VSC recalibration when aftermarket lift is installed

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

Excellent. Thanks talk2tiny. I am now waiting to hear from ARB as I visited their headquarters in Vic this morning and asked for a similar confirmation. Sales guy is checking with the engineers

[talk2tiny Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close talk2tiny]

Hopefully he comes back with the same answer.

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

I am considering my options at the moment and have put feelers out for parts and prices for a 150 and have asked the very same question of the two major players. Be interesting to see if your reply is also confirmed.

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

A Toyota dealer told me this afternoon that they can only recalibrate back to standard.

snip...

From my understanding this is what we want, the system recalibrated back to standard *after* the lift is installed. In other words, the vehicle in post lift form will more than likely not be sitting exactly as it was prior to the lift (say nose up more than before), the system would need to be recalibrated so the system recognises the new stance as the zero reference point. No idea how it will calculate, or could be configured for a higher centre of gravity?

But I know very little about VSC and may be way off the mark....

I got this in writing back from ARB when I asked about their kits:

"Hi Danny, with regard to you suspension question the answer is yes our system is legal in Queensland and does not interfere with ESC fitted to you car. If you need further information please call me and I will be able to go into more detail"

It's in writing, that should be all I need.

It would be very interesting to know if this has actually been tested by ARB or if it's just an unconfirmed comment from a sales person so they don't loose a sale?

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

As I understand it, recalibration back to standard is only done when a stock component which is part of the VSC system(not aftermarket) has been replaced. I am not aware of any recalibration that can take into account any suspension changes.

With regards to ARB, they did get back to me to say that they do test their accessories to ensure ESC is not negatively affected. This is about what I expected. No one wants to get sued. Eventually this issue must be sorted as I expect the likes of ARB and TJM etc's ongoing existence depends on it being resolved. Toyota are still happy to sell 4by's with any amount of ARB kit fitted, so long as we are happy to pay for it.
Cheers.........Wayne

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

This is what I have in writing:

"The OME suspension has no effect on the ESP in that vehicle as OME build design and test their system on the vehicle."

That being the case then the question arises what about tyre size. We know under the codes of practice that non ESC vehicles can have a 50mm lift in suspension and a further 25mm due to larger diameter tyres. Cannot see ARB or TJM sanctioning the use of 265/70s with their suspension or even 275/65s like I have now. That will be my next question. And without talking out of school a demo 150 I have looked at this week has a 50mm lift AND 265/70 tyres. And looks pretty good. When I questioned the dealer in relation to the QCOP was assured it was all honky dory. Well I will be following that up too.........................................

And if I get a 150 in the coming weeks I will be getting tyres and suspension fitted through the dealer.

[Poppy Joe Member Find all posts View Profile Close Poppy Joe]

Have read a few threads on the benefits of the VSC and TC. Now the bad.
2010 Prado 150 GXL Diesel Ironman Performance suspension, Firestone airbags @15psi when towing our Jayco van grossing close to the max of 2.500 kgs. About six months ago cruising up the coast road between Cairns and Daintree on the main highway through some undulating sections the car suddenly speared to thre right. My immediate reaction was not to brake as I thought I had a blow out front right tyre and tried to steer left then the car speared left and finally settled down. From there on I disabled the TC and VSC and had no more problems.
Again last week I forgot to disable both on two occasions and the same thing happened, lucky I had room to manouver.

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

This is the first I have heard of any problem like yours. I would suspect something is wrong with a sensor if you had no fishtailing or tank slapping before hand. I would be taking it to the doctor. I recall that the traction control on an early F6 I had was so slow in reacting that I had already corrected the slide and when the TC kicked in it effectively speared the car across the road in the opposite direction. Very much a case of switch TC off when playing.

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

the way I read it, " VSC related components" is the electronic gadgetry, not necessarily components like springs and shocks.

I hate it, I drive down a windy road nearly everyday and it activates around one corner and makes me understeer in the next lane.
Its stupid and makes it dangerous.
Its a slightly downhill lefthander with a slight dip in the middle, the left tyre drops in it and just as you want to turn left, it activates the nanny and you go straight towards the middle of road.
Obviously I drive around it now so it doesn`t activate. Its was worse with the oem tyres, which are dangerous anyway.

Would hate to be an an unknown road with 2.5 t of caravan on the back.

Now with lift kit and Bilsteins it handled the same corner much better, basically makes me think the electronic nanny just covers up the lack of ability of the oem tyres, shocks and springs. But then, I guess it all designed for that super soft ride quality for prospective new buyers.

[Poppy Joe Member Find all posts View Profile Close Poppy Joe]

Glad to hear someone has the same problems. Albeit with out the van.
Exactly the same scenario that triggers mine with the van on the back luckily its only the push of a button to fix. Not happy with the suspension setup for towing I have always installed heavy duty lift but was talked out of it. I was under the impression air bags bring the vehicle back to normal ride height even with 30 psi the vehicle is not level. Might have to bite the bullet and install heavy duty raised springs.

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

So are you guys towing who are experiencing this "spearing" using weight distributing hitches or just air bags? Reason I ask is I have polyairs on my 120 and was intending swapping them over to the new 150. I only tow a Tvan so about half the weight that you guys are towing. When I used to tow my Jayco poptop I always used a WDH. No idea what a WDH would do to the VSC, but given that the Prado is probably Australia's most popular tow vehicle, I reckon Toyota should have thought of this
Cheers......Wayne

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

never had the issue with the van on, and yes I use WDH to get more weight back over the front. To get the 20-30mm rake back.
Therefore I personally don`t see the point of polyairs.

[Poppy Joe Member Find all posts View Profile Close Poppy Joe]

My van is an outback or off road so a WDH would limit the amout of articulation . If you cross over to the Caravan forum there is a whole can of worms to open regarding WDH.Toyota say to use one but they dont make one. If you use one on an OE bar you have no warranty as a lot found out with the 120 cast tow bar failiures and the story goes on . No it's either up the springs or use a WDH. Hate to think how the shorty two door copes with 3.000kg.

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

never had the issue with the van on, and yes I use WDH to get more weight back over the front. To get the 20-30mm rake back.
Therefore I personally don`t see the point of polyairs.

I tow an off road van, with the axle set back a bit further than normal, and I use the polyaris, TJM suspension upgrade and a H/R WDH. The set up gives me a level tow, and so far has been stable. With a lighter van, may be the polyairs won't be needed.

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

My van is an outback or off road so a WDH would limit the amout of articulation . If you cross over to the Caravan forum there is a whole can of worms to open regarding WDH.Toyota say to use one but they dont make one. If you use one on an OE bar you have no warranty as a lot found out with the 120 cast tow bar failiures and the story goes on . No it's either up the springs or use a WDH. Hate to think how the shorty two door copes with 3.000kg.

For stability, you need a WDH on the highway unless towing a light van.

As for off road, once you start driving through dips, creeks, etc the WDH should not be attached, as it puts too much strain on the tow hitch, towball, towbar.

I had a Hiland Hitch on my van, have now changed it to a Hitch-Ezy brand late last year, but have yet to try it off road. I also have a TJM suspension upgrade and polyairs.