Outer Limits 4x4 Board

The rubber gearbox mounts on my NJ 4M40 appear to be failing. The centre of each mount is connected to the outside of the mount by rubber running horizontaly, ie there is no rubber between the centre of the mount and the top and bottom of the mount, only the sides. As a downward load (gearbox weight) is applied to the mount it stretches the rubber at the side of the mount and allows the centre to fall towards the bottom of the mount. This design limits sideways movement but allows lots of up and down movement. My mounts have sagged so much the centre of the mount has almost reached the bottom of the mount.

Now for the main question. Had a sticky at the new TDI Triton recently and discovered different mounts. Instead of the centre being supported at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock the Triton mounts are supported at 12 o'clock, 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock, providing alot better wieght carrying capacity. They are also turned 90 degrees to have the mounting bolts run perpandicular to the body as opposed to the Paj which run inline with the body.

With the appropriate mounting brackets the Triton mounts look like they will bolt straight on to the Paj 'box, (although Murphy's Law says the threaded holes in the gearbox will be 10mm out). The Triton mounts and brackets cost about the same as just the Paj mount. Anyone have any thoughts, experiences or suggestions. What sort of mounts are used on the 3.5L V6? Are the these large highly flexible mounts only used on the dismals?

Peter

From what I can tell the 3.5 V6 and 2.8 TDI have virtually the same set up. I haven't seen the new Triton arrangement so can't comment on that.
You can get a aftermarket replacement gearbox mount from Autobahn which is the red polyurethane type (much stronger than the rubber) they are made by Kelpro and probly a lot cheaper than a Mitsu replacement.
I have to get new engine mounts and started some research. Kelpro make all the Pajero front engine and gearbox mounts. My 3.0 V6 has a different set up as it has another mount on the left hand side called a t/case roll stopper. So I'm going to replace the 2 engine and 2 gearbox mounts with these urethane items.

Frank,

Are there alot of poly bushings aplications for our rigs by you. Just curious, we dont have any aplications here in us. I was looking for body mount bushings for when I do a body lift.

do they make a nolathaney type one for that roll stopper on the gearbox??

Yep they do Mike but they call it a gearbox side support mount or something like that.

Dougie, there are a couple of aftermarket suppliers of urethane bushings for Pajero's.
Most are for the swaybar mounts and end links, there are some that supply panhard rod, trailing arm and front wishbone bushings.
As I said Kelpro do the urethane engine & gearbox mounts for pretty much all models of Pajero's.
I have never seen any aftermarket body mount bushes for them (rubber or urethane).

Thanks Frank. I tried Autobahn yesterday, but I think I will get genuine. Only $3 more expensive. $164 vs $161.

Peter