Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Got back from our trip to Kroonland / Kaaimansgat, and one one of the trails that we could not do, I seriously bent the passenger side running board (right up to the body work in the middle, with a slight twist to the back causing the back mud flap to pop out a bit.
This is no biggie, as allthough its easy to fix, I've decided to take them off (at least for now).

3 weeks ago, as mentioned in my trip report, I did some very minor damage to the running board on the driver side, whilst doing the Matroosberg route.
Other than that, there were (on both routes) a few occasions where you get loud 'clunks' for the underside of the vehicle hitting rock - I've inspected after both routes, and saw it was only the protection plates, and chassis that got any scrapes, so no problems (it just never sounds good when as you slide over a rock or rut, you get a loud click as these plates hit the rock.

I have decided I need some serious thought on increasing my ride height.
My thoughts are as follows:
I prefer not to do a chassis lift, as I would like to keep my COG as low as possible.
with that in mind, I'm looking at 2 things:
1) Suspension upgrade (OME is about 18K, whilst Iron Man is about 9K, would I be able to get the same ride height out of the iron man suspension kit as the OME's, what kind of increase in ride height could I expect out of either?
2) Upgrading to 33's - Theoretically, this should add and extra inch to my ride height correct?
With the 33's, 2 concernes are these:
1) gear ratios - is this difficult to adjust / does it cost a lot
2) Tyre width - 12.5: Pro's - bigger footprint, Wider tread line = lower COG:Con's - Bigger tyre surely means more sway, can this be rectified by pumping to a higher pressure in relation to my current pressure vs size?, wider tread line (I have realised certain advantages of narrower vehicles (my damage to the running boards at Matroosberg was due to their width, and not their distance from the ground.

I would only go for bigger tyres once I had done the suspension upgrade, as I know on the current height, 33's would not fit.

Would appreciate any advise on this.

Thanks
Ned

WRT OME, I replaced all suspension components for R12 000 at 4X4 MegaWorld in Paarden Island. Why not give them a call?

Shocks and springs were R8 000 and I later replaced the torsion bars at R4 000.

33" tyres will only fit with a 50mm body lift. I tried a set of 33" tyres and they rub the inside of the arches badly.

Nico.

Hi Nico,

Thanks, I will go see them again, we have one here in Somerset West.

How much lift did you get out of yours and what was the difference encountered after also installing torsion bars.

I reckon I would need to look at modifying the arches / flaps, but, its something I'll only start looking at that after installing
suspension.

2011 is going to be a year of serious saving, as I also need my dual battery system, and a new tent at 8.5K.

Here's to an Awesomely successful 2011

Hi Ned
Compliments of the season to you and wife.
I've decided to go the Ironman route (booked for the 2nd week - Jan), as this seems the personal ideal solution (without having to "dump" the tyres), for my new blister fender 3.5 V6, as I'm trying to do the most seriously needed mods - front to back - as I can afford, ASAP.
The raising of the chassis / ride, is a definite solution priority, as I found out, even with my SWB / running boards, that got "touched" on both sides recently, on an few days outing at Leeuwensboschfontein / Hexvalley. I agree, each time, it seems not too serious and you just "plier" the boards straight again - post trip - but it is a bit hair raising to experience it at that critical moment, and not be able to prevent.

Ned

By the way, what type of tent are you considering, as there seems to be an increased number of rooftop tents available (s/h), at the moment - Gumtree. There's even someone selling a HUGE RTT, roofrack (gutter-mount type), jerry cans + holders & gas can holder/s, all incl appr R10 000.00. The tent make/maker - I can honestly vouch for - situated in Paarl - Serengeti, and having had some additional items supplied recently from them.

Hi Achille,

Thanks for the wishes, hope you had a great one too, and that you have a blessed new year ahead (I'm sure you will with the new Blister fender )

Please let me know what ride height gain you get out of your install, I would really like to know what the Iron man systems are like / compare to OME.

Also,
the tent I'm looking for is not an RTT, its a ground tent with room, ante room & porch 3mx3m, 3mx3.4m, 2.6m x 3.4m x 2.3m High. and made of Jackaroo ripstop.

Me and the wife have decided we need this as we consider ourselves real campers now since we no longer rely on ANYTHING other than a water source every 2nd day or so.

Just a thought - those running boards - are they really necessary?

Hi Ned (and ChrisB)

Ned : I've seen tons of tents for sale on the Gumtree site. One can really pick and choose. Might be that end of festive season will be better time to buy - people having no more use & what not. Regarding the Ironman install....I was told it would increase by approx 40mm +....sounded good for me, non withstanding the expected improvement on suspension/ride quality. I'm also having the t/r/e's, upper & lower b/j's, front & rear brake pads & discs replaced. I received such a good deal on new, that it's just not feesable to recon/skim. If I'm correct with the quote figure.....I was told a figure of R9260.00 (+-), including fitting - for the torsion bars x 2 (front), rear coils x2, front & rear shocks. I just need to confirm / enquire about the polyurethane bushes (some say they stiffen the suspension a little too much - especially when not loaded with trip gear).
Only paying the labour to fit / calibrate wheel align/tow in etc, after fitment of steering/susp. joints.

ChrisB : Yes, removing the running boards does seems like the "logical" choice.....just that they are somewhat handy (barring the straightening every so-often), but I was hoping to remove, only when I get the opportunity to replace with rock-sliders.

Hi,
I can show you my Pajero with the full Ironman suspension kit and 33x11,5x16 (285/75R16)tyres.
Increase in the ride hight is cca 44-45mm by Ironman kit
Next increase in the ride hight is 41mm by tyres (original tyres were 265/70R15)
There is no bodylift, only suspension kit.
Rims are with spacers (final ET is -30)

Hi Jenki
You Paj looks great, with the added ground clearance. How does she handle on the tar with the modify, and how has this mod improved / changed your engine revs / drivability / pulling power on higher speed tar cruising, and lastly, stability on off-road serious work?
By the by, I understand your model is known as the Gen 2.5 (in S.A. - not Gen 2), or the Blister Fender model. Last one to come out, prior to the total redesigned Gen 3.