Pajero suspension

[Paul (SA)]

Hey folks. I was keen to buy a Paj in the next few months. I was talking to a friend who is an ex mechanic who has advised not to get one as the suspension is not the best for towing off road and for having weight in them. He was comparing them to Landcrusiers which he said have a far superior suspension setup for towing and off road.

I am not trying to upset Paj owners, but does anyone out there have any knowledge or experience in this area with Paj and any suspension issues?

Cheers Paul.

[MrCruza]

Cobblers!

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/ will answer all your questions.

Incidentally the Paj is probably THE most popular tow vehicle amongst the Grey Nomad set, and I gaurantee you'll go just as far, if not further, offroad than the others in standard trim.   

[Offroad 4x4 Accessories]

I have a NS pajero and have no issues with it. I have raised the suspension and put new shocks in. I have done a trip through out back QLD,NSW,SA and NT and also a trip to cape York towing my camper( well I only towed the camper up to cape York not back) I had heard of problems with tires wearing uneven but I have never had a problem with mine. I do make sure I rotate my tires every 5000km and get a wheel alignment regularly. I hope that helps

[db]

I would agree that the standard suspension probably isn't, but I think that applies to almost any vehicle used regularly to tow with.  Properly set up they are fine.  Plenty of members here towing campers to all sorts of places using Pajeros.

Heavy duty springs, 2 inch lift if you intend to go off the black top, and possibly polyairs will see it right.  Make sure it gets a rear wheel alignment following the lift.

[rotare]

the suspension is not the best for towing off road and for having weight in them

With all due respect, there probably is a reason why this guy is an ex-mechanic giving that sort of advice.

As others have said, the Pajeros are quite capable tow vehicles.  Sure, with stock suspension and loaded with a heavy trailer hanging off the towbar, the independent suspension will "squat".  Easily rectified with upgraded springs or polyairs if you plan to tow regularly - no different to how you would set up any other any other 4wd for extended towing.  Both the petrol and diesel versions have plenty of grunt for towing and with towing capacities from 2500kg to 3000kg, they actually make good tow vehicles and tourers and probably one of the better vehicles for that type of thing in the mid size 4wd range.

[sandman]

I have a NL Petrol and for towing it is fantastic. It has an aftermarket suspension kit with 1 1/2 lift and even with a 1000l tank at the front of the trailer (putting lots of ball weight) it still handles really well. I have mates with later models who have done the same thing and again no worries at all.

[GeeTee]

The Pajero's indy suspension design is far more senstitive to load than a live axle design and it tends to chop its rear tyres' inner edges when towing. The Owners Manual sets out special requirements, decreased payload etc etc when towing.

Mitsubishi also suggests towing in 4WD to spread efforts into both axles/diffs. Good sensible stuff from Mitsubishi, but plenty of ATGANI nomads don't see past "3500kg" and learn things the hard way when they need rear tyres at 8000km.

This is not a fault, nor a criticism of the Pajero, simply a characteristic of the suspension that was laid-out with a higher priority on handling (which it does better than most) than load lugging or towing. Keep this in mind, and towbar downs sensible so ride height/attitude remains close to where the engineers want it to be, and it's a capable tow car ... but out-tugged by Prado and Territory.

HTH 

[dazzler]

What GT said

Set it up for what it will do most of the time.

Prado rear end is better for towing as its not independent but not a deal breaker IMO.

Are you carrying kids in the third row if so get fit them first. The seatbelt setup is not great.

Have fun!

[Heiny]

My NM squats a bit with standard suspension and the CT on, but I am having Lovells 2" raised springs and shockers along with Polyair springs fitted next week.
That should fix the squats

Cheers Brett

Sent from my MB526 using Tapatalk 2

[Paul (SA)]

Thanks for the informative and unbiased details. It was very helpful and something to consider in my purchase. Thanks again. It's why I love this site.

Paul.

[rotare]

but out-tugged by Prado and Territory

Why?  What makes either of these vehicles a better tow vehicle than a Pajero?  (just curious - not disputing)

[dazzler]

even with a 1000l tank at the front of the trailer (putting lots of ball weight) it still handles really well.

You must love long showers 

[Moxley]

As the owner of a Pathfinder, the issues raised above apply equally. But, get new suspension (which you would anyway) and airbags and all good.

[sandman]

You must love long showers 

Unfortunately my daughter does and with a lack of rain recently our tanks are getting too low for comfort.