Prado 78 suspension lift

RHD Toyota's · 08-04-07, 03:02 PM

I need some help with finding a suspension lift kit for my LJ78 Prado.
A few months ago I was informed of the zeal suspensin lift but I think they have discontinued that lift as it doesn't come up on their website anymore.

Dobinsons, seems to be a good kit, but I want around 4" of suspension lift and I don't think they offer that amount, also they are the most expensive. It seems anything from Aussie land is expensive.

Anyone know where I can get a complete 4" lift?

Thanks in advance

BJ-44 · 08-04-07, 05:08 PM

Send a PM to Dave "Japan4X4" and see what he can get for you.

pulag · 08-05-07, 06:58 AM

i have a dobinsons shock and coilspring lift upgrade. if your not using the front with extremely heavy winch and bumper get the regular coilspring rate up to 50kgs. the 50-110kgs spring rate lift can easily destroy your shocks if your used to banging up some river rocks or semi boulders. with the 45mm or roughly 2inch lift you can easily put in 33inches a spacer is a good add one. too much height IMHO can make you tipsy and rollover may be a easy predicament. any one tried bilsteins ?

RHD Toyota's · 08-05-07, 11:37 PM

Does bilsteins makes lift or are you asking if anyone has used the shocks?

I had Bilsteins on a Skyline Gtr, and on my current RX-7. very good control, wouldn't use anything else, as for offroad my buddies got a set on his 93 4runner/hilux surf, hes says there great.

As for the lift and putting 33's, I have 33's right now 12.5 wide too, not much rubbing only at weird angles.

pulag · 08-08-07, 05:37 PM

i meant just the shocks. i don't know if they make lift kits. the dobinson lift kits are swell. i was just thinking of upgrading to bilsteins since i have a extra heavy duty front coil spring which actually makes my shocks work harder

Kaney · 08-08-07, 06:12 PM

hi, chainberlains here in new zealand make a spring lift kit that i ran in my prado( before i sold the truck) it worked great, paired their springs with munroes shocks, could also use rancheros rs9????

http://www.marketnewzealand.com/MNZ/...s-Limited.aspx

prado t · 08-08-07, 06:42 PM

I wanted to get the Dobinson kit but , was talked out of for the 2.5 OME medium kit with shocks, they sent the wrong equipment and have to wait another 2 weeks and it has already been over a month since ordering it. geeze

RHD Toyota's · 08-08-07, 07:07 PM

how much for the OME kit, does it include drop steering components, if that is even needed for a lift of this size

prado t · 08-09-07, 06:38 PM

The OME is around a 1000bucks for the 2.5 kit 4 shocks 4 coils, 1 steering stabilizer and caster correction. I have the factory winch so I went medium up front.

crushers · 08-09-07, 07:09 PM

the dobinson is a VERY nice kit.
the OME is a shitty kit

but that is just my experience with one of each on the 2 prados i own...

the dobinson rides nice, very smooth even when getting good air, doesn't bottom out, corners nice...

i have nothing good to say about the OME...

BJ-44 · 08-10-07, 02:20 AM

Like you originally stated you wanted a 4 in lift, go with the Zeal 4.5 it rides great and has enough clearance for 35's. Minor rubbage at full flew with 35's and no issues with 33's. Contact Japan 4X4 for prices. Don't settle for a 2.5 when your looking for a 4 in.

crushers · 08-10-07, 08:38 AM

damn, that looks NICE!!

did you end up with an adjust track bar? did you drop the hangers? i am guessing the sway bar is gone...

how is the power with the big meats? i am running the 34" X 10.5 Swampers and it really doesn't feel that bad...(ain't no turbo'd PZ) and off road it does very nice.

is your auto or manual? the auto takes a lot pf power to get moving but once moving it is okay...

RHD Toyota's · 08-10-07, 05:05 PM

Wayne I thought you were part of the Prado haters band wagon.
lol

To BJ-44, do you still have this truck, and are you sure that your lift was a 4.5 Zeal, because I was talking to Dave at Japan 4x4 and he said there offering a 3 inch up kit.

Guess I'll inquire again

crushers · 08-10-07, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHD Toyota's

Wayne I thought you were part of the Prado haters band wagon.
lol

Prado engine head haters club...
i still love the Prado itself, very capable, comfortable units...

BJ-44 · 08-10-07, 07:52 PM

Quote:

To BJ-44, do you still have this truck, and are you sure that your lift was a 4.5 Zeal, because I was talking to Dave at Japan 4x4 and he said there offering a 3 inch up kit.

