2012 Kakadu Suspension upgrade

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

Hi all, this is my first post so bear with me. I have a 2012 Kakadu and am trying to find someone to upgrade the suspension. I know the question has been asked in older posts but was hoping someone has upgraded theirs more recently and might have a better idea where to go. The only place I have found that specifically does Kakadu (KDSS) upgrades is Cal Offroad but it is supply only. I have trolled the internet fairly well in search of the golden kakadu suspension upgrade fairy team but I don't think it exists Any help would be much appreciated.
Cheers Hutcho

[Guest Close Guest]

The Kakadu and Grande suspension isn't some magical mystery anymore. Basically, the suspension is the same as the other variants with the exception of the front requiring uneven length springs. Refer to the suspension database.

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

Thanks for the reply amts, I checked the suspension database and it is all a bunch of numbers to me sorry I was more looking for someone who has done a successful lift on a kakadu so I could do the same. I have gone through countless threads on here and there seems to be no definitive answer on which way to go when lifting a kakadu. I have been to my local ARB,TJM OL and no one wants to touch a KDSS equipped vehicle. The only help I have found is a local and reputable 4wd shop that is willing to fit Caloffroads gear for me for a cost of roughly $4500-$5000, (front shocks, rear airbags, diff drop, etc.) which I am willing to go down that path at this stage. I was just hoping that someone has found a good combo that is easily accessible.

[Guest Close Guest]

When you look at the suspension database, there are notes pointing to KDSS specific springs for the front. The shocks would still be the same as used for the other 150 models. The airbags would be replacement airbags from Airbagman. $4500-5000 is more than double what you should be paying for a suspension lift. What else is in the Caloffroad kit?

You mentioned a diff drop. Are you going for more than a 2" lift?

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

The kit is called a 2-3 inch lift. So anywhere in between that I guess. The kit was for front shocks and springs, rear shocks, rear airbags, adjustable upper arm kit and diff drop. Fitting was about $700 to $1000.

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

After checking the Dobinsons list and a few older posts. I wonder if I could get away with just replacing the front springs and rear airbags and keep the TEMS gear. Have any other Kakadu owners out there who have done this stayed with this solution or gone with the full upgrade? Any info is appreciated.
Cheers Hutcho

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I've replaced the front springs with Dobinsons C59-726 and tricked the rear airbag sensors but not changed the factory air bags out. I didn't do the work myself, it was done by ############# here on the forum. I still have the TEMS shocks, might consider replacing them when they are a bit older, have only done 71,000kms so far.

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Depending how high you go, there may not be enough travel with the TEMS shocks.

Basically, anyone who can do a Prado suspension upgrade can do a Kakadu upgrade. The only difference is :

1. Unplugging the TEMS shocks
2. Fitting uneven length front springs or if even length springs are used, then the spring seat needs to be spaced up.
3. Space down the rear height sensor to lift the rear end.

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

I have purchased some Dobinsons front struts and coils (big thanks to PP member ############# for hooking me up with them!!) and was going to get them fitted and then space the rear height sensor, but I am now tossing up whether to buy the Airbag man 2 inch raised air bags as well to replace the standard bags. I've just been reading a few stories about bags popping and am a bit worried about that happening. I'm not planning on doing any extreme 4wding (due to the ball and chain and tin lids) but would hate to be stuck somewhere if they were to dislodge. The car is only 3 years old so the bags are still OK. But it would be nice to not have the stress of worrying about them and also to have the extra 2 inches plus the inboard height adjustment on the rear.

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The Kakadu has a retaining bolt which holds the bottom of the bag down. So no, they won't dislodge.

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

Ok, so the kaka is booked in to get the new Dobinsons front struts and coils done. I reckon I will just do what you suggested first amts and space the rear height sensors down and see how she sits with the new gear in the front before looking at new raised airbags. At the moment there is 50mm height difference between front and rear so the new springs should bring it up nicely.

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

Got the new gear in the front and it ended up lifting the front 50mm, so it is now level with the rear. Feels a 100% better to drive now, more stable with less roll and diving under brakes. I tried the rear airbag sensor trick and put 8mm over spacer under one side but it only lifted the height 12mm. Not sure why. I am happy with the way its sitting at the moment but will replace the rear airbags and shocks at a later date. I am chasing some front recovery points now. AMTS just wondering if the recovery points you make suit a TJM bar?

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Do both sides and see what happens.
The recovery points may fit. Might need to do some trimming with the underwing panels of the bullbar.

[Hutcho1977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hutcho1977]

No worries I'll give both sides a go. Does the vehicle need to be jacked up so the wheels are hanging when you space down the sensors or can it just be on the ground? I tried the spacers with the vehicle on the ground, wonder if that makes a difference.

[Guest Close Guest]

No doesn't need to be jacked up. Just be careful not to break any of it as it is a costly part for the Grande and takes weeks to come from Japan. So probably the same deal with the Kakadu.

Because you've only done one side, the computer might be a bit confused. It is supposed to be a 3:1 ratio on the Grande. Hopefully the same on the Kakadu.