Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I have recently bought a 1998 Pajero series 2 SWB. The rear shock absorbers might need replacing soon and I was wondering whether anyone has an opinion as to the best ones to use - no really rough off-road work is envisaged, just things like Die Hel, Okavango etc. This has probably been answered many times but I could not find the information. I live in Knysna.
Many thanks,
John

This is a hotly debated issue.

At the end of the day it all boils down to how much you can spend and what is available in your area.

Personally, I have a full Old Man Emu upgrade (shocks, coils, torsion bars). Gained some height above the wheels and the ride is really comfortable on and off-road.

Iron Man, Safari, Monroe, Bilstein, etc. Many choices.

My 2c.

Nico.

Thanks Nico.
John

Hi Jonk,

For those of us that cannot (but wish we could) afford an OME upgrade, I was quoted at around 16 Gorillas for OME,

Gabriel 'Kubu's seem to be quite popular.

Thanks!
What exactly would be the advantage of an OME upgrade? Does it only improve off-road ability or does it also improve main road ability/comfort? I find the SWB to be quite 'bouncy' on-road and would like to improve the comfort in that area.
John

I maintain that if I was to sell my pajero and buy a newer one I would fit OME before I put the first tank of fuel in. The ride quality and road holding was like a night and day difference. On the black top I can comfortably out corner the dual cab brigade and in the rough I have done trails where there was a blister fender with new stock suspension and I out performed him lock diff and all. It is expensive but my family is more precious and my vehicle is worth more than the cost.

On my lwb I gained some 40 -50mm in height but the big difference came in the ride quality, even with the heavy springs in the car was more solid and not as wallowy on tar without being bouncy like a bakkie. Off road it is a pleasure to drive and when I took my 75 yo mother in law on our new years day outing at Die Damme I was concerned that things might be a bit rough at the back as we were going over some pretty rough stuff (low range crawl speed). I looked back to see her writing sms messages on her phone. That should give you some indication

Off-road the OME seems to be in its element. On-road the Pajero drives like a 'platkar'.

Robin, 'platkar' is used for sedan type vehicles. Literally 'flat car'.

John, just watch out for the OME rear springs on the shorty. They can cause a very hard, bumpy ride. They have different strength springs available.

4X4 Megaworld in Paarden Island did the job for me at a discounted price of R12 000.

Springs and shocks = R8 000 ; Torsion bars = R4 000.

Nico.

Clearly OME is an improvement of the suspension, but if you are simply looking to replace shocks, KUBUS by Gabriel are great and not expensive.

Anton

Thanks again!
So an OME upgrade is highly recommended for a LWB but I should get alternative rear springs for a SWB? Since one of the things that I would like to improve is the tar road ride would I find this an improvement? Presumably I would on gravel and off-road, but I have to get to that area first on a tar road
What about Ironman - I see that complete suspension kit for a SWB is R9250 (Nitro Gas shocks, springs and torsion bars - is this comparable to OME?
John

Hi guys
I'm also VERY interested in this query, as I have a SWB (rear leaf spring - front torsion bar) Pajero, and Monday, I will be adding a LWB 3.5 V6 1998, to the "stable"
The SWB has had (4000 km ago), new Monroe rear shocks fitted. Now, I've also been doing the "enquiry route", and have found out the availability of the a) IRONMAN setup, and b) the OME setup. Much -of-a-much in the R10 000 - R14 000 range, for these (only considered options), give or take the supply of the front torsion bars, included or not (hence the price difference).

WHICH IS THE MORE RECOMMENDED (& WHY), AND WOULD THE SUPPLIERS BE MORE AMMENABLE TO "PERFECTING THE PRICE", IF I CONSIDER DOING THE UPGRADING TO BOTH ???
I intend to use the "shorty" for FUN, the the LWB for more sedate / long distance / multi passenger (the shorty only has seating for two) excursions, though there probably will most definitely be "off-roading" done, with the "giraffe"