150 Suspension measurements.

[mjrandom]

cbm it is not a 10 minute job and you will need a wheel alignment after. Spacers are available in sizes from 6mm to 25mm (I think). For each 1mm additional spacer the lift will be approximately 2mm. My suspension has 32mm of spacers in the strut. No lift is 10mm. Again I think.

[cbm8880]

Hutch, I can't find a link on the TJM website. What size spacers are available for the 150 series kit? And are they a simple or a complex install? (ie just a matter of placing above/below the coil? Or will it involve wheel alignment etc)

[Hutch]

CBM the front is about right mine is 790ish, u do have multiple spacer options though with the TJM.

Hutch- Prado 2012 petrol with the TJM Catologue.

[cbm8880]

Just had the TJM XGS setup installed. Standard Duty.

Before :
Front Left: 745mm
Front Right: 763mm
Rear Left: 776mm
Rear Right: 800mm

After:
Front Left: 780mm (35mm)
Front Right: 790mm (27mm)
Rear Left: 835mm (59mm)
Rear Right: 845mm (45mm)

The fronts are a little lower than I'd expected, but I'm happy it is sitting flatter (laterally) overall and it's a nice firm ride.

The whole vehicle sits noticeably flatter around the corners too.

[rob_macca67]

Oh Ok.... We had the HD Front Lovells and the Mid-rate ones in the back but no airbags in the rear and I found that when towing the van, it didn't really handle the ball rate of our van & our trip out west last year took its toll on the suspension. When I got home I had found that it sagged a fair bit.... or what I'd classed as sagging. The height front/rear was that much more than it was from std form.... in the end, maybe I should have just installed airbags in the rear in the 1st place....anyways, I ended up changing over to Dobinsons and will see what they are like after our touring trip this year.....

Hi Rob,

Not yet, but I plan to when I get a bit of spare time as it's the main reason I got the lift kit. I towed a Camprite Trailer on a big trip earlier in the year and would have liked the Polyairs then as the rear sagged a little bit, especially with the extra weight in the rear with the Engel and other gear.

VXWesty

[VXWesty]

Just curious here..... have u done any big trips where you're fully loaded or have u done any towing ??

Hi Rob,

Not yet, but I plan to when I get a bit of spare time as it's the main reason I got the lift kit. I towed a Camprite Trailer on a big trip earlier in the year and would have liked the Polyairs then as the rear sagged a little bit, especially with the extra weight in the rear with the Engel and other gear.

VXWesty

[brock05]

Hi Brad,
Are you any closer to making a suspension decision?

Yeah mate actually installed my lift and airbags yesterday. I went with OME, 90010 front struts with 2885 springs, rear shocks are 60080 with 2889 springs. I imported a set of Firestone coil rite airbags. Install all went fairly easy except I had to do a fair bit of measuring to work out how much of the rear spring locator/bump stop I had to cut off to suit the airbags. Early days but the ride seems pretty good. I've got 5psi in the bags currently.
Below are the measurements I ended up with.

Front right - 750mm before - 815mm after
Front left - 750mm before - 815 after
Rear right - 790mm before - 850mm after
Rear left - 790mm before - 850mm after

I have a steel bar on the front and dual batteries but no winch yet. In the back I've just got towbar and a waeco CFX40 fridge with half a tank of fuel. I plan on putting rear drawers and cargo barrier later in the year but shouldn't change the height to much.

Cheers
Brad

[brock05]

Hi Brad,
Are you any closer to making a suspension decision?

Yeah mate actually installed my lift and airbags yesterday. I went with OME, 90010 front struts with 2885 springs, rear shocks are 60080 with 2889 springs. I imported a set of Firestone coil rite airbags. Install all went fairly easy except I had to do a fair bit of measuring to work out how much of the rear spring locator/bump stop I had to cut off to suit the airbags. Early days but the ride seems pretty good. I've got 5psi in the bags currently.
Below are the measurements I ended up with.

