Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

G"day,

Did I reply?

I dont remember seeing the user name on an email, and I would hate to think I missed an email.

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

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

Well, just got back from giving the new suspension it's first real world testing up at the Bendleby Ranges. It was fantastic. Having been up there with the standard suspension Boxing Day 2008, I could still remember enough to compare the two. The new setup is streets ahead, handling the weashouts with ease at speed and with plenty of flex when needed. The extra clearance is also very handy :wink:

Couldn't be happier. Should have some new flex photos coming soon.

Cheers,
AJ

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

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

Well Darren got back to me so now just need to decide which way to go.

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

Currently waiting on some shocks to arrive, should have them back in stock by middle of this month, coming on Air Freight from Germany.

Sea freight coming behind that order, so should be right to go for the next few months then !

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

Got a question regarding noise. After 4 months of fitting the platinum package I notice that there is a metal hitting metal sound coming from the front when on rough roads or going over small/steep speed humps. It happens on the rebound and is very noticable at speed (average speed that is). I have checked underneath and all seems fine, however I did notice the recovery hook bolts appeared to be hitting the body mount bush bolts and cut these back, but the noise is still there. I am thinking of taking it back to the installer, but it's quite a hike and very inconvenient, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
ANdy

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

Got a question regarding noise. After 4 months of fitting the platinum package I notice that there is a metal hitting metal sound coming from the front when on rough roads or going over small/steep speed humps. It happens on the rebound and is very noticable at speed (average speed that is). I have checked underneath and all seems fine, however I did notice the recovery hook bolts appeared to be hitting the body mount bush bolts and cut these back, but the noise is still there. I am thinking of taking it back to the installer, but it's quite a hike and very inconvenient, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
ANdy

So we can go about this correctly, what heights did you end up with after install , as I didnt see them posted here ?

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

[quote=Auto-Craft]

Got a question regarding noise. After 4 months of fitting the platinum package I notice that there is a metal hitting metal sound coming from the front when on rough roads or going over small/steep speed humps. It happens on the rebound and is very noticable at speed (average speed that is). I have checked underneath and all seems fine, however I did notice the recovery hook bolts appeared to be hitting the body mount bush bolts and cut these back, but the noise is still there. I am thinking of taking it back to the installer, but it's quite a hike and very inconvenient, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
ANdy

So we can go about this correctly, what heights did you end up with after install , as I didnt see them posted here ?[/quote:2us84q8n]

Sorry Darren, just saw your post - the measurements are:
Before After
Front Left 740 780
Front Right 743 792
Rear Left 784 840
Rear Right 770 830


The noise is still there, but I have not had any time off and have not taken it bak yet. Additionally, it's also evident in the rear end.
Cheers Andy

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

[quote=Prado BB][quote="Auto-Craft":1fmsjr68]

Got a question regarding noise. After 4 months of fitting the platinum package I notice that there is a metal hitting metal sound coming from the front when on rough roads or going over small/steep speed humps. It happens on the rebound and is very noticable at speed (average speed that is). I have checked underneath and all seems fine, however I did notice the recovery hook bolts appeared to be hitting the body mount bush bolts and cut these back, but the noise is still there. I am thinking of taking it back to the installer, but it's quite a hike and very inconvenient, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
ANdy

So we can go about this correctly, what heights did you end up with after install , as I didnt see them posted here ?[/quote:1fmsjr68]

Sorry Darren, just saw your post - the measurements are:
Before After
Front Left 740 780
Front Right 743 792
Rear Left 784 840
Rear Right 770 830


The noise is still there, but I have not had any time off and have not taken it bak yet. Additionally, it's also evident in the rear end.
Cheers Andy[/quote:1fmsjr68]

Heights are goo, next thing to check is that the top of the strut has been tightened correctly before install.

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

[/quote]Heights are goo, next thing to check is that the top of the strut has been tightened correctly before install.[/quote]

Thanks Darren - I take it that in order to do that, that they must be removed? I'll book it in for them to have a look as soon as I get a chance.

