when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

hey guys,

i was in pedders today asking about lift kits and was informed that there isn't a single 150 suspension option available as yet. puzzled by this, i mentioned to the guy that ARB, TJM, etc all advertise suspension kits for the 150. I was quickly informed that all of these companies are actually using modified 120 suspension. he said that the valving and springs were all wrong for the 150. he has driven 150s with OME and bilstein/king and said they were both terrible. basically he was saying that, yes 120 suspension will work in a 150, but just because it works doesn't mean it's great.

does anyone have any thoughts on this?

louie

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

Pedders aren't exactly renouned for their honesty. Was it this forum or another I frequent that highlighted their "safety check " service which basically reports that just about an entire cars suspension requires replacing because it is worn, doesn't matter if the car has 50,000km or 350,000km. A rort to get money out of you.
I think there are quite a few 150 owners here who will state their vehicle's ride is greatly improved using some fo the combinations the Pedders guy bagged. In saying that he may well be correct in saying that they are using a tweaked 120 series part but essentially the vehicles are very similar and that you don't need to re-invent the wheel to get improvements.

EDIT
I found some of the info I was refering to. This is page one of five pages

I checked a 4x4 today that had one of those $15 no bull safety checks from a very major player in the repair industry.
Ole mate got a quote for $2500 to bring his 4x4 up to scratch, and if he wanted they could sign him up for easy repayments then & there,
& get the work done the same day.

anyway.........

I raise the 4x4 on the hoist and inspect & test the steering in front of the owner - explaining as I go.
I found a worn right outer tie rod end & worn idler arm bushes - approx $100, and thats no bull!!!!

Ole mate 4x4 owner is a member here, & if you read this and agree, I would like to take this further, so contact me if you want.
It's crooks like these blokes that should be exposed for the bastards that they are...
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A story for today tonight or aca.


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I had one of those checks done on the VH in 2000 (still have the report and it was $14 at the time) and it came to $1400 worth of work. I never worried about it.Cheers, Brett
Brisbane, QLD


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I have the same problem here.
I have one customer that ownes a VX wagon. It's done 200,000ish klm.
He took it to the "No Bull Suspension experts" and got a quote for $1600 to have the shocks replaced, and every bush replaced.
When he brought it to me, i replaced the front sway bar up right bushes. Total cost $60.
They then had the hide to send him a letter stateing that his car was unsafe and unroadworthy and his family was at risk in it and it needed to be fixed straight away or the world will cave in.
They are theives and liars.
I never buy any bush or suspension part that has a red bull on the package.
I've had this happen a couple of times, it makes me look bad initally as the customer gets told his car is a death trap, and then they come and rev me up cause i've been servicing it .
Best advertising is word of mouth people, DON"T go to Pedders!!!

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You say something negative though about someone else & the customer thinks that you're just trying to drum up business.
So as a rule I never say anything bad about any other workshop.
But in this case I'm going to break my own rule & agree with Shane

Another one I love is when a car gets towed in no go & the owner says that yesterday ABC mechanical repairs worked on it so must
be their fault it broke, and just by me opening the bonnet & looking into the engine bay I must know what was done by the other workshop &
also instantly know what has gone wrong now.........

Sometimes the public is almost as much to blame as shonky repairers...
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A mate of mine had his Jackaroo in too. Came back with the tick and flick report, virtually all failed and full resto quote. Put it on the hoist and could only find a couple of components worn. Absolute rubbish, got the suspension specialist up to show the worn components, His response..Must have made a mistake!!!

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

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

My mechanic mate fitted Pedders suspension to my 80 series Cruiser, it was the crappiest suspension I have ever had. After a couple of months, the shocks were as bad as the original Toyota ones.

After that, fitted Kings Springs and Bilstein Shocks, they were still going great guns after 14 years when I sold the vehicle.

Yowie.

[CJW001 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CJW001]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

I had a woeful ride with the original suspension, nose diving under breaking, sweeping around corners, bouncing all over the place, got TJM to fix last week. The ride although alot more firmer, is definately not uncomfortable, and feels like I have the car back under control again

[lael60 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lael60]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

My 150 GX has 29 500KMS.
Had winch and bar fitted that dropped front approx 30mm
Asked ARB and some others, not Peddars what to do.
All have suggested a total rework of the whole suspension at costs of $1800-2700.
Went to OppLock lst week, they suggest a front rework is all thats needed approx $350 per side total $700.
If I want rear done later then thats ok.
I do not want a lift, just rework to specs.
What do the members think is best?

Leighland
Melbourne

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

My 150 GX has 29 500KMS.
Had winch and bar fitted that dropped front approx 30mm
Asked ARB and some others, not Peddars what to do.
All have suggested a total rework of the whole suspension at costs of $1800-2700.
Went to OppLock lst week, they suggest a front rework is all thats needed approx $350 per side total $700.
If I want rear done later then thats ok.
I do not want a lift, just rework to specs.
What do the members think is best?

Leighland
Melbourne

Do the lot, although you do not want a lift by doing the whole suspension it will work better together and will transform your car all round for the better and you shouldn't be paying much more than 1800 dollars for a complete kit.

