Body lift !

[Ghostriderhusky Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghostriderhusky]

Ok for guys that are running body lift , do you know if the body mounts are the same design/shape as a 120 series ? Wondering if the body lift blocks for a 90 series would fit a 120

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

I might be wrong but I thought body lifts were illegal and some say dangerous?Might be better to look at a suspension lift.

Might want to have a look at Grh's rig build up Jasen... http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...l=1#post381674

[Ghostriderhusky Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghostriderhusky]

I dunno what you mean by that Craig....
Anyways no - a body lift is perfectly safe. Infact there is a 2" body lift available for the new Hilux (basically exactly the same as a prado) And it can be engineered to be legal in Queensland , yes even having airbags. Basically I have 2" suspension running 33" and a 2" body lift will enable me to run 35" tyres. 4" suspension won't give me the same kind of guard Clearence as the tyre will still travel up into guards as far as a 2" suspension lift.

It's just that a Hilux dosnt have as many body mounting points as the prado, that's why I was wondering if a 90 has the same diameter body blocks or not.

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

Mine came from Milners Offroad, UK. In total it has 8 blocks, 2 of which are of a smaller size. I don't know the sizes but can certainly measure them if you like. They will be rough measurements as I don't have the correct measuring tools.

It's crazy how many times I hear different information on the internet regarding modification legalities. A long time ago I was told that there is no aftermarket engineering process in QLD and anything above 2" is absolutely illegal there. Now you say it's possible! In reading between your lines it seems you're talking about an aftermarket kit for the Hilux, which has probably been pre-tested and approved. If you're starting from scratch with a different vehicle, you may find it significantly more difficult, especially when air bags are involved. Anyway, I have no authority on this matter, I don't know QLD rules.

4" suspension could still be possible if there's a suitable kit available. A 4" front is still IFS and as such wont articulate any further anyway. If the rear goes too far you can limit it with larger bump stops. I'm not saying you should go with the suspension path instead, just saying it could still be an option.

May I ask why you want to run 35's? For what kind of terrain?

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

Body lift blocks are all the same, just make sure they use high tensile bolts and have anti crush tubes in them.

[Ghostriderhusky Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghostriderhusky]

I don't want 4" suspension it severely weekens the front driveline having cv angles that big... So a 4" suspension with extended bumpstop so stop the up travel basically is equal to 2" lift - just higher. And a 2" body lift has alot lower centre of gravity than the equivalent 2" suspension lift. To me it makes sense to do body lift. And as far as legalities go it really dosnt concern me , I run 33" now which are illegal so why not just go all the way.

35" I do alot of rock crawling , I need all the height and grip I can get... And of course it would look soo damn sick haha !

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

GRH check with your local dept against transport. If you have stability control the chances you will be allowed a body lift are really low (about 0 actually) with or without an engineering certificate. I dont know where NSW is with the NCOP but that fine piece of documentation essentially says that you can have a body lift, larger tyres and a suspension lift if you don't have stability control up to a total of 4" with a certificate. In Q we have NCOP and QCOP and while it is ok for vehicles without stability control to get body lifts there are still some engineers who won't if airbags are fitted. So check is the best bet. If it is ok get a list of engineers and ring them too. I was considering a 1" body lift for the 07 Rodeo but it will happily (just) run 32" muddies with just the 2" suspension lift so I will stick with that. Again both of these are ok under the QCOP as the Rodeo doens't have stability control.

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

I don't want 4" suspension it severely weekens the front driveline having cv angles that big... So a 4" suspension with extended bumpstop so stop the up travel basically is equal to 2" lift - just higher. And a 2" body lift has alot lower centre of gravity than the equivalent 2" suspension lift. To me it makes sense to do body lift. And as far as legalities go it really dosnt concern me , I run 33" now which are illegal so why not just go all the way.

35" I do alot of rock crawling , I need all the height and grip I can get... And of course it would look soo damn sick haha !

You're talking about a 4" suspension lift which adds 4" of coils in the front (not sure if that exists for Prados). What I'm talking about is the typical 4" kits which drop the front diff by 2-4" and leave the CV angles at reasonable angles. It's still a strong solution, and often done with IFS Hiluxs. Unfortunately this won't improve articulation at the front, but nor does a body lift ;-) The advantage of a 4" suspension system is that you can have that rear axle articulating more than a 2" lift, and the more ground contact you can have with the rear axle the better.

I agree with your point about centre of gravity.

If you are really keen on large rubber, keeping things strong and maintaining a low centre of gravity, you might want to consider custom wheel well chopping. Some shops can go very far with the cutting, which may include rebuilding firewalls and moving CPU's/pedals. This way you can fit very large rubber to create true diff clearance, without affecting COG or the driveline strength.

Another thing to consider, is to change to a solid axle vehicle before you spend too much on the Prado. I've done plenty rock crawling with my Prado and found that CV's are changed more often than air filters! ;-)

[Ghostriderhusky Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghostriderhusky]

I've though about diff drop kits like the hilux's but than you lose all that front Clearence .. Wheel well chopping is very difficult and expensive to do ASwell and won't gain me any ground Clearence .. And I like the amount of travel I have now I don't want the tyres traveling up into the guards because a 35 won't fit in there , that why I want the body lift , if anything I will extend down travel

Haha I haven't changed a cv yet and I thrash it on the 285's , she can handle a fair bit of abuse , a 35" will be fine

[Octane94 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Octane94]

with 35's on a prado front end i dont think the wheel bearings will last very long