Shock absorber advice - Prado 150

[Andrew_C]

I am after some advice for some shocks.

I am currently looking at replacing the shocks in our Prado 150 wagon. It's done 50k, half of this on trips including the Simpson loaded up, up to cooktown, around the high country, etc.

It's running King 40mm springs front and back with standard shocks at the moment, I was going to replace the shocks before we did the Simpson but after getting confused with what to buy, just did it with the standard ones. We did 5000 kays from Swan Hill back to Mildura via the Simpson pretty much on the dirt except for main streets and the car did it pretty well.

Anyway, I have another trip planned including towing our offroad caravan that is about 1700kg along the Gibb River Road, and a fair few other outback roads.

The car is used as a shopping trolley the rest of the time by my wife, it it needs to handle pretty good.

Any suggestions on shocks, Do I go the $$$ and go Koni or Bilstein, or OME, or something else? I want something that will last, handle well with the caravan on and also when the car is unloaded.

I know there are other forums that could make suggestions but I like the attitude of this one . Prado point is pretty slow to get answers, all the caravan ones get side tracked by GVMs, Tow ball weights and ADRs.

So from experience, any suggestions?

[chester ver2.0]

Depends on the use i had iron man foam cell on my 120 prado for 120,000 with no issue and this included half lap. Only problem was the front bush flogged out however this was the installer rattling it all up on the hoist and not on the ground when it has taken the weight so not the shocks fault

[belial]

Ah the age old " I want something that will last, handle well with the caravan on and also when the car is unloaded."

I'm personally in the process of doing springs and shocks for my 105 Landcruiser and the short answer is

Buy the best quality shocks you can afford.

But what makes a quality shock?

Build quality is important, for that reason unless price is the only factor you can afford to deal with, personally I've ruled out any of the cofab shocks. Sure there is some variation between the valving, but effectively you're still buying the same shock with just a different coat of paint and stickers.

Which means starting at Koni, bilstein and then going up from there.. in both price and complexity.
In terms of ride loaded vs unloaded, your springs that you've mentioned already will have more of an effect than the shocks themselves.

Remember, its the springs that actually suspend the vehicle, the rate of the shocks determines how quickly the oscillation in the spring is controlled.
So the rate and type of valving is really what is of interest when choosing a shock, the other is to ensure that the closed (short) and open (extended) lengths of the shock suit the variation in height that the spring allows when loaded and unloaded.

Around town unloaded vs the GRR with a Van, you're going to end up with a compromise.
If you choose a hard valved shock, it will be more firm around town as you won't have the compliance the OEM shock gives, but it'll soak up the corrugations under load , go to soft and while it'll be good around town, failure is much more likely after hours of corrugations though that said Koni and Bilstein should hold up much longer than the cheapies.

Best option would be to see a specialist to have a custom valved shock made up (Bilstein or whatever brand you prefer), given the spring rates and the loads its possible to get much closer to an all round performer than the off the shelf, but equally the price will reflect this.

If I were in you're situation i'd look for shocks that are good quality and that will perform where you do 90% of your driving.
For the other 10% or the time when you're time a van, then perhaps looking at WDH or airbags to counteract the addition load will help.

[doc evil]

To add to the above, I've had the koni 88's on the front of my rig for almost 9 yrs and 280,000km. The rears were replaced with cheap rubbish (weakpuppies et al) due to wearing the eye of the koni when the wheel bearing failed and the assy collapsed onto the road.
Will be replaced with koni 90's (fronts as well, but only to keep them all the same). The fronts are still perfect except the paint has been stonechipped to nothing.

Your call as to what you put on, but bear in mind that all shocks are NOT the same...........

[chookduck]

Well said belial and Doc Evil, concur entirely.

My original Toyota Landcruiser 80 Series shocks lasted 105,000 kms.  They all starting leaking around this time.  Replaced the springs and shocks with King Springs and Koni shocks.  Been going strong ever since.  Also, with Koni shocks you can get them rebuilt as they can be serviced if required.

If quality and performance is what you want, I've found it hard to go past Koni and King (or Lovell Springs).  Just look at the outside of a Koni and compare with other shocks and you will see the immediate difference, especially with respect to any welding around the eyes.

And remember (not telling anybody to suck eggs) it's actually the springs that are the shock absorbers and the shock absorbers are the dampeners.

