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EDIT: I've refrained from mentioning the 4x4 shop in this post, it's in my build thread for those curious, however they did end up doing the right thing so I didn't want to give them too much of a flogging.
This is going to be written as a bit of a PSA, and for those looking to do a suspension upgrade and who may not know too much about the topic- I count myself among that group. I've had my Prado for about 4-5 months now, and from the get-go I was keen on putting a lift kit under it in conjunction with a larger set of tyres. Ride height is one of the biggest limitations of any stock 4x4 and particularly those with IFS fronts, which is basically everything commonly available in today’s market, with the exception of the 70 series platform. When I started doing my research for a lift, I didn’t do my due diligence- Google can be great, but sometimes there’s too much information and without basic knowledge of terminology and how suspensions systems work it can be overwhelming and conflicting. With that in mind, I ended up choosing a major seller of 4x4 components in Brisbane to supply me with a “2 inch lift package” comprising of Dobinson springs and Bilstein Shocks/ Struts. Both brands have good reputations and are a popular choice for Hilux/FJ/Prado owners.
After purchasing and receiving this package I set about installing it. I’ve got a bit of mechanical knowledge, and with a few beers as incentive my old man and a few mates gave me a hand to throw it in within the space of a few hours. I posted some photos to this forum in my build thread (Link Below) and some members brought it to my attention that the rear height of my car wasn’t perhaps as high as it should be. On the advice of members of this forum I contacted John Zordo from Zordos 4x4 Suspension to talk about my predicament. He informed that I had been supplied with a shock and coil package designed for a very light, stock height 120 Prado. The 120 Prado is the predecessor to the 150 and is not only significantly lighter, it is also lower to the ground from factory. These factors explained the reason that my vehicle hadn’t been raised more in the rear, and why it sagged so much when I put our horse float on the tow ball. John also informed me of the correct part numbers of the coils and shocks to give the best ride and articulation on a 150. Incredibly, the shocks I had been supplied with also had worse articulation than the stock Toyota units.
I contacted the 4x4 store I had purchased the kit from and informed them that the shocks they had sold me weren’t even recommended by Bilstein for the 150 Prado on their website and were for the 120. With prodding they agreed to replace the shocks and springs with the part numbers that John Zordo advised me to ask for and I duly drove down and collected them on an exchange basis. John then installed those components later that day. Without Johns invaluable advice I’d be stuck with a kit that rode too softly to tow with, and with worse “flex” than the stock setup. I’d strongly advise anyone looking for a “lift kit” to contact John or at least ask whatever shop you intend to buy the kit off for an itemised parts list for the purposes of research. The shocks I was first supplied with (part number BE5 A713) already have one thread on here dedicated to telling people why they shouldn’t buy them, and if you haven’t read that one already, then you heard it here first. Below are photos that illustrate the problem.
In conclusion I’d like to thank John for his friendly advice and the excellent customer service to spend 45 minutes on the phone with me one morning explaining to me what was wrong with the suspension package I’d be given and how and why to ask for replacement parts.
TL;DR: DON'T FIT BE5-A713 Bilstein Shock Absorbers to your 150 Prado and seek professional advice if unsure of what your needs are.
Link to my Build Thread:
(https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...-gxl-d4d-build)
This is going to be written as a bit of a PSA, and for those looking to do a suspension upgrade and who may not know too much about the topic- I count myself among that group. I've had my Prado for about 4-5 months now, and from the get-go I was keen on putting a lift kit under it in conjunction with a larger set of tyres. Ride height is one of the biggest limitations of any stock 4x4 and particularly those with IFS fronts, which is basically everything commonly available in today’s market, with the exception of the 70 series platform. When I started doing my research for a lift, I didn’t do my due diligence- Google can be great, but sometimes there’s too much information and without basic knowledge of terminology and how suspensions systems work it can be overwhelming and conflicting. With that in mind, I ended up choosing a major seller of 4x4 components in Brisbane to supply me with a “2 inch lift package” comprising of Dobinson springs and Bilstein Shocks/ Struts. Both brands have good reputations and are a popular choice for Hilux/FJ/Prado owners.
After purchasing and receiving this package I set about installing it. I’ve got a bit of mechanical knowledge, and with a few beers as incentive my old man and a few mates gave me a hand to throw it in within the space of a few hours. I posted some photos to this forum in my build thread (Link Below) and some members brought it to my attention that the rear height of my car wasn’t perhaps as high as it should be. On the advice of members of this forum I contacted John Zordo from Zordos 4x4 Suspension to talk about my predicament. He informed that I had been supplied with a shock and coil package designed for a very light, stock height 120 Prado. The 120 Prado is the predecessor to the 150 and is not only significantly lighter, it is also lower to the ground from factory. These factors explained the reason that my vehicle hadn’t been raised more in the rear, and why it sagged so much when I put our horse float on the tow ball. John also informed me of the correct part numbers of the coils and shocks to give the best ride and articulation on a 150. Incredibly, the shocks I had been supplied with also had worse articulation than the stock Toyota units.
I contacted the 4x4 store I had purchased the kit from and informed them that the shocks they had sold me weren’t even recommended by Bilstein for the 150 Prado on their website and were for the 120. With prodding they agreed to replace the shocks and springs with the part numbers that John Zordo advised me to ask for and I duly drove down and collected them on an exchange basis. John then installed those components later that day. Without Johns invaluable advice I’d be stuck with a kit that rode too softly to tow with, and with worse “flex” than the stock setup. I’d strongly advise anyone looking for a “lift kit” to contact John or at least ask whatever shop you intend to buy the kit off for an itemised parts list for the purposes of research. The shocks I was first supplied with (part number BE5 A713) already have one thread on here dedicated to telling people why they shouldn’t buy them, and if you haven’t read that one already, then you heard it here first. Below are photos that illustrate the problem.
In conclusion I’d like to thank John for his friendly advice and the excellent customer service to spend 45 minutes on the phone with me one morning explaining to me what was wrong with the suspension package I’d be given and how and why to ask for replacement parts.
TL;DR: DON'T FIT BE5-A713 Bilstein Shock Absorbers to your 150 Prado and seek professional advice if unsure of what your needs are.
Link to my Build Thread:
(https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...-gxl-d4d-build)