Hi all,
I bought my used Prado KDJ150 GX with ultima shocks and stock springs by the looks of it. I don't think the current suspension is appropriate for my rig so I want to install a decent 2" lift kit.
I have an ARB steel bar and second battery (20kg) in the bonnet. NO winch.
As I'm travelling around Australia the back is fully loaded with Fridge, drawers and camping gear (rooftop tent too) and I'm sitting at GVM, i.e. a total car weight of about 3t. I want the suspension to cater for this. After reading lots of discussions here on pradopoint and at the FJ cruiser forum and talking to a few sales reps I came up with the following two options:
Front: Bilstein BE5-A712 / KTFR-101H (or KTFR-101HD)
Back: Bilstein BE5-A715 / KTRR-102HD
I can get a good price on that combo and it seems to be quite common. However, it appears to make sense to get longer travel shocks that provide more droop and articulation on a lifted vehicle:
Front: Bilstein BE5-D563
Rear: Bilstein 24-217897
Now, some people recommend dropping the front diff with the BE5-D563. I mostly worry about CV binding, as I understand that could have severe consequences. The diff drop kits I've seen online are simple spacers that go between the front two differential mounts and the crossmember. They are cheap and look like they're easy to install. Any issues with these? Are there better options for the Prado 150?
I read that the upper ball joint can bind at ~ 573 mm in the FJ Cruisers, which I understand have the same IFS geometry as the Prado 150. So the longer BE5-D563 (with 575mm open length) could hit that. Any comments on that?
For the rear, both shock options have longer closed lengths (378mm/380mm) than factory (363mm). Should the rear bumpstop be spaced down ~15mm?
Curious to hear about people's setups, experience, satisfaction, issues with various Bilstein shocks in the 150 and thankful for any suggestions.
I bought my used Prado KDJ150 GX with ultima shocks and stock springs by the looks of it. I don't think the current suspension is appropriate for my rig so I want to install a decent 2" lift kit.
I have an ARB steel bar and second battery (20kg) in the bonnet. NO winch.
As I'm travelling around Australia the back is fully loaded with Fridge, drawers and camping gear (rooftop tent too) and I'm sitting at GVM, i.e. a total car weight of about 3t. I want the suspension to cater for this. After reading lots of discussions here on pradopoint and at the FJ cruiser forum and talking to a few sales reps I came up with the following two options:
Front: Bilstein BE5-A712 / KTFR-101H (or KTFR-101HD)
Back: Bilstein BE5-A715 / KTRR-102HD
I can get a good price on that combo and it seems to be quite common. However, it appears to make sense to get longer travel shocks that provide more droop and articulation on a lifted vehicle:
Front: Bilstein BE5-D563
Rear: Bilstein 24-217897
Now, some people recommend dropping the front diff with the BE5-D563. I mostly worry about CV binding, as I understand that could have severe consequences. The diff drop kits I've seen online are simple spacers that go between the front two differential mounts and the crossmember. They are cheap and look like they're easy to install. Any issues with these? Are there better options for the Prado 150?
I read that the upper ball joint can bind at ~ 573 mm in the FJ Cruisers, which I understand have the same IFS geometry as the Prado 150. So the longer BE5-D563 (with 575mm open length) could hit that. Any comments on that?
For the rear, both shock options have longer closed lengths (378mm/380mm) than factory (363mm). Should the rear bumpstop be spaced down ~15mm?
Curious to hear about people's setups, experience, satisfaction, issues with various Bilstein shocks in the 150 and thankful for any suggestions.
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