Shocks and Lift "without kit"? And Spacers

[Orionsbelt]

My shocks are shot. I saw the recent thread for lift but didn't want to hi-jack it. Did some searching on this forum and came across some stuff but not quite... http://www.delica.ca/forum/suspension-f ... tml#p92251

Most 4x4's will allow a degree of lift without having to install a kit - typically 2 inches.
First what can we do with the Pajero (mine's a 90 LWB) without having to get the kit? Is it possible?
Second what shocks are out there to obtain what ever that extra inch or 2 (without breaking the bank)?

KYB shocks were suggested in the above link. Good / bad ...? Others?

Also, I've been looking at widening the stance...any suggestions on spacers? What's safe or won't stress the suspension too much? 1" 2" ?

Thanks, Orion

[FalcoColumbarius]

Not sure if this is relevant to your situation. I went to a spring shop in Burnaby (Canada Spring) and had an extra leaf added to my pack, which was also re-arced. This lifted my aft end about an inch and an half. I re-indexed my T-bars to lift the front end to match the aft end. This is a link to the thread: http://www.delica.ca/forum/canada-spring-3638.html

Typically, I can't see any reason to lift my wagon any higher. Another bonus is my shocks didn't have to be changed.

Falco.

[Orionsbelt]

Hi Falco -- the Paj doesn't have leafs -- springs instead.

I've read somewhere on here you can get larger/longer springs for the rears on these things but not sure if you require anthing else installed -- was shy on details. That combining the longer rear springs with longer shocks in the front you wouldn't have to play with the torsion bars (I think?).

I bought this truck almost a couple yrs ago now...I have no idea if the previous owners did anything to the torsion bars. Also I've heard upping them isn't that great as you get a much stiffer ride so it makes more sense to me to just buy longer shocks/larger springs "if" that's the best choice.

I know Jesse (if he reads this) has a kit but I'd rather not go that far if I don't have to.

My thinking is if I have to replace the shocks then I might as well spend a few extra bucks and get some better parts than stock. Hopefully it improves the ride and adds an inch or 2 along with it.

Orion

[Big-Bird]

The Pajero can have the aft end lifted with the use of a coil spring spacer kit from Princess Auto, thats where my Pajero buddy got his 2" kit. They are made of plastic and fit between the spring and the upper plate. COST 25.00.

He mentioned a longer shock was required for the rear because a stock shock tended to top-out while on the 4x4 trail....it was not a problem on paved/gravel roads.

He indexed the torsion bars and that gave about 1.5". The front shocks do not need to be changed in this case because a torsion bar reindex reduces the amount of travel in one direction and increases the amount of opposite travel because it only changes the center point of where the torsion spring is at rest. (Robbing Paul to pay Peter if you know what i mean)

This t-bar adjust does make for a slightly stiffer ride and the front suspension will bottom out in one direction of travel which would only occur under full suspension travel...unlikely on smooth roads.
This reindex process does not put excessive stress on the t-bars provided you don't do Duke's of Hazard jumps with your Mitsu.

A longer or different angle control arm kit (which I have seen for other IFS 4x4's like the 1st generation Nissan Xterra kit from Total-Chaos) gives increased height while maintaining equal suspension travel between the front bump stops. Jessie's upper ball joint spacer effectively does the same thing.

[Orionsbelt]

Ok thanks Big Bird... (by the way I posted a question to you on another thread I originally posted about cold starts. You mentioned a Fuel Heater?)

I'm in Calgary but it can't be that much for Princess Auto to send some plastic / rubber spacers out this way.
I'll contact Jessee and see what he has for the front - along with advice.

I take this truck off road into climbing areas...so it sounds wise to put longer rear shocks along with the spring spacers. Do you know what your friend went with?

As for the front I'm curious what length of shock I should pick up then - same as rear? Something with a 2 inch extra travel over stock.

Any word out there on widening the stance for these things? I came across someone saying 4". That seems like a lot. I have 31 x10.5 on there now and there's a ton of space.

Orion

[Manitoba deli]

On the l300 and l400, the rubber bump stop for the upper control arm, can be replaced by a low profile polyurethane bushing, available from most of the aftermarket suppliers of shock bushings and suspension parts. I don't have any part numbers, I usually just look through there catalogs till I find it. Essentially it is about an inch shorter than the stock bump stop. With this installed, when you crank up the torsion bars, the front can be raised about 2" over stock, and still maintain ride quality, and avoid a cracked upper control arm, which tends to happen over time with ball joint spacers. This lower profile bushing does give you longer travel in the front, and you may have to reroute or lengthen your brake hoses and put longer travel shocks. On some though, everything is long enough. I think there should be the same bump stop on the Pajero's, but can't say for sure. I have a used low profile bump stop somewhere around here, If I can find it, I'll post a picture.

