Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi, I want to find out what setting (Normal, Firm or Extra Firm) was used for the shocks on my Patrol. Gabriel Safari's is been used and is under suspicion for change but when inspected they seems to be installed not long ago. I want to change the setting to Extra Firm but don't know what the current setting is. How can one determine the previous settings?

Thanks

Dolf,


My 5cents. I fitted Gabriel s many years ago and they lasted 2 weeks. I have moved to OME and TJM and have not had any problems since. I travel to Kathu regular and would like to meet up.

Grant, Dolf has promised to visit me as his son is moving to my vicinity.

Maybe we can do a little mini-GTG? Dolf I hope you don't mind?

Hi Grant, thanks for the feedback, I am still not to sure what to do. I want to remain as standard as possible and then it seem TJM and OME is not quite the way to go if coils has to be changed as well. It's therefore that I think to just replace the front shocks with Gabriel Safari's, rear is fine. While testing it looks that the settings can be wrong according to the behaviour and from there my question. See the "Technical Answer":

"Hi Dolf

Thanks for your enquiry. The question you are asking is something I haven't heard in at least five years since we discontinued the adjustable shock.
The factory default setting was firm and if your vehicle has not been adjusted then the procedure is as follows.
Collapse the shock completely.
Line up the arrow on the dust cover or top ring with the firm setting. If you turn the shock clockwise you should hear a click. This will change the setting to normal. The same will apply if you line up the arrow on firm and turn it anti-clockwise. You will hear a click, your setting is now on extra firm.
There are actually 3 sets of 3 adjustments in 360 degrees. Normal, Firm, Extra Firm etc. So you need to be careful how you adjust.

There is no reset function on the shock. The only way to more or less tell what setting it may be on is by physically pulling and pushing the shock in and out. The higher the resistance, the higher the setting. There is a distinct difference in resistance values."

And you are welcome to pay a visit when in Kathu, I will appreaciate. Else as Peter proposed, a GTG when I go up there one day!

Regards

Dolf if you loosen the bottom end of the shock and stroke it fully a couple of times you should easliy be able to tell if the shock is tired or not. If it feels jerky or the resistance changes as you stroke it, the shock is tired. If it feels fine, set it stiffer and go for a drive?

Peter Connan wrote:Grant, Dolf has promised to visit me as his son is moving to my vicinity.

Maybe we can do a little mini-GTG? Dolf I hope you don't mind?

No Problem. Let me know when.

Regards