[ghost_traffic]

I finally had the OME fitted.

At first I was quite disappointed because the front only went up by 5mm (Yes, you read right) and the rear went up by 30mm.

My disappointment disappeared once I drove the vehicle home. What a difference in ride quality and road-holding. SMOOOTH.

For the technically advanced of you, this is what was fitted: Front shocks N18
Rear shocks N64
Rear springs 910 (medium)

I went for the medium springs because this is a daily driver and not an overland vehicle. For the same reason the torsion bars didn't need upgrading.

As for price, I managed to get the OME and fitment and a snatch strap for under R8500. Now that's what I call good service! (4x4 Megaworld)

Should test the new tyres and suspension at the Atlantis dunes soon. I'll leave feedback once I've tested them off-road.

Your friendly ghost, Nico.

[HBannink]

Great to hear there is other folks who appreciate quality. As you have said, the top heavy bouncy truck handles more like a plat kar with the OME and you are in for the same kind of surprise when you go off road. It becomes a different kitten.

[Gerrit Loubser]

Glad to hear that you are happy. Remember that it is the springs that mainly determine the ride height and not the shocks (although they are gas filled and are under slight pressure), so it makes sense that the front did not lift while the rear with the new coils did. You can now adjust the torsion bars at the front to lift the front end to the same extent as the rear if you want.

Just be aware that torsion bar lifts trade rebound travel for bump travel, but that the real world result is diminished flex in axle twisters. To circumvent this, you can trim the rebound stops to allow more travel...

Also remember to have your wheel alignment set if you adjust the torsion bars.

[ghost_traffic]

The torsion bars were adjusted to the safe max and the wheel alignment is already scheduled for monday.

Thanks for all the advice. Those guys at 4x4 Megaworld are very professional and gave me alot of info and advice regarding the suspension upgrade.

I now get a free 500 km after which they check everything's ok and then my guarantee starts. Any problems get replaced free of charge.

Now that's what I call great service!

Your friendly ghost, Nico.

[Blister]

Glad to hear that you are happy. Remember that it is the springs that mainly determine the ride height and not the shocks (although they are gas filled and are under slight pressure), so it makes sense that the front did not lift while the rear with the new coils did. You can now adjust the torsion bars at the front to lift the front end to the same extent as the rear if you want.

Just be aware that torsion bar lifts trade rebound travel for bump travel, but that the real world result is diminished flex in axle twisters. To circumvent this, you can trim the rebound stops to allow more travel...

Also remember to have your wheel alignment set if you adjust the torsion bars.

Hi Guys!

I bought my van with the OME fitted but I am finding the van NOT to drive like a PLATKAR. Tyres are good condition inluding pressures but still find the ride hard and it "jumps" over uneven surfaces. I once drove with a friend who van had the OME and was astounded how he would mount a pavement (at low speed) without any drama inside. My van does not "absorb" the contact (my seat's setting is on Hard to reduce the bouncing) and transfers everything into the van.

What should I be looking for? Is it true that the OME can be adjusted to be stiffer whilst more absorbing and if so, how does one do it?

Regards

Aslam

[HBannink]

Hi Aslam

My thoughts would be that the previous owner had the hard suspension installed and that you are driving it empty. OME is not adjustable in the sense of changing once installed, you select a combination based on your average use and that is installed. For overland trips they recommend the hard suspension to cope with the heavy loads anticipated and my guess is that is what you have in your baby. Try loading a bag or two of cement in the back and see what difference this makes. If it tames the beast you have a very good excuse to invest in a roofrack and rear drawer system packed with full recovery kit and enough tools to make up the weight

[4ePajero]

Aslam,

What tyre pressures do you use?

[Blister]

Hi Aslam

My thoughts would be that the previous owner had the hard suspension installed and that you are driving it empty. OME is not adjustable in the sense of changing once installed, you select a combination based on your average use and that is installed. For overland trips they recommend the hard suspension to cope with the heavy loads anticipated and my guess is that is what you have in your baby. Try loading a bag or two of cement in the back and see what difference this makes. If it tames the beast you have a very good excuse to invest in a roofrack and rear drawer system packed with full recovery kit and enough tools to make up the weight

Hi Henk!

I am sure that you are right about the "Hard Setup" because the dealer told me that the owner used the van to pull his big boat (that's why it has Air Helpers too).

Instead of having to put additional "permanent weight" in the van, must one replace the coils, shocks or both to a medium setup?

Regards and wishing you a great new year and prosperous 2010!

Aslam

[Blister]

Aslam,

What tyre pressures do you use?

Hi Gerhard!

I have been using 2 Bars all round and just recently change to 1.8 in front and 2 Bar at the back which seems to give some relieve but not enough

Regards and wishing you a great new year and prosperous 2010!

Aslam

[ghost_traffic]

After extensive testing at Atlantis Dunes, bad tarred roads, sand tracks and gravel roads the result is a smooth drive with no excessive pounding.

The down side of good road-holding is that my vehicle only lifted 15mm at the rear. (Front obviously remains unchanged.)

This I find hard to believe since the dune driving produced no bottoming out when ascending or descending high dunes.

Maybe my driving is just improving.

I'll post pictures if anyone is interested.