Hi everyone! I'm sure this question has been asked many times and will bring up some contention but I'm keen to hear everyone's current opinions so here goes:
I have a 2003 LWB Pajero 3.2D and its time to replace the shocks as they made my old tyres all feathery. I replaced my tyres in a hurry as I had a west-coast sand dune trip last weekend so I got what was available: Dueler ATs 265/75/16, taller than what the car came with and they JUST fit but they worked wonderfully in the sea sand.
Now I need to replace the shocks and I'd like to have an idea of what I can do to the suspension to raise it a little as well, upon quick inspection next to my mate's 4x4s (Hilux, Disco 1) it appears the paj doesn't have a very impressive ground clearance as standard.
The standard replacement shocks that I was recommended were Munroes at about R4500 incl fitting which is fantastically cheap.
I was told by a 4x4 fundi that due to the nature of the articulation range on the front wheels of the Paj gen3 I cant just go lifting the heck out of the suspension there without spending a ton on other mods as well. Now I didn't understand most of what he said which is why I'm here. I'm completely new to this 4x4 thing and my mechanical knowledge of car suspensions is close to none, engines I understand but not this stuff.
Any advice on what can and has been done without breaking the bank (I'd like to spend less than R30k, preferably less than 20!!) would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
There are many threads discussing this, and one particular long one.
To summarise - yes there are cheaper options (and the paj clearance is similar to the other lux SUVs, just the departure angle on esp the LWB not too great).
If you don't have lots of mods, and don't tow then best option is to get spacers. (about R2k I think...?)
If you occasionally tow heavy, you can get airbags for the rear.
If you are heavily modded (load heavy Roofrack + winch, etc.) it might be worth getting harder coils. But this is last resort, and the most expensive.
Other then that, get the standard mitsu shocks - more the expensive, but will last 120k kms+ if not towing.
Maybe give some more info about your vehicle + whether you tow and what you tow.
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To summarise - yes there are cheaper options (and the paj clearance is similar to the other lux SUVs, just the departure angle on esp the LWB not too great).
If you don't have lots of mods, and don't tow then best option is to get spacers. (about R2k I think...?)
If you occasionally tow heavy, you can get airbags for the rear.
If you are heavily modded (load heavy Roofrack + winch, etc.) it might be worth getting harder coils. But this is last resort, and the most expensive.
Other then that, get the standard mitsu shocks - more the expensive, but will last 120k kms+ if not towing.
Maybe give some more info about your vehicle + whether you tow and what you tow.
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Karl
Cool thanks Tuinvurk I already know 90% more thanks to your input, I didn't realize towing was an issue. I tow a 17ft speedboat maybe once a year for say 500km roundtrip, and maybe a light trailer 6 months later. I don't have a heavy roof rack and so far my crossbar type roofrack seems to be serving me well so I might never get one. I've been considering a burnco front bumper cos of the better clearance and maaaybe a burnco rear bumper, my Paj has terrible rear clearance due to my towbar's 'arm' that curves down and rearwards under the body and then down below the bumper and then up till its about in the center of the rear bumper, effectively cutting rear departure clearance by at least 100mm.
How much do airbags go for and are they a relatively common thing? Reading on the forum was honestly the first time I've heard of airbags that aren't the things that go off on impact.
When you say coils are expensive how expensive are we talking and what would be their main advantage?
Thanks!
What do you mean 'more the expensive'? Are you referring to the original parts instead of an aftermarket brand?Gemaskerde Tuinvurk wrote: Other then that, get the standard mitsu shocks - more the expensive, but will last 120k kms+ if not towing.
How much do airbags go for and are they a relatively common thing? Reading on the forum was honestly the first time I've heard of airbags that aren't the things that go off on impact.
When you say coils are expensive how expensive are we talking and what would be their main advantage?
Thanks!
I recently installed the spacers as supplied by Stofpad (R2800, 50mm lift) and am very happy with the result.
I had Bilstein shocks installed at the same time (R7500), but next time I will just go with KYB's (about R4000).
You could do something similar and see how it tows the boat, if it drags it's tail then add air helpers to the rear as supplied by Air Spring Supply Company (R3420).
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I had Bilstein shocks installed at the same time (R7500), but next time I will just go with KYB's (about R4000).
You could do something similar and see how it tows the boat, if it drags it's tail then add air helpers to the rear as supplied by Air Spring Supply Company (R3420).
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Sounds simple enough, is Stofpad a user here?markcouz wrote:I recently installed the spacers as supplied by Stofpad (R2800, 50mm lift) and am very happy with the result.
I had Bilstein shocks installed at the same time (R7500), but next time I will just go with KYB's (about R4000).
You could do something similar and see how it tows the boat, if it drags it's tail then add air helpers to the rear as supplied by Air Spring Supply Company (R3420).
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Where would one get KYBs?
Sorry, only saw my type now. As far as I understand the stock mitsu shocks are KYB (?). I meant to say they are probably a bit more expensive than some of the other aftermarket alternatives...
When I say airbags I refer to air bags installed inside the rear coils. These give you best of both worlds - you deflate them when not towing and you get a soft rear suspension for comfort. When you tow heavy then you inflate them to compensate for the drop on the rear.
If you go for harder coils, get longer ones which means you don't need spacers.
Try look for the Air Suspension Company (or I think it's also called firestone air suspension) - somewhere on the forum there will be a link.
If you are going to get a heavy front bumper it might be worth getting harder coils to counter the drop in hight.
Speak to some of the guys on the forum that have ironman or EFS coils. Some folks here are happy with their old man emu - but my folk's experience with them on the prado wasn't great.