Cheers

[doc evil]

Well said belial and Doc Evil, concur entirely.

My original Toyota Landcruiser 80 Series shocks lasted 105,000 kms.  They all starting leaking around this time.  Replaced the springs and shocks with King Springs and Koni shocks.  Been going strong ever since.  Also, with Koni shocks you can get them rebuilt as they can be serviced if required.

If quality and performance is what you want, I've found it hard to go past Koni and King (or Lovell Springs).  Just look at the outside of a Koni and compare with other shocks and you will see the immediate difference, especially with respect to any welding around the eyes.

And remember (not telling anybody to suck eggs) it's actually the springs that are the shock absorbers and the shock absorbers are the dampeners.

Cheers

My preference is koni shocks and dobinson springs. Only because the dobbies can be custom made. Ive got the 3inch raised 24mm wire rears and 3inch 20mm wire fronts.
Max the others call their heavy heavy duty (in the rears) is 22mm wire.

[02-SR5]

I just replaced my OME sports shock for a Bilstien B6 shock.

I found the OME shocks waaaaay to hard. The Bilstiens seem to soak the bumps and seem to float over the dips better.

Not cheap, but worth every cent.

[D4D]

I just replaced my OME sports shock for a Bilstien B6 shock.

I found the OME shocks waaaaay to hard.

OME Sport is meant to be hard, standard OME are softer

[02-SR5]

I know, that is what I originally wanted. I had them before and they were great.

Apparently, they are phasing out the normal shock and just sell the sports shock.

That's what the ARB salesman said.

[achjimmy]

Hard to go past a Koni 90 series. Big bore oil is the best if it will fit.

[Bird]

Hard to go past a Koni 90 series. Big bore oil is the best if it will fit.

agree.. but the cost terrifies most people...

[dazzler]

Bilsteins from the states.  Around the $600 landed.  5100 series has adjustable front spring platforms.

available from downsouthmotorsport.com




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[dazzler]

I know there are other forums that could make suggestions but I like the attitude of this one . Prado point is pretty slow to get answers.

Pradopoint is the best resource for prado questions but you are better off googling the question rather than posting sometimes.  If you use google then click on the bit that says pradopoint only.

I get the feeling that some on PP are a bit tired of answering questions and prefer people to search.  Not sure if thats a good thing or not each to their own suppose.

From all the reading I have done it seems that kings springs are the favoured spring and either Koni's or Bilsteins as the shock. 

You really cant go wrong with either of those brands. 


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[Andrew_C]

Thanks for the info, I was leaning toward Bilstein just from info I had before I went away last and had chased up prices, but they were mentioning failures on PP, and I looked at the US, Only trouble is warranty if you get a dodgy one.

I might have more of a look at the Koni's.

[D4D]

What state are you in?

[achjimmy]

Thanks for the info, I was leaning toward Bilstein just from info I had before I went away last and had chased up prices, but they were mentioning failures on PP, and I looked at the US, Only trouble is warranty if you get a dodgy one.

I might have more of a look at the Koni's.

Re failures yeah I have heard of a few on Paj's as well. I wouldn't be too concerned with local warranty as its only 12mths on Bilstiens anyway. And most failures are older than that. The Konis are expensive though, unbelievably so for the 90 series.

[V8100]

Try the guys at ultimate suspension they will set them up to suit your needs and they are fully rebuildable they stand by their product and offer the best warranty around.

I have no affiliation just a happy customer

http://www.ultimatesuspension.com.au/products.php

Eddy

[Andrew_C]

In Victoria, I was thinking of giving Darren McRae a ring to see what he says.

[D4D]

A mate has Darren's Kings/Billies re-valved combo in his 120 and is very happy with it. His seems to sit higher than mine with OME.

[Bird]

In Victoria, I was thinking of giving Darren McRae a ring to see what he says.

and you think Koni's are expensive

[Steffo1]

I put King springs & Billies on our '98 D1 in 2005 & all still good. They've done around 200,000k including the Sandover, Gibb, Gunbarrel, Simpson, Walkers Xing, Vic High Country & a lot more with & without camper & never had a problem. Have had other Landie owners comment on how well it rides & handles.
Can't comment on what they'd be like on a Prado though as I'm a bit of a Landie tragic
Good Luck with it!
Steffo