Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I have just ordered a set from my buddy who works at control instruments. Paid R950 for the set! hopefully have them next week and then off to Etosha at the end of the month so will definetley have some feedback for you guys.

Congrats Wilddog on your purchase.

Will be keeping an eye out for that report of yours.

Nico

Got some interim feedback on the Gabriel HDP's.

I have had three fill ups since fitting the HDP's, approx 1200km, and I have found the 'clunking' noise quite annoying, and the harshness of the ride something to get used too - not impressed .

However I do find that as soon as the shocks warm up, after 30 of 40km they do soften up somewhat. They do handle very well on gravel, as good or better than the OEM KYB shocks, I only hope they "run in" sooner rather than later, if at all...

I am considering putting my originals back in if the situation does not improve within the next 1000km or so. Feeling a bit dissapointed, only positive so far is the marginal lift I achieved up front.

Hi Nick,

Do you have any modifications to your Pajero like bullbar, winch or duel battery in?

I went for a 300km drive on Sunday, 5 people and most of my gear for the upcoming weekend were already packed and i have noticed that the ride were a lot smoother than i usually have.

The only no factory additions i have is a long range tank.

I also suffered that first 1000km or so with a hard ride

Hi Johan

The vehicle is stock standard, not even a nudgebar...

I have no extras in the vehicle, I am busy building in a dual battery system with a cole herse soleniod, however the battery will not be in the engine bay or vehicle(Loose deepcycle battery box with inverter).

Am going down to the breede river, near malgas, this long weekend, towing a 1.1 ton ski boat and all the luggage/ booze & groceries for 8 people in with us- so will see if things improve once we get back after 80 km of dust/gravel road and 400km of tar.
The "clunking" or topping out of shocks is probably the most annoying, Pajeros are known for their very plush and comfortable ride, which has gone for a ball of chalk with all the clunking & bumping on the road

Anyway, am sure all will pan out in the end, will keep you updated!

Hi Johan

The vehicle is stock standard, not even a nudgebar...

I have no extras in the vehicle, I am busy building in a dual battery system with a cole herse soleniod, however the battery will not be in the engine bay or vehicle(Loose deepcycle battery box with inverter).

Am going down to the breede river, near malgas, this long weekend, towing a 1.1 ton ski boat and all the luggage/ booze & groceries for 8 people in with us- so will see if things improve once we get back after 80 km of dust/gravel road and 400km of tar.
The "clunking" or topping out of shocks is probably the most annoying, Pajeros are known for their very plush and comfortable ride, which has gone for a ball of chalk with all the clunking & bumping on the road

Anyway, am sure all will pan out in the end, will keep you updated!

Hey guys,
I recieved and personally installed my HDP's one of my old man emu shocks was completey poked so one could only expect an improvement all round.

Wow, I'm impressed, My paj handles much better and soaks up the bumps. I just got back from Etosha and took a few gravel roads and the ride was definetley much better than before, But like I said one of the old shocks was completley gone.

Nick, are you sure the shocks are tightened up properly? I mean to the body and to the bottom wishbone and the front shocks are tightened correctly to the shock mounts?

HI Guys

Just some more feedback.

The shocks have "run in" now, and are much softer. The definiately do operate better once warmed up, I can feel in the cold mornings that the suspension is a bit harder. I think I have found the klunk noise, my sway bar bushes are shot. They definatley run superbly on gravel road, no stepping out on corrugated corners at 100kph+...

I am looking for some polyurethane bushes some-where, but no one seems to stock them and the stealers have to order from Joburg. Polyparts in brackenfell do all sorts of bushes, but need a sample for them to match. They also cast new gearbox and engine mountings, however you need to have the mouting for them to do so, as they cut the old rubber off and "cast' a new one with polyurethane.

@SimonB
I just read through this whole topic because the shocks(HMS air susp.) on my gen2 LWB are finished and desperately need replacing.

I am particularly interested in your comments (you didnt post after your planned trip earlier in the year) as I would like to make an (informed) decision considering your experience in the process(no pressure)

I also have to put tyres on and I want to go for 33's. my plan is to use nissan patrol springs in tandem with the gabriel hdp's.

I live in Ladybrand and work in Lesotho, so I cant really nip out to my nearest fitment centre for an expert opinion.

once the shocks were run in was there any measurable lift advantage?
your input appreciated

Too late, I fitted them already.

they operate perfectly, no hardness, no knocking, no problems.