Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

offroadbiker wrote:In die Woesrand....

Hoe toets hulle die skokbrekers en coils??

Menlyn test center het n baie modern shock tester ....

Very interesting Errol, I guess testing every shock individually on a test bench is the only real way that you can determine the condition of your shocks....so it's nice to know that there are places not too far from me that can do this.

Coils???????????

Dirk, springs cannot be tested on the car.

And in any event, the only degradation is in ride height. The only real way to check them is if you vave historic ride height information which you can compare to. The problem with that is that your car is evolving, so the weight keeps changing.

In any case, unless it is "listing " very badly to one side, it makes no real difference.

As for shocks, that's a different story. But testing them on the car is a very difficult process, as there are many installation factors that play a role here. Suspension bushes and especially the tires (size and pressure) can have a huge impact. To my mind the test equipment at roadworthy centres is little better than guessing...

So I fiddled with the adjustable shocks today, whether they're on setting 1 or 9, it makes no difference. It's actually hilarious how much I can make the patrol bounce when pushing on the bullbar, it's like one of those gangster low rider bouncing cars.

So I think I need to stop messing around and spend the bucks on a proper suspension setup for this car now.

If anyone wants these peice of junk Rancho shocks once I get them out - they might be nice paper weights :)

I checked Rancho's .com site to see if they where serviceable.

They do not even make a shock for the Patrol so unless it is the same size as another vehicle and someone in SA got it right you are already on a hiding second to nothing before getting out the blocks.

Do you know what coils are in your vehicle? Make and if any lift?

Yip, I reckon these shocks are completely wrong for this car. And it doesn't help that it has a huge bullbar and winch either. I'm not 100% sure what the springs are - but graham put in used ones in it just before I bought it, so I need to find out from him, but I think my best bet is to pull all of this out and start from scratch with a nice new kit, at least I will know exactly what I have then as at the moment it's just guessing.

Kagiso II wrote:Robert Hale - DUNE Off Road .. I know of nobody MORE knowledgeable than him on suspension, especially Nissan [and Isuzu] Hy spesiliseer in CALMINI Suspensions maar vervaardig ook susp[ensie wat hy self ontwikkel het.
bel hom gerus

084 580 8114 - Robert Hale

I said this before and I gladly repeat myself. I have spoken to many many people regarding SUSPENSIONS on vehicles. As many regarding tyres and all these things that us boys like to know about on our toys
On a HARD BODY you fit CAMILS .. finish en klaar.

On a PATROL you have a big choice. Money always come intyo play .. BUT the "best" to do is SPEAK TO ROBERT HALE first

I had EFS on my PRADO and I was NOT impressed.
iNyathi had XGS shocks [totally worn out] and is now very happy with MONROE Adventure on the XGS coils & body lift I bought him with [Personally I believe the Old Man Emoe is the better coil ... BUT Robert Hale builds a coil with progressive damping .. :-)

..

Stock new suspension on a 4.8 is unbelievably good. Don't mess with it unless you have good reason to do so.

Yes, thanks Mac, I definitely haven't forgotten about your suggestion of Dune, I will go have a chat to them and see what they say, but I must say I am thinking I must maybe fork out the big bucks on OME and be done with it. I might change my tune when I see the quote though.

Clem I must say I would prefer to go with standard suspension, I'm just worried the bullbar and winch will be an issue though?