120 series prado, lift it or no lift it?

[uk_vette]

Hello All,

I am in a state of questioning what I actually need, as against what I think I need.

I have a 2005 LC 120 series, LC3, standard Mr. Toyota springs and shocks, as out of the factory.

So, on a drive down to Cape Town, sticking generally to tarmac roads, should I be thinking of a ''suspension lift'' ?

My rear springs are tired as they are now, so I do need to replace them, and probably get all 4 done with new shocks.

But, the 120 is already quite a high vehicle, and I don't particularly want to go any higher, if I don't have to.

I priced up the original Toyota spring replacement, and almost passed out with the cost quoted. So I don't think I will be going the original Toyota springs and shocks, unless I got a set of a wrecked land Cruiser.

I could live with a 20 - 30 mm lift, but I feel a full on 50mm is just too much.

Ideas and options please.

'vette

[tom cruiser]

I think that it is a good idea to use wheel spacers (3 cm) if you lift it.

A friend of mine he used standard ome lift on lc120 and he improved the stability with wheel spacers. That was also my experience with lc95(prado/colorado) with 6cm ome lift.

Hope it helps,
Tomaz

[uk_vette]

Hi Tomaz,

I am sure that would greatly improve the stability.
I think it will also make it look a whole lot better also.

I have found out I can have just a 25mm lift with springs from OME, so this might be the route I take,

The LC120, as you know, is already quite a highish 4x4


'vette

[Peter Girling]

Hi 'vette,

Go for the lift. The IFS on the front of the 120 makes the sump area very vulnerable. You've only got to hit an unexpected pothole once...

My 120 has an OME 2" lift and it handles and looks fine. 140,000 km on North African & European roads & tracks. Don't like spacers due to the additional stress on the wheel bearings. (even Toyotas have their limit)

Happy trails,

Jojo

[joiben]

Here is a company that does these lifts on Toyotas
you can look at the images to see different tires under the trucks

Arctic Trucks

If you go to the Icelandic version of the page you can find more photos

[JulianVoelcker]

As others have said you should consider around a 2"/50mm lift - it doesn't matter if you go down the East or West coast of Africa you will appreciate the extra clearance.

As JoJo says, avoid the wheel spacers - these will be fine for driving around locally and if you are in a position to check and tighten up the wheel bearings on a regular basis, however for the sort of trip that you are planning it just isn't worth it - just make sure that you keep most of the weight low down and between the wheels - that's the cheapest way of maintaining stability.

Looking at one of the ranges we sell you can get heavy duty springs that will give you zero lift on the front and around 10mm on the back or you can go for the raised height heavy duty springs providing 35mm lift at the front (assuming winch and winch bar) and 40-45mm lift on the back.

[armadillo]

I can only tell you that people i know have used AIR LIFT in TLC 80's for overlanding and were very happy with it. In fact they did not remove the balloons when back just lowered the pressure.

cheers!