Just note - if you install harder coils, your ride will be firmer and less comfortable... Which is why the spacers are ideal but only works if you don't load too heavy.
(sorry for cryptic message, but writing on phone and getting finger fatigue)
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When I say airbags I refer to air bags installed inside the rear coils. These give you best of both worlds - you deflate them when not towing and you get a soft rear suspension for comfort. When you tow heavy then you inflate them to compensate for the drop on the rear.
If you go for harder coils, get longer ones which means you don't need spacers.
Try look for the Air Suspension Company (or I think it's also called firestone air suspension) - somewhere on the forum there will be a link.
If you are going to get a heavy front bumper it might be worth getting harder coils to counter the drop in hight.
Speak to some of the guys on the forum that have ironman or EFS coils. Some folks here are happy with their old man emu - but my folk's experience with them on the prado wasn't great.
Just note - if you install harder coils, your ride will be firmer and less comfortable... Which is why the spacers are ideal but only works if you don't load too heavy.
(sorry for cryptic message, but writing on phone and getting finger fatigue)
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Last edited by Gemaskerde Tuinvurk on Fri Dec 20, 2013 7:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Karl
Stofpad 4x4 is owned by Uys, he is a Fortuner driver so doubt he's a user here. You can find him on the 4x4community forum or at www.stofpad4x4.co.za. I am personally not going the spacer route, going to get longer progressive coils from Mikem Suspension in the new year. He (Daryl) reckons a 40mm is the max lift a Pajero is supposed to have safely.
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- Kurt
2014 Pajero SWB 3.2 GLS | EFS Suspension | Stofpad Bashplates
2008 Pajero LWB 3.2 GLS (Sold @ 243,000km)
2014 Pajero SWB 3.2 GLS | EFS Suspension | Stofpad Bashplates
2008 Pajero LWB 3.2 GLS (Sold @ 243,000km)
Oh, the coils that give a 40mm lift are R3800 for all 4, fitted. Remember that if you buy spacers you will need to get them fitted which on a Pajero is a bit more difficult than normal so it could set you back up to R800.
Sent from my Fruit Phone number 5
Sent from my Fruit Phone number 5
- Kurt
2014 Pajero SWB 3.2 GLS | EFS Suspension | Stofpad Bashplates
2008 Pajero LWB 3.2 GLS (Sold @ 243,000km)
2014 Pajero SWB 3.2 GLS | EFS Suspension | Stofpad Bashplates
2008 Pajero LWB 3.2 GLS (Sold @ 243,000km)
While I have a lot of respect for Daryl, and I believe his coils are of good quality, my interaction with him on this matter was not positive.gerbek1 wrote:Stofpad 4x4 is owned by Uys, he is a Fortuner driver so doubt he's a user here. You can find him on the 4x4community forum or at http://www.stofpad4x4.co.za. I am personally not going the spacer route, going to get longer progressive coils from Mikem Suspension in the new year. He (Daryl) reckons a 40mm is the max lift a Pajero is supposed to have safely.
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I also was sceptical of the spacer route, and wanted to get some advice. I went to Daryl as he initially indicated he can make all kinds of spacers. When I got to the workshop, he backtracked and said that he does not think a spacer is a good idea - I should put in some of his coils. This discussion went on and on, during which he said many owners of pajeros have put in his coils to SOFTEN the ride... Not what I wanted!
I went away that morning a bit annoyed after spending nearly 2 hours there with no progress or confidence in the solution. After reading the long thread on 4x4community (I think...) on the Gen3 lift (Gerrit Loubscher and one of the Fourie were the main contributors) I learned that the Gen3 had an Africa Edition which had factory fitted spacers (of which the designs were to some extent passed to Uys I believe). Given that the gen3 and gen4 suspension is nearly identical (except for a few rubbers - in the words of Marius
), I decided to go for the smaller spacers, which gives about 50mm lift. SO, I got the spacers, but no way to install. Again I went back to Daryl as I've heard they are "suspension specialists". On arrival, debate continued and after telling him that they are based on the factory spacers from mitsu he said he would install. After nearly 2 hours, in which they took out the front struts they concluded it's impossible to install those spacers without damaging the vehicle.
Knowing that a lot of people had installed them and did many thousands of kms on them, I told them to leave it and put everything back as it was. Next day I went to install it at autoquip in centurion - they did it without a hitch.
Since then I've driven almost 30k kms. I still frequently inspect CV boots, but no noticeable change in wear. (did Mozambique, botswana x2 (CKGR, Moremi, chobe), Caprivi, and lots of bad corrugated gravel roads in the western cape).
So... Judge for yourself. Don't ask Daryl what is best - he will tell you his product is.
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Karl
GlenJ,
Unless there is a problem with your standard suspension, leave it as it is!! I would suggest that you go the spacer route for both the front and rear suspension. I installed 30mm spacers in front giving about 50mm lift and 30mm spacers in the back giving 30mm lift. All were self-designed and fitted and were made by a friend. I also fitted airbags in the rear coils. I have done about 30 000km with the changes and still no problem. I tow a Desert Wolf Leo trailer when we go camping.
Cloyd.
Unless there is a problem with your standard suspension, leave it as it is!! I would suggest that you go the spacer route for both the front and rear suspension. I installed 30mm spacers in front giving about 50mm lift and 30mm spacers in the back giving 30mm lift. All were self-designed and fitted and were made by a friend. I also fitted airbags in the rear coils. I have done about 30 000km with the changes and still no problem. I tow a Desert Wolf Leo trailer when we go camping.
Cloyd.