2 inch Lift Kakadu - Losing Suspension Settings - Sport/Comfort

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

Ok i spoke to Cal at Cal off road today and he is a very helpful man. With a lenghty conversation we went over many options that I have and I (with the help of Cal & KAKADAZ suggestions) have decided to go Bilsteins struts on the front with coils NOTE: you will loose your dampning settings ie:sport/normal/comfort if you fit this set up. For the rear I will fit the 2"lift air bags that they have, you can still use height control. All up with the struts,springs, new top plates, rear 2"air bag, rear shocks (Bilsteins as well) and strut/coil assembly with freight to Vic $2500. I think that is very resonable for a full suspension lift but I have to do two things and thats convince the MRS and fit them. All up very possible (I think???). Over all I believe this is a very good setup for a 2" lift & using ducks guts parts. Cal also advised you shouldn't do the spacers for tricking the airbag height as it is very possible to pop out the bag. Im going to Cape in Aug next year and that the last thing I need happen!!!! BTW he also suggested as peterpilot to run different clip height on Bilsteins (top drv, bottom pass) Cal also said KDSS lean is partly caused by bleeding of the actuators

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

nice write up thks. many of us will be watching with great interest!

Ok i spoke to Cal at Cal off road today and he is a very helpful man. With a lenghty conversation we went over many options that I have and I (with the help of Cal & KAKADAZ suggestions) have decided to go Bilsteins struts on the front with coils NOTE: you will loose your dampning settings ie:sport/normal/comfort if you fit this set up. For the rear I will fit the 2"lift air bags that they have, you can still use height control. All up with the struts,springs, new top plates, rear 2"air bag, rear shocks (Bilsteins as well) and strut/coil assembly with freight to Vic $2500. I think that is very resonable for a full suspension lift but I have to do two things and thats convince the MRS and fit them. All up very possible (I think???). Over all I believe this is a very good setup for a 2" lift & using ducks guts parts. Cal also advised you shouldn't do the spacers for tricking the airbag height as it is very possible to pop out the bag. Im going to Cape in Aug next year and that the last thing I need happen!!!! BTW he also suggested as peterpilot to run different clip height on Bilsteins (top drv, bottom pass) Cal also said KDSS lean is partly caused by bleeding of the actuators

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

I have heard good things about Cal off road and his Kakadu mods, he certainly knows his stuff, a wise choice. I have said in previous discussions about the Grande air suspension that replacing the rear air bags with longer ones is the best solution. Keep us posted on how the mods go.

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Are airbag spacers possible on the Kakadu?

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

Are airbag spacers possible on the Kakadu?

Have a look here Andrew. Kakadu Airbags The 150 Airbags are a little different where they have a retaining bolt (which is what the 120 grande should have...) I'm sure it's nothing that you could get around

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Cal also advised you shouldn't do the spacers for tricking the airbag height as it is very possible to pop out the bag.

This doesn't sound right. Adjusting the height sensors is the only way to lift the rear of the Grande/Kakadu whether you are retaining the factory airbags, adding airbag spacers or longer airbags.

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Have a look here Andrew. Kakadu Airbags The 150 Airbags are a little different where they have a retaining bolt (which is what the 120 grande should have...) I'm sure it's nothing that you could get around

Thanks Craig. I have a concept in my head. Just need one to measure up.

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

In regard to the lean effect when lifting the front of KDSS equipped cars, the original measurement of my front springs showed one was 10 - 11 mm longer than the other. As original it didn't appear to lean.

I have the Bilstein struts fitted with the drivers side circlip one slot (7mm) higher than the passenger side. The car was still leaning a small amount to the front right corner.

I had some 6mm spacers that I previously bought from someone here on Pradopoint (cannot recall who, but thank you) these 6mm spacers fit between the top of the strut and the strut chassis mount, the standard top hat studs are long enough to still allow a couple of threads to show. 6mm gives you roughly 10mm.

6mm was more than I wanted to try first up considering I had 7mm from the Bilstein's, I had a couple of 3mm spacers made up, fitted one to the front right, the car looks better and I think it's level.

The 3mm should technically give 5mm of lift which doesn't sound like much but it can give more as when one side or end of the car is lifted, the other will usually settle a bit too.

A set of wheel scales would be the next trick to check it.

3mm vs 6mm



Top view,

.

My springs were 10 - 11 mm different, ARB recommend a 10mm spacer and my (effectively) 10mm lift seems to have worked nicely.

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

I would love to buy one of those 3mm spacers if your keen to sell one.

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

I have finally convinced the MRS on getting the suspension done now i just need to organise the cash and then I will be in contact with Cal. BNEGXL where did you get the 3mm spacer from or did you see an engineer shop. Did they make it out of steel or stainless and did you get it powdercoated? can you PM me if you have the specs on the spacers. Thanks in advance

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

Kakadaz,

PM me a mailing address, I've got a spare one you can have.

MNK,

I got them made up, I don't really have the specs but I will send you one you can have copied as long as you return it. PM me if you want it.
They're laser cut from mild steel then painted.

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

PM sent....love ya work thanks mate.

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

AJ120 is now selling a 6mm strut top spacer, which may be useful for correcting the KDSS lean:
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-Strut-spacers

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

so if the lean is 20mm to the drivers side, will 1 spacer fitted on the drivers side be enough to lift 12mm and reduce the passenger side by 8mm ish? will the rears also sort themself out if the fronts are mor or less correct?

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

"so if the lean is 20mm to the drivers side, will 1 spacer fitted on the drivers side be enough to lift 12mm and reduce the passenger side by 8mm ish?"

no, it will be be close but you really need 10mm.
it will be better than it is now

"will the rears also sort themself out if the fronts are mor or less correct? "

yes