New LJ78 Owner, need EBay Lift Kit opinions

[GTSSportCoupe]

Hey Folks, I'm new to the forums here and thought I'd introduce myself and ask a suspension question. I'm new to the Landcruiser scene, but definitely not new to owning and working on Toyotas. I've been in the '80s Toyota sports car scene for years, and have heavily modified a few cars. I've owned a Tercel 4wd station wagon which I drove into some pretty crazy places camping/fishing in the back country of Vancouver Island. I spent a bunch of time in an FJ40 and a BJ60 when I worked for a mineral exploration company years ago, and grew up around 4wd vehicles. So I decided it was time to acquire my own cruiser.

As my family is growing, it was time to let go of my MR2 and get something more practical. I recently got a good deal on an LJ78 Prado (paid $3500), and I just love the vehicle. Yeah, I know all about the 2LTE issues, but for the price I paid I'm willing to deal with them if they surface. I've done all my own work on my vehicles for the last 15 years, so will save a lot of $$ by doing the work myself on this vehicle. The particular vehicle I bought says it has 165,000kms, but I'd say by the looks of it probably has closer to 250,000kms (someone back in J-land rolled the odometer back). The engine runs good and looks like the head has never been replaced. So I guess I'm one of the lucky few to own a Prado without a cracked head issue (yet). The previous owner just rebuilt the turbo and injectors trying to fix a bad engine smoking problem (in vain). They gave up on it which is why I got it cheap. 30 min after getting it home I discovered the problem was just a kinked PCV hose to a pop bottle catch can. I reconnected the PCV hose as per factory setup, and the oil burning problem went away. I feel bad for the seller, but good for the deal I got. They had recently spent a fortune getting the turbo and injectors rebuilt, so took a pretty big loss on the truck.

I have a lot of plans for improving the reliability and output of the motor. I'm basically going to follow pradocruzer's example by modifying the MAP pressure signal to the ECU to run leaner and allow more turbo pressure. I'll also be increasing the boost, installing a front mount intercooler, new down pipe and exhaust. Timing belt, waterpump, thermostat, accessory belts, EGR block off, electric rad fan, etc etc. will also all be done. I've already bought a pyrometer and boost gauge which I'll soon be installing.

The original suspension on my Prado is in sore shape with leaking electronic adjustable shocks and tired springs. I've been reading about suspension options. I want to go with a mild lift (maybe 2"). I've heard the Dobinson setup is good. I've also thought about contacting RADD Cruisers here on Vancouver Island to see what they can get in. However I was wondering what you guys thought of this kit on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amada-Shocks-Absorbers-50mm-2-raised-KING-SPRING-LandCruiser-70-series-Prado-/260986080641?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AToyota|Model%3ALand+Cruiser&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cc3fb8d81

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

Nick

 

[roscoFJ73]

Hi and welcome. I see they are being shipped from Malayasia which probably means they are Beltons springs branded as King Springs. Beltons make a huge range of springs for vehicles sold in SE Asia.

The price is good but with these rebranded packages ,you dont really know what your are getting.
Beltons will make anything according to price,at one stage they were selling Beltons as Old Man Emu.

Generally you hear a mix of comments,usually good,about King Springs in oz.
Ive never heard of Amada shocks.
I would see how much Dobinsons cost 1st,if Radd doesnt do them, Mike at West Coast Landcruisers in California use to import Dobinsons.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

You can get OME (Old Man Emu) suspension parts in North America for LJs - a buddy with an European-import LJ73 fitted an OME suspension purchased locally.

TorFab Off-Road in Mukilteo (just south of Everett, Washington) can get you the OME parts for your rig.

Good luck!

Alan

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Great info, thanks a lot guys. I'll stay away from the Ebay kit then, and start calling some of the options you guys noted.

Nick

 

[cicak]

Since you are local support RADD Cruisers they help a lot of people on this forum would beat EBAY hands down for advice etc.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Since you are local support RADD Cruisers they help a lot of people on this forum would beat EBAY hands down for advice etc.

I agree. I'll be calling them today to see what they recommend and what they can get. I'll post up here when I know the options, as I know there are others here looking for LJ78 lift options.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Well guys, I decided to go with the OME kit from Radd Cruisers. The price is good, and they have most of the stuff in their stock even. I dealt with Rob, and he is a good guy and provided a fast quote.

For other's reference, their pricing in my quote (before tax) was:

- OME - Front Coil Springs Pair - Medium - $217.98CAD
- OME - Rear Coil Springs Pair - Medium - $217.98CAD
- OME - Shock, Front Pair - $243.06CAD
- OME - Shock, Rear Pair - $243.06CAD
- OME - Steering Damper - $107.79CAD

Total: $1030CAD before tax.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Hey folks. I thought I'd follow up here and mention I installed the OME suspension last weekend. Install was pretty easy for the most part. So far I'm very happy with it. The back sits a bit higher than the front, but will level when she's loaded and/or towing I expect. It rides much better than the tired factory suspension I had previously.

