Help me out with some advice - mods for the Paj.

[shrek4]

Okey doekey, we've signed up for the Red Center Trip in June/July and starting to think I'd best get a move on getting the car ready.

We have stock standard NT Pajero Exceed with the exception of electric brakes and dual battery with anderson plug at the rear to connect to the trailer and cig plug in the rear cargo area for the fridge.

We are total 'newbies' when it comes to this stuff, hence seeking some advice and suggestions.



Now we're thinking what to do...

Thoughts so far

• New tyres, not sure if should stick with the 18" rims and get new tyres or to go to a 17" rim and new tyres. Suggestions welcome
• Suspension upgrade - hmm, so many options! New springs, shocks, airbags? - again advice would be welcome
• Underbody protection - thinking bushskins here - what would be essential, optional, wishlist?
• UHF radio
• Rear parcel shelf and cargo barrier - same as JCOJ here http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=32690.msg520398#msg520398
• Possibly a roof rack/basket, would prefer to get a half boat carrier that swings off the CT for the green box) - we've now got a bike carrier for the bikes

Like lots of people here I'm sure, we've a mortgage and 2 young kids so trying to do this within a reasonable budget.
So swaggers, where do I start?

Thanking you in advance!

[Nomad]

What do you carry in the green box.

I think your plans so far sound pretty sensible.

Cheers Nomad.

[shrek4]

What do you carry in the green box.

I think your plans so far sound pretty sensible.

Cheers Nomad.

On that trip it was some light sand toys for the kids to play with at the beach and an aluminium table. On future trips likely to have recovery gear perhaps, or light weight odds and ends. 

[D4D]

Tyres - yup, 18 light truck will be fine
Suspension - yup, to take the load, increase the ride handling
Underbody protection - you could get away without this
UHF - mandatory
Good cargo organisation - yup must have
Roof rack - good to have for firewood etc.

[brickiematt]

G'day shrek

The points you listed all sound good, and are a good stating point to build up a touring vehicle.
AT tyres in a light truck construction are a must.
UHF will also be needed for the trip.
We have just upgraded the suspension in our NT, and would recommend it, and would also recommend airbags in the rear springs. They help greatly to level out the trailer and car when towing and loaded.
I'm also looking at the Bushskinz stuff, it looks like good quality gear.
Personally I'm trying not to put anything on the roof unless I absolutely need to.
Cheers
Matt

PS- people will think they are seeing double with us both on the trip

[shrek4]

G'day shrek

The points you listed all sound good, and are a good stating point to build up a touring vehicle.
AT tyres in a light truck construction are a must.
UHF will also be needed for the trip.
We have just upgraded the suspension in our NT, and would recommend it, and would also recommend airbags in the rear springs. They help greatly to level out the trailer and car when towing and loaded.
I'm also looking at the Bushskinz stuff, it looks like good quality gear.
Personally I'm trying not to put anything on the roof unless I absolutely need to.
Cheers
Matt

PS- people will think they are seeing double with us both on the trip

Ha ha.

I agree about keeping things off the roof. I'd rather not if I can avoid it.

We're in North Eastern Adelaide (stones throw from the Holden Hill police Compex) if anyone has tips on companies to talk to that will treat us gently.

[SteveandViv]

I really don't know why people are so hesitant to use a roof rack. You don't have to be stupid and overload it. We use one for the things like Maxtrax, a box of spare parts and chairs. I've never felt like it's going to roll and we have certainly tried.

So AT tyres are a must and suspension. If towing with a Paj then I would also get Pollairs installed while doing that. We have and it really helps level out the ride.

I would also get a tyre pug kit and take a spare Tyer Caucus. Not all shops remote will have 18 inch tyres and it's easy to store on the roof rack We also travel with a good tyre gauge and a compressor.

Agree with the UHF.

With the under body protection you can just get a 3cm thick plate steel and get that made to size. Cost me 60 bucks 10 years ago and they still work fine today.

And ou will find a well organise cargo area helpful as well. There are some good ideas on that if your inclined to build your own.

[shrek4]

I really don't know why people are so hesitant to use a roof rack. You don't have to be stupid and overload it. We use one for the things like Maxtrax, a box of spare parts and chairs. I've never felt like it's going to roll and we have certainly tried.

So AT tyres are a must and suspension. If towing with a Paj then I would also get Pollairs installed while doing that. We have and it really helps level out the ride.

I would also get a tyre pug kit and take a spare Tyer Caucus. Not all shops remote will have 18 inch tyres and it's easy to store on the roof rack We also travel with a good tyre gauge and a compressor.

Agree with the UHF.

With the under body protection you can just get a 3cm thick plate steel and get that made to size. Cost me 60 bucks 10 years ago and they still work fine today.

And ou will find a well organise cargo area helpful as well. There are some good ideas on that if your inclined to build your own.

Some good tips here.

Already have a tyre gauge, compressor and max traxx (or at least the less expensive green ones from a myswag member), snatch strap kit and recovery hitch so getting a few things together. Tyre plug kit, tyre deflator and spare tyre caucus sounds like a great idea. 

Some great advice!

[Doug.b]

Shrek

I have 18" LT tyres on my pajero which are the Bridgestone 697.
I have roof rack, single drifta drawer in the back also Bushskinz plates.
UHF
The next thing I need to do is the suspension and find another camper as I sold my old one.