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

My 150 GX has 29 500KMS.
Had winch and bar fitted that dropped front approx 30mm
Asked ARB and some others, not Peddars what to do.
All have suggested a total rework of the whole suspension at costs of $1800-2700.
Went to OppLock lst week, they suggest a front rework is all thats needed approx $350 per side total $700.
If I want rear done later then thats ok.
I do not want a lift, just rework to specs.
What do the members think is best?

Leighland
Melbourne

Hey mate,

TJM quoted me $1460 for xgs gold shocks and springs
ARB came in at $1760 for nitrocharger sports and springs
Bilstein/King combo is around $1450

All of these are fitted. I'm leaning towards the bilstein/king combo at this stage.

Louie

[LargeInAPrado Member Find all posts View Profile Close LargeInAPrado]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

hey guys,

i was in pedders today asking about lift kits and was informed that there isn't a single 150 suspension option available as yet. puzzled by this, i mentioned to the guy that ARB, TJM, etc all advertise suspension kits for the 150. I was quickly informed that all of these companies are actually using modified 120 suspension. he said that the valving and springs were all wrong for the 150. he has driven 150s with OME and bilstein/king and said they were both terrible. basically he was saying that, yes 120 suspension will work in a 150, but just because it works doesn't mean it's great.

does anyone have any thoughts on this?

louie

Louie

To answer the original question you posed and to stop this thread somehow becoming a pedders bashing (regardless of wether, or should i say if they need it)

120 suspension to a point is somewhat the same as a 150 but not axactly the same. At this stage i am not aware of anyone that has yet made 150 specific suspension

Ill post a few comparisons for you to ponder

Springs

Front oem spring ratings on the 120 are circa 200lb's lower than the 150 as most of the extra weight is in the front of the 150 So add a steel bullbar and a winch and spots and aerial make that 400kilos . see an issue? unless you go to Heavy Duty rated springs you will only lower the spring rate from OEM in the front and a heavy duty spring will only marginally be heavier than a standard oem which is 750lb's on the front of a 150 series. The king springs HD is circa 800LB'S not what i would call heavy duty in this application

Back are the same rating

Shocks

Front shocks minor but still a difference - the lower mounting ferrule is of a different size, a couple of mm's but still, different.

The rears is where i find a compromise, small but still a compromise. The standard shock in the 150 would be a long travel in a 120 therfor you would need a long travel replacement shock or raised shock for a 120 to replace the standard unit in a 150, is that happening or are we using raised springs with what would be a standard shock? . Further the top shaft is 12mm in the 120 and in the 150 is 14mm's the biggest difference and also a few mm's longer but that wouldnt matter.

So whilst your ARB/TJM stores fit it i would question wether they even knew the differences or understand the consequences of such.

After fitment they might feel different but does that actually mean better?

Too many people i know and respect in the suspension industry also have the same thoughts, some dont though of course.
Personally Im not lifting mine until there is a proper swap on the market

Food for thought

P.S not i dont work for pedders (not that theres anything wrong with that )

[LargeInAPrado Member Find all posts View Profile Close LargeInAPrado]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

on a side not i drove a 150 today that had some work done and it was OME and was about 2' lift, drove ok ... i wouldnt say any i have driven are 'rubbish'

Doesnt make it right though

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

We have been using 150 specific suspension for some time, the coils are differnet, and have more stagger, as well as being heavier rate, and the shocks have different valving.

In a high pressure monotube shock, the valving difference will be less noticable.

In the front coils, the spring rate is around 80-100 lb heavier, in between 120 and 200 rates.

[LargeInAPrado Member Find all posts View Profile Close LargeInAPrado]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

What brand darren? Wasnt aware of anyone actually making any yet...

Cheers Mike

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

Ridepro.

I have 2 sets sitting on the floor here now.

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

Speaking of which Darren, have you been able to determine which part numbers you sent me for my 150? As I said in the email the front coils seem like they are too soft and I only have a 25-30mm raise from standard at the top circlip setting. I am hitting the sump guard more than I should when dropping into ruts when the front wheels compress. The rear sits 40mm higher than standard.

[Auto-Craft Inactive Find all posts View Profile Close Auto-Craft]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

Speaking of which Darren, have you been able to determine which part numbers you sent me for my 150? As I said in the email the front coils seem like they are too soft and I only have a 25-30mm raise from standard at the top circlip setting. I am hitting the sump guard more than I should when dropping into ruts when the front wheels compress. The rear sits 40mm higher than standard.

Yours is one of the 2 here :wink:

[LargeInAPrado Member Find all posts View Profile Close LargeInAPrado]

Re: when 150 suspension isn't 150 suspension

Ridepro.

I have 2 sets sitting on the floor here now.

Excellent and good to see an aussie company doing the job.

Are they as listed in their catalogue or have they further developed them? You also mention that they are circa 80lb heavier, im guessing over the standard toyota at 750lb and do you find that enough with winch lights bull bar etc?..

reading the last post it seems not although they do say in their catclogue they are still under development

Thanks Mike