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toyotasurf down under > FAQ's For KZN185 > Suspension Upgrade |
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| Suspension Upgrade | Just Cruzin | ||
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bambi Distinguished Site User (10posts+) Posts: 26 (9/12/02 7:52 pm ) 211.28.96.8 Reply | Edit | Del All KZN185 Suspension -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi everyone, over the last few weeks I've been having a look into replacing the current factory suspension setup in my '98 surf. From what I have encountered so far, there is quite a lot of differing opinions as to what the best idea is. The rear is similar to the rest of the surf's, with coil springs, shocks and a panhard rod. The front is a strut setup with a coil and shock. I think from what I have found so far, that the best option is King springs all round. The $64 question is what shocks are the best? So far I have been told Bilstein, Koni, Rancho, OME (but they are an arrogant lot!), Series 2000 and Fireflex (had never heard of them!). I am slowly going around the twist trying to workout what is best. I have told them all the same thing, I don't mind a firmer setup on tar, but would rather have better off-road performance for when I need it. I think probably the best of the above lot would be either the Koni or Bilstein.......any suggestions? couchy Unregistered User (grommet) (9/12/02 9:56 pm ) 203.123.78.81 Reply | Edit | Del suspention mods -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Surf is the same as yours. I put king medium springs on mine front and rear. Lifted the car 30mm on front and about 50 mm on rear. I put rancho shocks on all round. They only have the 5000 non adjustable for the front. On the back I put the adjustable 9000. I have them set on the 4th. stiffest setting out of 5. I can't tell any difference between these and the old ones. cheers Gary manyanna51 Distinguished Site User (10posts+) Posts: 30 (9/13/02 3:58 am ) 203.220.184.252 Reply | Edit | Del Re: suspention mods -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I own a surf now, but last vehicle was a Discvery fitted with Konis, and in my opinion was too harsh. They controlled the bounce well but the ride was hard. They lasted a long time, and spent a lot of miles on gravel, but were hard riding. Next time I will use either Bilsteins or Rancho's, Tom. Beddo Unregistered User (grommet) (9/28/02 8:35 pm ) 203.80.163.213 Reply | Edit | Del KZN185 suspension replacement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do Cape York and replace your springs - mine have had it the front still are working still just, but the rear from Weipa back down were sitting on the bump stops - the addition of tennis balls in the springs assisted. Have heard from Fulcrum suspension in Cairns that Bilstein were good (expensive though), also heard in Gosford King springs and the Ranchos are a good option. Was warned not to go too heavy with the springs - have been told to go progressive springs with 2inch lift. The heavy duty spring will be no good in corrugations - the standard springs worked well until they sagged. Heard mention before I left that the rear coils, had a question mark over them re length differing from that of the Prados - any updates ? Cheers Beddo bambi Distinguished Site User (10posts+) Posts: 41 (9/28/02 8:45 pm ) 211.28.96.8 Reply | Edit | Del Re: KZN185 suspension replacement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks Beddo, yeah have decided to go for the progressive 2" King springs and Bilstein shocks. From what I can work out they seem to be the best combination for what I'm looking at. The Rancho's seem to be ok, but I have heard many stories about their inablility to control the spring when it compresses (both from here & the U.S). The comments of that place in Cairns are the icing on the cake! Thanks for the comments. Cheers, Troy. =================================================================== Beddo Unregistered User (grommet) (9/30/02 8:35 pm ) 203.80.162.11 Reply | Edit | Del KZN185 springs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OK, from discussion King springs are the go heavy duty or medium, I guess medium is the better option and also being progressive ? What lift are these giving ? I take note of the Koni's being too harsh, what about Bilstein ? OME was told will give softer ride - though reliability by a certain supplier was questioned ! "Bambi" have you had your susp replaced yet & what were the results. What quotes has everyone got ? Cheers Beddo bambi Distinguished Site User (10posts+) Posts: 42 (9/30/02 8:44 pm ) 211.28.96.40 Reply | Edit | Del Re: KZN185 springs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G'day Beddo, no, haven't had it replaced as yet, just haven't had the time to be able to have the car off the road. The quotes that I have for King springs and Bilstein are around the $1400 - $1500 mark. The quote that ARB gave me for their setup was around the $1800 mark, although they were too much on the arrogant side for my money. TJM south side have been very friendly and a pleasure to deal with so far, and most likely they will get the job, when time permits. Cheers,Troy. Beddo Unregistered User (7/11/02 9:24:58 pm ) 203.80.162.11 Reply | Edit | Del All After market