Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

Hmm, If they are knocking whilst "landing " that would be on the compression stroke I would have thought?

I have a lifted Grande as well, and have punted it around quite heavily on some of the offroad race courses here as an official vehicle, not had any issues with shocks or lift as of yet.. (and she has been given the berries if you know what i mean).. :twisted:

My measurements (after 2 years of having said lift) are 87 Rear (From floor) 94 Front. (From floor) Centre of rim is 375 from floor.

* noted though* Car had sat all night and when i started it later she went up a bit on the rear but I couldn't be bothered measuring again!

TP

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

Hmm, correct, TP... I think what I've heard has been a knock on the extension stroke not the compression stroke, so not actually while landing but just before landing after the wheel drops over the other side of a bump. Not sure if this is a problem for the shock.

[speed_racer Member Find all posts View Profile Close speed_racer]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

MLC - how has the rear been raised if only the shocks have changed?

The Grande has height adjustment for the rear. The normal height has been tweaked to the new height by adjusting something. I'd like to know where this is. There was a thread on it but a picture would be nice.

I am also interested in how to reset the "default" height of the air suspension in the Grande... Anyone willing to share?

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

There is a couple of limit switches on the rear diff (Left/right) these tell the air bags how high they are, by tweaking them (very carefully) you can trick the bags into thinking they are too low and they raise the "base" point. you still keep the Up/down control. Mine on Low is now about what the old settings used to be on standard/ high.

[speed_racer Member Find all posts View Profile Close speed_racer]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

There is a couple of limit switches on the rear diff (Left/right) these tell the air bags how high they are, by tweaking them (very carefully) you can trick the bags into thinking they are too low and they raise the "base" point. you still keep the Up/down control. Mine on Low is now about what the old settings used to be on standard/ high.

I'd love to give that a go as i have raised springs in the front but have been just raising the rear when needed offroad.
Are they pretty easy to locate on the diff? Is it a screw adjustment? Would you happen to have a picture?

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

I have been warned before that if you break it, it is a long wait for the parts from japan (or maybe I'm confusing it with the rupture of Toyota airbags).

[speed_racer Member Find all posts View Profile Close speed_racer]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

I have heard that too...

Nonetheless i am willing to give it a go as long as i have instructions...

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

Its obvious once under there what they are. I think the talk that they are so delicate is true, but commonsense prevailing thay are tough enough to take the rigours of constant movement and 4wding.

I have settled mine a cpl times and didnt find them so fragile they would buckle from looking at them..

Have a go but just be careful and light handed.

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

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

Undoing the adjuster nuts is the part that can do the damage, they snap off, then you have to buy the whole control module from Toyota, not in stock, 3-6 weeks, and $780.

If you set them to high, then it will auto low when you try to go to high, and if both sides read different, then it will also go to default low and stay there.

Best to mark them accurately at original position, then adjust using an accurate mm measurement to fixed points to get it right.


Ideal with the coils we use in the front made for the Grande is around 760mm - 770mm front, and 800mm rear Max.

Dont say you havent been warned!

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

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

As a footnote to my Grande suspension upgrade. It was done at Total Traction Tyres using Darren's (Autocraft) method.

Checked out the capabilities on the weekend just gone. Pics can be seen on the following thread http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=11657

Mine is the silver Prado and happy to report that with all the flexing including rear wheels off the ground, I did NOT pop out any air suspension

Big thanks to Darren at Autocraft and Total Traction tyres in South Australia. Video of the day is at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuQmi3Tgoe0

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

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

Hi All,
We have a suggestion about an easy way to adjust the height on a Grande, and still leave the standard adjustment range.

Where the height sensor is mounted to the chassis you can un-bolt it and re-fit with 10mm spacers behind it, this will realte to a lift of about 30mm at the axle. If you need to fine tune it you can then use the adjuster in its normal adjustment range to fine tune the height.

Also, if you do have problems with the factory air bags we can supply a heavier duty replacement that will allow shock lengths out to the maximum the vehicle can handle. The above mentined height sensor spacers are supplied with our airbag conversion kit. If you would like to know more please contact us.

If anyone has any questions about the the operation of the air suspenson on a Grande we have the Toyota service manuals on file, they provide some pratical fault finding and system information.

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

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

The standard adjustment will give you what you need without needing spacers, but its important they are measured to a fixed location, so each one is adjusted the same amount. [rear has 2 sensors, one on each upper arm]

When located properly, havent seen an y issues with the factory bags, can you give a better discription of what "Heavy Duty" means ?

More weight ?

Stronger bag ?

Longer bag ?

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

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

The spacers are suggested to make it easy for anyone to do, and cost very little, but do only acheive the same as moving the adjuster.

Heavy duty is exastly what you suggested, they are able to carry more weight, particularly when compared to the factory bag at lifted heights. The greater capacity allows lower pressures which improves the life of the bags and compressor, plus aloows the rear to lift easier when you select high.

The air bags are made frm a rubber construction that is twice as thick as the original bags, and are designed to last longer as they are of a different style of construction. Also, if a bag does get damaged or someone wants to carry a spare one you can buy the rubber part of the bag fairly cheaply and it squashes to a much smaller size.

The length is substantially longer than standard, although we do a have a standard length one if someone wants a small or no lift, just the other benefits. The rear shock length we have allowed for is 635mm extended (Landcruiser 80/100/105 2" lift rear), and have test the air bags with shocks at theis length. The compresses shock length is more likely to be the limiting factor, depending upon the style and avaialble parts; we have allowed up to 390mm compressed (from memory)
If anyone would like fure detailed info about these parts just let me know.

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

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

I wonder if my ARB onboard compressor would pump these babies up fast ie in .5 seconds??? Just imagine, the first "pimped" Prado bouncing its ass along the city streets. :twisted: :twisted:

Pimp my ride - Aussie style :lol:

Might have to change my name to Prado-MOFO-Bro....

[ike Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ike]

Re: Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

I have a 120 Grande D4D with alloy bar and duel battery, that is need of new shockers. I am a late starter on PradoPoint but looking through the Grande suspension upgrade info I see mention of "Darren's Autocraft" method.

Perhaps those who have gone up that track (so to speak) could give some feedback on ride quality, nature of upgrade and indicative costs.

Thanks, Ike.