Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

[JSloosehead Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JSloosehead]

I know there are many options out there for grande, and the popular one from Darren at Autocraft that is mentioned here a lot which would be my choice, but there doesn't seem to be any reliable installers in Brisbane to take it on.

Then I have found Superior Engineering's kit with Top Dog coils and shocks and replacement airbag man rear bags with an installer north of the city.

Has anyone installed these? I am thinking they should fit my 120 or if I take the plunge ang go for a 150 kakadu.

[ookami Member Find all posts View Profile Close ookami]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

I was in a simliar situation as yourself. I was particually after an Autocraft Bilstein kit as they seem so popular and people are quite happy with kit but none of my usual local installers seemed to not want to have anything to do with it after mentioning the word Bilstein - I could have installed it myself but simply don't have the time anymore. I eventually settled on the Tough Dog adjustables with rear air bags (Medium Springs). Quite a few people will tell you that they are too stiff, for me who drives like rally driver they are great around town and it handles so much better now. You do feel more bumps like pot holes etc but its nothing to cry about or as drastic as some people will lead you to believe. Offroad I simply adjust the shocks to be softer and you can fly down forresty tracks with hardly noticing bumps or corrigations. It all depends what you expect, I come from a background of owning Japanese sports cars and are use to (and prefer) a stiffer ride - so my opinion might be left field of others, but the handling and ride to me is nothing like as what others will tell you.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

I would speak to Darren and see who he reccomends to install.

I have his setup in my Grande and love it.

Bilsteins = Awesome.
Ridepro coils up front, and factory airbags (and height control) in the rear.

I dont see the need to replace the airbags myself, just more expense and not sure if the ABM ones keep ride height control?

I have tough dogs still in my work 4x4 and absolutely hate the ride, too harsh even on soft, + the bloody things keep leaking...

[JSloosehead Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JSloosehead]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

Thanks Team Piggy. I spoke to Darren, who said he had not come across a reliable installer in Brisbane or South East Queensland to take it on, hence the post. So my choices are to keep ringing shops to see if someone will take it on (no luck yet), taking the plunge and doing it myself, driving Brisbane to Geelong for Darren to do it, or looking for an alternative - like the Tough Dog/Airbag man set-up.

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

We do have detailed instructions including pics, for any workshop who would consider it an easy job to do.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

Any competent mechanic could do it. I watched mine being done..

[ZORDO Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ZORDO]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

We do have detailed instructions including pics, for any workshop who would consider it an easy job to do.

Hi guys.
I may not have fitted as many prado's up as Darren has, but i have done quite a few. including one of Darrens Bilstein/ ridepro kit.
So Darren if you couldn't find a reliable fitter in Brisbane before You have now.
Up to you
Cheers

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

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

Hi guys.
I may not have fitted as many prado's up as Darren has, but i have done quite a few. including a Darrens Bilstein/ ridepro kit.
So Darren if you couldn't find a reliable fitter in Brisbane before You have now.
Up to you
Cheers

Which side of the city is your workshop on Zordo?

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

We're also very happy with Darren's Ridepro/Bilsteins on our Grande. Great ride on road and off.

Cheers, ld

[ZORDO Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ZORDO]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

Hi guys.
I may not have fitted as many prado's up as Darren has, but i have done quite a few. including a Darrens Bilstein/ ridepro kit.
So Darren if you couldn't find a reliable fitter in Brisbane before You have now.
Up to you
Cheers

Which side of the city is your workshop on Zordo?

Northside at Upper Kedron
Cheers

[Riding On Air Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riding On Air]

Re: Superior Engineering Tough Dog kit for Grande

Hi, Airbag Man here,
Our conversion kit for the Grande is fairly simple to fit (actually easier that swapping rear coils), and it does retain the original air suspension control system. You can buy it to use with shocks other than the Tough Dogs however we found several other brands were to harsh, so the TD's were a good option as they can be adjusted nice and soft it you like it like that. If you planned on doing a lot of heavy and rough driving then we suggest using Koni 88 or 90 series shocks as they will survive just about anythin you throw at them, and still provide a decent ride.
If you would like to run Billies or Ridepro with the air bags we would just need to check some specs on them to make sure they will work OK.
Regards,
Brett.