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  • 2" lift vs Air Bags

    Hi all,
    first post

    I'm interested as to what suspension setup you guys think is best.
    I'm thinking either an airbag setup or a 2"lift.
    The car gets used mostly for off road and trailer towing (a steel 7x5).
    I'd prefer to keep the car at the same height than to lift it.

    Any advice would be appreciated.

    Also thinking of fitting a steel bulbar.

    Thanks

  • #2
    Welcome!

    There are lots of threads regarding lifts and airbags, but I'll be kind and won't tell you to search!

    The general consensus is if you are towing (not knowing how heavy the 7x5 trailer is) air bags in the back might be a suggestion. If you are going for a steel bar (and possibly a winch & or dual batteries) running HD springs in the front is the go.

    You've not said what kind of Prado you have, but on my 120 I got a TJM T13 bar with fog lights.

    Cheers
    [FONT=Century Gothic][B][SIZE=4][URL="http://www.pradopoint.com.au/showthread.php?36057-Ryback-s-Flinders-Red-120"][COLOR="#B22222"]'04 120 Petrol Flinders Red GXL[/URL][/COLOR][/B][/FONT][/SIZE]
    with ARB Catalog, with TJM add ons!

    [CENTER][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC][/CENTER]

    Comment


    • #3
      hi Radloose,
      if you're mostly off road wouldn't you want that extra lift for a bit of extra clearance? You could also get airbags with the lift

      cheers.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks for the quick reply's.

        Its a 150 GXL Turbo Diesel.

        And in the future would consider mounting a winch.

        As for the trailer it varies in weight as I toe a lot of off loads, from furniture, soil and plants, and camping gear.
        The last time i had it hitched i wasn't happy with the amount of sag in the rear.

        How would a 2" lift affect highway driving in terms of body roll and gravel road driving?

        BTW ill take a look at the suspension threads

        Thanks

        Comment


        • #5
          Well, I got the TJM XGS Gold shocks and springs - HD up front.

          You'll notice the difference over stock! On highway, you'll take a slight hit on mileage...

          Off road is where it shines!
          [FONT=Century Gothic][B][SIZE=4][URL="http://www.pradopoint.com.au/showthread.php?36057-Ryback-s-Flinders-Red-120"][COLOR="#B22222"]'04 120 Petrol Flinders Red GXL[/URL][/COLOR][/B][/FONT][/SIZE]
          with ARB Catalog, with TJM add ons!

          [CENTER][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC][/CENTER]

          Comment


          • #6
            I have a t13 bar with side rails and steps, a 2 inch lift medium springs improved on and off road handling considerably with no more body role on round abouts. I had airbags fitted at the same time and when towing our 16foot expands it sits nice and level. The 2 inch lift allowed larger tyres which are better that stock any way and I still fit in the 2.1m car parks .
            PradoPoint GTG 2014 - Iconic High Country - Victoria
            Big Thanks to Our Sponsors
            #ARB 4x4 Accessories, Dobinsons Spring & Suspension, BCF, Terrain Tamer, ORU, MAXTRAX, REDARC, Kaymar, Opposite Lock, Hema Maps, BushSkinz, Piranha, High Country 4x4 & Century Batteries

            Comment


            • #7
              It seems that just about any aftermarket suspension setup is better than stock!

              disco, do you have airbags front and back or just back?
              also i am quite happy with the tire size for the moment. But maybe when i've run the cooper AT/3's bald

              The reason i'm not keen for a lift is because the car is already high for my family to get in and out of. As well as the dogs, the one of which has a sore leg and won't let me pick him up.

              Comment


              • #8
                I have a 2009 120 series GXL and changed out the coils for airbags - click on the following link http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...l=1#post360122

                It was an expensive exercise, airbag kit with auto/man leveling was about $2500, air-compressor, air-tanks and fittings about $1500 and to supply rear dampeners and front struts for a 2 in lift and install the airbag system was $3800. So it was about $7200.