I still have it it's my daily driver. The previous owner Pactoy (Randy) got the Zeal Lift used from Dave about 3+ years ago so I don't know if they still make it. It definitely isn't a 3 in lift it sits almost as high as the 74 with spring over and 35.

Quote:

did you end up with an adjust track bar? did you drop the hangers? i am guessing the sway bar is gone...

It needed the caster correction bushings, surprisingly with out adjustable track bars the axles are centered, Randy had the sway bars still on it with drop hangers but I removed them for more flex. It just has a little more body roll.

Quote:

how is the power with the big meats? i am running the 34" X 10.5 Swampers and it really doesn't feel that bad...(ain't no turbo'd PZ) and off road it does very nice.

is your auto or manual? the auto takes a lot pf power to get moving but once moving it is okay...

It lost a little power but with exhaust and the EGR blocked off it gained the power back. It will do 120 kph (3000rpms) on the expressway and maintain it as long as I don't get slowed down. It would not do so well in the North American mountains but in Japan it's fine. Offroad it has plenty of power. It is auto but the autos seem to accelerate better than the 5 speed since it keeps it in the peak torque range 2800-3200 unless you floor it. This has been my experience.

I definitely don't think they have the greatest engines but if they are taken care of they can be reliable this one has over 250,000KM on it. It has has 35 on it for over a year and had 33 on it for 2 years+

oldblue · 08-10-07, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaney

hi, chainberlains here in new zealand make a spring lift kit that i ran in my prado( before i sold the truck) it worked great, paired their springs with munroes shocks, could also use rancheros rs9????

http://www.marketnewzealand.com/MNZ/...s-Limited.aspx

Karney, Do you have the part number for the front Monroe' shocks

crushers · 08-10-07, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ-44

It needed the caster correction bushings, surprisingly with out adjustable track bars the axles are centered, Randy had the sway bars still on it with drop hangers but I removed them for more flex.

It lost a little power but with exhaust and the EGR blocked off it gained the power back. It will do 120 kph (3000rpms) on the expressway and maintain it as long as I don't get slowed down. It would not do so well in the North American mountains but in Japan it's fine. Offroad it has plenty of power. It is auto but the autos seem to accelerate better than the 5 speed since it keeps it in the peak torque range 2800-3200 unless you floor it. This has been my experience.

I definitely don't think they have the greatest engines but if they are taken care of they can be reliable this one has over 250,000KM on it. It has has 35 on it for over a year and had 33 on it for 2 years+

thanks for the info, pretty much what i found with the 35s and a 2 1/2" lift...
i found in the deep snow or mud getting going would overheat the engine real quick but like you once it was moving it moved along very nice off road...

RHD Toyota's · 08-10-07, 11:21 PM

honestly guys I haven't overheated my Prado yet, and I don't want to jinx myself by saying that, the boost is at 14psi the tires are 33x12.50, the odometer reads 78,000kms had it since 56,000kms, and I absolutely love it. No speeding tickets and I don't pass anything but a gas station, lol

Just want to get some more ground clearence and a better off road ride.

I'll keep bugging Dave, thanks again everyone, and BJ-44 if you have some more pics put them up cause you know we all love to see them

RHD Toyota's · 08-10-07, 11:23 PM

Hey wayne I PM'd you about your rear e locker for the prado do you still have it for sale or is it long gone

PacToy · 08-11-07, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ-44

I still have it it's my daily driver. The previous owner Pactoy (Randy) got the Zeal Lift used from Dave about 3+ years ago so I don't know if they still make it. It definitely isn't a 3 in lift it sits almost as high as the 74 with spring over and 35.

It needed the caster correction bushings, surprisingly with out adjustable track bars the axles are centered, Randy had the sway bars still on it with drop hangers but I removed them for more flex. It just has a little more body roll.

It lost a little power but with exhaust and the EGR blocked off it gained the power back. It will do 120 kph (3000rpms) on the expressway and maintain it as long as I don't get slowed down. It would not do so well in the North American mountains but in Japan it's fine. Offroad it has plenty of power. It is auto but the autos seem to accelerate better than the 5 speed since it keeps it in the peak torque range 2800-3200 unless you floor it. This has been my experience.

