DIY Suspension Lift GX 150 and Blue Max Springs and shocks.

[Johnboy67 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Johnboy67]

Before I start,

I, now when I say I, I actually mean us, and when I say us, I actually mean her. So after a year of convincing her it was time to sell her beloved HZJ105 series GXL LC owned since 2000, I er, we er, she, has/have just bought, a new to us, Landcruiser Prado 150 GX D4D Auto. It has done 45,000 kmm, has been amazingly cared for and is coming up to 3 years old (Dec 09).

Recent additions include ARB Deluxe Winch Bar Fitted by me, 2nd hand 7.5 inch GXL Rims and Brand New Bridgestone Duelers, GXL Roof Rails off a brand new GXL (owner had Travelander rack fitted), Dig Options Sat-Nav Reversing Camera Audio Visual Deck which has arrived, but I have not fitted it yet. Aftermarket Side step,s not yet arrived but in transit, and up coming suspension up grade, the reason for this thread.

After much discussion with friends, 4WD stores, suspension centres and reading forums I have decided to have a go at putting the suspension in myself. I am fortunate to have access to a full workshop including hoists, spring compressors and wheel alignment equipment. Whilst I have not done this on a prado before I am confident and will take my time to get it right.

So some questions to you guys, hoping to draw in the vast range of expertise and information out there, does anyone have any thoughts on Blue Max Suspension. I can get these at the 'right price' and have read they are basically the same as OME and King. Thoughts?

I am pretty keen on constant HD lift front springs (with the bull bar she has already sagged 15 to 20mm and I intend adding Dual battery soon and maybe a winch in the future) and then 0 to 300kg on the rear with Poly airs as support, see following thread wich I accidentally posted in the general area (the excitment, new car and all).

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-to-120-series

I look forward to any thoughts on this setup.

I hope to post some pictures of the suspension job as I go. It may be a week or three off but look forward to any of your thoughts and responses.

Cheers

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I have never heard of Blue Max in suspension, but loctite make a silicone (blue maxx), and its really good stuff!
it will seal up anything and its strong!
suspension....... by the way whats the right price?
If shocks are same as ome then they are monroe, so quality is very good, but full extension may be pretty short=shoit.
If the springs are kings then they are ok too, but its which king that counts, I use dobbos, because i understand their lenths and spring rates, also i can order special rates and lenths to suit the vehicle.

[Johnboy67 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Johnboy67]

I have never heard of Blue Max in suspension

Check out http://www.bluemax.com.au/

by the way whats the right price?

I am looking at paying around $800 supply only.

If shocks are same as ome then they are monroe,

My info is that Blue Max springs are made by King as are OME. I can't find the thread that I read and for the life of me I can't remember the manufacturer of the shocks, I do know that the shocks are not Monroe, however, they offer a choice of Foam Cell and Nitro gas (suspiciously like Tough Dog and Iron Man)... and interestingly Blue Max offer a 3 year, 60,000km warranty which is a year and 20,000 more than the others. I guess I was hoping some one who has had Blue Max suspension fitted could give a more definitive answer of what they results are and whether my proposed set up has suited them.

Cheers for now.

[Johnboy67 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Johnboy67]

Okay seems my plans have changed,

Happened across some King springs (50mm lift progressive) lightly used, the owner bought a van and two weeks after fitting realised that progressives weren't going to do it so he fitted HD constant load springs. He also had Raw 4WD Nitro Front Shocks, Brand New. Its a long story but :-) he told me he got sent the wrong ones (Hilux) after fitting realised they were wrong and took them back, in the ensuing muck around and time frame went and fitted bilstiens and then got the Raws replaced. They sat in the shed for a year then he decided to sell them.

So now I'm looking at Raw 4WD shocks and King springs (I have always had Kings on the 100 series LC and was very happy) but Raw shocks are a bit of an unknown. They are stamped "Made in South Africa" Part Number CS539Y and the stamped B180809 the build date I'm guessing. If anyone can shed any light I'd be happy. I am told they are made by Powerdown, Aussie Truck Shock Supplier, but made in South Africa?

I have read a few reviews and most seem more than happy with them, The odd one or two bad reviews but you'll always get that. People who have a bad experience tend to post their stories of woe, those that have a good experience with the product tend to forget that they were fitted and really don't go around posting how good they have been unless asked.

Look forward to your responses.

Cheers J,

BTW,I intend to post photos of fit up when I do the job stay tuned.

[Johnboy67 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Johnboy67]

started today

So I have started doing the lift today.

1) The first step was to fill the Prado with fuel so I have a known quantity of weight for future measurements and then put it on a level surface and measured the heights.

Measured on the workshop floor and interestingly the driver's side was ten mm higher than the left. Moved the car and measured again, same result

Left the measurements in the workshop so will post at a later date. This is really only a first post so I can work out how to put photos up.




So this is the car. As you can see with std suspension and an ARB winch bar fitted, the nose dives about 15 to 20mm.

I have done more than this today and taken heaps of photos so will post with pics and explanations to come.

Cheers j