[Silverpaj]

Hence the reason I'm not putting too much faith in what autozone says, If they don't know that the gen 2 and gen3 have completely different suspension systems, then how much can they know about the product they're selling Besides, the shocks I was supplied have exactly the same part no's as the ones Cats shows in his pics.

So at the moment, my mechanic is waiting for feedback from controlled instruments.

[Silverpaj]

So had the shocks taken out today, and they are super stiff, had to put all my weight on them just to get them to compress, and they take 20-30 seconds to push back out, My mechanic compared them with another set, which were exactly the same.

So at the moment it appears that the HDPs are way too stiff.

I have a set of monroe 4x4s on order, so will compare those
(Hopefully installed tommorrow)

[SimonB]

I (after many moons) had my HDP's installed today. My observations compared to your (silverpaj's) comments about them being superstiff are not the same. I could compress them with some effort (not full weight and I'm a weakling), and the rebound was not slow.

The extended length was about 8cm longer than my Gabriel Kubu's which might help articulation a little.

Initial observations were thet they are a little more plush than the Kubu's but 10km is hardly a test.

BTW, it seems the Gen2 shocks are not adjustable as they are on other vehicles.

[Silverpaj]

Had the HDPs replaced with Monroes yesterday, and there is a major improvement in ride quality and the horrible feedback through the steering is gone, however, I would say the ride quality with the standard KYB shocks was still far superior to the aftermarket ones. In hindsight I should have just renewed the standard shocks as they're half the price, and twice as good.

Oh well, School fees I suppose

@Simonb, I found the vehicle would float over speed bumps and take other large hits very well. It was only on small bumps or rippled roads that the problem occured.

[ghost_traffic]

Simon, do you have any more feedback for us regarding your HDPs?

[SimonB]

Nico

I haven't done any offroad yet, but onroad they handle brillianty, and braking is WAY better than before. They are a little stiff as Silverpaj has observed. But then again they are heavy duty so perhaps understandable. I'll only really know in March/April when going to the Richtersveld and southern Nam with an Echo 3 to see how well they do.

[ghost_traffic]

I look forward to your trip report Simon.

Don't forget the photos.

[JohanV]

ok. i have now done 9000km with the new HDP shocks.

For starters i cant really compare the HDP with anything else as the shocks i replaced them with were ornaments. totally and completely shot.

For the first 1500km to 2000km there about i must say the HDP's felt hard and bumpy picking up the slightest of imperfections in the road surface and transferring them to my spine.

Also going over speed bumps it had a clunking sound like the shock was topping out. that has stopped now.

As i said, previous shocks, non existent, so road holding and stability on road was 100% improvement. better stability and straight line under braking, and cornering much less body roll.

Have driven couple well maintained dirt roads and what a joy. No hassles or issues at all.

9000km later, i have done some 4x4ing and can definitely feel a difference. a lot less bumping around and scrapping the belly as the height is same all around.

Will i use them again, yes. will i drive the first 1500km with them...... no

[CATS]

Right then. Some feedback from me as well.

I have now done around 8000km with them and they performed faultlesly. I did not experience the same 'hard' ride initialy like Johanv did and I believe this could possible be due to the greater weight that I carry around constantly.

My 8000km included a 4600km December round trip from Gauteng to Cape Town through the back roads of the Groot and Klein Karoo (don't tell Simon as he will probably kick me for not showing my face while down there ) . The shocks handled the corrugations with excellent results and never faded on me once. Once back on tar they never made any funny clunking or otherwise noises and went about their business quietly.

Time will tell how long they keep up the good work under the conditions which I use them, but so far they perform on par to my previous Old Man Emu's.

So far I am very impressed and will recommend them to Pajero Gen3 owners who wish to increase the load carrying on their vehicles and require some increased damping. They certainly work for me in my overlanding application and still give a comfortable ride when doing the daily office slog on tar roads day to day.

CATS

Sent from my green robot device using Tapatalk

[Nick Gibson]

Hi Guys

I had to have my rear hub(s) replaced as one was quite noisy, and decided to take the plunge and buy and fit some HDP shocks at the same time (R3600.00 odd at Goodhope Spares in brackenfell for front and rear). I had my doubts about the current shocks in the vehicle (which were unfounded).

When they installed the shocks I had them set the circlip to the higher level, however I did not notice a dramatic lift to the vehicle, roughly 15 to 20mm overall, and one needs to remove the entire shock to change this setting back again...

Initial thoughts are that they are definily much harder than the OEM shocks(which were still in very good condition) and the vehicle does not bounce going over speed bumps anymore - haven't driven very far yet. Hopefully they will soften as Johan said his did over the next 2000km.

I will see the performance this weekend when I am off to the breede river near malgas for easter, have to drive about 45km of gravel roads as well as 200km of tar there and back, I give a more accurate review.

Will post some pics ASAP!