I definitely don't think they have the greatest engines but if they are taken care of they can be reliable this one has over 250,000KM on it. It has has 35 on it for over a year and had 33 on it for 2 years+

Hey Shane,

Yeah, I think that lift was installed late 2002 or early 2003. It took all of a couple of hours to install with the help of Dwayne who had just done almost the same lift to his KZJ78.

I'm glad to see the pics of you taking the cruiser out for some wheeling. I got a lot of things from Dave over the years but this lift wasn't one of them. I got that lift from Rontatsu Hiroshima LC Club via Tim.

For the others:

The prado for me was a daily driver/family mover. I took it to the beaches on occassion and to the trail once or twice. It did very well every time. I didn't change a thing other than the coils and shocks. After the lift the cruiser rode better than stock minus a wee bit of tracking under braking (not bad at all) in certain spots of the Okinawan roads. It is a Zeal/ProStaff 4.5 lift Blue Coil. I state "Blue Coil" as some companies in Japan color code their spring rates with colors.

Hey, I thought this had been asked before too!

http://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/114531-lj78-suspension-lift.html

RHDToyotas,

I know for a fact that Dave (Japan4x4) is extremely busy at this time. Don't get discouraged because a response hasn't been fast or at all yet. Dave will help you out as he can when he can. He will take care of you when given the opprotunity to do so.

More pics who be nice, Shane

RHD Toyota's · 08-11-07, 12:27 AM

yep I have asked the question before but got no leads when I tried with zeal. but dave is trying to help me now so things are looking up, up in the sky I hope

BJ-44 · 08-11-07, 01:25 AM

Randy's pic is when it had the smallish 33's on it.

PacToy · 08-11-07, 01:40 AM

RHDToyotas,

Sorry to hear about the luck with Zeal. I/We always got some kind of reply back when we sent a email question. I don't know, maybe they had that one guy or gal that would give our inquiries in English a go is gone now.

One of the good things about living in Japan is that you could go to the book store(s) and buy these all inclusive 4x4 accessories catalogs. They had everything possible for any make or model 4x4. It has chapters for suspension, roof racks, bumpers, lights, interiors, tires etc etc etc. So all you would do is flip to the color coded chapter for lets say suspensions, then you looked in that chapter for the sub-chapter of your model 4x4. It would detail all the kits for that model and where and who to buy from. The Land Cruiser Prado 78s had/has 4-5 pages of suspension kits/susp parts alone. It would even detail cruisers by series for parts and accessories. The catalog is very detailed.

Then if you find the parts, kits or accessories you want, all you would have to do is take the catalog to a 4x4 shop or even a gas station and they would order it for you. Then you pick up the parts from that establishment at a later date/time.

That catalog would be heeps of info for you and others on what JDM products are available for JDM cruisers. Maybe you can find somebody who can get a catalog for you? Most listings have url links to said shops or parts listed. I have spent hours and hours flipping through that catalog, great pics and info. It is in Japanese though.

PacToy · 08-11-07, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ-44

Randy's pic is when it had the smallish 33's on it.

Yeppers! 33x12.5 on 15x8 Eagles alloys. I hated those darn Geolanders and I'm glad that you spent the money to put a decent set of 35" BFGs on it.

With the tweaks you did to the Prado I bet she rides like a caddy and wheels even better!!

BJ-44 · 08-11-07, 03:25 AM

I hate geolanders but the 35's were for free (and brand new) but I still almost bought BFG's. I did try the worn out 35 BFG's from my 44 on it and it drove like a dream. Can't beat free though I mounted and balance em myself.

crushers · 08-11-07, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHD Toyota's

Hey wayne I PM'd you about your rear e locker for the prado do you still have it for sale or is it long gone

the locker is still here, i am just torn as to whether i strip the truck or ship it to ontario and use it as a part unit for the other one...

if i decide to strip i will post up again
OR
do as some guys do, hassle me every monday morning, if i have had a change of mind then that is the best day to get results...
<seriously, this has worked many times in the past>

RHD Toyota's · 08-11-07, 08:17 PM

so your inviting me to harass you, all right

1990 LJ78 · 08-12-07, 05:11 PM

Wayne seeing as you bring up your possible parts prado.
Can I have the battery tray??? {;-)
Harassment.. yep I just love it.

crushers · 08-13-07, 03:46 PM

i have a guy that has been harrasing me every 2 days for the last few weeks to get a bikini top for a BJ74...
this brings the item to the for front each morning... he will get the top this way...otherwise i KNOW life will get in the way...

harras away...Richard, if i do strip this rig then you can have the tray...