Pathfinder Suspension

Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 20:12
ThreadID: 9185 Views:3362 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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Hi,
I just purchased a 2003 Pahfinder. While I am more than happy with everything about the vehicle, I find the suspension rather harsh, even on-road. I am used to a Troopy and tough suspension. I expected the coils to be more compliant. While it seems to go over slow bumps very smoothly, once I get some speed up, every little bump seems to joggle the car around.
Has anyone tried the OME suspension kit on Pathfinder. Any other comments?
Ragards
Bob Miller
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Reply By: Murfa - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 15:31

Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 15:31
Hey there,
I can only suggest that the major difference in the suspension would be the IFS in your pathfinder compared the rigid all round on the troopy - (troopy's supsntion moves alot more freely and flexable. I cant speak for OME myself, but a few mates have it and are extremely impressed by it. I myself have a challenger, basically the same suspension set up and have TJM Xj suspension on my September 2002 challenger and am extremely impressed by the extra lift only about 50mm - (better then it was anyway) and and a hell of alot better on and off road. Hope this helps.
AnswerID: 40474

Follow Up By: bobm - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 21:17

Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 21:17
Thanks for the input Murfa. I'll have a look at what TJM offer for the Pathy too.
Cheers
Bob
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FollowupID: 258091

Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Thursday, Dec 18, 2003 at 01:42

Thursday, Dec 18, 2003 at 01:42
ask for rohan from sydley way ?
lol
he can be found here and overlander forum1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)
AnswerID: 40512

Reply By: Graham & Ann - Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 15:06

Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 15:06
Pathfinder with harsh suspension??? seems odd if its standard, as they are soft as soft can be, so soft you need poly air bags in rear to carry any sort of load. Sure your not running too mucny psi in the tyres?? std tyres run 26 unladen. 1999 Pathfinder
17ft Evernew 'All Roads' van
AnswerID: 40728

Follow Up By: bobm - Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 20:23

Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 20:23
Thanks - I will check the tyres. It's not so much that it's not soft, but rather it's bumpy, like the rear is under damped maybe.
Bob
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FollowupID: 303318

Follow Up By: Graham & Ann - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 13:33

Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 13:33
Well we've not noticed any ride problem in ours, only when loaded, and the poly airs fixed that. On noraml bitumen we run 28 psi in Bridgstone D693, and used to run the same in the old HT tyres, good even wear up to 60k. Fully loaded & towing we run 35 psi rear and 30psi front in the 693's remember these are P rated tyres not LT. Only mods we have are Bull bar, tow bar, alloy roof rack, uhf and the poly air bags. Others like Moggs and Rohan K have many mods, but we prefere to stay pretty std.1999 Pathfinder
17ft Evernew 'All Roads' van
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FollowupID: 303338

Follow Up By: bobm - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 21:56

Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 21:56
OK. Thanks for the info on the tyres - very helpful.
Cheers
Bob
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FollowupID: 303355

Reply By: Member - Moggs - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:13

Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:13
Hi,

Welcome to the Pathfinder club!. I have a 99 ST Pathy that we use extensively offroad and along with some other Pathfinder owners have being working on various mods for the vehicle.

I did about 18k kms with the original springs and shocks before changing to the ARB set up. For about $835 I had 4 heavy duty springs and two long travel rear nitrocharger shocks put in. This dramatically increased the ride quality and the fixed the rear sag problem when fully loaded. I highly recommend the set up. In addition, don’t run your tyres at 26psi – great for test driving at the dealer – but way too low for normal driving.

In addition we changed the HT Bridgestones to D693 Bridgestones. Although this improved traction, they didn't last long and we eventually changed to Cooper ST 10 Ply 245/75/R16's (up from the 70 profile bridgestones). This also improved ride quality on dirt a lot. (yes they are legal, Rohan K did a lot of work in this regard with the RTA and sorted all the legal issues).

Other mods: custom roofrack by Sunshade Products in Adelaide (steel mesh, void sides, wind deflector, shovel holder, spare bracket etc) on a trackmount (for the ST that does not have rails). They also do a rail munted rack (if you have a Ti). Also have a Sahara Bar, Twine Shower, Cargo Barrier, UHF, AM CB, GPS and hardwire aerial, custom flexible mud flaps, hardwired inverter, spotties, Laptop mount, radiator screen, unifilter etc fited.

Don't know where you are based, or whether you are interested in modifying your Pathy, but check out the Pathfinder thread at www.overlander.com.au forum for some interesting reading. You will find info on tranny coolers, snorkels (work in progress), bash plates etc.

There is a group of us based in and around Sydney that get together for Pathy trips and the like to exchange info and work on mods etc. If you are around Sydney area and would like to meet up for a look-see at the vehicles let me know.

Good luck with the Pathy, although a little thirsty it is a great vehicle.
Moggs ( Normanhurst NSW)
AnswerID: 40761

Follow Up By: bobm - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 21:53

Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 21:53
Thanks Moggs,

I'm in Cronulla.

Do you know if the suspension has changed since the '99 model - spring rates, shocks?

Anyway, I would like to feel the difference in the ARB setup - maybe could meet up in the new year. I should be coming up to Hornsby sometime soon - maybe then?

You did'nt go to Normo high did you?

Bob

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FollowupID: 303354

Follow Up By: Member - Moggs - Monday, Dec 22, 2003 at 20:33

Monday, Dec 22, 2003 at 20:33
Ah Cronulla, the great triathlon capital of Sydney - say you would need a bullbar down that way to clear all those bikes off the road.:)

As for a change in suspension - don't think so - maybe Rohan K knows for certain (I'm sure he will pop in here shortly)

No problem about meeting up, just post to this thread when you will be up this way and we will arrange something. I will be around all January (not going away as my wife is having a bub late Jan) so just about anytime will suit. The Cooper St's will effect the ride along with the ARB set-up, but you should be able to get a good comparison to the stock set up.

No, didn't go to Normo High - Killarney Heights High. Only moved up this way 4 years ago.Moggs ( Normanhurst NSW)
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FollowupID: 303405

Follow Up By: bobm - Thursday, Jan 15, 2004 at 09:31

Thursday, Jan 15, 2004 at 09:31
Hi Moggs, Sorry so long replying. We too were expecting a baby on the 19th but it arrived before Christmas, so my hands have been full so to speak, Still would like to catch up some time but all is chaos at the moment. Good luck with yours.
Cheers
Bob
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FollowupID: 305362

Follow Up By: Member - Moggs - Friday, Jan 16, 2004 at 22:11

Friday, Jan 16, 2004 at 22:11
No worries, conrats on the bub - hope all is well. We are having ours on Monday at 10.00am (nothing like being organised), so will be also busy for a few weeks. Just post to this hread when your up this way and we can meet up. Moggs ( Normanhurst NSW)
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FollowupID: 305585

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