Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Newbie + 90 Series Suspension question

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Newbie + 90 Series Suspension question

    Name is Darryl, probably not the typical Prado Point member...

    I don't love my Prado... in fact (at 39) it isn't even mine... it was my Dad's, and after he passed away and I found myself carless, I asked dear old mum if I could borrow it for a couple of months until I had another new car... that was 6 years ago...

    I train to work, and other than that, mostly ride my motorbike... The Prado fits the bill when I need to tow my race cars, or carry cargo (i.e. the kids)... It's a 99 Petrol Auto that sucks fuel, but doesn't use much when it is parked in the drive for 2 weeks without moving...

    Being a 99 model with 200K Kms on the clock, the suspension is pretty soft... my questions is, for the Prado, is that usually just shock absorbers wearing out or springs going soft after 13 years holding 2.7 tonnes off the ground...

    Cheers,
    Darryl

  • #2
    Welcome, Daewoo!

    Firstly, I'm glad you own a Toyota and not what your name might suggest!

    A quick test is to put your body weight on each corner of the car and observe how the car reacts when you release your weight quickly. If the vehicle seems to keep rocking, your shockies are knackered. Also look for signs of oil leaks on the shocks, but this will depend on whether they are gas or oil shockers on the car. Springs sag after the 10+ years they have been supporting 2 tonnes of weight. You may consider replacing all of the springs and shocks with good quality aftermarket parts. You will see the ride quality improve dramatically and the vehicle will sit higher. I would recommend Lovell springs, and although I run KYB shocks as I was on a bit of a budget, I would probably go for Bilsteins if you have a bit more cash to spend.

    All the best.

    Reidy.
    Matt- 2001 GXL Turbo Diesel- ARB Deluxe Bar, Tigerz11 10 000lb Winch, Brown Davis Underguard, IPF 800XS, GME TX3400, Custom Draw System, LT 265/75r16 BFG All-Terrain T/A's, Lovells and Konis, Unifilter. My rig [url]http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?24975-Reidy-s-2001-GXL-95-Series[/url]

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Reidy.

      I can get KYBs from a mate at a good price, so that is the way I was going to go, it was more about whether Prados are known to have a problem with the springs sagging.

      I do a lot of country driving, when I use the car, and the soft suspension makes it weave all over the road as you are breaking to fit back I to the line of cars, following someone doing 20ks under the limit, unwilling to overtake, but not willing to leave a gap for those that can drive to overtake...

      Comment


      • #4
        Mate i upgraded the suspension in my '02 last year and the improvement was astounding
        I would imagine, then, that a slightly older models suspension would definitely be tired
        I put in billies and king springs (raised but not heavy duty) and the ride, handling and comfort was worth every cent

        Cheers
        John
        Our 6 year old and 3 year old try their hardest to make sure there is no time or money for the other baby

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi Darryl,

          As has been posted already your suspension is most likely on its last legs.
          From what you have said regarding use I would suggest fitting Lovell springs in a standard height which will firm up your ride along with new shocks to control them. If your not planning to go bush the standard height springs will suit with most likely a slight ride height increase. KYB shocks will be fine as the on road demands are very different from running along our outback tracks and off road.

          It would be worthwhile cleaning your MAF sensor if it is a hot wire type as that is probably the most common cuase of high fuel consumption.

          Lee
          '18 VX, Billies with Dobinson springs, Summit bar with Narva Enhanced Optics to help my old eyes

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks guys.

            Appreciate the help, even though I am unlikely to become an active member... seems like springs would be a good idea, and they aren't that expensive (I always use Allsprings in my race cars, so will probably go there)... I was hoping for that sort of information, since the Prado currently does exactly what I need, so I intend to keep it and therefore want it to be the best it can (without spending too much)...

            Especially appreciate your advice on the MAF sensor Lee... I think the problem is mostly that it is an Auto, so looses a lot through the transmission... but 18L/100 on the open road, mostly on cruise control (not my lead foot related) hurts at today's prices...

            Comment


            • #7
              18L/100 on the highway assuming no roof rack/trailer etc is way too high.
              I would expect 14L/100 at least in a standard Prado.
              I'm getting 15L/100 with lift, bigger MTR tyres, roof rack and ..... supercharger on the highway and around town.
              Only time it is worse than that is low range crawling or soft sand, even then worse case is 20L/100

              Lee
              '18 VX, Billies with Dobinson springs, Summit bar with Narva Enhanced Optics to help my old eyes

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks Lee.

