We have purchased a new larger van and thinking about fitting king coil springs to our 2013 Pajero . Once fitted concerned the ride will be to stiff and uncomfortable when not towing . Appreciate comments from Pajero owners
erad said
07:52 AM Sep 26, 2020
You can get progressive rate springs which are softer at light loads but stiffen up when compressed (loaded up). Theoretically they should give a softer ride unloaded, but eventually they will sag and you will be left with a stiffer section of the springs hence a harsher ride.
An option is to fit air bags inside the springs. You can have them softer for unloaded driving and then inflate them when you load up the vehicle. I have these and they work well, although you have to maintain some pressure in the bags at all times to prevent them from getting pinched between the coils. This makes the ride a little stiffer, but the ride will be softer than stiffer springs - it all depends on how much air you put in the bags. People claim that an airbag may get punctured, leaving you stranded somewhere outback. This is most unlikely (I have never heard of it happening), and even if it does, you still have the original springs to get you out to civilisation to get it fixed.
I find the airbags on my Pajero work very well for me. I deflate them for normal usage and typically forget to inflate them when I hitch up my caravan. After a few km, I remember and stop to inflate them. The ride improves dramatically after that. I always stop after a 20 or 30 km to check the wheel bearings on the van anyway.
Magnarc said
08:26 AM Sep 26, 2020
Hi Hutcho, We have the same set up on our Paj as Erad. Can recommend it.
yobarr said
09:01 AM Sep 26, 2020
Hutcho wrote:
We have purchased a new larger van and thinking about fitting king coil springs to our 2013 Pajero . Once fitted concerned the ride will be to stiff and uncomfortable when not towing . Appreciate comments from Pajero owners
Hi Ray....you have not supplied the ATM of your new van,but are you aware that if the ATM of the van is above 2500kg,your maximum towball weight is only 180kg? If you van has ATM, for example,of 3000kg the 180kg towball weight limit means you would have towball weight of only 6%......waaaay too light.Pajero is a nice car to tow vans up to 2500kg ATM, where maximum towball weight is 250kg,or 10%.....much safer.Cheers
Mobi Condo said
09:19 AM Sep 26, 2020
Howdy Hutcho, may be of use to you yo know that our old well loved 80 series TLC had a set of King Springs High Lift Comfort put on in Oct 1999.
They were the best thing we did as the factory originals had sagged drastically.
Mind you the wheel alignment had to be re-adjusted as they also provided 50mm lift and the Mech (Fitzy in Port Augusta) also did the legals with SA Registration peoples.
At 1st it was a tad different to drive, but we soon got used to that.
They served us superbly over the years.
Old and Grey said
09:46 AM Sep 26, 2020
Hutcho wrote:
We have purchased a new larger van and thinking about fitting king coil springs to our 2013 Pajero . Once fitted concerned the ride will be to stiff and uncomfortable when not towing . Appreciate comments from Pajero owners
Good morning Hutcho,
We have just had our 200 series Toyo GX fitted last Monday. With lovells 3800kg upgrade + the heavey duty Airbagman airbags with the canvas type sleeves fitted.
The H/D bags can be inflated to a max of 60psi over the standard bags 30psi @$550 fitted. David said you will never fill them to that. My old set never got above 20psi.
David at Lovells Automotive put 8psi in the airbags up front.He said that from new they would build up an extra 2-3psi from compressing on our way home.
They asked to return after 500km to check over the lot.
The first drive from the workshop was very noticeable.
I have removed the second row seats again, and stored in the cave.
The last few days we carried two loads of 400kg for about 20km. We still noticed the difference.
I still have my 7 year old sheep skin seat covers on.
We do remember that these mad the ride better on our backs and bums when first fitted.
So when we can see our way clear, we will replace them in 2021.
Hope this might be of help.
PS: One thing That changed is the front side Indicators get changed out in the change over, to nice NEW LED's in chrome, that you see from the rear for vehicles approaching from the rear.
They did a teriffic job.
Grey
-- Edited by Old and Grey on Saturday 26th of September 2020 09:53:02 AM
Hutcho said
07:51 AM Sep 27, 2020
Thanks everyone for the advice.The ball weight of the van is 140kg the weight of the Pajero is 180kg ,all I'm trying to do is stop the rear end sagging without getting a stiff ride when not towing and to stop the rear end sagging.
Old and Grey said
09:44 AM Sep 27, 2020
Hutcho wrote:
Thanks everyone for the advice.The ball weight of the van is 140kg the weight of the Pajero is 180kg ,all I'm trying to do is stop the rear end sagging without getting a stiff ride when not towing and to stop the rear end sagging.
Morning Hutcho,
In my honest opinion, I would just go for the standard air bags. They worked for us for us for the last seven years. in the Toyo and our previous Parado. With just the air bags our van sits flat on the ball.
The reason for doing the up grade for us is two fold. Our van is 2600kg loaded and a ball weight of 260kg + I am carrying a 110kg aluminium dory on top of the GX.
We needed to comply and be safety aware.
As we were getting the GVM fitted, it made sence to install the bags at the same time, in the event we had the need. + The HD units are guaranteed for the life of the car As long as you keep them inflated with 5psi +. Just good insurance IMO.
We are keeping our tug for the long haul. So doing these few things will see us right. I carry out all the servicing myself, from top to bottom.
Stay safe our there.
Grey
bgt said
10:34 AM Sep 27, 2020
FWIW we have a Fiat Ducato campervan. Front springs were rubbish. I phoned Kings. They were very helpful and gave me the part numbers and a recommended nearby installer. We have done about 1600k with the King springs installed. You wouldn't believe the difference.
