[KurtG]

Thanks both of you guys for the feedback, very interesting and definitely worth a look. I really hate it when "suppliers" are not as expert as they claim to be. The only reason I looked at the Mikem route is because he makes a progressive coil which sounds good. Has anyone dealt with East Rand Spring Works before for a Pajero lift?


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[GlenJ]

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.

Cloyd could you explain how the spacers work? You say you installed 30mm ones to get a 50mm lift? I'm lost!

[GlenJ]

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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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.

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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It sounds like stofpad might just be more trouble than its worth, where does one get spacers usually? Are they a standardish product at places like autoquip or does one need to find a 4x4 specialist shop?

[KurtG]

The spacers have to be specially machined to a unique design, the hassle isn't that bad if you take it to a normal suspension place for installation. The Pajero shocks are not the easiest to work on however so don't try this at home


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[Gemaskerde Tuinvurk]

It sounds like stofpad might just be more trouble than its worth, where does one get spacers usually? Are they a standardish product at places like autoquip or does one need to find a 4x4 specialist shop?

I was talking about daryl from Mikem suspensions.

Unfortunately. Mitsu SA does not sell the spacers. You could probably machine it yourself, but Uys' design works.

As the others have said, installation probably left to those with heavy duty coil compressors. Autoquip will install, but does not sell the spacer.

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[markcouz]

I dont think anyone has had problems after installing Stofpad spacers onto standard suspension. If you install Iron Man/OME then these already provide the lift, then installing spacers will overdo it and create problems.

If Darryl is correct regarding the 50mm lift causing problems then everyone who has paid thousands for IM/OME is in the same boat - in other words nonsense, it is just a salesman trying to sell his product (which he is perfectly entitled to do).

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[markcouz]

By the way I got 4 quotes for new shocks but told all quoters that I required the installation of the spacers at the same time, all 4 included the spacer installtion at no extra cost.

So if you decide to go with spacers then it is best done in conjunction with shock replacement, it is a big job if done on its own and not really DIY.

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[Gerrit Loubser]

If Darryl is correct regarding the 50mm lift causing problems then everyone who has paid thousands for IM/OME is in the same boat - in other words nonsense, it is just a salesman trying to sell his product (which he is perfectly entitled to )

I ran our 2003 DiD for something like 70000 km with a 60mm lift. Later, when I bought the Patrol and started using it mostly for the rougher stuff, I reverted to the original coils and new OEM shocks (KYBs), as The vehicle became my wife's daily driver exclusively, and I wanted to restore the excellent original ride. We sold it when the odometer was showing 291000 km and there was no indication of any distress with any of the (still original) CVs.

[KurtG]

If Darryl is correct regarding the 50mm lift causing problems then everyone who has paid thousands for IM/OME is in the same boat - in other words nonsense, it is just a salesman trying to sell his product (which he is perfectly entitled to )

I ran our 2003 DiD for something like 70000 km with a 60mm lift. Later, when I bought the Patrol and started using it mostly for the rougher stuff, I reverted to the original coils and new OEM shocks (KYBs), as The vehicle became my wife's daily driver exclusively, and I wanted to restore the excellent original ride. We sold it when the odometer was showing 291000 km and there was no indication of any distress with any of the (still original) CVs.

What was the ride like with the lift? Did it change for the worse?


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[markcouz]

I think the spacers give a certain amount of pre-load making the ride a bit stiffer at the back. It doesn't bother me as I spend my life in a bakkie which is much stiffer than that.