'll be in the hunt for a new suspension set up. Now to decide if I want to go heavy springs in the rear and incorporate airbags for when loaded up/towing.
Cheers
Tim

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

Ok , so I called OL in Adelaide today and was advised the shocks are a sealed unit and cannot be rebuilt. I was a bit surprised but not overly dissapointed. Given this i'll be in the hunt for a new suspension set up. Now to decide if I want to go heavy springs in the rear and incorporate airbags for when loaded up/towing.
Cheers
Tim

Hi Tim, what accessories do you have on the front?
Bullbar, winch etc?, as HD fronts may be overkill on it if not needed for the weight.
HD rears may be overkill too.

I run std raised rears in my 95 series & it only droips 15mm with Caravan attatched with 120kg ball weight & car fully loaded for trip, so you will prob get away with std raised + the bags for more comfort day to day.

Regards, Jason.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Get rid of them I say. Had them replaced 3 times on my 98 Prado. Now run Billies on the 120.

[tj5233 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tj5233]

Thanks Jason, steel bar on front, winch still sitting in shed. I tried to put all necessary detail in first post but it's a bit wordy I know. Currently investigating whether to go for Koni or Bilstien with King springs and rear sway bar extension, plus the air bag. will go for a 'comfort' spring setting which will still give me the lift in the car i'm after.
Cheers for info.
Tim

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

Hang on to the HD fronts if you are installing the winch real soon, otherwise they will be aq bit heavy otherwise.

Regards, Jason.

[tj5233 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tj5233]

Just as a quick follow up to this thread, i'm booked on for new suspension to be installed Friday this week. Going for Koni Raid all round with King springs and polyair bags in the rear to beef up when required for towing/loading up in the rear. Got the front upper strut spacers going in too. Will look at rear sway bar extenders as well. Not sure about the length of these as have been advised they are cut to length. Might have to look into this further. Will post a few pics of the new set up. Very keen and a bit nervous, hope they will be a good set up. Should be for the price!!
Thanks for input.
Cheers
Tim.

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

You will love the Koni's

Regards, Jason.

[tj5233 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tj5233]

Well, the suspension went in with no problems. I can't believe how good the shocks are. There's a section of road in the Adelaide Hills that I used to lift the vehicle over (not just the car but the motorbike as well) and now the car is very controlled. I'm not launching and losing contact with the ground, the suspension is contouring to the road very well. It stays flat around corners.

On another note, the front bullbar is not flexing around so much, hardly at all compared to the last setup. That impresses me a lot. I have been keeping an eye on bar mount bolts etc and there's not a loose nut anywhere. The bar was touching the body occasionally and I think this excessive vibration is what caused my car driving light reflectors to dislodge in their housings (bummer) I can only say the new set up helps to control the car incredibly well.

Overall i'm very happy and glad I spend a bit more to get a good set up. We have driven our fair share of corrugations and look forward to seeing how this set up copes, but based on a weeks worth of driving already I don't think we will have too many problems.

One thing to note with the Koni set up, the front are not 90 Raid they are 88 series to handle the strut/spring arrangement, so the overall diameter is not the same as the 90 Raid which is on the rear. They are a massive shock. It's worth noting there's a right and left shock for the rear so they can fit around the rear axle mounting points.

Old suspension set up was 105,000km old. I probably should have changed it after 60,000km I think.

Anyone considering the Koni/Kings set up would be very pleased in my opinion.

You're right Jason, I love the Koni's!!!!

Cheers
Tim.

[Brute Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Brute]

Can I ask what part number Kings springs you fitted . I just purchased some KTFR101 & KTRR102 Kings springs & am now looking for some shocks . I`m also after a comfort ride .

[tj5233 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tj5233]

Can I ask what part number Kings springs you fitted . I just purchased some KTFR101 & KTRR102 Kings springs & am now looking for some shocks . I`m also after a comfort ride .

G'day, installed springs are KTFR-101HT and KTPR-102. More detail can be had on the Kings website. Their catalogue shows specs on page 25. I have comfort taper raised on the front and raised on the rear. I went with these spec springs based on load carrying.

Hope that helps.

If I get time i'll put up a couple of pics of the shocks they are pretty good.

Cheers
Tim

[Brute Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Brute]

G'day, installed springs are KTFR-101HT and KTPR-102. More detail can be had on the Kings website. Their catalogue shows specs on page 25. I have comfort taper raised on the front and raised on the rear. I went with these spec springs based on load carrying.

Hope that helps.

If I get time i'll put up a couple of pics of the shocks they are pretty good.

Cheers
Tim

Thanks for the info . I swapped the springs for KTFR-101T & KTPR102 . Just gotta decide on shocks now . Koni`s look good but pretty exy . Wondering if anyone has tried Ultima shocks .