Suspension Question

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

Hi all,

Could someone please advise me if the stock standard 2008 GXL (diesel) suspension is capable of withstanding a 2 week trip from Brisbane to Charleville, Windorah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Winton, Longreach and back to Brisbane. There will be 2 adults and a 15 year old plus luggage, food etc and we are not towing (staying in cabins/pubs etc). I will be carring a second spare. We are in a group of 3 vehicles (1 other Prado and a Hilux).
I have been to a couple of after market "specialist" (although not dedicated 4 x 4 shops) and they are saying that I need to replace everything from the fuel cap down to survive the trip! I believe that the majority of driving is sealed roads, although there is around 300 klms of dirt/gravel out around Bedourie. I have replaced the Grand Treks with 265/65/R17 Bidgestone 694's but everything else on the vehicle is standard.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

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

Re: Suspension Question

std suspension would cope with it but you will have to take it a bit easy, aftermarket suspension will give you more piece of mine not only providing better control but better ride and handling, if you have any doubts replace the suspension with what you want, they range from $1000 to $2000 plus, just depends on if you want to part with ya hard earned. cheers samo

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

Re: Suspension Question

Thanks Samo,

I think the peace of mind thing is what is probably going to sway me towards upgrading before the trip. I just get annoyed when you go to these outlets after some "real" advice and all they want to do is sell you their product (although they have to put food on their table and are trying to make a $$$).

Too true on the hard earned....you could just keep spending if the minister for $$ would allow it!!!

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

Re: Suspension Question

Sounds like a great trip Bidla!! (Remember to post a trip-report for us all ).

For a trip that involves no serious offroading, your stock vehicle with just 3-passengers is more than adequate. In fact it will handle those conditions brilliantly and leave you smiling all the way.

One consideration... if you are going to be heavily loaded, (though it doesn't sound like your carrying too much), the only thing I consider highly desirable is air-bag helpers in the rear springs. Either Polyairs or Firestone Coil-Rite - basically the same.

With air-bags, you will experience an outstanding improvement in the spring performance when heavily loaded. Also since the air-bag pressure is easily adjustible you can customise your ride accordingly... from no load to heavy load.

Cheers,
LFaR.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Suspension Question

I did Albany - Perth - Kalgoorlie - Ayers Rock (via Gt Central Rd) - West McDonald Ranges - Alice - Tanami Rd - Wolfe Creek Crater - Halls Creek - Kununurra - Mitchell Plateau - Kalumburu - Gibb River - Derby - Broome - Albany with 2 adults, 2 kids, Jayco Outback Swan trailer all on standard suspension with poly airs and no problems. This was with my 98 GXl so it shows that with some sensible driving the standard gear is reasonably capable.

I think 300 km of dirt road is hardly a worry for a new Prado on stock suspension but would definitely advise on fitting the poly air if towing a trailer.

If you plan on doing a lot more off road excursions in the future then I would then say go ahead and upgrade.

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

Re: Suspension Question

Thanks LfaR and Bushbasher,

Great advice from all. This will hopefully be the first of many trips so if the $$$ will stretch far enough I will probably do the upgrade WITH the air-bags.
Stay tuned for the photos.....

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

Re: Suspension Question

This will hopefully be the first of many trips so if the $$$ will stretch far enough I will probably do the upgrade WITH the air-bags.
Stay tuned for the photos.....

Will be glad to see the photos. Oh and a word of caution... this forum is addictive and it will send you broke . Once you start spending, there's no end to it :shock:. :lol:

LFaR.

[05oiler Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 05oiler]

Re: Suspension Question

Hello Bidla, a few years back I did a trip out from Bathurst to Louth, down the Darling River to Menindee, on to Pooncarie to Mungo National Park and Balranald and back through Euchca to home. We were in my previous 2005 Prado, set up similar to yours. I had a set of cargo draws, Waeco 50L fridge and Firestone Airbags. We were also staying in hard accommodation. There was quite a lot of unsealed, earth roads. It handled it beautifully. The airbags really help to maintain ride height if you are carrying a little bit extra weight. It will be a great trip for you to help decide what sort of suspension you might like in the future. The airbags should only cost about $500 fitted. If you decide in the future to replace your springs and shocks with standard height springs you can still use your airbags. I currently have Bilsteins and King Springs on my 08 Prado. They are fantastic.

Regards

Garry

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

Re: Suspension Question

One question on the Polyairs. Can I install the "lifted" polyair kit (#12995) into a standard spring? The reason I ask is that I am thinking that for this trip I will stay with the standard suspension, but install the polyairs to take care of the additional weight. Further down the track (sorry - small pun) I will put a 2" kit throughout and I don't want to install the standard polyair kit (#12895) now only to find that it's not compatable with the lifted suspension.

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

Re: Suspension Question

I know the standard-sized Firestone Coil-Rite only require a 2" spacer to be inserted to suit a vehicle that is lifted sometime after the install of the airbags.

I haven't researched the PolyAirs, so won't comment specifically on them.

LFaR.

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

Re: Suspension Question

Just buy the standard polyairs. They sell a spacer for when you lift it.

[05oiler Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 05oiler]

Re: Suspension Question

Hello Bidla, you hav'nt said what you intend to do with your vehicle. If you are interested in touring I really don't think lifting the vehicle 50mm is necessary. I travelled the Canning in 2007, heavily loaded with 3 people and no trailer, with std height Kings and Bilsteins with no problems (I did manage to mangle the bash plates). This set-up raises the vehicle about 15 mm over std but retains a very good ride quality. If you want to crawl through rocky stuff the lift will really help. At the end of the day what you do decides what you need.

Regards

Garry

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

Re: Suspension Question

Thanks all for the replies - they've really assited me with making my decision of going with standard suspension but installing the Polyairs.