Anyone fitter the RAW suspension?

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

Whos fitted this kit to their 120? Im Looking at the 2" lift and medium front and rear.......

Cheers

Rob

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I did fit this gear to 120's and Hilux.

The Hilux broke a driveshaft at 9000klms. I was concerned about the full extension length at the time of fitting the c/v were on huge angles.
They assured me it would be ok. They gave me a few man bags, like the Aldi .99cent ones you buy & a few raw 4x4 key rings for the trouble.
So a brand new Hilux denied warranty due to suspension travel needed a $1000 shaft, suspension removed before this happened again.
Check newhilux.net there are others the same, I inspected vehicles with exactly the same issue.

The Prados, on all their gear I used, I found the valving is very very very firm! Raw 4x4 is Powerdown, they make truck Suspension.
One shock in my 120 failed in a few months, they replaced one (parts only) from this time, the vehicle never damped evenly at the front.
The rears, well the outer metal dust cover rubs in the inner, they said there was a bad batch & they replaced those on affected vehicles, the new ones all rubbed as well.
One of the 120's went very soft in the front in less than a year, for some reason they were not damping well, a bit like an ea falcon at 80,000klms.
My 120 was always a harsh ride at the front.

As a Prado 4x4 suspension specialist it's now my choice to use DOBINSONS & MONROE 4x4 for clients, earlier this year I fitted Dobinsons to the front of my 120 and its back to being nice to drive. (the way it was before the truck valving). Raw were trying to blame the spring.

In the end the best way to deal with the valuable feedback I was providing to raw was to ignor & not return my calls or emails.

Conclusion/my personal experience in 2011-2012:

Too firm valving uness you live on the Simpson desert.
Too long extension on some products.
Too many failed products.
Not the best customer service.

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

Thanks for that mate i'll take that into account, Im preparing my 120 for a big trip up to the gulf next year and am looking at lots of different options at the moment. There is just so much stuff to think about.......... Went to the easter creek 4x4 show in sydney last weekend i could have spent $$$$ if the minister for finance wasn't with me haha.......

Cheers for the reply

Rob

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Thanks for that mate i'll take that into account, Im preparing my 120 for a big trip up to the gulf next year and am looking at lots of different options at the moment. There is just so much stuff to think about.......... Went to the easter creek 4x4 show in sydney last weekend i could have spent $$$$ if the minister for finance wasn't with me haha.......

Cheers for the reply

Rob

Not sure if it will help, we just took 2 vehicles with dobbos set up across the Simpson.
Both returned still working well & no leaks or others problems.

The service I receive from Dobinsons is excellent & that's what I require from suppliers to pass on the same.
I highly recommend their kit. If you like to spend a bit more you can use their springs & try the Monroe 4x4.

Good luck with your choice.

[allenz-1203 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close allenz-1203]

have you considered

Have you considered other brands. Now I am an Old man Emu supporter mainly due to the product seems like 'keeps on keeping on'
I had a full suspension upgrade, shocks coils etc with 2" lift done in early2010 with OME gear. I have since done, Cape York , Corner country, Most of outback NSW and QLD,Simpson Desert, and most of SE NSW tracks including Bendethera and several not even in the mags.
when first installed my wife 'the boss' sais how much better the vehicle handled and safer it felt. also I did not get the system from a third party I went drectly to ARB and said what I was to be using the vehicle for and what additional items I was installing (drawers, rear bar, etc etc). They supplied the product and I got my own Mechanic to install and adjust.
We have never had an issue with any of the suspension system and as I dealt directly with ARB any questions that I have had (no issue or problems just queries) have been answered promptly and to my satisfaction.

They are now coming up to 4 years old and well over 100,000 kms of good touring distance without an issue.
I did do a lot of research by email and annoying the crap out of local 4wd suppliers but in the end my choice has proven to be reliable, cost effective and extremely suited to the weight and required touring situations.

Regards

Michael

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I must say that my Old Man Emu suspension has lived up to my expectations, my rig is used almost exclusively for remote touring, so those 90k include many of the most punishing outback tracks in Australia, including the Cape, Madigan's line, Gunbarrel Hwy and heaps more.

Cheers Andrew