Lifting a Pathfinder & Polyair bags

Submitted: Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 17:05

ThreadID: 7720 Views:3536 Replies:6 FollowUps:5

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Andi

Hi All
A friend of mine has just returned from Birdsville & has purchased a Goldstream RV camper trailer. Before he actulally has it delivered he wants to lift his pathfinder 50 mm or so to compensate for the ride height of the camper. HAs anyone (in Victoria) done this and if so what springs, shocks struts etc did you go for and how are they performing.

As an aside I read about these polyair bags people have fitted to their troopys. What are they, how do they work and would they help out a lifted but hard arsed 62 series cruiser

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Reply By: Andi - Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 20:04

Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 20:04

Have just looked further into Polyair and they sound like a good idea. Just one thing do you fit them to front and rear on a leaf sprung vehicle or just the rear?

AnswerID: 33372

Follow Up By: Member - Ken - Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 22:14

Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 22:14

Andi

I have a 75 Troopy that has been converted to pop top camper.

Lets just say that when it was all finished and loaded, its arse dragged on the ground so to speak.

I fixed it by replacing the factory springs with a Kings - Mining Pack set ,(their Heaviest Duty ones), replaced the factory fitted shocks with Konis all round and added poly airs as the final fixer.

The polyairs are only on the rear and they make it look 'sweet to the eye' height wise as well as stabilised it beyond expectations.

Prior to the polyairs, I regularly received questions as to 'how much weight are you carrying. Not now.

It only takes 30-40 lbs in the polyairs to make things right when fully loaded and thats bugger all considering you are supposed keep them no lower than 20lbs at all times.

If you want it higher, just add a tad more air. However make sure all your 'bits' hanging underneath can take the extra height.

Now for the front. Well I had the Factory fitted springs resprung and an extra leaf added.

That and the Konis fully adjusted failed stop the constant 'pitching' of the nose.

Yeah! I thought it was the weight in the back as well until I replaced the front springs with a Kings Mining pack set.

Nows its just perfect.

Anyway thats another experience for you to ponder on

Regards

Ken

FollowupID: 23967

Follow Up By: Andi - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 10:17

Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 10:17

Ken

Thanks very much for your fedback. I too had the springs and shocks all round replaced approx 2-3 years ago and lifted probably 40mm above standard. Fantastic around town but as soon as you start adding a full trips worth of weight the bum drops to below acceptable levels (personally). Sounds like polairs are the way to go.
What did you pay for them? Were they hard to fit?? and where didi you get them??

Thanks again
Andi

FollowupID: 23984

Follow Up By: Member - Ken - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 12:28

Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 12:28

Andi

Contact me on ken_3149@yahoo.com and I'll give you the details.

Ken

FollowupID: 23990

Reply By: Member - Eric- Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 20:07

Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 20:07

last month there was a write up in 4x4 Australia or 4x4 monthly , coannot remember which , but a full article or lifting a pathfinder Venus Bay

AnswerID: 33374

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 20:28

Friday, Oct 10, 2003 at 20:28

Jump on the campertrailer list, or melbourne list on yahoo groups, I think Grahame and his missus are here, but they run a Pathy with a camper trailer have done for 12-18 mths, everywhere.

AnswerID: 33381

Reply By: Graham & Ann - Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 13:46

Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 at 13:46

A lots been said about polyairs, we use them, and if you do a search on this forum for - Poly Pathy - or - To POLYair or not - you'll get the latest of our messages re this. Our Pathy hasn't had a a suspension lif (and wont be getting one) but again if you do a search on this forum or the Overlander Technical forum for - Pathfinder lift - , you will probably find many threads re same.1999 Pathfinder
17ft Evernew 'All Roads' van

AnswerID: 33426

Reply By: Bruiser - Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 at 20:14

Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 at 20:14

I have polyairs on navara 4x4 with jayco sportster slideon run about 30psi for 800kg lose 20mm ride hight side sway improved beyond expectations kit cost $325 installed it in about 1.5 hours .I run 5psi unladen and notice a slightly harsher ride hope this gives some ideas

AnswerID: 33498

Follow Up By: Member - Toonfish - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 00:00

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 00:00

h i bruiser what othermods u got ?
lift difflocks or anything,sidebars?
cheers1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)

FollowupID: 24197

Reply By: Bruiser - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 20:34

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 20:34

Toonfish only other stuff 3.8m tinny 25 yammy full of fishing gear navara is 3l turbo handles it ok usually leave the rugrats to mind the fort its called gettin even

AnswerID: 33793