The Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series (1990s) and its successor the 105 Series (1998-2007) share the layout that made them touring legends: solid axles front and rear on coil springs, with the front located by radius arms and a panhard rod. Thirty years on, the common complaints are predictable - tired coils sagging under touring weight, steering that wanders after a lift, and shimmy through the wheel on corrugations. The platform responds brilliantly to the right setup; here is what each problem means and how to fix it.
Original coils carrying decades of drawers, fridges, long-range tanks and trailer ball weight will sit low and wallow through corners. Height and control come back with springs rated for your constant load - a complete kit like the Toughdog 2" 80 Series kit or Dobinsons Monotube 2"-3" 80/105 kit pairs load-rated coils with matched shocks. For loads that swing between empty and expedition weight, an Airbag Man full air replacement makes the rate adjustable.
Same physics as every radius-arm solid axle: lift rotates caster negative and the panhard pulls the axle sideways off-centre. At 2" most 80s and 105s drive fine. From 3" - like the Toughdog 3" 80 Series or 3" 105 Series kits - caster correction (offset radius arm bushes or adjustable arms) restores self-centring, and adjustable panhard rods (rear 80 Series shown) re-centre the axles. At 4" - 80 Series / 105 Series - these corrections plus extended brake lines and driveline checks are essential, not optional.
Shimmy at highway speed usually means worn steering damper, tired panhard or radius arm bushes, or caster out of spec - often all three on an old lifted truck. Renew the bushes, set the geometry, then fit a quality damper like the Toughdog adjustable damper (suited to 4"+ lifts) as the finishing layer of control.
Suspension lifts beyond your state's allowable limit (commonly 50mm without certification, less once combined with larger tyres) may require engineering approval under the applicable light vehicle modification rules (VSB14/NCOP). Check your state's requirements before buying - an uncertified over-height lift can affect insurance and roadworthiness. We flag this on every 3" and 4" capable kit we sell.
They are closely related solid-axle coil platforms and many kits cover both, but spring and shock specs differ by model and load - confirm fitment for your exact vehicle.
33s typically clear at 2", 35s generally want 4" plus offset and possibly trimming - and check your state's legality for the combined lift and tyre size.
Springs change height, not geometry. If caster correction and panhard adjustment were skipped, the wander is coming from exactly there - and worn radius arm bushes make it worse.
Building a tourer? Talk to our team about spring rates for your load, or browse all 80/105 lift kits.
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