[RoelfleRoux]

As to the question about "why" the difference between Gen 2 and 3:

EVERYTHING is different in original design - front torsion bar replaced by Mac.Pherson struts
rear solid axle replaced by independent
ladder frame chassis replaced by monocoque.

There is thus enough reason to assume that similar modifications can and will have different out comes.

Roelf

[4ePajero]

Maybe I'm dof (again!), but there are statements made here which confuse me.

Can we re-cap on the basic principles here:

Springs (be it leaf, coil or torsion bars):

• springs carry the weight
• the more the weight, the stiffer the spring, to maintain the same riding height
• all springs 'sag' / compress under load. The amount of 'sag' is determined by the load and/or the stiffness of the springs (or lack thereof)
• some coils have progressive action (soft first few coils for a soft ride and then harder coils for load), but they don't overcome the 'sag' under load problem

From this:

• you cannot have a soft ride (when not loaded) and good load bearing capacity at the same time, unless you have a suspension system which you can adjust to suit the situation, such as air suspension (eg Disco, Touareg and some Cherokees)
• if you fit stiffer springs to increase the ride height, the ride quality will suffer
• I am still trying to figure out how new springs can improve articulation. Articulation is determined by
  • the basic geometry of the suspension (links etc)
  • bump stops (if fitted)
  • anti-sway bars
  • hight of the compressed / elongated coil (in the case of coil springs)
  • length of compressed / extended shock

Shock Absorbers:

• shock absorbers cushion (damp) the movement of the unsprung components
• shocks have nothing to do with load carrying capacity (the coil-over-shock is merely a combination of a shock and a spring, each functioning accordingly)

From this:

• shocks can cause a hard ride by damping to much
• shocks cannot improve articulation, unless the original shocks were to short and limited articulation

Anti-sway Bars:

• They limit body roll, by transferring loads to both wheels when cornering
• Have a definite effect on axle articulation (it's by definition what they do!)

[cloyd]

paw_by_paw,

1. To lift my Pajero, I fitted 30mm spacers above the front coils. This gave me an extra 50mm ground clearance. Above the rear sub frame I fitted 30mm spacers that gave me 30mm more ground clearance.. After fitting the spacers, iiI had the caster, camber and toe-in re-adjusted. Apart from this, I also fiited air bags at the back and pumped them to 2 bar for that trip.

2. This setup works like a charm. To date I have not have a single bit of a problem with this set up. We have travelled down Van Zyls pass with the Pajero fully laden without any hassle - filled up with fuel at Ruacana (300 lit) and 100 lit water plus all the rest of out equipment - rooftop tent, liquid refreshments, food, etc.

Cloyd

[Kennekam]

I was travelling on some backroads around Durbanville today and was again struck by how mixed my reaction to my Gen 3's ride is.

As mentioned earlier, I have fitted OME to my 2005 LWB DiD GLS and was unhappy with the performance in the Kgalagadi. I have subsequently had the suspension checked out to make sure that all is well. In front I have the standard shock and coils in the rear the medium ones.

Driving on Pirelli Scorpion ATR inflated to 1.9-2.0 bar, I find the ride on normal tar to be acceptable, but find that I can feel every irregularity in the road, even speed trap cables! I can also feel the texture of the road. Body roll is minimal and on a good smooth road, I really love the ride. However, the moment there are bumps or I hit gravel, the ride is uncomfortable.

I can drop the tyre pressures (as I do when in game parks), but this will affect tyre wear on the tar.

What else can I do? Many people say that OME improves the ride, but this has not been my experience at all. Any suggestions?

[4ePajero]

To solve the problem you will have to find the origin first (tyres/pressures/OME/other).

I would find another Pajero owner (who is happy with his Pajero's ride quality).
Arrange for a tyre fitment to assist with changing over the wheels (unless you are prepared to do it yourself ).
Change the wheels between the two vehicles.
If it is now as bad on the other Pajero, it's obviously the Scorpions.
If your Pajero's ride quality does not improve, it's the OME 'upgrade'.

(My bet is on the OMEs)

[Greg_SA]

Maybe at one of the forum outings, a few of us could compare each others rides? Or arrange a meeting at a piece of gravel road sometime?

[Kennekam]

To solve the problem you will have to find the origin first (tyres/pressures/OME/other).

I would find another Pajero owner (who is happy with his Pajero's ride quality).
Arrange for a tyre fitment to assist with changing over the wheels (unless you are prepared to do it yourself ).
Change the wheels between the two vehicles.
If it is now as bad on the other Pajero, it's obviously the Scorpions.
If your Pajero's ride quality does not improve, it's the OME 'upgrade'.

(My bet is on the OMEs)

Before I changed the suspension, I had Coopers Discoverer ATR and also found the ride very hard, so I fitted the Scorpions which made it smoother. One of the reasons for fitting OME was the promised improved ride. On tar it was better after fitting the OME. I did not realy do any serious off road with the standard suspension.

I see there are mixed opnions on the web as to the Gen 3's ride quality. Some reviewers say it is hard, others say it is smooth as molten butter.

I drove a friend's SWB and it is much better than mine. He uses Deuler H/T though.

I have found that issues with the rear suspension of a car sometimes appear as if it is coming from the front. Could the fact that I have harder suspension at the back manifest itself as if it is coming from the front?

[4ePajero]

I don't think speculation will solve anything.
Once you have tried other wheel / lower tyre pressures, you will know where to scratch further.

[vanberks]

You have said it, Prado looks like the answer

[paw_by_paw]

Cloyd,
Thanks for the reply but some questions if I may?

I understand the lifting you done but does the spacers influence the cable lenths and piping that runs underneath the vehicle How did you manage that
I must have been sleeping somewhere but Pajero is it you have
I have got a 3.5 Blister 99 model.
Where did you get the spacers for the front coils and the rear.
If you fit spacers under the body at the rear will it influence the rest of the body spacers that is already there
I asking all these stupid things but I am no specialist here.
Can you maybe send me some pics of how you done it especially the rear ones

About Pirelli Scorpions I am a big fan of them mainly due to ride comfort I got from them. I currently have Scorpions on my D4D and it works a charm. Virtually no road noice, excellent grip in wet, good mileage and good gravel handling charatirestics.
One thing about them is the sidewall strenth which can not compare to BF's .
My local Tiger Wheel guy said that the Hankooks compare favaroubly to BF. I will still go and check load ratings and sidewall plies to really get a better picture.

I know some guys will swear by OME , Ironman,Camel Etc.
I see so many complaints here and elsewhere about these off road mods that I am now going to stay stock standard but air helpers at the back to help with sagging when I tow my off road caravan.
I might go for different shocks in the near future.
I will give those new gabriels a go.