                I assume not many of you have Autos, because they don't perform as well for 4WDing...

                When dad bought the car, he was traveling 2 hours a day in stop-start Sydney traffic. Despite being a serious and avid 4WDer for 30 years at the time, he bought an Auto. It seems that the Auto consumes half of the engine power, which makes me think that might be the reason for the high fuel consumption.

                I don't know that I can compare my figures to those from a manual. nevertheless, I am keen to know if checking the MAF is something that I or my local mechanic can do, or if it is something for a specialist. Any any other hints...

                No roofracks, just an ARB Steel bullbar and winch...

                Thanks for being so helpful...

                Cheers,
                Darryl

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by daewoo View Post
                  I assume not many of you have Autos, because they don't perform as well for 4WDing...
                  I have an auto. Autos are definitely better on rock steps and sand, possibly other 4wding as well. Manual is just fun.
                  glen_ep - engineered, 4" lift, 33" 255/85R16, lockers, 4.88 ratios www.pradopoint.com.au/showthread.php?17237 www.youtube.com/user/glenep www.fb.com/groups/ToyotaPrado90

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I too have an Auto...
                    And when fully loaded get mid 11's/100, towing would be different due to the extra axle dragged along the road, as for 4wding, they are infact better than manuals, especially if you do a simple mod on the auto, (which I will do one day).
                    Reasons why I say an auto is better is because you hardly ever see or hear of an auto smashing the diffs or CV's, this is because of the torque converter acting like a big shock absorber, the auto is easier to drive off road, and just last week when I went 4wding with a Landrover club with my mate (he has a D2), my 90 series out performed the D4's, there were many tracks they could not get up (even with all their electronic gadits) where my Prado just walked up.
                    As for your suspension, shocks do not hold the weight of the vehicle, they only control the reactions of the springs, so if your suspension is sagging or feels soft, then it is the springs that have gone sour, however, always get a matched suspension system for best results.
                    97 VX Grande, with front & rear air lockers, ARB Sahara winch bar with tigers 11 winch, 2" EFS lift, 265/75/16 Achilles Desert hawk XMT, and more.


                    [B]Bitumen - A blatant waste of taxpayers money![/B]

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      G'day Folks,

                      I recently acquired a tidy 95 series (02) and have been trolling through pradopoint for a week now. I am interested in the comment croozza made re a simple mod on the auto, What is it and what benefit does it provide?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hey Snoopy22

                        To have a wild stab in the dark, i would go with a lock up converter http://www.automatictransmission.com...p?NewsId=42068
                        For my '02, the quote came in at about $1800
                        Unless he's talking about a cooler
                        Our 6 year old and 3 year old try their hardest to make sure there is no time or money for the other baby

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks for that, if it is the converter, I've herad of those and $1800 doesn't sound so simple (not for me anyway)

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by letsgoplaces View Post
                            Hey Snoopy22

                            To have a wild stab in the dark, i would go with a lock up converter http://www.automatictransmission.com...p?NewsId=42068
                            For my '02, the quote came in at about $1800
                            Unless he's talking about a cooler
                            Spot on mate, a simple mod done by any auto specialist, it makes the auto work like a manual with just a flick of a switch, just remember that if you stop, the engine will stall. For the price of $1800, it is awesome, as it gives you the best of both worlds.
                            97 VX Grande, with front & rear air lockers, ARB Sahara winch bar with tigers 11 winch, 2" EFS lift, 265/75/16 Achilles Desert hawk XMT, and more.


                            [B]Bitumen - A blatant waste of taxpayers money![/B]

                            Comment

                            canli bahis siteleri bahis siteleri ecebet.net
                            mencisport.com
                            antalya escort
                            tsyd.org deneme bonusu veren siteler
                            deneme bonusu veren siteler
                            gaziantep escort
                            gaziantep escort
                            asyabahis maltcasino olabahis olabahis
                            erotik film izle Rus escort gaziantep rus escort
                            atasehir escort tuzla escort
                            sikis sex hatti
                            en iyi casino siteleri
                            deneme bonusu veren siteler
                            casibom
                            deneme bonusu veren siteler
                            deneme bonusu veren siteler
                            betticket istanbulbahis
                            Working...
                            X