Bilstein and Suspension Lift Questions...

[Peter]

Has anyone installed the Bilstein/Ridepro kit put together by Darren Mcrae at Autocraft (previously at ATS) in Geelong? Thoughts?
Lots of good feedback on Pradopoint, but haven't come across anything in searches here.
Reason being this kit is supplied locally (Adelaide) and fitted by Total Traction Tyres. Bilsteins don't seem to be very common in Adelaide.
Cheers
Pete

bump

[Batman]

Has anyone installed the Bilstein/Ridepro kit put together by Darren Mcrae at Autocraft (previously at ATS) in Geelong? Thoughts?
Lots of good feedback on Pradopoint, but haven't come across anything in searches here.
Reason being this kit is supplied locally (Adelaide) and fitted by Total Traction Tyres. Bilsteins don't seem to be very common in Adelaide.
Cheers
Pete

Pete,

Not sure anyone has that exact combination, but in my opinion you can't go wrong with the Bilsteins, as for the springs I have heard of people not being happy with the results a few different makes of springs. Most of the guys on this forum with King springs seem very happy.

I have heard that ATS in Geelong are very good, but have no first hand experience.In the end if you get a warranty and the price is right you can't go wrong.

I got my Bilsteins from my local TJM shop. If you contact TJM in Nailsworth 8344 6444 or St Mary's 8276 4400 and asked them for a quote to supply Bilstein shocks and the King Springs (part numbers are on this or another Bilstein thread) you couldn't go wrong.

Good luck with it.

Steve.

[tonymtber]

I got mine direct from "4wd Direct"
Price & service were excellent....have a chat to Paul!

[ktm950adv]

Any one Know the best place in Brisbane to get Bilstein shocks and King Springs as a package

Ta

Tim

[hilux_bondy_007]

you could go to fourby's thats where twisty got his fitted

[ktm950adv]

Ok Thanks
Will try Fourbys
Cheers
Tim

[Peter]

Hi Ad,
I was quoted $2250 for the bilstein/ridepro kit installed. Pricing sounds ok.
Will probably go down this path once I've had the larger tyres engineering (keep everything legal)
You could try Darren at Autocraft, www.auto-craft.com.au, he might have an installer near you.
Pete

[daveo]

Guys, got this quote from Fourbys just recently

"We have completed considerable testing with different suspension systems and have found the best 50mm lift configuration for the current model Hilux is as follows:

Bilstein shocks front and rear
King springs in the front (rating to suit your application)
EFS rear Springs (rating to suit your application)
Greasable shackles.

The price to supply and fit this system in the load ratings you have nominated is $2100 incl GST"

Seems to be a good price with what seems to roughly be the group consensus on the combination of shocks and springs.

[gavishuge]

Guys, just thought I'd ask those with the Bilstein struts 2 questions:

1) Can you get additional grooves machined lower than the 3 standard grooves in order to lower vehicle?
2)Can a non mechanically inclined person change to different grooves by themselves without special tools?

Cheerz and thanks
Gavishuge

[Alby]

As far as I am aware everyone who has done this mod was to get a lift not for lowering so not sure if it is the ideal solution for that or not, as far as adjusting the groove settings, the idea with these is not to be consumer adjustable but for adjustment for initial setup. Even if you were able to adjust the groove height yourself you would still have to get a wheel alignment done each time.

[gavishuge]

Alby, thank you for your comment. Yeah I was just wondering because I have a 2 inch bodylift and was wanting an adjustable suspension setup so as not to look ridiculously high and become cop bait. Then just adjust suspension to a higher groove for offroad. I guess I am being overly paranoid. In Perth the police seem to be a lot less clued up on the NCOP and the laws associated with four wheel drives, if i am wrong please correct me

Looks like i will just have get over myself and get that 3 inch Bilstein/King lift hey
Will keep you guys posted!

Thanks again for your help Alby
Cheerz
Gavishuge

[hilux_bondy_007]

Hey guys, I was looking at gettin this kit and was wondering has anyone done the 2"" lift? And with that would it be better to reset rears or get new ones?

