Skyjacker 3" suspension lift

[I want one Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close I want one]

G'day

Just new to this forum but from what I have read in this forum you boys are a wealth of information. I have a 120series and was wondering if anyone has heard of Skyjacker suspension or fitted it to their Prado? Caloffroad (http://www.highcountrycustoms.com.au/toyota.htm#Prado) are selling the kit and advertizing a 3" lift which from what I have seen from the likes of OME, TJM etc is 1" more than their systems.
Any feed back would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Vinnie

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

I have not heard of them before.
Be careful with 3"lift, 'most' insurance copanies draw a line in the sand at 2"

[I want one Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close I want one]

Rob
Thanks for the heads up on the insurance.
Apparently this kit is adjustable from 1" to 3", there is just not enough info on their site so I think I will be dropping them an email to get a bit more info.

Vinnie

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

They seem to be the same mob that does the calmini stuff for the Navara's and stuff.

There have been some favourable reviews of that system so it would be interesting to see a prado with one in the flesh

[I want one Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close I want one]

I have got a little more info on their system, the front shocks are made by Bilstein and have three height settings for a 1" 2" or 3" lift and have a 12mth warranty, the rear shocks are Skyjacker made in the USA these shocks can be rebuilt and come with a life time warranty... didn't find out who manufactured the springs but was told they have been pre tensioned and would only expect to drop 10mm overtime.
If anyone has installed this setup I would love to hear their opinion, thanks.

Vinnie

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

have three height settings for a 1" 2" or 3" lift and have a 12mth warranty,
Vinnie

Does this include warranty of CVs with 3" lift?

Leachy

[pcm_120 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pcm_120]

Hi Vinnie.

3" is achievable but will put you on the edge of wheel align-ability. I guess US kit comes down to the price of the kit and the cost of postage.

Personally I would stick to the Australian suppliers and go with either Old Man Emu or the Bilstein package designed by Darren. Both are capable of 65-75mm of lift with the selection of the right springs.

(Check http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=22&start=105 and look for Darren’s post (second one down). He’s making quite an offer.)

The Australian kits have also been tested and valved for the Prado in country. The Yanks don't get the “120 Prado” (they have the 120 4 Runner and FJ Cruiser) so you would want to check if you can, how the shock and spring rates compare to the Australian kits (spring rates are somewhat available in Aus but you will have to dig/beg for shock rates and even then there are a number of ways to measure a shock).

You should also check what the min/max shock lengths are as I would hate to buy a kit and find the shocks are either to long or to short and limiting travel (either up or down).

Anyway…

You have started right, do as much home work as you can before you give anybody your hard earned $$$

Paul

[HIKDJ Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close HIKDJ]

I have had a 2,5" Skyjacker lift kit on my Jeep Cherokee KJ (2005) and have been very unhappy with it. It was so bad that I replaced it with an OME/KingSprings lift, which turned out to be excellent.
For me: never again Skyjacker.
On my Prado, I 'll go for KoniRaid/EFS.

[I want one Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close I want one]

Does this include warranty of CVs with 3" lift?
Leachy

[/quote]

I wouldn't know Leachy, but in saying that you have raised another question. My prado is still under warranty so I am guessing that Toyota will wipe their hands of any problems that may occur to the suspension after I install a lift, so my question is, when someone installs a lift kit do they also warrant the rest of the front and rear end suspension if it is found that a problem has been caused from the installation of the new lift kit?

Vinnie

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

I want one,

I've got 2" lift and recently broke a CV. My Prado is still under warranty but the dealer wouldn't fix it under warranty because of the lift. Eventually they did fix it free of charge while still denying waranty :?
Though others with 2" lift have had CVs repaired under warranty.
But I imagine with 3" lift if you were to have CV problems you may have issues getting Toyota to fix it under warranty and suspension companies don't genrally provide warranty to other components, just those that they have supplied.

Seeing a 3" lift advertised picked my interest as all the suspension people I have spoken to are of the opinion that 2" is about the max lift for the front of a 120 Prado before you start to run into CV and wheel alignment issues.

Leachy

[I want one Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close I want one]

Hi Vinnie.

3" is achievable but will put you on the edge of wheel align-ability.
Paul

Thanks for the tip Paul, this kit it sold by an Aussie company but like you say and from what I am reading I think I will sticking with one of the tried and true setups.

Vinnie

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

There is a kit for the hilux (very similar front geo) that lifts prados along way
it replaces the lower wish bone mounts to keep the adjustability in the arms movement to close to standard.
But as the lower mounts are moved down, the lift does not release any more ground clearance in that area.. but looks cool

I dont think that 3" would be so bad for the CV's, as when you look at 2" systems the angle is so close to straight its far better than the stock angle. So 3" would cock the angle back the other way somewhat, but not by much. probably close to stock but the other way.
That being said still doesnt help the alignment issue, they (from the installers mouths) say that 2" is close to the position that the adjusters will bottom out. And as we all know will leave the issue of CV failure further in the "no way mate" catagory for the dealers come warranty fix time.

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

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?p=1336#1336

This is one way, not the one I mentioned in the last post tho, but Im still looking

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

Ok, calling all long time PP members..
A long time ago there was a pic posted of a prado at a boat ramp, It had this front lift kit in it that had the lower control arm mount on it,
If anyone remembers it or if you were the one who posted it, can you find it? i searched and I cant find it anymore, might have dropped off the history as it was ages ago.
Jeff.


edit,
Like
http://www.skyjackeraustralia.com.au/toyota.htm#IFS

OR

http://www.snakeracing.com.au/04hiluxli ... agodOgzstA

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

There is a kit for the hilux (very similar front geo) that lifts prados along way

I think your talking of the Snake Racing kit. It comes with a new bottom cross member to drop the diff down.

This works on Hilux as the cross member is bolt in, On a Prado however the same cross member is welded between the chassis rails so it would not be a bolt in conversion.

Not to say it can't be done, and has in fact been done (Yes, there was a pic on this site somewhere) It would require extensive engineering work.

Also not convinced FJ cruiser parts fit. I've noticed Tacoma/4 Runner (Hilux) and FJ cruiser upper suspension arms have different part numbers.

Even though all are 120 platform vehicles I suspect ther may be small differences in suspension parts even though they look identical.


Mick