Suspension Upgrade for GEN II Pajero

[Ikabod]

We recently bought an imported GEN II Pajero (but very basic) with a 4D56 turbodiesel engine (no intercooler) and rear leaf springs. Anyway, we decided to bring it up to Baguio during the holiday season and we experienced our worst trip on that occasion (we frequently go up to Baguio.) due to the fact that everyone inside was being bounced around inside due to the harsh ride. I regularly checked the tire pressures during the trip and the tires had normal tire pressures so I ruled that out. I guess it's true that the suspension of the Pajero could really use an upgrade comfortwise. Anyway, is it necessary to replace the front coil springs and rear leaf springs, and the front and rear shocks so that I could have a substantially improved ride? I'm considering getting OME shocks and springs for my Pajero. Are OME leaf springs readily available here? I'm from Q.C. and I'm looking for nearby places that sell these. Where can I buy these at a relatively good price with warranty? What would be the price range for a complete set of shocks and springs? Please inform me of shops where I can have these installed at a good price.

Also, what other suspension improvements can I do to really improve the ride? By the way, I don't plan on taking the Pajero off-road so I just want to know what changes I can do for normal on-road driving.

I hope you guys can help me out on this. Thanks in advance.

[wildthing]

I think the rancho shocks RS9000 series have better ratings than OME kasi adjustable ang model ng rancho na iyun.

I play around with the tire pressure (as in lessening it than standard pressure load) to improve my pickup's suspension response (less bouncy)....but they could cause faster tire wear.

my 2 cents.

[pajerokid]

Sabi na nga ba! I thought all gen2s had rear coils. Naka kita ako ng naka-leaf, akala ko modified lang. Anyways, yung Gen2 mo ba "Kick Up Roof"? Does it have a bump on the rear part of the roof? curious lang :D

[Ikabod]

Nope, flat roof ang sa akin. 1992 model kasi ito kaya I guess nag-carryover ang specs ng GEN I sa mga basic models (wala kasi akong intercooler at leaf springs ang rear ng Pajero ko) nung unang labas.

[OTEP]

Ikabod,

We also have a leaf-sprung GEN II dito sa bahay. Imported from China and pina-rebadge namin as a Montero (pati sa rehistoro 'Montero' ang nakalagay).

What was your former vehicle ba? Kasi kapag ginagamit ko yung '97 Montero hindi naman masama yung ride. Comparable nga sa ride ng coil-spring Pajero ko, eh. Ano ba yung tires mo? We're using 255/75R15 na Pirelli Scorpion S/T's (street tyre) doon sa Montero. It made a world of difference from the stock 31X10.5R15 Yokohama Super Digger-V that came stock when it arrived dito sa Pilipinas.

FYI, walang front coil spring ang Pajero. The front suspension uses torsion bars (much like 4X4 pick-up trucks).

You don't really have to go all out with your suspension ugpgrade at first. Try changing over to better shocks like OME or the adjustable Rancho series. If that doesn't work, then try aftermarket leafsprings by Ironman, Dobbinson or other reputable (and mostly Australian) manufacturers.

Ungas ang Jay crew have their mods done at RATS 4X4 in Katipunan and Alabang. Other reputable shops are 199 OffRoadHouse (I don't know where they are) or Ride in Banawe (most expensive).

[Ikabod]

Otep,

Dati kasi assembled na mini wrangler jeep ang sasakyan ko kaya sanay ako sa tagtag pero I expected na mas pino dapat ang ride ng Pajero dahil hindi katulad ng assembled na jeep na iba-iba ang pinanggalingang suspension components. Ang nakalagay sa Pajero ay Dunlop na all-terrain tires (not sure what specific type). I think ang tire size ay 215/80R16. Ayoko munang palitan itong mga tires ko kasi when we got the Pajero parang brand new pa yung tires niya kaya up to now ay makapal pa ang tread niya. By the way, ano ba ang tire pressures na nilalagay mo sa Pajero mo? Kasi medyo binabaan ko pa nga ng kaunti yung nakalagay sa specs nung Pajero e, para kasing masyadong mataas yung specified na tire pressures. Also, what size of tires would be the best, in terms of comfort, for my stock 16" rims?

Regarding the front coil springs, oops, sorry, my mistake. Mukhang nasanay ako sa assembled kong jeep na naka-coil springs sa unahan.

Is there going to be a marked improvement if I just replace the shocks first? I have a limited budget so I really want to maximize the improvement to the ride with whatever money I have on hand.

[Ikabod]

Otep,

Now I remember, Dunlop Grandtrek nga pala ang nakakabit sa Pajero ko.

[OTEP]

Ikabod,

Pareho pala kayo ng gulong ni boybi (on his Patrol). I think we're running the pressures around 30-32 psi. Iyon kasi ang recommended ng mga Pajero gurus sa outdoorwire.com, eh.

Bigla kong naalala, minsan nagrerklamo din ang mother kapag nakasakay siya sa Pajero dahil matagtag daw. Feeling ko it has something to do with my Michelin LTX A/T tires.

[Ikabod]

Otep,

Tama lang pala ang tire pressures na nilalagay ko sa mga gulong ko e. so that rules out the tire pressure. Di kaya dahil sa klase ng tires ko?

Mga magkano ba ang mga OME shocks ngayon? Gusto ko lang malaman kung kakayanin ng budget ko e.

Actually, kung normal city driving ay hindi naman namin nararamdaman masyado ang tagtag. It's only when we went on that long trip to Baguio na when we left the vehicle ay para kaming pagod na pagod lahat. Nakakaawa nga yung buntis kong wife at 2-yr old daughter ko dahil hindi sila nakatulog masyado dahil sa tagtag.

Naisip ko tuloy na baka naman medyo worn out na yung mga shocks ko kasya ganun. Hindi ko pa kasi pinapalitan kasi wala naman akong nakikitang indications na bumigay na ang mga shocks ko e.

Para tuloy naiisip ko ibenta itong Pajero dahil sa harsh ride niya kaya lang nanghihinayang kami dahil mura ang pagkakabili namin at in very good condition pa ito.

[OTEP]

Ikabod,

Si Ungas po ang may alam ng presyo ng OME. Pero on most 'branded' shocks, count on spending between Php 16K-22K.

Ako happy na sa KYB gas shocks na wala pang Php 5K ang set of four.

Hindi ko pa nasubukan ang Grandtreks. Pero maaring dahil sa makitid ang goma mo kaya medyo harsh ang ride.

By nature, hindi talaga car-like ang ride ng Pajero. Sa mga car magazines ko laging lumalabas ang mga salitang 'harsh,' 'busy,' at 'choppy' when describing the Pajeros ride. I guess that's the price of go-anywhere capability.