3rd gen - procomp shock debate

[ash-ssrg]

OK fellas - so I have gone round the houses looking at everyones take/comments on the ES3000 vs ES9000's. As ever, there seems to be contradictions aplenty (I do appreciate that people have different opinions - I grew up in South Africa!!).

So - I will mention what I am looking for and hopefully get a better steer.

I am looking at the Procomp 2" suspension lift kit but with ES9000's instead.

What I would like is the best ON-road ride (sorry-but the Surf will be my ONLY transport for a while). I know every little imperfection on the road in WArrington and my spine is shattered.

Also, If I dont want rear eng sag when loaded on the Procomp springs, what other alternative spring could I go for? Mine is a thrid gen.

Cheers,
Ash.
(PS- got naturalised as a British subject last week!! OHHHH BRITANNIA.....)

[Sancho]

They're not springs, they're dampers/shock absorbers....

I have ES9000s and they're still a little soggy for my taste. If you have a bit of money to spend, it's worth talking to TonyN about the TJM ones he sells.

[ash-ssrg]

Procomp 2" suspension lift kit

Another member on the 2" Procomp kit reported sag when laden.

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...hlight=procomp

Is this not because the springs in the procomp kit are'nt beefy enough?

Am I better off getting other rear springs with the Procomp ES9000's?

BTW - the kit consists of 4xshocks/dampers and 4xcoil springs and boots.

ASh.

[RodLeach]

If its a concern mate,

Id get some heavy duty springs - http://www.toyotahilux.com/?doc=16&cid=170&vid=966

for both front and rear and then some coil spacers. get the ES9000's from Pro comp.

That way, you gain your 2" of lift with heavy duty suspension.

Might even work out cheaper then the pro comp kit (MAYBE)

There are options out there, Unless you carry absolutly huge loads then the pro comp kit may be good enough. It will be different to the kit mentioned in your link which is for a 2nd gen.

[marky]

On my 1999 3rd Gen i used standard length ES9000 on the rear + 20% Stronger MILNERS coil springs & they were fine even when towing a Caravan.

[ash-ssrg]

Hmmmm, did not know Procomp did the shocks to standard height. That plus the 20% uprated springs might be the answer.

OR

Is it possible to get 20% uprated springs at 2" height?

not too fussed about the lift though - Just that it may make the Surf look a bit better and cost-wise its only pennies more (if anything) cause I MUST replace all springs/coils anyway. Mine are absolutely knackered judging by the ride.

WRT shocks though - What would soak up the bumps/potholes better? ES3000 or ES9000?

Need to order something ASAP as its much cheaper than a Chyropractor.

Cheers,
Ash.

[Sancho]

Is it possible to get 20% uprated springs at 2" height?


WRT shocks though - What would soak up the bumps/potholes better? ES3000 or ES9000?

Buy landcruiser springs. They are longer and stronger.

As for the choice of shock, down to you. ES3000s will give you a softer and more forgiving ride so will soak up the potholes better, but you will find it wallows a bit more on bendy stuff than on ES9000s.

[MattF]

Unless your arse is more sensitive than a babies bum, forget the 3000's and just go straight for the 9000's. The tyre pressures make far more difference on ride comfort than the shocks do. Just dropping a couple of P.S.I out of the tyres will soften the ride immensely, if that is a concern, or vice-versa. As Sancho said, if you want the extra height springs, just get the Milner uprated LC springs. One point to note, however, is that the standard spring cups are slightly too small for the LC springs to seat in correctly. No biggie, but a point to note.

[ash-ssrg]

Order placed! - TWICE!

Rang Explorer Procomp (they are local to me) yesterday and ordered their third gen 2" kit with Coils & ES3000's. 362 squid.

THEN..... rang them back today to change the order to the same kit but ES9000's instead!!!. 371 squid.

Don't carry heavy loads - no caravan either - so the 'sag when laden' issue will hopefully not apply.

Hope its the right decision and the ride improves dramatically- will be gutted if not.

Ash.

[Antshiel]

Good luck with the compressors on the front springs, i nearly ended up with a nut shaped hole in my chin.

[MattF]

Good luck with the compressors on the front springs, i nearly ended up with a nut shaped hole in my chin.

I do seem to recall some muppetry was involved in that incident though, was it not?

[Antshiel]

What could you possibly mean?

[ash-ssrg]

Removing hard/normal suspension gubbins...

got hold of some diagrams showing the 3rd gen suspension layout prior to tackling the job of fitting the 2" suspension lift kit (with ES9000's).

Trouble is.... the diagrams from a 3rd gen (yank) 4runner without the adjustable suspension option. My 3rd gen has it.

Will it be plain as day what to do when fitting the new stuff?

Any wiring/vacuum piping etc to blank off?

Any info appreciated.

PS: waiting 2 weeks for the kit off Explorer now....

Ash.

[MattF]

There's an electrical connector to the top of each shock. Just seal it with amalgamating tape when you take the old shocks off. There is a plastic cover on the top of the shocks which is a bit awkward to get at, (if the 3rd gen is similar to the 2nd), but it's only held on by a couple of 10mm? bolts. Whip that off, and then it's pure remove/replace.

[ash-ssrg]

Procomp order update!

After more than a month waiting I went to collect my procomp 2" lift kit with ES9000's off Explorer

BUT..... a few anomolies

The rear springs were missing. They informed me that the rear springs would only arrive in 2 to 4 weeks... FROM AUSTRALIA thought procomp are Yank products!?!

Then, looked at the box containing the front springs - on it is labelled DESERT FOX. WTF is going on!?!

Could not find anything on 'desert fox' products - may be utter cr@p - thats maybe why some fella was complaing about rear sag after only a year on this kit.

Also, I ordered ES9000's all round but the box for the front struts/shocks are labelled ES6000. The guy at Explorer reckons its the same as ES9000's. Question: then why label it different???

If anyone can shed some light on 'Desert Fox' and 'ES6000' front shocks, please let us know - otherwise this lot might all go back.

Ash.