suspension ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who has replaced the "hard-soft" standard suspension & what did you replace it with ? What is the handling comparison with the standard suspension both on & off road ? Has anyone replaced them on the KZN185 or a Prado ? Hey Ptk have you kept yours standard ? Ptk Melb Unregistered User (7/11/02 11:23:15 pm ) 202.161.98.206 Reply | Edit | Del To Beddo RE:Suspension -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Beddo, Yeah i will keep it until it breaks, then upgrade. Was told original shock set up is worth about $2500.00. Cheers Peter K jrebbeckSA Unregistered User (7/16/02 1:40:45 pm ) 199.46.199.233 Reply | Edit | Del After Market Suspension -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Beddo, I have replaced my suspension both up front and in the rear. In the rear I have 19mm heavy duty custom made coils and Rancho RS9000's and Pedders Trak Riders in the front. I would say it's about a 200% inprovement for handling. The 19mm coils prevent body roll and sag in the rear when loaded. It's raised the rear about 2In above the wheels and about 3.5In at the rear. The original Surf suspension on the 2.4ltr just wasn't cut out for our conditions. Cheers luke Unregistered User (grommet) (7/20/02 7:19:23 pm ) 144.134.173.188 Reply | Edit | Del suspension -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm cujrrently sourcing suspension for my KZN185. I tried Prado, but it didn't really work, so I've had some rear springs custom made along with modified rear shocks. The front will be standard raised Prado at this point. I'll keep you posted on how it went. luke Unregistered User (grommet) (7/21/02 9:06:26 pm ) 144.134.21.195 Reply | Edit | Del suspension -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The "raised" Prado rear springs were actually shorter than the standard coils, just firmer so they don't sag as much when you lower the Surf back onto the springs. It did ride quite well with them in place, a bit firmer, but not too harsh. The problem was two-fold. One was that I only gained 34mm lift, the other was more serious. With the rear diff. at full droop, it was hanging on the sway bar, not the shocks. They still had about 2" of travel. even worse was that you could literally reach up and remove the springs with your bare hands! Can you imagine driving over train lines or getting serious off road and a coil falls out? The bloke I bought them off was good enough to give me a refund and was more than fair about the whole thing. The business is Auto Extras at Herston. As I promised, I'll keep you informed as to the progress of my new kit which should be ready this week. It consists of Prado raised coils and Bilstein shocks at the front with the custom made springs and modified shocks at the rear. couchy Unregistered User (grommet) (8/22/02 3:01:53 pm ) 203.123.78.173 Reply | Edit | Del suspension upgrade -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am in the process of upgrading my 3lt turbo diesel intercooled. I am putting medium strenth King coils uner the front and back. Rancho 5000 on the front and Rancho 9000 adjustables on the rear. To be able to take all the excess weight, I am putting pumpup airbags in the rear springs with a compressor under the bonnet to do my tyres as well. I will be able to adjust the height from the drivers seat. I hate my light not being adjusted right so hopefully this can over come that. Cheers Gary Beddo: Now ready to lift 3"- 4" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Beddo, Just came back from a weekend away with the boys, Camping and some off road stuff. Drove down an 10 foot rock face, very slowly walked it down but the rear wheels slid just at the last bit and the car came down heavily on the right side hayman reece flange with a big thump.(no Damage) Drove up it ok ??. Made me realise that the car needs to be lifted to confidently drive obstacles without wondering will it ? or won't it????. I want to go at least 4 inches if possible with long travel shocks & springs. Also had fun driving the rocky & dirt roads at 90 ks/hr in 4High. car was very zippy and stable. felt like a sports car..... Will keep you posted as to what i do to lift the car. PS: Couchy posted he has an intercooled 3Ltr. do you know what year it is ,or is it an aftermaket intercooler???? Cheers Peter K bambi Distinguished Site User (10posts+) Posts: 17 (9/1/02 7:28:15 pm ) 211.28.96.40 Reply | Edit | Del Re: After market suspension ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey Guys, I'm in a similar position. I have a 3l turbo intercooled diesel and I'm looking to raise the height a few inches. From what I've been looking at King springs and it seems Rancho shocks are the go. Has anybody here got the 9000's all around with the in cab ride adjustment? What does it go like? Also has anybody in here done a body lift to a KZN 185? If so, I'd be very interested in how it went, who did it and $$$. Cheers, Troy. gav Unregistered User (grommet) (9/1/02 11:32:10 pm ) 203.54.229.127 Reply | Edit | Del After Market Suspension -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guys check this link out www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4R...uspension/ USA Forerunner is same as the Surf, this site has some great info on 3rd generation Forerunner