How strong is stock suspension?

[aburne04 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aburne04]

I went into ARB today to buy some recovery stuff as I'm slowly getting my prado into more and more trouble of a weekend.

It's an 05 GXL 4l petrol 6sp manual.

Anyway I was talking to the ARB rep about a trip I'm doing in September and he said I would definitely want to look at upgrading the suspension and putting in some OME struts and coils and also to consider the polyair bags.

I was definitely planning on putting in some polyair bags but just how tough is the suspension? The car has done about 110,000kms, how long should the stock setup last?

We're basically heading from Newcastle to Perth via Camerons Corner, Strzelecki track, down to Arkaroola, up to Finke, Chambers Pillars, Alice etc the list goes on. Should suspension definitely be on my to do list for this trip? We will be towing a trailer across and have gear for four people although only two will be in the vehicle (other two on motos).

I've done a lot of reading and it seems the best set up is Bilstein and Lovell's or King Springs for the Prado. I've been told this is an excellent set up but could not handle tougher routes such as the Canning Stock Route...

Your expertise would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Andrew

[aburne04 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aburne04]

Re: How strong is stock suspension?

By the way... WHO told you the Bilstien set up wouldn't handle such a trip :?: :?: :?: (and I know all the lads at Newy ARB 8) )

You're not wrong about it being a big call. I just spent the Newcastle show long weekend up past Gloucester trekking around and some extra ground clearence would have been great.

I think I flowed from one part to the next without it making sense sorry, it wasn't an ARB bloke who said they wouldn't handle it - it was a bloke from http://www.4wddirect.com.au. I should also clarify that he only said they wouldn't handle the Canning Stock Route if the vehicle was very heavily laden (which I assume it would have to be for such a trip).The ARB bloke was trying to sell me OME funnily enough. Everywhere I read OME gets 50 for and 50 against reviews whereas not too many have bad things to say about Billies.

Like everyone, I guess I just don't want to fork out only to have massive problems with the trips I'm planning on taking in the next 24 months! From what you've said though it sounds like a necessary thing.

[WBY 1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WBY 1]

Re: How strong is stock suspension?

We're basically heading from Newcastle to Perth via Camerons Corner, Strzelecki track, down to Arkaroola, up to Finke, Chambers Pillars, Alice etc the list goes on. Should suspension definitely be on my to do list for this trip? We will be towing a trailer across and have gear for four people although only two will be in the vehicle (other two on motos).

I've done a lot of reading and it seems the best set up is Bilstein and Lovell's or King Springs for the Prado. I've been told this is an excellent set up but could not handle tougher routes such as the Canning Stock Route...

You've kind of answered your own question here. If the Bilsteins and Kings/Lovells setup can't handle these routes (which they could), then theres no way the stock stuff could.

If you're planning those tracks with that load then suspension would be high on my list. The stock stuff will drop in height and the shocks won't have much control. I can barely put up with the standard stuff over speed bumps, esp the front...

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Re: How strong is stock suspension?

It is possible to travel above rouads on stock suspension going SLOW (probably half as fast compared to bilsteins)
and polyairs will be needed to keep rear highter from the weight of the camper trailer...
While shock OEM shock quiality is normally quite good, carrying a couple spare shocks would be a good idea.

Doing the same route using aftermarket suspension would be much more comfortable and safer.

[Bill Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Bill]

Re: How strong is stock suspension?

Looking also at replacing stock suspension and mainly looking at Billies and lovell but am concerned about the the billies being a "mono tube design" as if the shock cops a big rock will it distort the bore? I know there are stone gaurds available but they only cover part of lower tube on rear..Has anyone had any problems with billies with damage to the bore or seals??..Other products looking at are the Lovell shocks or a OME setup ..both are a twin tube design..

[aburne04 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aburne04]

Re: How strong is stock suspension?

Doing the same route using aftermarket suspension would be much more comfortable and safer.

Thanks lc120. I read somewhere on the ozexplorer forums that no aftermarket shock comes close to the strength of the OEM stock shocks but obviously this is not the case. Thanks everyone for your help!

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

Re: How strong is stock suspension?

You could always go Fox Shocks if you have the $$$'s... I think the only person on here who has them is lc120.

A lot of it also depends on the way you drive, and also how many trips you plan on doing/how long you plan on keeping the vehicle.

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Re: How strong is stock suspension?

If the vehicle has done 110,000 km, it's time to replace the suspension in any case.
Am sure you'd see an improvement if you replaced with stock suspension, but if you're spending the money in any case, just go with an aftermarket set-up.
Plenty of PP threads to read, which will either help you decide, or confuse you completely and utterly!