I know its talked about heaps......suspension

[grantw]

Hi guys,

Since i made the decision to keep the swb paj I can justify throwing some coin at it. Suspension is high on the agenda and I was set on bilsteins and lovells, however I would be interested to see if any other SWB owners have done anything theres. I know the reports have been excellent on the lwb vehicles but what about the swb? Would the springs be too heavy for the lightweight rear end? I want to avoid it being too harsh in the rear. Arb have told me that the lwb springs are too stiff for the swb and are working on another. Any thoughts?

[Eastie]

For mine the weight is nearing the limit anyhow and the standard weight of the swb is only a couple of passengers short of the lwb weight sO I couldn't see a major problem? I'm considering a spring lift of about 1-2", but am unsure if I absolutely have to change the shockers also (which will put it on hold)?

[Walker]

I would be changing the shocks before the springs. But I guess I am thinking more for outback touring. The standard shocks look very very small and in all the articles I have read on the NS in the outback, they all say to replace the shocks.

Grant, I would try to find a spring maker in Brisbane who could do some custom springs for you. I have always used Browns Springs in Melbourne and they make up the spring exactly how I want it. All they will need to know is the weight at each wheel.

In Brisbane you could try Dobinson Springs.

[Proudy]

I tried to get full airbag sspension in hte NS - cant be done apparently as the Paj needs a big bags (and dont fit) - needs 9" of dimeter spacing.

Thus looking/priced full OME set up - may go Rancho ajustable shocks (9000xs - hope to get the in cab ajuster kit - I dont think I would ever ajust them manually) with suitable springs (maybe OME) and Poly airbag helpers for when we hitch on the horse float/trailer or just a a bit of weight in the back with the family on board.

[Walker]

Have people used Rancho's much on Pajero's.

Rancho's never seem to work well on heavier vehicles. They are fine for the lighter Jeeps and the Yanks love them but on anything heavier than 2T they seem to flogg out quickly.

[mrbitchi]

I would be changing the shocks before the springs. But I guess I am thinking more for outback touring. The standard shocks look very very small and in all the articles I have read on the NS in the outback, they all say to replace the shocks.

Grant, I would try to find a spring maker in Brisbane who could do some custom springs for you. I have always used Browns Springs in Melbourne and they make up the spring exactly how I want it. All they will need to know is the weight at each wheel.

In Brisbane you could try Dobinson Springs.

Have they changed the shocks in the NS? The NM/NP use KYB shocks as original and they're very good.

Kings are a very good off the shelf spring for the NM/NP, and should be fine for the NS as well.

[Proudy]

The current suspension is ok - a little hard but perfet when you have a half load in the back.

A trailer + a load (or a heavy load in the back) makes the back wheels 'splay' out a little and you can feel it from the front. I want ajustable (from cab if possible) so that the feel of the Paj once I get a bit of a lift (in hte next few weeks) is not compromised. I have been told that the OME set up is very good and it wont make it feel like a race car over bumps...however If I cna tune the suspension according to the load/road etc = very happy me (well happier wife and kids = happy me )

May be the Tough Dogs will be better - any thoughts?

[mrbitchi]

The only way you can have adjustable suspension is to fit Air Bags. Then you can use them to level the rear with a load. This won't do anything to change the shock rates or otherwise "tune" the suspension. It will just make the car ride level. They're not desinged to be adjusted "on the fly".

[Proudy]

The only way you can have adjustable suspension is to fit Air Bags. Then you can use them to level the rear with a load. This won't do anything to change the shock rates or otherwise "tune" the suspension. It will just make the car ride level. They're not desinged to be adjusted "on the fly".

Yep - however the full airbag replacemnt is not possible - so will be getting airbag 'helpers'. These are as you say only for leveling the car with a load.

I am talking about varying the valve rate in the shock absorber. - athis will give me a "smoother ride" or "harder" according to driving conditions i.e. soft for off road '4WDing' and car conditons (i.e. load/on road - driving hard - towing) - there is a good discussion in 4WD monthly on this/how it works etc.

[grantw]

Looks like I am going lovells springs but cant decide whether to pay the extra for the bilsteins..... Dont have to decide till monday...lovells shocks vs bilstiens... $450 vs $850

[mrbitchi]

Looks like I am going lovells springs but cant decide whether to pay the extra for the bilsteins..... Dont have to decide till monday...lovells shocks vs bilstiens... $450 vs $850

If I were you I'd stick to the standard shocks. They're almost brand new so why chuck 'em?

[grantw]

I am pretty sure that the standard shocks will be too short. The springs will give about 50mm lift (prolly bit more by others remarks in the past). I dont intend to chuck em, I will hang on to them and refit prior top trading it in. Then let someone forum member get the better gear

[pampaskat]

Hi grantw

I assume the suspension geometry on the NS is identical to the NP. If so, the upward (bump) travel at both the front and the rear is limited by a rubber bump stop and the rebound travel is limited by the open length of the shocks.

If the suspension is lifted by changing the coils, one effectively gains bump travel, but you lose rebound travel (total travel stays the same) unless one finds shocks with longer open lengths than the originals.

Although I have searched quite a bit, I have not been able to find any aftermarket shocks that have longer open lengths than the standard ones. Here are some shock dimensions that I have found:

Original shocks:
Front: Open 473mm, Closed 336mm, Stroke 137mm
Rear: Open 576mm, Closed 352mm, Stroke 224mm

Old Man Emu shocks:
Front (N1295): Open 472mm, Closed 327mm, Stroke 145mm
Rear (N152): Open 576mm, Closed 345mm, Stroke 231mm

Ironman shocks:
Front (12713GR): Open 470mm, Closed 325mm, Stroke 145mm
Rear (12714GR): Open 575mm, Closed 350mm, Stroke 225mm

Monroe USA:
Front (Reflex Struts #931357): Open 470mm, Closed 327mm, Stroke 143mm
Rear (Reflex Truck Shocks #911250): Open 575mm, Closed 359mm, Stroke 216mm

Bilstein
Front (B6 Sport, BE5-6271): Open 470mm, Closed 326mm, Stroke 144mm
Rear (B6 Sport, BE5-6272: Open 570mm, Closed 348mm, Stroke 222mm

Koni also manufactures adjustable shocks to fit the NM/NP Pajero, but I believe these have pretty much the same open lengths as the standard ones as well.

Come to think of it, perhaps the reason that no-one has shocks with longer open lengths than standard is for fear of extending the operational envelope of the CVs outside of the original...

[Proudy]

tough dog susp in a kit is $1500 plus fit and includes 4 x shocks and 4 x springs and will raise the vehicle 50mm,

4 x shocks with out springs are $990 plus fit and will keep the original ride height, however the adjustment in the shock will not lift the vehicle in any

Would appreciate any thoughts on this. The toughts on this option. 50mm sounds a little high for me... and 40mm is maybe a better hight?

http://www.4wd1.com/i_tough_dog_shocks.htm

Tough Dog shocks and suspension have a good name according to my 4WD guy -

[Walker]

Personally I would not be touching Tough Dog, especially if you plan to do any outback touring. Their foam cell shocks just aren't up to the road in Australia. Myself and 4 freinds all put in tough dogs a few years ago before a big trip across the Simpson. The shocks did initially handle the trip ok but by the time we got back they were stuffed and had to be replaced. It was the same for all 5 vehicles. After only one trip you could literally open and close the shocks with 1 finger.

After that I decided to bite the bullet and paid the extra money for Bilsteins and they have been fantastic.