Lifts Looks like ARB may have a decent OME kit. Gav couchy Registered User Posts: 3 (9/11/02 12:34:43 pm ) 203.123.78.81 Reply | Edit | Del suspension upgrade -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just installed all the stuff I mentioned in my last post. The King springs and Rancho shocks. Also the pumpup air bags in the rear. On the 97 surf they have coils on the front and you can't install the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Only the 5000. On the rear are the ajustable ones. I started of on the lowest setting first but the ride was much to soft. I increased the setting to eventually stay at the fourth highest setting. They only have five. This gave about the same ride as I had with the old shocks. The King springs increased the height by about 30-40 mm at the front and about 50-60 mm at the rear. But when I install the larger fuel tank at the rear it will lift the front and drop the rear so as to level the car. The pump up air bags really lift the rear up if you pump them up. It will be great for when we are loaded up to head off. The compressor works well especially with the large airtank for reserve. Pump up tyres in no time flat. Had to install it under the bullbar though. The pump is live all the time so I installed a battery saver device that only allows the compressor to start up when the voltage goes over 12.9 volts so it only really starts up when the motor is running or the batteries are fully charged. Works really well. Cheers Gary Ptk Melb Unregistered User (grommet) (9/11/02 11:32:30 pm ) 202.161.100.15 Reply | Edit | Del Re : our Cars & Hello -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Couchy, there don't seem to be many people with late intercooled models around. I have a Dec 96 SSRG intercooled,Beddo has a 97 Intercooled. What is your State & model. Looks like it is three of us so far. I am very pleased with the car as it is in mint condition and drives very well. But would like to lift it for better off road use. Only thing it is a shame to remove perfectly good shocks and suspension that are worth a lot of money.Will store old bits, and put them on when new suspension packs up. Happy Surfin Couchy See Yah ! Peter K bambi Distinguished Site User (10posts+) Posts: 24 (9/12/02 2:14:24 pm ) 211.28.96.40 Reply | Edit | Del Re: After market suspension ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Peter, well I'll make it 4 late models. I drive a '98 white SSR-X 3 litre intercooled turbo (a white one). It's a lovley car to drive, and mave done many happy km's since I bought it, about 19 months ago. At the moment I'm having a look around at raising the suspension about 2" for better off road handling. A few of the other mods that I'm looking at are a snorkel, 2" body lift, long range tank and a roof rack. Might even lash out and put an airlocker in as well! When I get the chance I'll post a couple of pics on the board for you. Cheers, Troy. couchy Registered User Posts: 5 (9/12/02 9:25:30 pm ) 203.123.78.81 Reply | Edit | Del suspension upgrade -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Surf is a 97 what they call a 'wide body' Surf. Had it for about 3 years. Just replaced the timing belt. 100000 kms. I am going down to Melb on Monday to have an extra tank installed in the space behind the rear diff. They will make it to suit. Will probably hold about 120 lts. Plus they are making a frame beside it to take 2 extra batteries. Cost $1250.00 Thought about the diff lockers but can't justify them unless you are going to do a lot of rock hopping which I won't be. Mine has a limited slip diff on the back and it works well. As for the suspention mods, I wanted to lift the car up a bit and also to be able to carry a lot heavier load so the larger springs. The shocks don't seem to be much better than the originals but I wanted some spares so I put the new ones on the car. Also to get that extra height I had to get new tyres anyway so I put larger A/T tyres on. 265.75. The standard ones where 265.70. That extra gave me about 1 to 1.5 inches extra. The tyres where actually cheaper than the standard size but they just rub on the underside of the guard when I turn and hit a large bump at the same time. It's acceptable though. By the I come from Vic. Warrnambool. cheers Gary couchy Registered User Posts: 7 (9/16/02 7:38:50 pm ) 203.123.78.81 Reply | Edit | Del suspension upgrade -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have just got home from Melb and the extra batteries won't fit under with the new fuel tank. I am going to get a couple of Optima's and fit them inside. The place that is fitting the fuel tank is Longrangeautomotive.The guy that owns the place did the dealing with me and I couldn't have been happier with the service. I had the choice of a smaller tank, (about 60 lts.) with batteries or 100 plus lts. without batteries. The extra fuel was more important to me. Cheers Gary
Edited by: Just Cruzin at: 6/26/03 5:45 am |
Posts: 435 5/25/03 9:58 pm Reply |
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Replies
| KZN185 - SUSPENSION | Just Cruzin | 4/24/03 8:21 am |
| Suspension Upgrade | Just Cruzin | 5/25/03 9:58 pm |
| Suspension Lift | Just Cruzin | 5/28/03 7:04 pm |
| Spring - Recommendations | Just Cruzin | 6/27/03 6:23 am |
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