How to best fix tubby ride?

[Black Mamba 2014 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Black Mamba 2014]

I've had my 2014 Prado for about 9 months now, their is nothing wrong with the standard suspension. It all comes down to speed control and this is why I love my manual Prado, I love using gears to slow me down and I haven't really notice any massive nose dive when I use my brakes along the highway. With an auto, lightly tap your brakes under control and take your foot off your accelerator and do it early.
I did notice a big difference when I got the bull bar installed, in regards to fuel consumption and handling and this is when I had to change my driving style to suit the vehicle.

If you are worried about the body roll (steer like a boat), slow the @#*! down around a bend or a corner and you will notice the difference (this cost nothing). Prado is not the average size vehicle, if you compare a Prado to a go kart you will be disappointed because if does not handle like a go kart.

I have an appointment in a couple of weeks time for a suspension upgrade, the only reason why I am upgrading the suspension now is because I will be increasing my tyres size to 32"s and didn't want to pay an arm and a leg when the time comes. It will be Bilstein/King springs combo ($1745 including fitting and alignment).

If you are looking for a cheap option, change your driving style. Wait until you purchase/ install the roof tent and bull bar before you upgrade the suspension.

[foxpro Member Find all posts View Profile Close foxpro]

If you are worried about the body roll (steer like a boat), slow the @#*! down around a bend or a corner and you will notice the difference (this cost nothing).

Well, I guess the suspension performance comes down to personal taste. One way is to adjust to body roll and dive another is to adjust the car to personal preference. Same as there is nothing wrong with 265/65/17 tyres. Still many prefer to change them for various reasons.
I would classify my driving style as defensive and thrifty. The type that takes the foot of the pedal way before others and leaves breathing room to the car in front. Still situations arise where responsive braking and swift manouvering is essential. After 30 years on the road without incident I strife to keep it that way.

Check this out to see what I'm worried about. I know it is a Hilux but the setup is very similar to Prado.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAPa3flxuG8

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

I have been so enthralled with the standard suspension on both the 120 and 150 that I didn't even take delivery with it in. The test drives were enough. Foxpro work out if you need a lift, then if not if you want a lift! No problems going with stiffer suspension at standard height if that's what you want. As far as I am concerned the standard suspension is poorly damped and under sprung when unladen let alone with any gear. Horses for courses but I know my TJM gold lift delivers a better ride and better control than standard.

[foxpro Member Find all posts View Profile Close foxpro]

I have been so enthralled with the standard suspension on both the 120 and 150 that I didn't even take delivery with it in. The test drives were enough. Foxpro work out if you need a lift, then if not if you want a lift!

I have made my move now. Going for a firmer setup with new Dobinson coils and shocks b/c of costs. Targeting a 30mm lift (after bull bar fitment). Airbags for the rear. Trying out the DIY route. Will advise how it went. This does leave some wiggle room to modify the setup later +/-15mm via tyres once the Dunlops are done. Maybe a further 13mm lift through some 265/70/17 BFGs and closer to the legal 50mm limit, if ever so desired.
That's the plan. Time will tell how good it is.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Good advice but assembled kits appear rare and dear? I looked at climax suspension and they list the assembled kits for about $300 more than unassembled. That seems to defeat the purpose of DIY. For a few dollars more a garage would do the whole job. Maybe I'm missing something here.

Edit: My bad. Difference is $140. Was missing the included coil before.

its much cheaper to pay the local shop to do the strut assembly.
That's the way to go

[foxpro Member Find all posts View Profile Close foxpro]

Fitted new the suspension back and front today the DIY way. Only had time for a very brief test drive so far but the ride is firmer now with the medium Dobinsons coils and shocks especially in the back. The lift came in at 50mm front and back. A bit higher than expected but should come down with time once a bull bar and roof tent is fitted.

It took nearly all day for us as absolute father and son beginners to fit the parts. But the tool shed received a permanent boost through a new 1/2" Bahco metric socket and spanner set and a third hand Sidchrome deflecting beam torque wrench. A SCA 600mm breaker was also well utilized. The only issues encountered were the too short top thread on the rear shocks which needed a tight squeeze without washers first to compress and then redoing the correct way. Also the additional height of the rear springs posted some problems as they needed the rear diff to limbo really low and additional persuasion from a bottle jack.

But with the egos greatly enlarged we might consider the open heart surgery 101 procedure next

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

Well done, nothing like DIY

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

Good result. Keep us posted as it settles down.

[foxpro Member Find all posts View Profile Close foxpro]

As the road was dry today I was able to corner around a tight S-bend at the top of the steep descent towards our village. As I drive this section twice daily it is my test strip of choice. And for the first time since Prado I was not worried I would end the journey in free fall down the 50m sandstone cliff. Body roll has improved markedly despite the 50mm lift. I like it.