Tough dog review thread (3 Viewers)

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Hi guys, i just fitted TD suspension last weeke on my landcruiser 76, going with 45mm adj front and rear, and light load front spring since i dont have a bullbar or winch, and 300-500 rear leaf spring, i will fit drawer system which will be about 70 or 80 kg, with 70 liter water tank.
Now it became bouncy more than my original toyota leafs
And the reason i fitted medium load on the rear is i wanted it to be lifted more than the front, so the dealer recommended it to me saying it will not affect the ride quality.
Now my question is, will it become smother with time? Like one month or two with daily use?
Or should i replace it light load 0-300 kg?

NOTE: i go camping in winter most the time, and rarely exceed 300kg with my load, and the water tank is mostly empty in summer.
 
@Dshoot, I would go with the lower rate spring based on your configuration. Once you add the drawer system and fill it up with tools and gear, top off the water tank and the ride should improve. If you want to maintain that front to rear rake, you should check out AirBagMan air bags, something I had looked into for when I start towing an overlanding trailer in my 100 series. Air bag suspension for TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 76 & 78 Series Troopy incl.

I found that my TD suspension likes to be laden with weight (I only have drawers on my 100 series and aftermarket skid plates) and expect it to improve once I add a rear bumper and front winch. My suspension hasn't really "mellowed or soften" since the install in late 2019 and is still quite firm compared to stock. This past week I had my truck loaded up with 5 days of camping provisions with my gf and my dog and the ride was smoother in the paved (my rear adjustable shocks set at ~9) and off road (rear adjustable shocks set at ~2) portions of the trip when compared to how it rides when I commute to and from work when a lot of the extra weight has been removed.
 
dogdaysindurham said:
@Dshoot, I would go with the lower rate spring based on your configuration. Once you add the drawer system and fill it up with tools and gear, top off the water tank and the ride should improve. If you want to maintain that front to rear rake, you should check out AirBagMan air bags, something I had looked into for when I start towing an overlanding trailer in my 100 series. Air bag suspension for TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 76 & 78 Series Troopy incl.

I found that my TD suspension likes to be laden with weight (I only have drawers on my 100 series and aftermarket skid plates) and expect it to improve once I add a rear bumper and front winch. My suspension hasn't really "mellowed or soften" since the install in late 2019 and is still quite firm compared to stock. This past week I had my truck loaded up with 5 days of camping provisions with my gf and my dog and the ride was smoother in the paved (my rear adjustable shocks set at ~9) and off road (rear adjustable shocks set at ~2) portions of the trip when compared to how it rides when I commute to and from work when a lot of the extra weight has been removed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your informative reply, i contacted the dealer in my region and he replaced the leaf springs with 0-300 (the lightest one), no significant improvement noticed.
I will do as you said with the drawer, the gear and water tank, if i still don't like it i will replace the leaf springs (might get ironman being it relatively cheap and comfy as my fellow cruiser owners in my country said), if not i will return to the factory setup and fit airbagman in the rear.
 
alwaysbored786 said:
I dont see any 100 series lift kit there, or any shocks for the 100 series on that site.
Click to expand...

Jason/Trail Tailor seems to prefer talking to his customers, to make sure that they get the correct items for their vehicle, instead potentially choosing the incorrect parts on a web page, and having a bad experience. Email, DM or call Jason/Trail Tailor.
 
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alwaysbored786 said:
I dont see any 100 series lift kit there, or any shocks for the 100 series on that site.
Click to expand...

jLB said:
Jason/Trail Tailor seems to prefer talking to his customers, to make sure that the get the correct items for their vehicle, instead potentially choosing the incorrect parts on a web page, and having a bad experience. Email, DM or call Jason/Trail Tailor.
Click to expand...

I see so many guys buy the wrong suspension setups based off what "Mr. Jones" put on his cruiser.. I got your PM and will respond soon.

100 kits and shocks just let AUS and will be here in about 10 days.

Jason
 
Just wanted to chime in. I installed the standard 41mm? TD shocks front and rear this past January paired with OME 865 springs, keeping the stock t-bars. I've also got the TT upper and lower rear links plus the TT extended sway links front and rear. Truck is stock besides a DIY rear storage drawer system that weighs around 125#. Running 2755/70R18 Falken AT3W's (E-load).

