Suspension upgrade - Levelling v All Round Lift

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

So, finally getting around to lifting the prado.
I have been looking at a few kits for my Grande, im going to retain the rear airbag system as its bloody awesome for towing.
Now, iv'e decided on either the tried and tested billies/kings combo or the Dobinsons MRR.
Im fully aware that I will need one of AMTS spacer kits for the rear airbags if I end up going all round lift.

However, Iv'e noticed a billies/kings kit for sale specifically for the Grande that is a levelling kit - meaning 2" lift front and standard height shocks on the back.
I assume this will level out the ride height from front to back, as at the moment its noticeable that the front is down lower than the rear.

The question is, whats the advantage of allround lift v levelling?
Im not really fussed about having to space the airbag, but will levelling give a better ride?

The way I figure it, the extra height in the entry angle is far more critical than the exit height, and if its the same alround then you will pretty much know if the rear will clear if the front does.

Thoughts?

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

My thoughts:

Leveling is nice for the ride. The less the nose hangs down, the better the driving gets, especially around corners and while braking. So I think, some leveling will get you a better ride.

On the other hand, I think a complete lift gives you advantages, too. The area between the front axle and rear axle is quite low on a 120, due to the diesel tank and the protection of the transfer case. So lifting the whole vehicle gives you better offroad abilities, because you won't touch the ground that fast between the axles. In combination with bigger (eg. 265/70R17) tires, you get a pretty capable 4x4.

I would keep the rear airbags for towing, too. Offers you a stable ride with the trailer.


So my suggested way to go is a mixture of both:
Lifting the front by maybe 2'' with coils and struts, lifting the rear slightly less than the front, with new shocks and AMTS-Spacers - and of course spacing the height sensors. (1:3 ratio, eg. 13-14mm).

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Yeah I definately want to keep the airbags - the ride leveling especially when towing is a big plus.
Not that I do a heap, but when I do I want it to tow well.

So having said all of that, would I be better off just putting a 2 inch allround lift on it with the amts spacers & then adjusting the rear down a bit with spacers to say a 1.5 inch lift?
Im figuring that way on the more extreme stuff it still gives me a little more articulation with the longer travel shocks.
Or would that compromise the day to day performance?

[Guest Close Guest]

What you want is about 30mm height difference front to back. So just choose the correct spring for the accessories and height you want to achieve at the front. 790mm front height is a good height to aim for.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Ok, so 790 from bottom of wheel to top of arch? Thats the standard measurement point, correct?

And I rekon im going to go for the dobinson mrr for the price, so ill be able to tinker with front adjustment.
$1500 plus install is pretty reasonable!!

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

Yeah I definately want to keep the airbags - the ride leveling especially when towing is a big plus.
Not that I do a heap, but when I do I want it to tow well.

Even non-towing, the onroad-ride with the airbags is much nicer in my opinion. Especially when carrying variing loads - the height-level will stay the same and the suspension fits the weight at any time.

So having said all of that, would I be better off just putting a 2 inch allround lift on it with the amts spacers & then adjusting the rear down a bit with spacers to say a 1.5 inch lift?
Im figuring that way on the more extreme stuff it still gives me a little more articulation with the longer travel shocks.
Or would that compromise the day to day performance?

That would be the way to go in my opinion. Adjust the rear to something between +1,5'' and +2'', maybe around +4cm (=14mm spacing of the sensors) and put the AMTS-Spacers in.
I do not see any disadvantages in every day driving, compared to stock ride height. I even think it get's better, because the TEMS-shocks do not work that good, especially at the front the damping is too much.

The better articulation due to longer shocks is indeed especially at TEMS-120s noticable, additionally because of less travel of the TEMS-shocks than normal 120s.

What you want is about 30mm height difference front to back. So just choose the correct spring for the accessories and height you want to achieve at the front. 790mm front height is a good height to aim for.

Totally agree with that, 790mm is a good height for the front. Measured from the bottom of the rim vertically to the wheel arch.

I'm riding about 790mm front and I think around 825mm rear myself - works great. See my Buildup for pics.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Geeze, is those photos a 2 inch lift? Boy my front has sagged.....

And I wasnt aware that the TEMS have a shorter travel. Huh, well there you go!!

Well thanks guys for all your info yet again - its made it a bit easier to figure out what to do.
And I guess having a grande with air springs I have a fair bit more wiggle room with adjusting the height control than in a normal prado too!

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

That's about 2'' of lift, yes. With 265/70s. A sagged front is nothing really special for a 120 - do something against it and you'll be very happy :-D Do not forget about a wheel alignment afterwards.

The compression travel of the TEMS-shocks (rear axle) is a bit shorter, because the immersion tube (is that the correct word in english for the upper part of the shock?) contains the tech stuff of the TEMS-system I think. You can recognize the bit longer bump stops at the rear on Grande 120s. At the front it should be the same as for coil-Prados.

Correct me if I'm wrong please...