[daveo]

Finally got a Bilstein kit fitted to my ute by the guys at Fourbys.

Bilstein front struts and rear shocks
King KTFR-101HD heavy duty coils 800lb
EFS THX-42EB leaves medium duty 200kg constant rating
Greasable shackles

My ute has ARB bullbar, winch, dual batt, alloy tray, 70L water tank under tray. Generally do touring, gravel roads, beach etc, rarely carry heavy loads and usually just my GF and I on longer trips.

Rides much better than before, no more pitching and rolling through corners. A bit firmer, mainly in the rear with no load but filled the watertank and its nice and settled.

Ride heights measured from lower rim lip, stock 16' wheels and tyres, to lip of guard.
Front
Before L 690 R 700mm
After L 770 R 770mm
Lift L 80 R 70

The rear came up as well but i cant remember how much, approx 50mm i think.
Clearance under front bash plate
Before 200mm
After 270mm

All in all very happy with the result. Now to finish off the next 3 weeks of uni then off to Cairns for 10 weeks and the Cape (hopefully). Cant wait!

For those that have similar kits installed, have any of you made any sort of stone guard for the leading edge of the drivers side shock? Was thinking of zip-tying on a bit of rubber for some protection on gravel roads. Thoughts?

Dave.

[EASTCOAST]

Hi all,,,, How much should the 3inch Bilstien kit be.....
Looking at
Bilstien 3inch lift in the front (with the extra grooves)
Bilstien rear shocks
EFS 2inch raised leafs
EFS? front coils
Greesable shackles
Diff Drop kit
I have been quoted $2600 fitted or $2200 supplied only(Maquarie 4x4)
Is this a good deal,Any dealer local to "the shire" would be exelent to hear good and bad reports to steer me in the right direction...........Cheers

[Alby]

Hi all,,,, How much should the 3inch Bilstien kit be.....
Looking at
Bilstien 3inch lift in the front (with the extra grooves)
Bilstien rear shocks
EFS 2inch raised leafs
EFS? front coils
Greesable shackles
Diff Drop kit
I have been quoted $2600 fitted or $2200 supplied only(Maquarie 4x4)
Is this a good deal,Any dealer local to "the shire" would be exelent to hear good and bad reports to steer me in the right direction...........Cheers

Mate give Dave at east coast suspension a call in Alexander avenue taren point. He did mine. Not a 4wd expert but a suspension specialist

[ls3tourer]

Mate i've been hunting around and it seems to me like that's a pretty good deal?

[EASTCOAST]

Alby, what rims are they on your ute and what off set....Also what height are you at and does it scrub much

[earlydays]

Hi all.....

Six months ago I had a 2inch suspension lift and suitable King springs and Bilstein shocks fitted front and rear to my '05 on Hilux SR xtra cab 3.0l diesel. I don't tow, but recently ( 2 weeks ago) did a 6000k outback trip including a Simpson Desert crossing and cannot speak highly enough about the suspension. I guess I was carrying around 5-600 kilos , it handled the on road and off road beautifully with virtually no body roll to speak of, but sometimes bottomed out in the front on consecutive bumps in the desert, but I believe this is typical Hilux and could also be attributed to my driving. If anything the vehicle is a little stiff when empty, but a price I am more than happy to pay. There does not appear to be any sag or drop in height and no obvious leaks. My wheels and tyres are standard and I also have fitted all the normal stuff such as bar, winch, dual batteries, LR tank etc etc.
My local mechanic did the suspension research and fitting and charged me around $2100.
Have only just discovered NewHilux.net..........love it!

[EASTCOAST]

earlydays were are you located and who's your mechanic.Thats a good price.Cheers for the feed back

[earlydays]

Eastcoast, I am located in Brisbane.....I don't want to drop my mechanic in it as I have known him for a long time and he did a "special price" for me. He also had to remove and replace the L/R fuel tank so he could withdraw one of the shackle bolts, so it was quite a big job. He is not a 4WD specialist and has been on a bit of a learning curve himself but he has looked after my cars for years....."the devil you know".
If you still want his name and phone....let me know.