Jason

[Big-Bird]

Ok thanks Big Bird... (by the way I posted a question to you on another thread I originally posted about cold starts. You mentioned a Fuel Heater?)

I'm in Calgary but it can't be that much for Princess Auto to send some plastic / rubber spacers out this way.
I'll contact Jessee and see what he has for the front - along with advice.

I take this truck off road into climbing areas...so it sounds wise to put longer rear shocks along with the spring spacers. Do you know what your friend went with?

As for the front I'm curious what length of shock I should pick up then - same as rear? Something with a 2 inch extra travel over stock.

Any word out there on widening the stance for these things? I came across someone saying 4". That seems like a lot. I have 31 x10.5 on there now and there's a ton of space.

Orion

Princess Auto is in Calgary...as am I....Sounds like you have been there so you need to go see it for yourself. There is a South and North location. Google the name for locations.

Shocks....don't waste your time at Parts Source or Canadian Tire as these guys will only look for application listings and most give you a blank stare when you tell them you own a Delica or Pajero. Go talk to the parts guys at National 4 Wheel Drive or Modern Motors. These guys can search shock listings by size. Length compressed and extended, tube diameter, mount type and size. Ranchos (owned by Monroe) are okay, Old Man Emu is better.

Stock height shocks for front if you only do T-bar adjustment. Look at getting low profile eurethane bumpstops made by Energy Suspension....Around 25-35 per pair.

The rear shock length(over stock height) will need to be whatever the spacer height is...if the spacer is 2" then you need a shock that is 2" longer than your stock one. Don't be surprised if the shaft diameter of the longer shock is thicker, this is normal as the shock body may be larger.

[Orionsbelt]

@ Jason -- Thanks I'll take a look for that front bushing you're talking about. I'd like to do this as painlessly and safely as possible.

@ Big Bird -- I'll look up Princess Auto...funny I automatically think everything is in Van or BC somewhere. I'd rather go with longer shocks and not bother with the torsion bar adjustments. Sounds simpler in a sense with less loss of travel as per your first response. Meaning it just bottoms out at a different pt.
I'll also go see those places you're talking about...I'm familiar with the one just off Blackfoot.

Off subject...Fuel heater?? It's relative to my other post regarding cold starts...

Orion

[jessef]

I used 2" spacers for a Sequoia. Perfect fit on the rear coils. Coupled with front tbar crank, 2 inches is simple on the Paj. Good luck and post pics when you're done.

http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/index. ... KT09111+DA

[Manitoba deli]

Here is what the low profile bump stop looks like. Threaded part on this one is 3/8" coarse thread.

IMG-20121104-00083.jpg (45.74 KiB) Viewed 6059 times

IMG-20121104-00088.jpg (54.44 KiB) Viewed 6059 times

[Orionsbelt]

Ok, thanks Big Bird for the pics and info.
Thanks Jesse as per usual.

I'll got to a couple shops and see what I can get, prices on shocks, etc...

Stupid question - I read on one of the links that the shroud on for the fan doesn't line up after doing the lift - is that correct?

[Big-Bird]

Ok, thanks Big Bird for the pics and info.
Thanks Jesse as per usual.

I'll got to a couple shops and see what I can get, prices on shocks, etc...

Stupid question - I read on one of the links that the shroud on for the fan doesn't line up after doing the lift - is that correct?

Misallignment of the fan shroud is usually the affect of a body lift which raises the body above the frame by using body mount spacers which can also cause other alignment issues with cables, wires, brake lines, shift linkage, radiator hoses, etc....a 2" suspension lift does not cause misallignment problems as a rule but brake lines and cables should be checked for potential pinch points or binding locations due to short lengths of stock lines/cables.

[jessef]

the bird is correct.

I did a 2" body lift on my Paj years ago and needed to relocate the fan shroud, f/r bumpers and slightly extend the 4wd shifter.

[Pajero]

I got my new suspension from Rocky Road and have been happy with it, price was good to


http://www.rocky-road.com/monterosus.html


Joe