There are a set of Bushskinz plates on gumtree at a good price http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/elizabeth-vale/other-parts-accessories/bushskinz-pajero-bash-plates/1038411763

If you want to have a look at my pajero for tyres and UHF install or anything else just send me a pm.

Doug

[db]

Assuming your paj is a diesel, I think the bushskinz underbody protection is a good idea, the stock intercooler guard is pretty flimsy (we have a ding in the bushskinz one, hate to think what it would have done to the piece of tin from Mitsubishi).  Poly airs or similar are great to help maintain some sort of correct wheel geometry - can be very hard on tyres otherwise.  AT tyres in LT construction are a must if you want to spend any time off bitumen.  Pajero forum is a great resource if you are not already familiar with it.

[SteveandViv]

Assuming your paj is a diesel, I think the bushskinz underbody protection is a good idea, the stock intercooler guard is pretty flimsy (we have a ding in the bushskinz one, hate to think what it would have done to the piece of tin from Mitsubishi).  Poly airs or similar are great to help maintain some sort of correct wheel geometry - can be very hard on tyres otherwise.  AT tyres in LT construction are a must if you want to spend any time off bitumen.  Pajero forum is a great resource if you are not already familiar with it.

Yes, good idea

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

[shrek4]

Yes, good idea

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

I'm a member there too. I should ask there also. To be honest I much prefer the format of this forum, nice people and tappatalk compatible

[ako]

I would keep your 18" rims and tyres for when you get back.

For the trip I would suggest picking up some used 17" rims and new LT rubber as mentioned above.

17" gives a bit more sidewall for airing down, more protection for the rim and more choice in decent rubber anywhere. 17" tyres should also be cheaper than 18".

[JCOJ]

Hey Shrek,

Having done the Red Centre trip previously in a Pajero, I can recommend:

- ARB Sport lift kit (springs and shocks) with Polyairs
- AT tyres in LT construction. We had Mickey Thompson ATZ's for 70,000kms and never had a puncture. The Cooper ST Maxx has a 3 ply sidewall for a bit of extra strength, however for our new 4wd I am leaning towards the Bridgestone D697's.
- The Bushskinz bash plates are a great peace of mind item, although there is no knarly stuff we will be doing.
- We had a roof rack basket but hardly ever used it, there will be plenty of us around if you need a snatch so I don't think Max Trax will be necessary for this trip.
- if the funds allow I would invest in a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ( TPMS) - again great peace of mind.
- I can highly recommend our rear storage set up. It allowed us to utilise the space underneath, then we had two plastic tubs that we used for spare shoes and the other for spare non perishable food, then above those we had a fridge on the left and more storage space on the right.
- A UHF will be a must and hopefully everyone will have the 80ch ones

ARB kit and fitting of Bushskinz: I recommend you speak to Danus at Adelaide Off Road (ARB Stepney)
Roof Rack: Sunshade Products on Main North Rd, Blair Athol
Rear Storage System: Trek Tech
TPMS - Home of 12 Volt in Pooraka
UHF - Electric Bug on Torrens Rd, Croydon

If you have any questions let me know.

[speewa158]

l took my NS Oiler to The Centre mid last year
Bash plates at least the 1st & 2nd . The electric on the 4WD systems are located on the top of the front diff
Check the cost of & how easy it is to get 18in LT in Alice as apposed to 17 in , a more common size 
Roof racks you only have 100kg caring capacity & 1 tyre only weighs 26 kg not to mention the roof rack itself
UHF a given must have
Some lifting bags in the rear springs just to help things along with the extra week
REAR WINDOW PROTECTION , cover the rear window with corflute  or cardboard to save it from being smashed by rocks bouncing off the CT Bigger mudflaps/stone guards also help . l lost my rear window & it cost me $580 to replace . The dust we sucked into the cabin is still there & will be for ever .
Take a thick wad of $ to cover what ever the road throws at you .
& have fun 

[westvic]

have you considered some sort of front end protection (bullbar)? Probably not essential but you will be doing a lot of kms on this trip in areas with plenty of feral wildlife on the side of the roads. Also good for UHF antenna.

[MDS69]

Cargo barrier is a must.

[shrek4]

Agreed re cargo barrier. This is definitely going in.

One tyre shop is recommending the Cooper AT3s over the Bridgestone 697s.

Will do the Cooper 265/60R18 at $390 each.

The reason they suggested was the Coopers are best for approx 70% blacktop 30% off-road. Where as he suggested the 697s are more like 90% off road.

Mostly the vehicle will be used on the black top esp. as our main family car when travelling around home.

[D4D]

Repeat after me 697s 697s 697s

[shrek4]

Repeat after me 697s 697s 697s

Quoted $405 a tyre for the 697s.

[D4D]

Repeat after me 697s 697s 697s

[Bird]

Will do the Cooper 265/60R18 at $390 each.

Sounds rather cheap.. I'd grab those before they check the price.. mate was quoted more for 16's...

[shrek4]

Sounds rather cheap.. I'd grab those before they check the price.. mate was quoted more for 16's...

They rang and got a price while I was there. Off their list they quoted $415 a wheel.

[Bird]

They rang and got a price while I was there. Off their list they quoted $415 a wheel.

Mate was quoted $575 for BFG's couple of weeks ago...
I remember another forum member with a Paj ~3yrs ago having heart failure at 18inch prices on his new Paj.

[Doug.b]

Shrek

The coopers are not LT they are passenger construction.
The 697's are LT.
I went threw this process 12 months ago.

Doug