The "Tank" - Big, Grey and Ugly ..

[YNOT]

Now a question!!

The suspension - I've read other threads regarding spring spacers, but I'm thinking of putting 30mm spacers in. What are the pros (apart from lifting the guts off the ground) and cons. I have heard it makes the ride "coarser" and more rigid because it's actually compressing the springs a bit, but is that correct? Does it affect the flex? How? Etc.

Thanks a million in advance people!!

All spring spacers will do is lift your Patrol. You're not adding weight fitting them so they won't compress the springs.
In your case your shock absorbers are already to short for the lift you have so you risk loosing an inch of suspension travel on compression.
I would be fitting a Superior bent upper arm before you do any other suspension modifications.

Tony

[YNOT]

after the lift and wheel align on my bus the steering wheel is a couple of degrees off to the right
the guys at the wheel aligners say thats common and one has to put up with it as there is no way i can have a caster kit installed in the G U
??????????????

Your wheel alignment bloke doesn't know enough about modifying Patrols.
it is important to correct the castor after fitting a suspension lift as castor is what gives your steering self centering while your driving, but it won't straighten the steering wheel.
To straighten the steering wheel after doing a suspension lift you need to remove the fixed length factory drag link (the steering arm in front of the diff that runs between the steering box and the LH steering knuckle) and replace it with an aftermarket adjustable arm. Get a heavy duty arm as being in front of the diff they are prone to damage.

Tony

[Bigrig]

All spring spacers will do is lift your Patrol. You're not adding weight fitting them so they won't compress the springs.
In your case your shock absorbers are already to short for the lift you have so you risk loosing an inch of suspension travel on compression.
I would be fitting a Superior bent upper arm before you do any other suspension modifications.

Tony

Thanks mate - happy to swap the shocks if needs be, but didn't want to tinker with anything else as it were. As per what we discussed, I need to get upper arm sorted at some stage so I don't hit the tank.

[Bigrig]

All spring spacers will do is lift your Patrol. You're not adding weight fitting them so they won't compress the springs.
In your case your shock absorbers are already to short for the lift you have so you risk loosing an inch of suspension travel on compression.
I would be fitting a Superior bent upper arm before you do any other suspension modifications.

Tony

Sorry mate - another quick one - would this also affect the panhards etc? i.e. putting the diffs out of centre? The front one is adjustable, but the rear is rigid. Same goes for the link pins on the swaybars.

I guess the question is - are spacers worth fitting? want some extra clearance, but don't know if it's worth the effort.

Thanks in advance.

[YNOT]

It will affect the diff centering, you won't notice it so much on the front because you've already adjusted it back to centre (and can again), but the rear will be further out.

Sway bar link pins from memory you have extended pins on the front which are too long for your current lift so they will be fine. Can't remember what link pins you have in the back but look at the angle of the sway bar ends, if they're pointing up they need to be extended.

I don't know that I would be fitting the spacers on their own, it would be better to reasses your suspension needs and look at it as a total package.

Tony

[Bigrig]

it would be better to reasses your suspension needs and look at it as a total package.

Tony

eeeeekkkkkk ... that would be expensive ... did I mention, eeeeeekkkkkkkk ... LOL!!! Thanks again mate ... food for thought for later (possibly much later!!).

[YNOT]

You could still get an adjustable rear panhard at any time, it will work with the lift you have now and any lift you do in future. The bent upper arm would be a good to fit now but I'm not sure if Superior do an adjustable bent arm that could be adjusted to suit future suspension lifts.

Tony

[Bigrig]

You could still get an adjustable rear panhard at any time, it will work with the lift you have now and any lift you do in future. The bent upper arm would be a good to fit now but I'm not sure if Superior do an adjustable bent arm that could be adjusted to suit future suspension lifts.

Tony

The rear panhard is rigid, but is a Stealth rod that was installed when I did the lift, so the diff centres in the back are all good also - if I go the bent arm from SE, swap the shocks and extend the rear pins (they are slightly extended now but not as much as the front), then you reckon a 30mm spring spacer installation is worth it?? I'd prefer that than stuff around with a new installation all round. I figure all that would see me about $8-900 out of pocket with a 30mm height increase ... and from the measurements done, that would see the car sitting about 145mm above standard (nearly 6") ...

[nowoolies]

Your wheel alignment bloke doesn't know enough about modifying Patrols.
it is important to correct the castor after fitting a suspension lift as castor is what gives your steering self centering while your driving, but it won't straighten the steering wheel.
To straighten the steering wheel after doing a suspension lift you need to remove the fixed length factory drag link (the steering arm in front of the diff that runs between the steering box and the LH steering knuckle) and replace it with an aftermarket adjustable arm. Get a heavy duty arm as being in front of the diff they are prone to damage.

Tony

thanks Tony
well gunna have to face the cook again lol more money on the bus
still the better the ride the better the trip
cheers mate
Paul

[YNOT]

The rear panhard is rigid, but is a Stealth rod that was installed when I did the lift, so the diff centres in the back are all good also - if I go the bent arm from SE, swap the shocks and extend the rear pins (they are slightly extended now but not as much as the front), then you reckon a 30mm spring spacer installation is worth it?? I'd prefer that than stuff around with a new installation all round. I figure all that would see me about $8-900 out of pocket with a 30mm height increase ... and from the measurements done, that would see the car sitting about 145mm above standard (nearly 6") ...

OK all good with the extended rear panhard, 30mm lift won't make much difference in that case.

Extend the rear link pins and fit a bent upper arm and you should be OK to fit the spacers.

Choose your shock absorber lengths carefully and do it after you've done the mods above. I don't know who you normally deal with to get your suspension components (Redlands 4X4?) but you need to put your Patrol on a wheel travel ramp with the shocks disconnected so you can measure the required shock lengths and order from those measurements.

Depending on what shocks you need you may also need longer bump stops.

Tony