I thought I'd post the OME part numbers in case someone goes with this in their LJ78 in the future. From the cartons I received (and this OME catalog on the web: http://www.4x4parts.fi/kuvat/kuvastot/OME Cat 24 EXPORT.pdf ) I've confirmed the part numbers as:

- Front Spring to 50kgs (30mm lift) - 2 x OME872
- Front Nitrocharger shock - 2 x N77
- Rear Spring Medium Load (40mm lift) - 2 x OME873
- Rear Nitrocharger shock - 2 x N79
- Steering Damper - OMESD24

I highly recommend RADD Cruisers. They had most of what I needed in stock, and got the rest in for me in about two weeks.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Glad to see you got what you wanted. The suspension should get even better once it loosens up a bit.

 

[gotoy]

No castor correction bushings needed?

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

No castor correction bushings needed?

RADD did not mention the need, nor do OME have such a thing in their catalog. I think because it is such a small lift (40mm back, 30mm front), the bushings are not needed.

I haven't had a chance to get an alignment yet, but the truck drives good as is. I think the castor is out a bit, as I have to pay a little more attention to the steering than I did before. But really it is pretty minor.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Glad to see you got what you wanted. The suspension should get even better once it loosens up a bit.

Yeah, I've found that already actually. Every day it feels a bit better.

 

[roscoFJ73]

RA I think the castor is out a bit, as I have to pay a little more attention to the steering than I did before. But really it is pretty minor.

When you raise the ass end it gives you that twitchy feeling in the steering.I forget if it's toe in or castor,but it can usually be adjusted out.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

When you raise the ass end it gives you that twitchy feeling in the steering.I forget if it's toe in or castor,but it can usually be adjusted out.

Good to know, thanks.

I'll post a couple pictures of how she looks when I get a chance. I was a little surprised how much higher the back sits than the front, but I think it'll actually work out perfectly for towing.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

OME Pics

Well guys, here are a few pics of the truck with 235/85R16 tires and the OME medium lift:

Passenger Side:

Driver Side:

Next to a 4Runner:

Steering Stabilizer:

Back Suspension:

Front Suspension:

 

[roscoFJ73]

That looks perfect,now you can start getting ready to do those swivel joints
You might want to drain the front diff oil to see if you have grease leaking into the diff. It will look like like dark green/brown chunks floating around in the oil.
The front axle kits are cheap but its labour intensive.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

That looks perfect,now you can start getting ready to do those swivel joints
You might want to drain the front diff oil to see if you have grease leaking into the diff. It will look like like dark green/brown chunks floating around in the oil.
The front axle kits are cheap but its labour intensive.

Yeah, the swivel joints are pretty near the top of the list of things I still need to do on the truck. I did change the diffs and transfer case oils, as well as a full auto trans drop pan/flush job. I was looking carefully at the front diff oil to see how bad it was with grease, as I had read about it already. It definitely had some grease in it, but wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Wifey is getting upset with how much time I've been putting into the truck, so the swivel joints are going to have to wait a little bit.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Nice looking Prado. In addition to the pyrometer I would also consider a good quality after-market water temp. gauge. The factory gauges are unreliable and might not indicate a problem until it is to late.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Nice looking Prado. In addition to the pyrometer I would also consider a good quality after-market water temp. gauge. The factory gauges are unreliable and might not indicate a problem until it is to late.

Will do; thanks for the recommendation and nice comment. I have been reading a lot about the 2lte's and the problems people have had with them. I will be doing everything I can to preserve my poor little 2lte. I actually like the engine believe it or not!

Mine is one of the few that so far has had no problems. 55,000kms in North America, and no head problems. Since I bought it I've never seen the factory temp gauge move above 1/3. I'm the third owner. The first had the cooling system flushed and had a 82C thermostat put in. The second beat the crap out of the truck, and even towed a 1500lb tent trailer up mountain passes with no problems (I think he got lucky, as he didn't even know much about the problems with these engines).

I, the third owner, plan to do a lot of things to improve the reliability of the engine, and try to eliminate the chance of a head failure as much as possible. (Gauges, larger downpipe/exhaust, intercooler, electronic modification of MAP sensor circuit to run leaner (cooler), more boost, water injection, high level of maintenance, light right foot, etc.). To me these sort of modifications are fun (sick, i know...).

 

[roscoFJ73]

Will do; thanks for the recommendation and nice comment. I have been reading a lot about the 2lte's and the problems people have had with them. I will be doing everything I can to preserve my poor little 2lte. I actually like the engine believe it or not!

Mine is one of the few that so far has had no problems. 55,000kms in North America, and no head problems. Since I bought it I've never seen the factory temp gauge move above 1/3. I'm the third owner. The first had the cooling system flushed and had a 82C thermostat put in. The second beat the crap out of the truck, and even towed a 1500lb tent trailer up mountain passes with no problems (I think he got lucky, as he didn't even know much about the problems with these engines).

I, the third owner, plan to do a lot of things to improve the reliability of the engine, and try to eliminate the chance of a head failure as much as possible. (Gauges, larger downpipe/exhaust, intercooler, electronic modification of MAP sensor circuit to run leaner (cooler), more boost, water injection, high level of maintenance, light right foot, etc.). To me these sort of modifications are fun (sick, i know...).

I was talking to an owner who had 256000klms on his import 2LT Surf and he had never heard of the problems and had never had a problem himself.
Nor had he ever taken any special precautions,just regular maintenance.
So Im not convinced every single one had a problem.