Shock recomendations

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

My 120 VX has just done 105K completely stock and I have notice the front right shock has got a small leak in it. So I am wanting to hear what everyones recommendations are for replacing shock only at this stage or do you recommend changing springs at same time??
I am not sure if I want to lift it as I already have the bigger 265/70R17's on at this seems to be fine and I can still get into under ground carparks for now as my partner drives it more than I do.
So recommendations would be great.
I am after a something that will give an improved ride or atleast the same as stock. I also carry maybe 50-80kgs on roof when camping and a loaded boot, but this is not often maybe 4-5 times a year so not that big of priority.
Thanks

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Hey,

You should replace both the coils and the struts/shocks.

If you're not chasing big lift, and you've got some bucks to spend, I'd recommend Koni RAID struts/shocks and King coils for a nice ride.

88-1712 front struts
90-5405 rear shocks

KTFR-101 front coils
KTRR-102 rear coils

My mate is running this setup, very comfortable ride, and doesn't lift too high, about 1".

The Konis are massive, you won't ever need to buy struts/shocks again!

...you should also have a squiz at the 120 series suspension database;

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nsion-Database

Best

Mark

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

Does you're VX have electronic shocks , if so just replace them

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

kav, my VX does not have the electronic shocks.

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

Whitey thatnks for the recommendations. Sounds like a good setup would like to hear more about this setup and any reviews from others with this?
Will look into this further Whitey.

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Hey,

There's a few blokes running the Koni/King combination, all with positive feedback.

...one caveat with the Konis is the lack of travel, they are definitely only for lifts under 1", any higher and you will definitely top out the short open length 88-1712's.

Best

Mark

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

Will consider this option, how does this affect articulation? As when going offroad we either see rocks or mud down here at bottom of NZ.
Any other recommendations out there

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Hey,

Have a squiz at this thread to see how your choice of strut open length will affect your droop.

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-Prado-120-IFS

You can see for the Koni 88-1712 strut, you'll get around 65mm of front droop at 1" of lift.

Best

Mark

[Wightwood120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wightwood120]

I'm running King Springs (medium) and Bilstein shocks. I've recently done plenty of outback tracks but most driving is city based and I reckon its a great combination of handling and ride.

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

how does this affect articulation?

If you're concerned about getting the maximum articulation out of your suspension, then you need to be careful about your strut/shock closed/open length selection.

While some folks will recommend brands like Bilsteins based on handling, you have to be careful. The most common strut/shock 712/713 Bilstein combination isn't good for articulation, with short travel limits, meaning you will have limited droop in a lifted vehicle, which means limited articulation.

There are other Bilstein struts/shocks designed for long travel (see CalOffroad for instance), but these also have problems with longer closed lengths.

If you want the maximum articulation out of your vehicle with a reasonable lift, while still retaining bump safety margins, then you should be looking at 420-570mm struts, and look at 80 series shocks for the rear, eg. 365-618mm Lovells, and make sure you run extended sway bar links to avoid binding the swaybar before the shocks top out.

You need to do a lot of research on struts/shocks and coils before you can get the most articulation out of your Prado!

Best

Mark

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

Sweet Whitey, cheers for the info.
Just sorting out if the Koni Raids are worth the extra $$$, which seems to be a considerable amount more a corner??
Any place out there that has a good price on these?
As I have to run this past my partner I need to be able to justify that hahahahahaha

Thanks

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Straight off the Koni website....

George Stock & Company Ltd.
Mr. Rusel Leach
P.O. Box 62-102
Mount Wellington, Auckland
New Zealand
Phone +64 9 270 7200
Fax +64 9 270 7221

www.georgestock.co.nz
parts(at)georgestock.co.nz

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

Yeah have emailed them a couple of days ago. Still waiting for there reply?

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

Got quote back for Koni Raid shocks and can not convince partner they are worth the extra $$$. All up just for the Koni Raid shocks front and back was $2952
I have been told at work we get a good discount from the shop that supplies bilstein shock.
What bilstein shock does everyone recommend.
And would love to hear from experiances with them, ride quality etc??
Thanks

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

I went for the Bilstein/King Lift

Shocks
Front – Bilstein BEA712
Rear – Bilstein B46-1478 (Landcruiser 80 series shock)

Springs
Front – King KTFR 101H
Rear – King KTRR 102

Had them on for approx. 20,000km and would buy the same setup.

I wanted to retain the softness of the prado ride. Feels a little bit firmer when first installed but that's probably because the stock suspension that it replaced was well due for replacement. Now I don't even notice the difference.

Since installation I've done a trip to Fraser Island, Border Track and two trips to the High Country and they haven't missed a beat.

There are some photos in my thread that gives you some before and after photos of heights etc.
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...976#post477976