Front right - 750mm before - 815mm after
Front left - 750mm before - 815 after
Rear right - 790mm before - 850mm after
Rear left - 790mm before - 850mm after

I have a steel bar on the front and dual batteries but no winch yet. In the back I've just got towbar and a waeco CFX40 fridge with half a tank of fuel. I plan on putting rear drawers and cargo barrier later in the year but shouldn't change the height to much.

Cheers
Brad

[rob_macca67]

Just curious here..... have u done any big trips where you're fully loaded or have u done any towing ??

I've just had a 2" Lovells spring upgrade done, on top of existing Bilstein shocks upgrade done 18 months ago but still in good condition. The end result is fantastic with plenty of extra clearance both front and back. I had HD springs put on the front to carry the extra weight and standards on the rear with polyair bags for when we load up and go camping. The steering is now way more responsive and the car doesn't dive and roll into corners.

Before:
Front Left: 750mm
Front Right: 740mm
Rear Left: 820mm
Rear Right: 800mm

After:
Front Left: 805mm
Front Right: 820mm
Rear Left: 850mm
Rear Right: 860mm

There used to be a lean to the drivers side which has now been corrected albeit it now leans a bit the passengers side - damn KDSS - but I've been told it will settle over the next couple of weeks. I'll post up some measurements then to see how it has settled. Also to note is that I'm riding on 18" wheels so the measurement will be approx 13mm more than those on 17's.

VXWesty

[Bawky]

I would be driving the vehicle first. I didn't intend to change my suspension either but whilst the standard ride comfort is excellent the poor handling, heavy nose diving under braking and just generally handling like a pillow on wheels is well worth looking at a change. If your not after a lift I would still seriously look at atleast changing your springs although not sure how the standard shocks/struts would handle a higher spring rate. It is certainly a pandora's box, I have been researching suspension for a couple of months and don't feel any closer to making a decision.

Cheers
Brad

Hi Brad,
Are you any closer to making a suspension decision?

[VXWesty]

Although I havent used other brands to compare it too, I'm very happy with this combo now that I've got the new springs. I had Lovells springs before but only standard height and spring rate so with the extra weight on the front, the car became a little sloppy. It's a different beast now and I'm really happy with the end result. The steering is lighter and the car is much more responsive. I think the HD springs are a perfect match for the weight i'm carrying... Bull Bar, Lights, Winch, 2nd Battery and ARB Bash plates.

VXWesty

[tonykarter15]

How do you find the bilstein stocks?
I have the Lovell shocks and springs in my 120 and like them but a mate of mine with similar suspension believed the bilstein/ Lovell combination should be a better option

[VXWesty]

I've just had a 2" Lovells spring upgrade done, on top of existing Bilstein shocks upgrade done 18 months ago but still in good condition. The end result is fantastic with plenty of extra clearance both front and back. I had HD springs put on the front to carry the extra weight and standards on the rear with polyair bags for when we load up and go camping. The steering is now way more responsive and the car doesn't dive and roll into corners.

Before:
Front Left: 750mm
Front Right: 740mm
Rear Left: 820mm
Rear Right: 800mm

After:
Front Left: 805mm
Front Right: 820mm
Rear Left: 850mm
Rear Right: 860mm

There used to be a lean to the drivers side which has now been corrected albeit it now leans a bit the passengers side - damn KDSS - but I've been told it will settle over the next couple of weeks. I'll post up some measurements then to see how it has settled. Also to note is that I'm riding on 18" wheels so the measurement will be approx 13mm more than those on 17's.

VXWesty

[kayde]

Thanks lads

Ill be running copper AT3 treads under her they were great on my 120 , ill give it a few months let everything settle down and reassess and most likely spend a few hrs on the net looking about.
Thanks for the comments

[maxjj]

I am on my second 150, on the first one didn`t touch the suspension. Honestly, the biggest source of poor handling, nose diving, poor steering response is the tyres.

That`s why it makes it hard to compare different shock spring combinations unless you also look at tyres and mention which tyres you are running