Improve road handling on GRANDE

[jelbayeh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jelbayeh]

Hi,

I just signed up, and have been during the last few days reading a lot of posts about the suspensions on PRADO. Many are about lifts and relate to 4wding etc...

Is there a post or some opinion/suggestions on improving the road handling of the prado Grande...To give it that sporting edge with losing the initial comfort.

I am not saying its BAD, but in comparison to some of the european stuff its not quite there....its really my only complain of this car, and don't want to change to some european as there is a lot of things I will miss while paying twice as much.

I am talking the wobble, jelly all over the place handling situations...I am sure some of you would know what I am talking about..

Would the solution be some improved variable springs? and what will be the disadvantage? i.e less 4WD capability.

Thanks all in advance...

MY CAR: 03/2005 PRADO GRANDE 4.0L V6 5 SPEED AUTO

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

there isnt much you can do to the luxobarge to get it ship shape.. the grande's have been renowned for their spongy suspension. It gives a great ride, but is all over the place at times.

You could tune the front suspension possibly (new shocks/springs?)

if only they came out with kdss like they do in the states.. that would be sweet.

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

As Matt said you can play around with the front end springs, in the rear you'd be mad to retro fit springs as you'd lose the auto levelling/height control by removing the airbags.

Changing shocks is possible however then you'd lose the TEMS.

TEMS: Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS)(Grande only)

The TEMS system is designed to optimise Prado Grande's on and off-road handling performance. TEMS gives passenger car levels of comfort.
This Driver Assist Technology automatically controls suspension-damping force according to prevailing driver conditions. TEMS is a semi-active suspension, which automatically soaks up bumps and dips almost before you encounter them. Using sensors covering road speed, engine speed, steering direction and angle, vertical suspension acceleration rate and brake pedal operation, the suspension ECU instantly calculates the optimum damping force and operates each shock absorber actuator. The result is passenger car-like levels of ride and handling on Prado Grande.

I don't know if this system can be "Fooled" or modified to give firmer settings across it's range of damping but I suspect it could be (for instance altering the signal sent to each shock.)

Mick

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

Look for the threads concerning ATS Bilstein suspension package - works a treat for the Grande.

Self levelling rear is unaffected - front end sponginess cured. Better handling and no sag when fitted with winch, dual batts etc

The adjustable shockies are a gimmick and you really won't miss'em.

[jelbayeh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jelbayeh]

Hi,

I wouldn't remove the rear air suspension...I thought (reading somewhere) that the air suspension also had some spring with it (for support)...didn't realise it was just air only...

Definitely would not swap it out....so I guess its now easier...
I have to think about the front only.

I agree the shock dampening system/switch does not do a tremendous difference in settings, and I would say mine is partly not at best form due to the sovereign bull bar installed (would that be right)?

Maybe someone on the net has discovered a computer setting/hack to override factory shock dampening settings...I will do some reading.

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

Hi Jelbayeh,

It might be that because mine is relatively new my dampening works fine especially on corrugated gravel roads. I can defiantly feel the difference between soft and the hardest setting.

I upgraded the front springs to standard rate Kingsprings 40mm and they work a treat on and off road.

[jelbayeh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jelbayeh]

Hi,

That would be a good point too...perhaps the dampening effect weakens over time (due to age/wear?) ...my vehicle is at 60,000km..

Anyone experience this ?...i.e drop in effect or performance of the dampening system over time?

I can still 'feel it' I have to tell my passenger to pay attention, mainly 'hear' the road bumps more than 'feel' I think...

I just want to reduce roll etc, but try to keep the comfort..hence why I thought maybe variable springs will do it.

[CAL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close CAL]

I recently test drove (and subsequently bought) a Grande and was actually very impressed with the clear difference between the feel of the different suspension settings. Smooth and rolling (in a good way) on the one hand and firm and sporty at the other end of the spectrum. This supports mototrim's interesting suggestion that the effectiveness of this feature may wane over time. Also as jelbayeh says extra weight is the other factor which may be playing a part. Given that I will be doing most of my driving around town with some off-roading, the suspension feature on the Grande was a selling point for me.

[Guest Close Guest]

I just hit 70,000kms and there is still a very clear difference between settings - no fading over time at all. I change the settings all the time depending on terrain (and my mood) and think it's brilliant.

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

Standard suspension is fine as long as you don't have a steel bar, dual batts, winch etc - if you do, the front end will sag and droop noticeably.

If you have those accessories fitted, you will need to upgrade the suspension to maintain driveability and safety.

[pepe.com Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pepe.com]

Mine have 120.000 km and it's time to change the original suspensions. At front I will loose the TEMS, I really liked it but I need a lift and firmer springs because I added second battery, front bar, skid plates and winch. Mi first approach was the combination King Springs HD (+5) and Koni heavy track Raid (I am talking about front axe only), after that I thought in Bilstein, and now I am between KING, FOX, SAW or Donahoe, with separated reservoir.

At the back is harder, I don't want to loose the pneumatic and height regulation, so I will change shocks (some of the same brand as at front), and want to put some spacer below the balloon. Here there are a lot of people who modifies the height sensor and then the balloons are more inflated that regular. I don't like doint that way, I don't want go country with a over-inflated balloon designed to made no much kilometers and at low speeds. So I am waiting for some spacer, we are working in that and you will know when we have available such element.

[Grizzly Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Grizzly]

Hey pepe.com that sounds like a great idea and i want one!
Let us know for sure when you have bits to space airbag

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

I'll be watching as well.