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Suspension and Tyres
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:52 pm
by Jimmy L
Hi,
I'm new to this section as I have only recently upgraded to a 2001 Pajero V6 Exceed. My enquires relate to the suspension set up, what upgrades are possible? Does anyone here rate the gen 3 pajero for off roading? It drives beautifully on the road but am wondering if it's decent enough off road as is. Eventually I will put a more agressive tyre on it and take it up to some moderate to hard 4x4 tracks for a spin.
Thanks
Jim
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:17 pm
by Bitsamissin
Yep I didn't rate the Gen 3 for offroad work at all when looking at them.
However there are a few in the Pajero Club that absolutely amaze me where their drivers take them. One of them in particular (with an excellent driver) takes his up tracks I just wouldn't have thought possible with IFS/IRS.
IMHO the Tough Dog 70mm HD lift is the go and I think you will squeeze a narrow 33" in there if not a 32" no probs. ARB/TJM front bars available along with snorkels. Remove the factory side steps and hard plastic mud flaps and they have good clearance.
Front ARB locker is available and the standard Torsen rear lsd is a jem.
There are quite a few suspension kits available now for the Gen 3 - Pedders, ARB, TJM, King etc.
Removing/disconnecting the swaybars makes a big difference in wheel travel in these vehicles.
For an IFS/IRS they have sufficient wheel travel particularly with the swaybar mods.
The biggest problem with these vehicles is the carbon fibre rear tailshaft (designed to collapse in a hard front or rear hit) but if you so much as nick them on a rock they will shatter and fail very quickly. A few have had this happen already but a steel on can be made up pretty cheaply though.
Don't expect a rock crawler but with the right mods and driven well it will surprise many people.
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:10 pm
by -Scott-
Hi Frank
I was chatting to Errol, and he rates the Gen 3 as better off road than the Gen 2, because there's less underneath to get hung up on - it's easier to slide them over obstacles. Of course, SAS front and rear would be interesting...
Jim
There's a few Gen 3s around Qld running 285/75-16s without major mods - Errol would be able to tell us more, if we could convince him to join in here...
Cheers,
Scott
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:10 pm
by Bitsamissin
Not sure I entirely agree with that one.
The Gen 3 in standard trim has better under diff clearance but not in the belly the crossmembers hang down a fair way.
The rear overhang is an issue as well getting hung up more than a Gen 2 and the big one is no chassis so body lifts and mounting stuff (recovery hooks, sliders etc) for an offraod pounding is difficult.
A live axle has more wheel travel standard but the coilover Gen 3 is better than the torsion bar front.
One thing also about the Gen 3 is that they are extremely well balanced dynamically.
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:37 pm
by RichardW
I'm running a 2001 NM Exceed with an ARB/OME 65mm HD rear, 35mm standard front lift and Cooper 265X75X16.
Main use is city commuting and outback touring where the vehicle is brilliant. Good on sand and C grade bush tracks. Rock hopping on B Grade tracks is a bit painfull.
Interested in:-
1. The mods to make it easy to disconnect the sway bars.
2. Decent metal bash plate and sump guard.
3. Steel rear bar to replace the plastic one.
4. Rock sliders.
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:55 pm
by Bitsamissin