Grande 120 Suspension Upgrade

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Looking for shops that will do it!

Ok, well so far ive found 3 places around Sydney that will do a Prado Grande 2" lift.
All of these set ups work with the rear ride height adjust and auto levelling on the Grande.
The brief has been a 2" lift and maintaining an everyday level of comfort similar to factory or better.

Ultimate Suspension using:

Their own AUS Monotube Shocks, struts and coils springs
Airbagman rear ON-AIR replace and lift bag system
Includes wheel alignment

Approx $2300

Autocraft who has an installer in Sydney:

Bilstein struts and rear shocks, springs (not sure)
Airbagman rear ON-AIR replace and lift bag system
Includes wheel alignment

Approx $2300

4WD1

Tough Dog 40mm bore externally ride-adjustable front struts
Tough Dog 40mm bore externally ride-adjustable rear shocks
Tough Dog 40mm lift front coil springs
Airbagman rear ON-AIR replace and lift bag system

$2780

They are all a filthy amount of money so I would really appreciate any feedback from anybody using any of these setups and or had dealings with any of these shops.

I didnt realise the Tough Dogs were in the high end of the suspension market but according to 4WD1 who sells a few different brands they are one of the best???? Big surprise to me!!!

Cheers
Marc

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Tough dog high end ?

I doubt it.. sounds like the price is the only 'high' part of the deal... go with either the Ulitimate or the Bilsteins..

[Guest Close Guest]

Tough dog are crap.. Ey would be the lower end I would suggest.. Search out the tough dog threads to see the issues everyone has had with them.

Bilsteins are the go, I have that setup in my grande..

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

The response

Tough dog are crap.. Ey would be the lower end I would suggest.. Search out the tough dog threads to see the issues everyone has had with them.

Bilsteins are the go, I have that setup in my grande..

Well from everything Ive read, I also thought that they were at the low end!

This is, quote (cut and paste) from the email I received back when I said my preference would be Bilstein and intimating the cost was very high.

"The $2300 deal is not a better buy, nor will provide the result that you are looking for.
Bilstein has superb internal build-quality (we sell select models of these), but their reputation is built on track car racing an OEM for Porsche, etc.
There is little relationship to this and off-road applications, nor does Bilstein make springs or design integrated suspension systems for 4WDs.
If you fit the Bilsteins, and you (or another family member) don't like the way they ride or handle in some situations - what will you do?
With the Tough Dogs - you decide the ride. Even if you set and forget - at least you have the opportunity to decide the exact level of ride comfort and control.
The Tough Dog shocks and struts have significantly better quality bushes and locating washers than the Bilsteins. Something simple, yet significant, which the Prado is demanding on.It also makes sense where the application is a little "un-conventional" to go with what the Airbagman guys have tried and tested and own and recommend.
We don't auction our products or services, but for the difference in dollar value you receive the right setup, fitted by reputable people in the same suburb, and receive our help and support.

Your call."

:shock:

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Yeah bushes are something to be educated upon.

Fit Toyota bushes to the Bilsteins and this softens up the ride alot and feels nicer.

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Ha.. I can point you to dozens of off road racing 4x4 vehicles running bilsteins.

I ran a fleet of 4wd,s all running tough dogs, biggest waste of money ever.. Broke so many of them, others failed.. The posts in suspension int to mine and others trouble..

Bilsteins, now approaching 50k on them, not one issue and I do punt it around on off road tracks and rally stages quite easily.. I also use it as a daily driver.. Happy as Larry with the ride and I have bilstein bushes in mine.

When they pack it in, I will be removing them and sending them to Murray Coote of MCA suspension fame to rebuild them for me with adjustable dampening, rebound settings.. And possibly even remote cannisters.. That's when and if they pack it in..

I would seriously be having a read of tough dog problems before spending any money on them.. Buyer beware..

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

I have 88,000 km on mine and have never missed a beat, no leaks, no squeaks, rock solid.......

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These are the 10mm spacers under the height sensor bracket as used in The Airbag Man kit:

Nice one Peter. Is that what is on your Prado?

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

I would either go for the Auto-Craft Bilstein/Ridepro kit, The Ultimate Suspension or find someone that will fit a Bilstein/Lovells combination and reset or replace the airbags... Or do it myself if nobody wanted my business!

You can buy Bilstein/Lovells combinations here:
http://www.bushskinz4x4.com.au/index..._26_28&&page=1

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Hi Peter
Yeah, Id love to do it myself but since the car is used daily, Im worried that if I get into difficulty with any part of it and cant finish it Ill be in trouble.
Correct me if Im wrong but fitting new airbags to the rear looks like a bitch without a hoist!!!!
Not to mention getting hold of a spring compressor for the fronts.
Did you do yours yourself?
Cheers
Marc

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

Nice one Peter. Is that what is on your Prado?

Not yet, but that's what I'm considering is the simplest option.

Did you do yours yourself?

Like yourself I'm still investigating all the options available, so I haven't done my suspension yet, but I am thinking of doing it myself.

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Ok, well so far ive found 3 places around Sydney that will do a Prado Grande 2" lift.

Have you tried Mitchell Brothers 4x4 at Brookvale? Not sure if they use one of the options you listed, but my Grande had the lifted treatment by them prior to me purchasing it. Bilsteins all round, reset the rear airbags, new springs on the front (not sure what brand).

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

Have you tried Mitchell Brothers 4x4 at Brookvale?

Ive never heard of them! I will give them a call.
Thanks for that, have you been happy with it?
Ever had any issues with airbags coming out (I keep reading about airbags popping out after a lift!!!)
What heights have you got now?
Cheers

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

I have recently purchased an 04 Grande (Petrol) with Sahara bar, winch (steel cable) lights etc on front and the front has dropped considerably. I have been "lurking" around this thread for a while as I will be requiring at the very minimum, springs in the front. If the budget allows, I will be going down the path of a Bilstein shock upgrade with Kings in the front and after speaking to the Airbag man today, replacing the airbags in the rear with a heavy duty solution that will allow more travel than the OE and avoid the supposed "popping out of bags after a lift" is preferable. having said that, they recommended tough dog shocks which I would prefer to stay away from. I have not had any success find a willing installer in Brisbane to date but I still have a couple of months of putting up with the soggy front end before I can afford to do it all properly. I will continue to follow what you guys run with in this thread and others and if I can contribute in any way I will... Thanks for sharing...

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Have the grande lift and hav no issue with the air bags popping out.. I think it is more advertising hype than anything nowadays... I have not heard of any popping for a number of years now.. And certainly not one that has had a lift fitted...