Call Kings direct and have a talk to them.
Greg 1 said
11:51 AM Sep 27, 2020
Had the airbags in our Pajero when we had one. Being a coil sprung rear end they are suited to these and they work very well. I would agree with previous comments about them.
The Paj with its independent rear end, definitely does not like heavy vans with big ball weights though and hence the manufacturer limiting this to 180kg.
Make sure that you are working on an actual weighed ball load fully loaded not the plate on the van.
Our van shows 180kg on the plate but is 308kg when loaded. Hence why I now have a Ranger.
Warren-Pat_01 said
02:16 PM Sep 27, 2020
Hi everyone,
I fitted HD Airbagman airbags on my last Patrol - to take the added weight of the pop-top van.
Yes, they can be inflated to 60psi BUT the most I blew mine to was 25psi - anything on top of that was like having tree stumps in the suspension! Airbags can destroy cars if not used carefully - a reason they are not liked on ute-style vehicles. Used wisely, they are great with varying loads.
Greg 1 said
04:00 PM Sep 27, 2020
Airbags are in fact a rising rate spring. As the bag compresses, the rate rapidly rises, so if you over do the pressure, it can be like riding on the bump stops. Not really good for the vehicle or your comfort. 20 to 25psi is more than enough for the average vehicle.
mike g g said
07:16 PM Sep 27, 2020
Hi mucho I fitted airbags to my territory run5lb when not towing car ride like normal ran 21lb when towing made for great tow vehicle I fitted air bag man heavy duty bags ,I think they will fix your problem Mike g
Hutcho said
06:41 AM Sep 29, 2020
Once again the incredible brains trust of the Grey Nomads comes through, we thank all of you ,hope to see you on the road real soon .Hutcho
An option is to fit air bags inside the springs. You can have them softer for unloaded driving and then inflate them when you load up the vehicle. I have these and they work well, although you have to maintain some pressure in the bags at all times to prevent them from getting pinched between the coils. This makes the ride a little stiffer, but the ride will be softer than stiffer springs - it all depends on how much air you put in the bags. People claim that an airbag may get punctured, leaving you stranded somewhere outback. This is most unlikely (I have never heard of it happening), and even if it does, you still have the original springs to get you out to civilisation to get it fixed.
I find the airbags on my Pajero work very well for me. I deflate them for normal usage and typically forget to inflate them when I hitch up my caravan. After a few km, I remember and stop to inflate them. The ride improves dramatically after that. I always stop after a 20 or 30 km to check the wheel bearings on the van anyway.
Hi Hutcho, We have the same set up on our Paj as Erad. Can recommend it.
Hi Ray....you have not supplied the ATM of your new van,but are you aware that if the ATM of the van is above 2500kg,your maximum towball weight is only 180kg? If you van has ATM, for example,of 3000kg the 180kg towball weight limit means you would have towball weight of only 6%......waaaay too light.Pajero is a nice car to tow vans up to 2500kg ATM, where maximum towball weight is 250kg,or 10%.....much safer.Cheers
They were the best thing we did as the factory originals had sagged drastically.
Mind you the wheel alignment had to be re-adjusted as they also provided 50mm lift and the Mech (Fitzy in Port Augusta) also did the legals with SA Registration peoples.
At 1st it was a tad different to drive, but we soon got used to that.
They served us superbly over the years.
Good morning Hutcho,
We have just had our 200 series Toyo GX fitted last Monday. With lovells 3800kg upgrade + the heavey duty Airbagman airbags with the canvas type sleeves fitted.
The H/D bags can be inflated to a max of 60psi over the standard bags 30psi @$550 fitted. David said you will never fill them to that. My old set never got above 20psi.
David at Lovells Automotive put 8psi in the airbags up front.He said that from new they would build up an extra 2-3psi from compressing on our way home.
They asked to return after 500km to check over the lot.
The first drive from the workshop was very noticeable.
I have removed the second row seats again, and stored in the cave.
The last few days we carried two loads of 400kg for about 20km. We still noticed the difference.
I still have my 7 year old sheep skin seat covers on.
We do remember that these mad the ride better on our backs and bums when first fitted.
So when we can see our way clear, we will replace them in 2021.
Hope this might be of help.
PS: One thing That changed is the front side Indicators get changed out in the change over, to nice NEW LED's in chrome, that you see from the rear for vehicles approaching from the rear.
They did a teriffic job.
Grey
-- Edited by Old and Grey on Saturday 26th of September 2020 09:53:02 AM
Morning Hutcho,
In my honest opinion, I would just go for the standard air bags. They worked for us for us for the last seven years. in the Toyo and our previous Parado. With just the air bags our van sits flat on the ball.
The reason for doing the up grade for us is two fold. Our van is 2600kg loaded and a ball weight of 260kg + I am carrying a 110kg aluminium dory on top of the GX.
We needed to comply and be safety aware.
As we were getting the GVM fitted, it made sence to install the bags at the same time, in the event we had the need. + The HD units are guaranteed for the life of the car As long as you keep them inflated with 5psi +. Just good insurance IMO.
We are keeping our tug for the long haul. So doing these few things will see us right. I carry out all the servicing myself, from top to bottom.
Stay safe our there.
Grey
I fitted HD Airbagman airbags on my last Patrol - to take the added weight of the pop-top van.
Yes, they can be inflated to 60psi BUT the most I blew mine to was 25psi - anything on top of that was like having tree stumps in the suspension! Airbags can destroy cars if not used carefully - a reason they are not liked on ute-style vehicles. Used wisely, they are great with varying loads.