Wallowing Pig needs new shocks, so how about entire new suspension upgrade? (1 Viewer)

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Oct 16, 2004
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My 1999 LC needs new shocks because when I'm driving around town its suspension is wallowing around to the point where it isn't much fun to drive at the moment.

And I'm thinking, if I'm going to spend a couple hundred bucks to get new shocks and have them installed, I might as well see what my options are for a small suspension lift and upgrade.

I remember the difference in ride and handling when my brother put a suspension lift on his '95 Tacoma using Old Man Emu coil springs and new leaf springs in the rear. It was like night and day. The truck went from driving like a truck to driving, at least what it felt like to us at the time, something that "Ironman" Stewart might be racing when we were driving down the local forest roads.

While I understand that my 100 is much heavier than a Tacoma, what I'm trying to say is that I'd like to upgrade my suspension enough so that I'll definitely be able to notice the improvement.

So what options are available out there?
 
Your options are new springs and shocks. After looking around, I found the OME to be affordable and easy to get. The front torsion bars are also available from Sway-a-way but they cost twice as much as OME and are only slightly thicker. Other companies make new springs but I don't think anyone ships them here to the U.S.

So my vote is OME. Mine are sitting in the garage waiting to be put on. I'm going to run the OME rear shocks and KYB front shocks until I can afford to install a custom shock set up.

I can't wait for a firmer spring rate and new shocks. My stock shocks have been shot since my first off road trip:doh:
 
I have recently upgraded my suspension and fitted TJM Series 2000 and find it excellent.

I purchased my Landcruiser new and drove it around for a week before realising the suspension could use an upgrade.

I was a little concerned about transforming the comfortable relatively soft ride to something which was a little firmer as I love my comfort and always want the best of both worlds....

So, I forked out the money and had 4 XGS gas shocks fitted and heavy duty rear springs also, the lift was 50mm at the rear and 40mm up front.

I was advised at the time that the original torsion bars were adequate for my application as I have a T3 Classique bar fitted without a winch, so they advised me to retain the original torsion bar and save my money.

They did however advise that if I were to have fitted a heavier bullbar or/and a winch that a heavy duty torsion bar would be a prerequisite.

After having the new vehicle for only a week, and scrapping a perfectly good suspension system had me a little worried, but after doing it, I couldn't be happier.

The vehicle rides just as comfortably as before, even more so, with more stability on the corners, and definitely more comfort and control during high speed 2nd grade dirt roads with relatively large ruts....not to mention that the lift has certainly made a big difference to off road damage avoidance..

I couldn't be happier, and thoroughly recommend an upgrade, you won't regret it.
 
calamaridog said:
I'm going to run the OME rear shocks and KYB front shocks until I can afford to install a custom shock set up.

I have this shock combination and I hate it !!!!! The front shock are firmer and this cause more load transfered to the back. This makes the truck really squirely on turns and felt like it would oversteer all the time. I am running KYB GR2 front and OME comfort rear with OME spring. Your result might be different if you use OME HD with stock torsion bar. I would suggest using rear KYB GR2 also to better ballance the truck. OME rear are about 1" longer than KYB but that is the only advantage IMHO.

I wish its easy to obtain Koni Heavy Track Raid in US. Been waiting the last 4 months with no firm arrival date and no firm pricing. The standard suspension heavy track are way too short to use.
 
US Suspension parts Availability for 100 Series IFS

List of Available shocks:

OEM Toyota - For stock ride height

OME - 1" longer than stock (# N133-N101) (Rear Shock N101C for softer ride)
$80 from Slee and Cruiser Outfitters
Specs
N100 and 133 - 11.42in/290mm Compressed - 17.32in/440mm Extended - 5.90in/150mm Travel
N101 and N101C - 14.17in/360mm Compressed- 24.02in/610mm Extended - 9.84in/250mm Travel​

KYB GR2 - For stock ride height
Specs
PN# 345022 - 11in/279.4mm Compressed - 16.9in/429.26mm Extended - 5.9in/149.86mm
PN# 345023 - 14.1in/358.14mm Compressed - 22.9in/581.66 Extended - 8.8in/223.52mm Travel​


Bilstein - Standard ride height Heavy Duty (#BE5-2739 and BE5-2740) $155
Specs
BE5-2739 - 10.39in/263.9mm Compressed - 16.08in/408.4mm Extended 5.69in/144.5mm Travel
BE5-2740 - 13.67in/347.2mm Compressed / 21.71in/551.4mm Extended - 8.04in/204.2mm Travel

KONI - Koni are available thru special order but only the standard length at this time. The Raid version have been out of stock for some time and the factory in France closed out.

Specs
8240-1183 SPX - 11.73in/298mm Compressed - 17.44in/443mm Extended - 5.71in/145mm Travel
8240-1184 SPX 14.48in/368mm Compressed - 23.03in/585mm Extended - 8.54in/217mm Travel​

Edelbrock Performer IAS (#33602-34602) Listed for 98-04 $98 - Comments Please

Any Others?