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

Heights are goo, next thing to check is that the top of the strut has been tightened correctly before install.[/quote]

Thanks Darren - I take it that in order to do that, that they must be removed? I'll book it in for them to have a look as soon as I get a chance.[/quote]

Heading down to Heasmans today to see if I can get the noise issue sorted.

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re:

Robn,

I have the complete Bilstein adjustable shock absorbers/Lifted Ridepro springs/Polyair bags installed in my 120 series Prado. I usually do not tow anything about, day to day. I leave 6 or 8 psi in my air bags all the time and the car rides, brakes and handles very nice.

Offroad, I usually have the fridge, recovery gear, tool bag and camping gear/daytrip chairs ect in the rear of the car. Along with two adults and two little kids. My car articulates very, very well offroad and as I do not yet have a rear/front air locker installed, I have learned to combine this great suspension arrangement, with the correct tyre pressures in my Bridgestone D694 tyres.

Basically, I found that my polyair bags, do not adversely effect my Prado in general use and offroad.

Cheers,

Hi pradogxlv6, looking at same set you have. I have a ARB Deluxe bar, spotlights and 32kg 2nd battery up front and 40l Engel, rack and off-road/recovery gear stored in the back + Jayco Swan which is about 130 kg tow ball weight. Was thinking about fitting Polair's in the back as well as your set up for when i have the Swan hitched on the back. Did you fit all the suspension gear yourself? If not has anyone done it? Just wondering if you needed any specials tools to work on the Prado suspension apart from spring compressors?
Cheers
Geoff

[evansz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close evansz]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

hi guys sorry if someone has explain this already but ihave read the thread twice but cant find the answer about why autocraft change the coils from lovells to ridepro.
and also has someone got the part no; for springs and shocks,and struts for the platimun package . how does it compare to medium rated arb suspension, have heard the arb suspension package is bit harsh.

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: Re:

Hi pradogxlv6, looking at same set you have. I have a ARB Deluxe bar, spotlights and 32kg 2nd battery up front and 40l Engel, rack and off-road/recovery gear stored in the back + Jayco Swan which is about 130 kg tow ball weight. Was thinking about fitting Polair's in the back as well as your set up for when i have the Swan hitched on the back. Did you fit all the suspension gear yourself? If not has anyone done it? Just wondering if you needed any specials tools to work on the Prado suspension apart from spring compressors?
Cheers
Geoff

Hi Geoff,

Quite a few of us have done the suspension ourselves and apart from a good spring compressor (which you already mention) there are no special tools required. A hoist will make it a lot easier but I believe others have done it without one.

Neil

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

hi guys sorry if someone has explain this already but ihave read the thread twice but cant find the answer about why autocraft change the coils from lovells to ridepro.
and also has someone got the part no; for springs and shocks,and struts for the platimun package . how does it compare to medium rated arb suspension, have heard the arb suspension package is bit harsh.

There was a chnage in manufacturing spec which started to cause some issues, and broken coils.

The product then exceeded our < 1.5% return policy, so we looked for a product that exceeded our manufacturing spec, like ARB< and Ridepro do, and went with that product.

We have been below the 1.5% return rate ever since. [.7% actual]

You cant compare the way an ordinary twin tube generic shock [like OME] with a monotube shock abosrber, works.

Coil design is the only real difference in coils. Things like using a softer rate, for better compliance when unloaded, but a slightly taller free height, so both coils sit the same height with 150-200kg load, or taking Polyairs into account, when designing a coil for better ride quality unloaded, and adjustability without having to run maximum pressure in the Polyairs.

[evansz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close evansz]

Re: Auto-Craft Bilstein Suspension Setup

thanks darren for y our reply ive been swayed to the billy suspension . i havent heard much about ridepro except on here, do they compare pretty well to arb and other like dobinsons and kings.having the 08 prado with plush ride it has, i need suspension that wont sag to much but needs to be firm without being to harsh when empty