Prado Kakadu Suspension

[mycheekyangel Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mycheekyangel]

Hi all,

I've a 2010 Kakadu and driving on the freeway feels like I'm driving a trampoline (so you can imagine what other roads are like). I was in the rear seats recently and I started feel ill. It doesn't seem to absorb any bumps at all.

I've now moved it to 'comfort' which seems to be the most bearable, but I feel this should not be happening.

Is there a problem do you think, or should I upgrade my suspension? If so any recommendations?

Note, I am on the freeway 95% of the km's I travel, so that's my priority...though I do some 4WDing.


Thanks,
Karyn

[blw Member Find all posts View Profile Close blw]

Hi

The difference between comfort and sport is noticeable but it's not that great a difference. The suspension should never be anywhere near a trampoline! I suggest that you have a Toyota dealer look at your Prado as it sounds like you have a serious problem!

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

Check your tire pressures, thats always a good starting point with issues like these.

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

A wheel alignment might be a good idea too. That gave a dramatic on my 90 series.

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

Our kakadu is very rough as well. Toyota reckon that their is nothing wrong n thats just how they are, which for what you pay for these things expect a better ride. the only upgrade in suspenion that ive found is the ultimate suspesion and cal4x4 which both do the extended rear air bag

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

As said before check your tyre pressures. Last year we went from a 120 Grande to the 150 Kakadu and I thought the same thing...the suspension felt firm, even with the suspension set at the softest level. Removed about 4 PSI from the tyres and it made a noticeable difference. Some Toyota dealers seem to put more air in them than the tyre placard suggests.

YMMV.

[Bastian Bakkes Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Bastian Bakkes]

Our kakadu is very rough as well. Toyota reckon that their is nothing wrong n thats just how they are, which for what you pay for these things expect a better ride. the only upgrade in suspenion that ive found is the ultimate suspesion and cal4x4 which both do the extended rear air bag

I can share my experience with you . I had the VX Diesel 2010 , which is called the Kakadu down your way , which I complained about the rough ride originating from the back suspension . Eventually the agents swopped my VX bumpstops with the bumpstops from a TX model ( that's the model with ordinary coil and shock rear suspesion ) . The VX 's bumpstops were much longer than the TX's which meant that one rides on the bumpstop most of the time in the VX . The ride improved dramatically after the swop but Toyota South Africa did not agree with the agent about this swop . The shorter bumpstop allows the rear diff to have more movement before bumping against the stopper . I eventually sold the VX with these short bumpstops and the new owner is still happy with the improved ride .

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

The bump stops do have very little space before they bottom out. My Kakadu was definatly on the hard side (even on Comfy setting) I believe the KDSS gives a firm ride. KDSS combined with hard tyres and very little bumpstops is the issue. I have since raised mine with lovells at the front combined with bilsteins, lifted the rear with panel washers and new bilsteins and the ride is now a lot better. You do loose your comfort settings but haven't missed them as the ride is now spot on. The big difference you notice with the rear lifted is over bumps the car doesn't crash down on he bump stops. I also run my coopers at 36psi instead of the normall 40 odd that I'm used to. In my signature is a build up of my car.

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

I remember an old thread on here where someone shows some pics of modifying the bump stops.

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

I remember an old thread on here where someone shows some pics of modifying the bump stops.

You just use GXL bump stops bought from Toyota.