Torsion Bars:
OEM Lexus for the LX470
OEM Toyota for LC - 28.87mm (Possible Upgrade for LX470s)
OME - 30.5mm $265 from SleeOff Road
Sway-Away -
Slee OffRoad Torsion Bar - 31mm - Special order from Slee Offroad

Available rear springs:

OEM Toyota
Toyota Rear springs from 80 Series LC
OME Medium Load - #866 $148/pair from Slee OffRoad
OME Heavy Load #865 $148/pair from Slee OffRoad
OME 860 Medium Rear Coil Spring For 10/2000 and later IFS (Available from Cruiser Outfitters )
OME 863 Heavy Rear Coil Spring For 10/2000 and later IFS (Available from Cruiser Outfitters )

Other upgrades:
Slee Diffdrop Kit for 2" Lift - $175 from Slee OffRoad
LX470 AHC Black Box -
ARB A-Arm Beef-up kit A-arm Kit

Owners and dealers help me make this post better with your corrections and info. I'll keep updating until it is a FAQ worthy resource.

Thanks to Augie and Cruiser Outfitters for contributions so far.
 
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http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/sus_100series.html

I have a 99 and was thinking about lifting when I got the new set of tires which will prob be the beginning of next year. Would the OME Light/Medium Replacement Suspension~1.5" Lift be enough to fit 35's? And would I need the diff drop kit for only 1.5" of lift? Or Trim Spacers?

Any info from people that have installed this or similar would be greatly appreciated.
 
LonghornCruiser said:
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/sus_100series.html

I have a 99 and was thinking about lifting when I got the new set of tires which will prob be the beginning of next year. Would the OME Light/Medium Replacement Suspension~1.5" Lift be enough to fit 35's? And would I need the diff drop kit for only 1.5" of lift? Or Trim Spacers?

Any info from people that have installed this or similar would be greatly appreciated.

The diff drop kit is a must IMO...cheap and easy to install insurance. FYI: The larger the tire diameter/width the more dramatic effect on all the other driveline parts (i.e. steering, brakes, axles, diffs, shocks, springs, etc.) that the Toyota engineers did not use as design objectives. Per the advice from Christo, who is arguably the most experienced on 100 mods, 285R75/16 are the best overall compromise with respect to changing the vehicle dynamics and respectable off-road performance.

In answer to your question you will need to increase the overall lift on the front by a minimum of 50mm (50mm is the recommended max compromise) (2") for either 285R75/16 or anything larger. You will get less 'droop' in the front due to IFS...but this is part of the compromise. 50mm lift for back (stiffer springs).
 
Thanks for the response.

I was under the impression that 285/75/16 would fit @ stock height.

So, are saying that the OME lift won't allow a bigger tire than stock height? :confused: If so, what purpose is there really to sell a 1-1.5" lift, when a 2" lift is needed to actually be able to raise the height from the axle to the ground? Meaning a bigger tire.

What 2"+ kits are available & @ what cost?
 
LC, Yes 285R75/16 will fit fine with stock suspension (no additional lift required); I know this because, up until a month ago, I ran this combo. However with the lift you get more clearance (tire to fender clearance and also front suspension to ground clearance). I think the OME lift is based on 50mm lift (2"). And yes you can stuff the 315R75/16 tires onto a 2" lifted LC but with the understanding of my previous opinion on limitations...etc.
 
Thanks Spresso,

Appreciate the response. I understand that the 2" lifted cruiser with 35s will still be limited somewhat for rock crawling. The question now is, would a 2" lifted cruiser w/ 315/75/16s be more or less limited than a stock cruiser w/ 285/75/16s or 305/70/16s? For just regular trail riding and street use. Any rubbing?

TIA
 
I'll need to defer to Shotts and/or Christo Slee as they have run both sizes on their 100's...
 
Here is some of the data I collected. I am in the market also to replace my worn out 20 month old Rear OME shock.

Koni are available thru special order but only the standard length at this time The Raid version have been out of stock for some time and the factory in France closed out.

Brand/ Compressed / Extended / Travel
P/N / in / mm / in / mm / in / mm
Bilstein
BE5-2739 / 10.39 / 263.9 / 16.08 / 408.4 / 5.69 / 144.5
BE5-2740 / 13.67 / 347.2 / 21.71 / 551.4 / 8.04 / 204.2


KONI
8240-1183 SPX / 11.73 / 298 / 17.44 / 443 / 5.71 / 145
8240-1184 SPX / 14.48 / 368 / 23.03 / 585 / 8.54 / 217


KYB
345022 / 11 / 279.4 / 16.9 / 429.26 / 5.9 / 149.86
345023 / 14.1 / 358.14 / 22.9 / 581.66 / 8.8 / 223.52


OME
N100/133 / 11.42 / 290 / 17.32 / 440 / 5.90 / 150
N101/N101C / 14.17 / 360 / 24.02 / 610 / 9.84 / 250
 
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