Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

So, we are not in Aus where you have the choice of King Springs & Koni Shocks, Tough Dog, etc etc etc

Here we basically have:
1. Old Man Emu
2. TJM XGS
3. Ironman

plus a host of expensive imports, unless you do the import yourself ...

What is the feeling in RSA? What is the preference and more importantly, what grade of coil?
I am leaning towards the OME due to past experience and I am looking at the following setup:
(I have no front steel bumper or winch)
Front: OME (970) Light Duty - 20 to 50 kg
Rear: OME (980) Medium Duty - constant 100 kg

Any experience out there?

I bought my Patrol with a OME 2" lift suspension and is very happy with it.

My Patrol has the "heavy duty" OME set (971 and 981). The rear set is rated for a constant additional 200kg and the front for 51-110kg. Even so, they are very compliant and the ride is not hard at all...

You can also go for the Dobinson Coil and Koni shock setup. Very popular combination with the Aussies down under.
"
The KONI shock has the unique ability to be stiffer during slow damper
movements IE harsh braking, high speed cornering etc making the vehicle more
stable, better on the brakes, and generally safer , BUT the shock is a lot
softer when moving really fast ( over 5 hertz ) and this makes it
exceptionally comfortable off road , with better grip particularly making
the car extremely safe and stable on Corrugated dirt roads."

Koni agents and availability in RSA and an idea of local price?

You could contact Steve at stevekoni@icon.co.za. I think he is the main distributer for Koni.

by ChristoSlang » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:32 am

My Patrol has the "heavy duty" OME set (971 and 981). The rear set is rated for a constant additional 200kg and the front for 51-110kg. Even so, they are very compliant and the ride is not hard at all...

I think the only downside of the heavy duty is, if I remember correctly, that the lift is then considerably less than 2in. :?

I just checked mine and my OME set is 970 in front and 980 in the back - not sure what the weight specs are.

Herrie

1. How do you experience the ride when empty?
2. How heavy do you load the wagon when you go travelling? Does it sag quite a bit at the rear when fully loaded?

I am looking at the 970 / 980 option myself (translates into light duty up front and medium at the rear.

Thanks
Herbie

Well Herbie, empty the ride very nice - the wife has a very bad back and she prefer the Patrol were ever we go.

Last November we did the Botswana - Vic Falls trip with the Patrol very heavy -- 80l freezer, kitchen unit, roofrack, extra 50l fuel on the roofrack, extra deep cycle battery and plenty more and could not feel and difference in the ride comfort. It is just awsome!

On the photo it looks like there was a little sag in the back.