Just got back from a Thursday-Sunday 900 mile trip exploring Vermont starting at the Canadian Border and zigzagging all around approximately Southwest across the state into Northern MA. Of the ~500 miles in VT around 225-250 were all dirt roads. Everything from graded gravel that you could easily do 50MPH on, to unmaintained Class IV's requiring 4-Lo. The majority of the dirt was washboard/rough traveled at around 25-30 mph. Lots of washboard with potholes and washouts.

The shocks were great IMO. They were smooth at speed on the washboard. Not like a Cadillac, but not harsh and teeth rattling either. Pretty perfect for what 98% of people are realistically going to use their truck for. I was not aired down much due to lazyness. I dropped to 30psi cold, so the sidewalls weren't doing too much to dampen any of the road imperfections. The shocks damped enough that there was pretty minimal rattling of my DIY drawers/ all the crap in them or any of the copious toys my daughter brought along that were scattered around the truck. Would definitely recommend them for a DD/ wheeling/ adventure truck.

North VT.jpg
 
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Yeah I love mine too @Sloth Cruiser , couldn't ask for more for the kind of driving I do.

Guys who running the adjustables, where are you setting them for around town? What changes the you make offroad, and does it vary from faster washboardy stuff to slow, locked wheeling? I seem to like mine best at 6 around town, and will drop a notch or two on a long stretch of washboard or rutted road. Think some guys actually do the opposite though and there's zero science in what I do, I just go by feel
 
EricUT said:
Yeah I love mine too @Sloth Cruiser , couldn't ask for more for the kind of driving I do.

Guys who running the adjustables, where are you setting them for around town? What changes the you make offroad, and does it vary from faster washboardy stuff to slow, locked wheeling? I seem to like mine best at 6 around town, and will drop a notch or two on a long stretch of washboard or rutted road. Think some guys actually do the opposite though and there's zero science in what I do, I just go by feel
Click to expand...

Assuming that all the way counter clockwise is #1.
#5 around town.​
#6 loaded down with gear on a road trip.​
We're still playing "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with an off road settings.​
​
(Both of our 100 series, with the Tough Dog kit, are relative lightweights.)​
 
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I'm a little on the "portly" side. I run 7/10 on the road non-towing, 9/10 on the road when towing. For off-road, the TD User Manual states that nothing over 4 should be used. I've been generally happy with 3. But, my Timbren bumpstops get some work when traversing lots of ledges and drop offs.
 
geanes said:
I'm a little on the "portly" side. I run 7/10 on the road non-towing, 9/10 on the road when towing. For off-road, the TD User Manual states that nothing over 4 should be used. I've been generally happy with 3. But, my Timbren bumpstops get some work when traversing lots of ledges and drop offs.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'm glad you posted this because I'm a little confused. Maybe @TRAIL TAILOR can shed some light, too.

I'd been under the impression the higher the number (further clockwise) equals more dampening. I generally run 3-4 around town (unloaded, it's comfy), ~5-6 if I'm loaded up and ~6-7 for towing (light camper). When I'm on the trails, I'd figured more dampening was better so as not to let the ass end drop like a rock. Is this not what I should be doing?
 
MongooseGA said:
Ok, I'm glad you posted this because I'm a little confused. Maybe @TRAIL TAILOR can shed some light, too.

I'd been under the impression the higher the number (further clockwise) equals more dampening. I generally run 3-4 around town (unloaded, it's comfy), ~5-6 if I'm loaded up and ~6-7 for towing (light camper). When I'm on the trails, I'd figured more dampening was better so as not to let the ass end drop like a rock. Is this not what I should be doing?
Click to expand...


Lower the number the softer/more cushion. 1-4 is were I run trails and 5-9 is were I run highway loaded.

J
 
TRAIL TAILOR said:
Lower the number the softer/more cushion. 1-4 is were I run trails and 5-9 is were I run highway loaded.

J
Click to expand...

Everything I know is a lie... :lol:

When do I get to put these sweet red springs in and turn my shocks up a bit? 😁 ;)
 
MongooseGA said:
Has anyone come to end of life on these shocks yet? I've got 45-50k on them now with highway,trails, and some towing. They're still fine, but starting to wonder what kind of mileage to expect out of them.
Click to expand...
You are closer than ever to the end. You should probably consider a SAS.
 
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