                I like the setup and it have been good and reliable with minor issues (pressure switch stuffed up) however due to overall cost I wouldn't do it again.
                Winston.

                White 2009 120 Series D4D GXL manual.

                Comment


                • #9
                  There are 2 types of airbags - coil assist and coil replacement. Both can only be installed to the rear axle.

                  Coil assist airbags are installed inside the rear coil.
                  Coil replacement airbags are the ones in the 120 Grande and 150 Kakadu.

                  You can't lift a vehicle by just installing airbags as the Prado's suspension doesn't work that way. If you don't want to lift the Prado, the cheapest way to overcome the sag in the rear end when you hook up the trailer is to install coil assist airbags.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    If you don't want to lift it get the air bags. I've got polyair reds and standard height.

                    The bags were fitted by previous owner who towed a camper trailer. They're great as I don't load up that often apart from camping so they sit at about 5-8 psi Whenever I load up I chuck a bit of air in with a bike pump and away we go nice and level.

                    I am thinking of getting a lift just for a bit of better ground clearance. I really noticed it in the high country banging and bashing away on the rocks. And most of the Testosterone boys in their lifted patrols dig up the tracks leaving us lower mortals with a bit of bump and grind when following
                    [SIZE=2]120 GXL D4D Auto, with a 'List of Wants' greater than the 'List of Needs' greater than the 'List of Haves'
                    Nissan Patrol: Keeping Bogan's out of Toyota's since 1951[/SIZE]

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      A good 2" lift will improve handling on and off road. No problems adding coil assist airbags even with the lift ( I have).

                      Everyone has their own particular brand of suspension they like, very few people seem unhappy with whatever their choice provided its one of the better known brands. Personally I have the Old Man Emu, very happy with that, good back up Australia wide and supporting Aussie Jobs unlike some of the others.

                      Cheers Andrew
                      [COLOR="#FF0000"]So Long and Thanks for all the Fish![/COLOR]

                      [url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3840-AJ-s-120-Prado]MY PRADO AND DIY CAMPER TRAILER[/url]

                      [url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3975-AJ-s-79-series-Cruiser-Ute]MY HZJ79 Landcrusier[/url]


                      [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Even if you go for the stock suspension and airbags you will need some new front springs in order to take the weight of the steel bar and winch. Higher rate springs and additional weight will show up deficiencies in shock absorber control so you should probably factor in new struts as well. Dobinsons and others offer a standard height suspension upgrade which based on the little I have heard gives about 20mm of lift. That may be something you should consider. As for the performance of aftermarket compared to OEM I have had ARB (OME), Toughdog and now TJM suspension in Prados. As far as I am concerned all were better than the stock suspension and I don't even bother to take new delivery any more if the vehicle still has the OEM components under it. For the second hand 4wds I have bought suspension upgrades are the first cab off the rank so to speak. As far as the brands of aftermarket suspension goes I don't think there is much between any of the brands at the same price point. My TJM Gold in the 150 is very nice.
                        My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks everyone for your contributions.
                          However i'm a little confused here, if i get airbags spring support setup do i need shock absorbers?
                          And what about an onboard air compressor to keep them topped up?

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Radloose View Post
                            Thanks everyone for your contributions.
                            However i'm a little confused here, if i get airbags spring support setup do i need shock absorbers?
                            And what about an onboard air compressor to keep them topped up?
                            Yes, you still need shocks. If you get aftermarket coil assist bags, they sit inside your rear springs and have an air line with a standard car valve on the end. You can just use a bicycle hand pump or servo compressor to inflate when needed. If you have an onboard compressor you can use that if you want but you don't need one
                            [SIZE=2]120 GXL D4D Auto, with a 'List of Wants' greater than the 'List of Needs' greater than the 'List of Haves'
                            Nissan Patrol: Keeping Bogan's out of Toyota's since 1951[/SIZE]

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Shocks are not needed if you stay at factory height. New shocks will improve your ride and handling.

                              Coil assist airbags comes in lifted and non-lifted versions.

                              Comment

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