Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

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

I Was looking at alternatives to OME for the Troopy and saw Tough Dog Suspension at SEMA. I also see their ads in Australia 4WD Action.

Anyone have any experience or general thoughts about their products? I would like to keep OZ products on it, so they seem like a good choice.

-Ben

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

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

I have the adjustable tough dog in the front of my car - i am happy with them, they give a good ride and have good down travel left.

I bought them pre assembled as a complete unit (spring+strut+top hat).

Had a few issues installing them, but left a message on their web page and an installer telephoned me the next day to talk me through it. So i am pretty happy.

Wil

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

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

Anyone else?

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

From what I have heard- good for off road, but the ride is usually a bit more stiff (rough) than equivalent of other brands

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

There is a couple threads on the tough dogs.

I ran them years ago on a fleet of 4wd's... Never again.. Was the worst ride I have ever encountered.

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

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

Ben, I have toughdog adjustables on the 120. Fitted from new. I looked at lots of options and settled on this set up over the usual ARB and TJM and other brand suspensions. I am happy with the combination. Especially the ability to soften the shocks off road, for some extra $ you can do this electronically but I didn't bother. I suspect the Bilstein / King or Ridepro springs are smoother but also (much) more expensive up here. The ride is sharp and stable and very controlled. Could be considered harsh if you like the marshmellow standard ride. Bit hard to compare because I haven't spent a lot of time in another Prado with aftermarket suspension. The only experience is with one with TJM stuff and I far prefer the toughdogs. But this could just be my set up is more suited to our needs. My Prado weighs 2600kg with full tanks. My other drives are a modded HSV E2 R8 (think latest version of Pontiac G8 GT on steroids) and a 10 year old Rodeo dual cab utility (sort of like a Hilux with rear leaf springs and torsion bars) so the Prado rides smoother than both of these.

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

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

Thanks Mates.

I wonder how well Tough Dog would do in the US?

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

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

Tough Dog are a bit of a laugh within the industry, and have the highest warranty return rate.

PM me, if you want full details, save the discussion here.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

Out of 40 fitted we had warranty on 27 of them.. like I said.. Once bitten...

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

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

Out of 40 fitted we had warranty on 27 of them.. like I said.. Once bitten...

What were the major or common problems?

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

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

They need someone in house who understands shock valving first off.

They need someone who also understands quality control.

They also need someone who can read a tape measure so thery know the compressed and extended lengths that will work without smashing the shock :wink:

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

As Darren said, we had a couple that literally tore the tops out as they were too short in the stroke for what they were on.
All of the other had valve/seal failure. And two bent the shafts!

[ookami Member Find all posts View Profile Close ookami]

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

My first set lasted less than 6 months and only about 6,000km with 99% of it on bitumen! Tore the tops off the front struts and bent the rod. I wouldn't buy them again. Next Time I'm spend the extra and get Icon or Fox coil-overs.

[teza h Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close teza h]

Re: Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

Well mite as well throw in my 2c worth. I'v read nothing but bad things about Tough Dog, but I bought a 90 Prado with a full set of T D suspention on it and to date done about 40,000 in it over a few years and the only trouble I'v had at all is the L H front bush needed replaceing.Over all the ride is great, Soft but not too soft and the articulation when off road is also great.The vehicle is not a dayly driver so it stays loaded for trips,I have a roof top tent and a set up in the back with draws, fridge,water and all the other stuff that we need to go touring, I dont know what it weighs but the suspention set up works well, Maybe just lucky,,,,,I dont know. But I'm pretty happy with it. Would I get it T D suspention again,,,,,I dont know about the shocks, but the springs are perfect for my weight. :P
Cheers Teza

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

Tough Dog Suspension...What are your thoughts?

I have know a few people run them on patrols etc with the big bore shocks and they have not been impressed with them, and now have changed them to bilstein or efs
I have used ome on 2 cars now without any problems