best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

[Wazza1978 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza1978]

I am looking at upgrading standard suspension and wondering if its worth sourcing it from the states and if anyone has any websites they have used and a rough idea on price ?

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

What's wrong with ARB stuff? They don't have 90 series on the US so it won't be to the specs you need, and probably will endup costing more in the end...

[Wazza1978 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza1978]

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

nothing that i know of just trying to do it on a smallest budget i can haha

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

be cautious when getting stuff form the US. If it ends up over the limit for customs and taxes (still $100 I think but happy to be corrected) it will cost more.

I've noticed that a lot of US suppliers are starting to charge more for shipping now.
One place I used to get small bike parts from, now charges almost double what they used to. Make sure you look into it before pulling the trigger

While the US does not have the 95 series prado, they do have the 4runner of the same era which has similar suspension components. take heed tho as the 4runner is lighter than the prado so spring rates and shock valving may be different quite a bit different.

IN the end in some cases it may work out just as cheap or just a bit more expensive to get the local stuff. It also means you have local support and warrenty backup as well.

Don't be stuck with ARB as you're only choice, there are plenty of others around that are available and some are less coin if your budget can't stretch too far.

[Andy_B Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andy_B]

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

I've Installed a sonoran steel 1.2 kit from the usa and I'm pretty happy with, but the shipping and import tax will kill you.

Andy

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

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

I dont know why anyone would want to buy a kit from USA, if you have a problem then you are up sh*#t creek, also we all go on about no australian manufacturers and that everything is made over seas, this is why.
Buy Australian products, they are made to handle our conditions, are better suited for our conditions and if you have a problem, it is easy to replace, and you are creating jobs for australians.

[Andy_B Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andy_B]

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

Fabrication in Australia cost lots, of money. In the USA you can get kits with alot more gear, ie diff drop, extended braided brake lines, adjustable panhard rod. Included in the kits.

Another question why do shocks cost 2 to 3 times the amount in australia as they do in the other markets. Why can the USA get cheaper lockers (these are Ozzie built ones) then us.

Andy

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

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

If you Need one sent "down there" let me know. I have assisted in sending several sets of ICON Vehicle Dynamics suspensions to PP'ers. I have a good Mate who wants to distribute down there after driving my FJ with them. I switched from OME and never looked back. It is a far superior kit and they have several options including billet Upper A-Arms, and multiple shock set up's and jounce shocks.

With the Aussie being above the USD it is probably a good deal.

Cheers,

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

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

Fabrication in Australia cost lots, of money. In the USA you can get kits with alot more gear, ie diff drop, extended braided brake lines, adjustable panhard rod. Included in the kits.

Another question why do shocks cost 2 to 3 times the amount in australia as they do in the other markets. Why can the USA get cheaper lockers (these are Ozzie built ones) then us.

Andy

So are you saying you can get shocks for around $50.00, they would not be suited to Australian conditions either and would fail alot earlier than ones made for our conditions.

The diff drop kit is not legal, so I would not be putting something like that in my vehicle, also extended braided brake lines are cheap, just by them from a brake place, Adjustable panhards are about $250.00

Lockers can be cheaper in the states, but you are getting the ARB copy, built in China.

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

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

If you Need one sent "down there" let me know. I have assisted in sending several sets of ICON Vehicle Dynamics suspensions to PP'ers. I have a good Mate who wants to distribute down there after driving my FJ with them. I switched from OME and never looked back. It is a far superior kit and they have several options including billet Upper A-Arms, and multiple shock set up's and jounce shocks.

With the Aussie being above the USD it is probably a good deal.

Cheers,

Shows how good they are if you have to go multiple shock set up.

Sorry to say this, but, a good shock would not need the multiple set up, just look at the off road racers, one shock on each corner!
If you buy quality in the first place it saves you in the long run.

[Andy_B Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andy_B]

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

Crooza

I'm not talking about Chinese shocks, I'm referring to Bilstein 5100 series shocks for $80USD. For me to order a kit that has everything is very convenient, as my prado is a daily driver. Try getting that in Australia. OR an ARB locker for $800USD, how does that work out! You think they'd be cheaper here, cause there made here then shipped over there.

If I can save money by buying OS, I will cause in the end that means more money for travelling

And when have diff drops been illegal, and can't find much info about that.

Andy

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

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

I can't imagine the diff drop being illegal - you'd just need to get the mods certified by an engineer.

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

Re: best way to buy suspension kit from usa ?

Crooza

I'm not talking about Chinese shocks, I'm referring to Bilstein 5100 series shocks for $80USD. For me to order a kit that has everything is very convenient, as my prado is a daily driver. Try getting that in Australia. OR an ARB locker for $800USD, how does that work out! You think they'd be cheaper here, cause there made here then shipped over there.

If I can save money by buying OS, I will cause in the end that means more money for travelling

And when have diff drops been illegal, and can't find much info about that.

Andy

Bilstein's were only popular because when the 90 series first came out there was nobody else making suspension systems for the vehicle, but now that OME, EFS, ect make suspension systems for the 90, they are a much better product than the Billies, and are made to suit our conditions, the billies are old design and bacically not very good in todays technology.
The ARB locker was cheaper in the USA because the majority are the cheap Chinese copy, do you remember about a year ago a large article in the 4wd mags and on 4wdtv regarding this.
In regards to the diff drop, yes they are illegal, my best mate who is a licenced vehicle modifier and road worthy inspector, has shown me the ADR, can't tell you which one it is, but I have seen it, he also says that he will not do the mod or comply the mod nor will he look at a vehicle that has this mod.
NOTE: it is not illegal to sell the drop kit but it is illegal to fit it.