Shocking Shocker Questions?

[Inland_Sailer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Inland_Sailer]

Long Story/Dumb Questions!!!
I have a Prado 120 with around 80,000Kms. Have towed a camper trailer for half of these Kms. Unit has always had a sag in the rear end when the camper has been conected. With a plan to go to the Cape this winter,so I thought I'd put some HD springs on the rear without any lift to help with the "Ducks disease".
Arranged to do this at my local springs works. So far so good. Don't need to change stock shockers recommends the spring works prop as they're a good unit he thinks. Day to fit rear HD's arrives and I turn up to get the swap done. Get to the spring works and he cant get "standard height" Lovell HD springs but have found Fireflex. Ok but they've got some lift. ["but they'll settle. Mmmm1!!!?"]
So I say go ahead.
THEY DONT SETTLE!
So I need to put some coils with lift on the front to balance out the nose down effect. Don't need to change the shocks. he says!!
Have now done the front as well.
Now to my Questions!!!!
I expected the ride to be stiffer with the HD coils but this now seems harsh especially on corrugations/bumps [and they say that there are a few of them on the road up to the Cape].
Do I need to put longer shockers on the rear to compensate for the extra 40/50mm lift?
Should I now have to go and change the stock shockers for the appropriate Fireflex units or are the Tojo ones OK?
Will the Fireflex Shockers soften out the ride again?

Any other advice /opinions welcome.

Cheers


Inland

[Inland_Sailer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Inland_Sailer]

No offence taken!!!
I guess this is what happens when you live in a regional centre and want to just go "local". It seems easier just to go into town!!1
But!!!!!
Maybe you dont get the best advice, and in my case, its just kinda evolved!!!

Cheers

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

Matched, researched, packages definitely are worth it.
chalk and cheese.

new springs, old shocks, (if I read correct) that would be the worst. At those K's the original shocks would definitely be no where near doing the job. They would be shagged.
So a tough spring would be going to town on those shocks. the skocks would not be controlling the spring at all.
And as for extra length. well if the new springs are actually longer then I would say yes. But if the springs were made to the same free length as the stockers but just HD then no. I think you need to talk to the fitter again. explain your worries.
If you want more articulation then yes, go the longer travel shocks.

But as already mentioned. a "balanced package" from the likes of ARB, or at least a shop that has done some Prado's before, is probably best.

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

Agreed ..... and longer HD springs (40 or 50 mm lift) with the old std length shocks would shag them even quicker.

I had a similar story as we were about to head off for our trip around Oz .... older standard suspension ... and a camper trailer that caused the Prado to drag its arse on the ground ..... so I went with a set of Polyair airbags. They were perfect for the trip.

30,000 Km later I finally got my act together with the complete suspension setup ..... but I would definately go the airbags again.

I was lucky enough to get a trade price of a complete kit of OME gear from ARB ... and fitted them myself .... and have never looked back.

Sorry ... but from the sounds of it ... a mix and match setup is going to wind up costing more in the long run.

Cheers
Chippy

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

If you only want the assistance for towing the Polyairs or the Firestone air bags are the way to go as Chippy said.

I was told by the guys where I picked up the suspension components not to go HD unless you have a constant load as the ride would be to harsh.

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

I was told by the guys where I picked up the suspension components not to go HD unless you have a constant load as the ride would be to harsh.

Agree with that :!: :!:

I recently sold a work van that I had installed heavy duty springs on the rear because of the weight being constantly carried. Without them the towbar was always scraping spoon drains and driveways. The ride with them was much improved!

However, when i emptied the van out to drive it to the car yard it was THE most uncomfortable ride i have ever had. I was bouncing all over the place :shock:

I handed over the keys and got out of there as quick as i could ops: ops: