Bilstein & dobinson

[TOURER777]

Thanks Tourer777 for the detail (mine is a 150 2.8 also). How have your found the ride/handling with your set-up. I probably won't be getting a bullbar, so I was recommended the 350 at the front. My other option on the shocks might be the new Dobinson Monoshock (without the reservoir). The new Dobinsons workshop/showroom in Adelaide seem happy to either fit Dobinson shocks or Bilstein (which is a good flexible approach from them).

Straight up it felt quite firm and a bit severe over bumps. Coming from the original soft ride, was to be expected.

I've done around 5k since then and although I'm probably getting more used to the ride, I'd also say it has soften up a little as well. It now feels quite smooth over most road conditions and doesn't have that characteristic lean in corners/roundabouts.

I tow a 1500kg camper and it rides almost level, maybe down 10-15mm at most in the rear. Still deciding if I'll go the airbags for extra support.

Front - SmartBar, dual battery, winch, lights, snorkel
Rear - Towbar, 3rd row seats removed, Drifta drawers/fridge slide w/ Engel 60lt, compressor, recovery kit, tools

Heights: (Before/After/Now)
FL - 744 / 810 / 795
FR - 740 / 810 / 800
RL - 775 / 845 / 845
RR - 790 / 845 / 835

Overall I'm quite happy with it, hasn't done alot of work yet but we are doing a big lap soon which will test it out.

Cheers

[Whitey]

Hey all,

You can run the combination TOURER777 listed in a 120 no problem.

There are no strict guidelines as to what should be in a 120 or a 150. The extra weight of the 150 means you'll want to stiffen the rebound valving a little bit more than the rebound you'd use on a 120.

You will find that a high rebound (over 3000N) strut in the front of either the 120 or 150 will make a big difference off-road. A high rebound strut needs a stiffer coil, 650-700lb/in work well with rebound over 3000N. Combine that front high rebound strut with a high rebound rear shock, and you're going to have a Prado that goes very nicely off-road.

The 24-173032-1 strut from Quadrant is a high rebound strut, however it is no longer available. The strut which gives similar performance to it is the BE5-D563, which I run in my 120.

To minimise pitch and body roll in the Prado, which are both terrible if you don't have the correct coils/shocks, you'll want at least 2000N compression up the front, and around 4000N rebound in the rear. Getting the front:rear compression:rebound ratio is as crucial as your coil selection.

That means running either the 24-217897 or the B46-1478LT in the rear, and the typical 270lb/in coil rate from Dobinsons coils will match these nicely.

Here's a long thread on Bilsteins;

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...hs-and-Valving

Some threads on valving for the Prado;

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...n-of-Coil-Rate

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...e-in-the-Prado

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-150-Prado-IFS

A thread explaining why the BE5-A713 is useless in Prados;

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-lifted-Prados

Best

Mark

[OzDriver]

Thanks Tourer777 for the detail (mine is a 150 2.8 also). How have your found the ride/handling with your set-up. I probably won't be getting a bullbar, so I was recommended the 350 at the front. My other option on the shocks might be the new Dobinson Monoshock (without the reservoir). The new Dobinsons workshop/showroom in Adelaide seem happy to either fit Dobinson shocks or Bilstein (which is a good flexible approach from them).

[TOURER777]

This is the setup I bought from Zordos:
Front: C59-352 / 24-173032-1

Rear: C59-327 / 24-217897

Just realised this is the 120 forum, I have the 2.8 150

[OzDriver]

So just to be clear what are the right Bilstein shock model numbers for a Prado 150 (2.8) if using Dobinson C59-350 Front and C59-327 springs (no need to go into the detail why - thanks)

[TOURER777]

+2 for Zordos, was able to ring him a couple of times during the install on the weekend and get advice.

Quality gear, excellent service and support.

http://www.zordos4wdsuspension.com.a...suspensionkits

[photoprado]

http://www.4wddirect.com.au/scart/html/810.html looking at this kit.

at the moment ive only got the sahara bullbar but will be adding winch, second battery, rear drawers and part time fridge. is anyone else running this kit with similar accessories?

4wd Direct are selling the Bilstein A712/A713 shocks! They have inadequate free length for front and back and the valving is inadequate. Basically, a known poor Bilstein option for a Prado, and definitely not a suitable option for a lifted Prado with the Dobinsons springs in the kit.

+1 to spend time checking out Zordo's shock options

[RBJET]

Give John at Zordo's a call for pricing on the kit that comes with the proper shocks.

[BiLLz0r]

That's a bloody good price.

[dmop85]

http://www.4wddirect.com.au/scart/html/810.html looking at this kit.

at the moment ive only got the sahara bullbar but will be adding winch, second battery, rear drawers and part time fridge. is anyone else running this kit with similar accessories?