Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I am going to fit new shocks to my 98 NL Pajero 3.5 petrol GLS. 90K kms. Considering Rancho 5000 or 9000 or OME's or ??. Retaining standard springs.
I do a fair amount of out back travel with the full load of camping gear on board.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Welcome to OL.

Thoughts.

Full load of camping gear with standard springs? I have OME's "heavy" springs and think they're a bit on the light side when I'm fully loaded. Good luck.

I don't think Rancho have a Pajero spec unit which allows for any suspension lift. As you are still on standard springs this isn't an issue for you, but your future options may be limited if you go Rancho.

Again, I have OME's stiffest shocks, and think they're a little underdamped when I'm fully loaded. With lighter springs they may perform a little better.

Somebody recently posted about buying some larger bore (41mm?) shocks - have a browse through the last week or two. Hopefully they'll post up soon.

Cheers,

Scott

hi Blueheeler,
i fitted tough dog 41mm bore foam cell shocks and matching 2" lift springs to my nl td. so far i am very happy with them. shocks were plus 2" on length also. from memory they do a std length shock as well.
have yet to get the forklift under it(this w end hopefully) to check brake line and breather line for length.
the car sits at 810mm from btm of rim to wheel arch lip (with 100kg drawer system fitted). up from 745mm with std suspension and no drawers. have wound up torsion bars and trimmed bump stops to get 785mm at front, with 20mm droop still built in.
hope this helps.
if you want any more info, just ask.
cookie monster

Thanks Cookie Monster and Scott for the replies and also the good wishes! The forum seems like a beauty with such willing participants.
After your comments I realize that I am carrying a fair bit of extra weight when I load up including all the obvious extended camping needs as well as drawers and a 145 litre long range tank and roof rack. One of my main dislikes at the moment is instability at high speed on those long stretches.
Today I went to 4WD1 and had a look at the 41mm bore Rock Crawlers and priced their HD coils and tortion bars. I am thinking that for the time being I might get the coils and the shocks and consider the bars at a later date.

Blueheeler

Blueheeler wrote: I am thinking that for the time being I might get the coils and the shocks and consider the bars at a later date.

Blueheeler

That's what I'd be doing.

Unless you have a winch on the front I wouldn't bother with heavy duty torsion bars - just have your standard bars adjusted to the ride height you want.

Good luck,

Scott

Hey blueheeler,

I just chucked on the 41mm rock crawlers, I mainly do long trips now with a heavily laden truck. off on a little trip next week through the high country which will be their first off road run.
So far they are definately firmer than OME, it's made a large difference onroad in stability and handling even with the winch etc up the front on standard torsion bars as before she ploughed into corners and under brakes.

the ome's were definately more comfortable, but awful to drive on in most situations, they were still fairly new, but the last trip killed them as it was pretty severe, so i decided to change completely.

If you have a chat to the 4wd1 guys, i don't think they will sell you ranchos if your truck is heavily laden like mine. they recommend 41mm as they're not the biggest shocks to begin with. and yeah, foam cell preferred for corrugations over gas.

Rob.

Thanks 4runna, it will be interesting to hear how they go on your trip, I was down the Vic. High Country last June and it sure is majic. Do you run hd springs on the rear?

Blueheeler

To be honest I'm not 100% sure what they are,

i've had the car for a few years, and told by the previous owner they were TJM tow springs which are supposed to be lifted, seems to be abt 2", but they feel fairly soft still. I might just be used to the weight in the rear now though and they feel soft with that.

I haven't been down the Vic side of that area for a few years, so looking forward to it.


Rob.

I have amix of 2" king springs and torsion bars and tough dog shocks works really well I tow a trailer of just over 1 ton everyday. I had ultima shocks to start with but they only lasted 6 weeks and they were flogged they were replaced and same happened so be really careful with your shocks buy the best quality you can afford.

cheers eddy

I replaced shocks & springs on my NL with the OME's gaining about a 2" lift. I went the hard springs & admit without a heavy load, are firm to say the least, but you do get used to it. When fully laden is almost perfect. Handling etc is 'chalk & cheese' compared to the original set up.

As with tyres, will always get differing opinions.

Cheers
Allan Mac

Don't buy the Ranchos.... it's american junk!!!!!!!!! I had one set a few years ago.... it was terrible, it was like no suspension at all, even the smallest cracks was going inside the cabin....... They were 5000's
For me I think the KYB mono max or KYB gas adjust and OME are the best shocks.... they are specially made for the size and weigth of the paj

If you can find a Bilstein shock that will suit the length you are after then I don't think you will be disapointed with them. A lot of the other shocks that do quite well for most vehicles just don't cut it for the Pajero.

Shane

if you are going to fit longer shocks on the rear, then you will have to extend your brake line and diff breather. i am also extending the bump stops 25mm(shocks are 22mm longer on compression, than std).



cookie monster

well we're back after our short trip, mainly black top, but we did a few days dirt and 4x4ing. enough to test the rock crawlers.

we weren't fully laden this trip so it was a little firm, but Wow, the difference in high speed driving is massive over the OME's. stability is good onroad, large bumps are absorbed nicely off road, but still seems supple enough to let a 2" lift articulate.

very happy with them, and wouldn't go back to soft sloppy shocks, even the missus was commenting and she doesn't drive it. feels much safer and more predictable.

didn't really do a long enough trip to compare rates of shock fade with the OME's. but they seem better than my old 9000's

IMHO.

Rob.

Thanks for remembering to report after your trip Rob! It is good to get your opinion and as soon as I can scrape together the cash I will be purchasing the Rock Crawlers. The stability you speak of sounds very apealing!
On another subject I have had little response to in this forum, do you have ABS and how do you find it in the greasy muddy stuff. I have had some unsettling moments and am considering an isolation switch to turn it off when not wanted.
Thanks again Rob

Blueheeler