Prado 150 VX 2inch Lift KDSS Lean

[aaronsheng Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aaronsheng]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all well and safe.

Here's my story with my suspension upgrade on Prado 150 VX and I might need a bit help from you guys so thanks in advance.

I went for the outback armour adjustable range, the lift kit is specifically design for KDSS vehicles.

I mentioned the KDSS lean issue to the fitter, he reckon because the spring seaters are adjustable, the lean can be corrected if there's any.

Got everything installed yesterday, below are the measurements.

Measure from centre of the rims

Before

Front L 495 R 500

Rear L 550 R 545

After

Front L 520 R 555
Rear L 575 R 595

Here's the factory measure when I bought the car

Front L R at 510
Rear L R at 550


Now my vehicle is 30mm higher at driver side, which is kinda unusual, as most of the KDSS lean is the opposite.

Took it for a drive, the lean was noticeable, and I was really annoyed.

I talked to the fitter, he recommended to drive for 1,000 km and come back to the workshop for adjustment.

I am not sure if the lean will disappear after 1,000 k, what do you guys think?

My thought is to push up the L/F spring seater, make it go up till the front is even.

But again, not sure the front adjustment will fix the rear difference or not.

Here's the spec for the kit if anyone wants to have a look

Sturt http://www.outbackarmour.com.au/susp...ASU0865003-ADJ

Shock http://www.outbackarmour.com.au/susp...ASU0165028-ADJ

Coils front http://www.outbackarmour.com.au/suspension/TOPRKD/OASU1015007

Coils rear http://www.outbackarmour.com.au/susp...KD/OASU1015002


I also read a few other threads about different coil length for KDSS vehicle, I had a look at my factory shocks and coils, there's no difference in terms of length.

That'd be great if you can give me some tips or tricks to fix the lean, I am ok with 5-10mm, but 30mm is just bit too much.

I also installed a progressive bump stop, however, at the moment there's no gap between the bump stop and LCA on the left, but plenty of space for the one on the right, is this caused by the lean?

Should I be worried?

Here's some photos.

Left


Right



thanks.

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

It will settle slightly but nowhere near 30 mm. Your measurements seem low, a standard suspension is approx. 530 mm wheel centre to guard and your starting 50 mm lower than that.

usually you have a longer spring or use spacers on the drivers side to reduce the lean as well as resetting the KDSS. The amount of lean you have I would say is directly related to the installation, it should not have left the workshop like that in my opinion. I would expect the rear to level up a bit once the front is more even.
The struts are adjustable with polymer spacers, I suggest checking the spring seat to check they are both the same
What accessories do you have fitted? As they will affect your side height.

Lee

[aaronsheng Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aaronsheng]

It will settle slightly but nowhere near 30 mm. Your measurements seem low, a standard suspension is approx. 530 mm wheel centre to guard and your starting 50 mm lower than that.

usually you have a longer spring or use spacers on the drivers side to reduce the lean as well as resetting the KDSS. The amount of lean you have I would say is directly related to the installation, it should not have left the workshop like that in my opinion. I would expect the rear to level up a bit once the front is more even.
The struts are adjustable with polymer spacers, I suggest checking the spring seat to check they are both the same
What accessories do you have fitted? As they will affect your side height.

Lee

Thanks Leethal, 510mm is what I got when I bought the car new. when I had my arb summit bar and spot lights installed, it went down to L495 R500 at front which is why I wanted a lift.

There's not many accessories to the vehicle at all, a bullbar, spot lights and a roof rack, there's a front recovery point at LHS, but that shouldn't affect side height.

Very good suggestion to check the spring seat, below are a few interesting photos, that might explain the lean?



Any thoughts?

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

Those spring seats are definitely the cause of the lean. Due to the design of the front suspension a 5 mm change in spring seat height will give a 10 mm change in ride height.
Try measuring from the bottom of the rim through the wheel centre to the guard, it is a bit easier to be accurate and most posts on here are done that way. If your still running the 18" rims then to compare to other measurements posted here subtract 12.5mm off, my 2018 VX measured 765mm that way with the 18"s, fitting an ARB Summit bar and a Optima second battery reduced that by close to 10mm. I fitted Bilstein shocks and Dobinson C59-352 springs which gave me 820 mm which settled to 213mm, take 12.5mm off those measurements for 17" wheels.

The only advantage I see for putting some kms on before going back is to allow it to settle and then you can be more accurate with the spring seat adjustment. Say it is still 30mm high then increase the other side by 15mm to balance it. I suggest the left side because it seems a little low to me. I would be aiming for a lower rim to guard measurement of 790mm if those shocks have the travel. Be sure to measure droop before and after any adjustments.

Have a read of the suspension measurements sticky in this section, that should give you an indication of where you should/could be.

Lee

[aaronsheng Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aaronsheng]

Those spring seats are definitely the cause of the lean. Due to the design of the front suspension a 5 mm change in spring seat height will give a 10 mm change in ride height.
Try measuring from the bottom of the rim through the wheel centre to the guard, it is a bit easier to be accurate and most posts on here are done that way. If your still running the 18" rims then to compare to other measurements posted here subtract 12.5mm off, my 2018 VX measured 765mm that way with the 18"s, fitting an ARB Summit bar and a Optima second battery reduced that by close to 10mm. I fitted Bilstein shocks and Dobinson C59-352 springs which gave me 820 mm which settled to 213mm, take 12.5mm off those measurements for 17" wheels.

The only advantage I see for putting some kms on before going back is to allow it to settle and then you can be more accurate with the spring seat adjustment. Say it is still 30mm high then increase the other side by 15mm to balance it. I suggest the left side because it seems a little low to me. I would be aiming for a lower rim to guard measurement of 790mm if those shocks have the travel. Be sure to measure droop before and after any adjustments.

Have a read of the suspension measurements sticky in this section, that should give you an indication of where you should/could be.

Lee

Awesome info Lee, I took the car back to the workshop and showed they the difference, fitter told me this is to compensate the KDSS and all struts pre assembled, he then contacted outback armour for confirmation, and both agreed the front left is sitting too low. After rising the left spring seat, the font is now all even. There's still 10mm lean in the rear, but I think once all settled, it shouldn't be an issue. You're spot on. thanks again.