Increasing stability in Gen 1

[Senor Carey]

Hello,

After many weeks of deciding, we fell in to a very nice Gen 1 within a mile of our house. It is a great truck and although it has its quirks, it seems to be a very solid platform. This is a daily driver for my wife, at least for a while, and although she likes driving it, it doesn't feel as stable as some of our past SUVs.

So what are some mods that we can do to increase stability? Stiffer springs and stronger gas shocks? Wider wheels and tires? I'm trying to reduce the roll factor a bit.

It rides on stock suspension with stock wheels and 235/?/15 BFG ATs.

Yes, I know it will never be perfect and we'll have to take things slow and easy, Montero Time, if you will. I'd just like to improve the confidence on the freeway and such.

Thanks!

 

[off-roader]

Yes a refresh of the suspension is a good start especially the shocks themselves. I've heard nothing but good feedback on KYB Gas Adjusts which are very inexpensive (I bought a full set for ~$120). In fact, I'm pretty sure all the other alternatives (with the exception of junk shocks like the low end passenger vehicle shocks like Monroe or the low end Rancho 5000/3000) are more expensive.

 

[Cruisn]

I would get new bushes front and rear, I found all my issues regarding rolling and a slight highway wobble was avtually the trailing arm front bushes flogged out. have a check around you may be surprised. also refresh all the the sway bar bushes, the are cheap and easy to do.

as for shocks, a slightly firmer set always helps. I run tough dog 41mm foam cells.. although a little expensive at 320 per pair. the are great if you do a lot of gravel/offroad - mention this as you say may not stay a daily driver. if it to remain a daily go with gas shocks.

if you want a wider stance get a more negative offset wheel, stock pajero wheels on a gen 1 are +10mm i do believe, I am now running -22 giving me a 60mm wider track front and rear, way better feel in the corners.

 

[Senor Carey]

I have a multi-pronged approach to this. So far, most of my bushings look decent. The back shocks are shot, but the front are new and of unspecified nature.

Coming from the BMW world, I have extreme hesitation going with the Gas-A-Justs, as they have always been sub-par in those applications. I guess common experience prevails and I will have to suspend disbelief and order some? I'm also looking at the Monomax and possibly Tokicos. Any feedback on those will be appreciated as well.

I'm thinking of going with some wider, perhaps higher offset wheels and tires. The Gen 1 wheels seem to sit pretty far inboard. Is there a good choice of other stock wheels that I might be able to find that might increase my track width just a bit (Gen 2, Trooper, Toyota, etc.)? Or better yet, is there a list of what will fit somewhere out there on the interwebz? I only know that they are six-lug and share common spacing with some others. Ideally a set of take-offs from someone upgrading would be perfect.

Thanks!

 

[Senor Carey]

Can Gen 2 shocks be used on Gen 1?

 

[MARKSMONTE]

The secound best thing (and easiest) I ever did was put KYB's on my 1991RS. They made the ride stable and firm.

The best thing I did was put new springs and torsion bars from Ironman on my 1990 LS. Higher, solid and it can take the load we put in it.
But dont worry about doing either with out replacing those old wornout swaybar bushings. Rubber only lasts so long.

And most of all HAVE FUN WITH IT.