Buying from Zordo. Lovell or Dobinson Shocks?

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

More info required? Interested to know the best of doing this w/o spring compressors.....

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...ade-for-Grande

Cheers!

[Guest Close Guest]

That's the one. Just ignore the Grande specific bits.

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

The extra cost for assembled struts is worth it. You get a new strut top cap in that price.

Zordo & Dobinson Sydney will both supply them assembled for $100-$120 extra. I'm sure other places would if you were happy to pay them.



That doesn't sound good... what type of spring compressor was it? I've been told that if you want to wind up the Dobinson MRR shocks on the front that you are best to compress the spring a bit first to make it easier (ie jack up chassis, remove wheel, compress spring a bit then adjust the spring length) because the springs are so strong.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Meh, just do it on the ground without spring compressors. I used to remove the entire strut until I read the above mentioned method. That's now the only way I do prado/hilux struts. So much easier, you don't even have to remove the sway bar

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

They really need to start supplying the front struts assembled with new strut tops, it would make it way easier for the DIY guy as fitting the assembled strut assembly isn't that hard in the front. I destroyed a pair of really heavy duty spring compressors the first time I put springs in. And could have potentially died!

Cheers Brad

Yes very dangerous those coils.

Trying to help out d.i.y, if they buy kit of me, when picking it up, they bring their struts, & I do the expert coil fitment to the new strut.
Then it's Simple to them as then can get their head around removing the strut.
If I'm sending the kit it's $100 more with new top hats.

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

Early in this thread there was talk of monroe shocks/struts and prices given. I have not been able to find any info on these, can anyone update?

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Early in this thread there was talk of monroe shocks/struts and prices given. I have not been able to find any info on these, can anyone update?

Yes, I have a test set in my 120.
Like.
They are available, that is my price. Damn good value!

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

I have asked Monroe for the front shocks ,, they replied today with this,,,, Hi Ray,

Thanks for your email.
Unfortunately you have been misinformed as the fronts are still in development. We have been trying to get an answer from engineering as to what the hold up is, but so far with no luck. We only have the rears to offer at the moment which is part number 16-0790. These are currently available through any one of our many distributors.

Best regards
Troy
Monroe Australia

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

I've read good things here about buying from John Zordo ( www.zordos4wdsuspension.com.au ), so today I gave John a call to see what all the fuss was about and, frankly, I'm already sold. I bragged to a workmate after the call about the customer service. Quote of "Even if you don't buy from me: DONT do this........and if you plan on installing yourself, you can always call me for help and I'll guide you through it...".

Anyway, he's now my designated suspension supplier. But my question is, for what?

If I can manage it I will go the bilstein/dobinson combination. It is juuuust stretching the budget though. The alternatives are lovells shocks or dobinson shocks.

Here's the setup I will have when ordering:
1x steel bullbar
1x side bars
1x brush bars'

1x battery - within a month.
1x Winch - witin 6 months.

-1 rear seats (removed) - within a month / whatever is needed
1x rear airbags within 6 months / once I put draw system in

My Driving Habits:
- Weekly: ~600km highway
- Weekly: ~100km suburban
- Month: ~1 weekend of (relatively) deeply rutted fire trails and 4wd trails
- Year: Hopefully, 1 big extended trip. Corrugations likely.

I pretty much permanently keep my recovery gear (30kg) and a few other things in the back. I'm not sure if the above matters for general day to day considering the shocks and springs will be suited to my load anyway.

I don't know where to go immediately. I've read good things about the bilstein/dobinson combination, but I'm interested to hear what people say about the lovell shocks or even the complete dobinson kit.

The more I think about it, the more I think I should DIY install. It's something I can do myself and I do have access to spring compressors.

Your thoughts?

If you have replaced shocks and springs before, then have a go, but if not, if you buy from John Zordo, he will let you watch him at work, and he knows suspension, and by watching him at work you will be pleased you didn't bother. Car, in the shed, jacked up and the job done..easy watching John. I used Dobinson shocks and used Lovell Shocks, but after a few big trips I replaced the rear shocks with dobinsons also. On my next Prado I will gt John to replace all with dobinsons. John actually fitted a slightly larger bore rear shock, and they have been great. I initially fitted heavy duty rear springs, but with teh car unloaded it sat up too high, John replaced the rear springs with standard duty 40mm lifted springs, and put airbag man airbags in the rear coils for when we tow a 2.5 T boat with the car loaded, and with the airbags inflated to about 25psi the car sits and tows nicely. I would not hesitate to install dobinson's springs and shocks all round...

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

UPDATE - Dobinsons GS59-221 failures

Ok so I specialise in Prados, this includes a lot of suspension kits.
I will promote products & brands I believe are good & backed up by good service.
To be fair I really need to tell you the bad parts too.

On the Prado 120 I have used a lot of DOBINSONS, the coils are good, the rear shocks are good & the service is good.
BUT, I have had too many failures of the front struts, GS59-221.
Only 1 with bush problems, but many that end up floating "like an ocean liner" as someone described to me.
Now plenty are ok, but many have failed. So if you are unsure yours are ok, please get them check by your supplier.
The service is good & if this changes I will also share.

I went to a trade show & Monroe were banging on about their new gear, lets get exited, like always it's a premium quality product.
I have said before they manufacture or Arb/ome, which is likely one of the most used offroad suspensions & proven one of the best IMO.
Some people don't want to pay double for a good product, or don't like Arb, so I have many cheaper alternatives.
Anyway Monroe gave me a set which I have trialled, I have also fitted some to customers vehicles.
The Monroe gear will only really suit tourers, the rear extension is too short & tops out way to much on the tracks/rough steep decents.
So my 3 year old, hammered, thrashed, Dobinsons rears are back in to push them even further.

The rear dobbos shock I use is perfect travel length, & well tested, it's tough! I'm very happy with Monroe front strut so crazy it might sound that is my new recommended combo for the 120's. They are very similar colour which is good, this is not the first time persons have done mixes, you do what you have to do to get great gear, at an affordable price.
These combos are tough & perfect travel lengths IMO.

At ths stage I think the 150 Prado Dobinsons gear is good.

It's always evolving & I will share if things change.

Cheers,

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