Kakadu: lifting the rear with spacer or getting a 2" lift air suspension?

[Sydneydude Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sydneydude]

I want to fit CalOffroad Bilstein Rear Shocks (long travel) to match the Bilstein / Dobinson combo in the front which is great.

The rear is lifted with 20mm spacers. I'm wondering now if it's sensible to keep the Toyo air suspension or invest $1k to get the 2" lifted air suspension that Cal offers (http://www.caloffroad.com.au/product..._prado150.html)

Any one with long term experience with a lifted rear by spacers? What's the practical disadvantage? Less wheel travel?

[Guest Close Guest]

Are you saying that you currently have 20mm spacers in the rear? Or are you tricking the height sensor by adding some spacers to it to get a 20mm lift?

[Sydneydude Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sydneydude]

Thanks, Andrew, I am tricking the height sensor. I added a 20mm spacer to get approx 30mm height

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I'd stick with the trick.
Just put some longer travel shocks, but not too long, about 20mm should be ok.
Anyone know the full extension length of those stock rear shocks?
Is it the same as a coil sprung vehicle?

[Guest Close Guest]

Ok that makes sense.

I can only speak from my experience with the Grande. A few of us have experience the air bags leaking from the 03 & 04 models. This seems to be due to the rubber deteriorating.

Currently I'm working on an airbag spacer for Grandes still on the factory airbag. Unfortunately the Kakadu has a slightly different bottom.

I have upgraded mine to the Airbagman airbags. You should be able to get a better price by contacting Airbagman direct and mention PP. The rubber is also thicker and will likely last longer than the factory bags.

The thing that limits wheel travel are the shocks and then the swaybar links.

I'm not sure if the long travel shocks are actually longer than the standard Bilsteins. Best to ask them for the open and closed lengths to be sure. However, standard Bilsteins will be fine. I use the US spec'ed Bilsteins for the FJ and they are longer than standard Bilsteins we get here in Australia.

[Sydneydude Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sydneydude]

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice. I ordered the long travel Bilsteins to match the 45mm lift at the rear and leave the factory airbags for the time being.

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

I'd stick with the trick.
Just put some longer travel shocks, but not too long, about 20mm should be ok.
Anyone know the full extension length of those stock rear shocks?
Is it the same as a coil sprung vehicle?

Hi ####.
I know that Bilstein limits the travel for the Airbag shocks in the 120's, but a BE5-A713 should work fine in the rear of the 150, as they could do with being a bit longer anyway. Regards, Jason