Suspension?

[Silverwulf]

I managed to scrape some $ together for a suspension kit. I wanted to hear your opinions on the two choices I have. I haven't been able to decide.

As far as the expected use of the truck, 60-40 street-off road. Off road will be back roads, off road camping and I would like to do some harder trails mild crawling. Carry gear for 3-4 people+ bikes. Possibly a motorcycle trailer with 2 motorcycles.

Nitro shocks vs foam core shocks?


OME vs Ironman.

Pros-cons of each.

[Monterorider]

I'd get AirLift1000 helper air bags in first order then either OME or KYB Monomax. I broke both of my OMEs in Nevada in 09 running dirt roads. Doesn't mean much but I'm swapping them for Monomax for this year's Nevada Trophy. KYBs are cheaper too.

[off-roader]

Which year/model montero do you have again?

[Silverwulf]

I have a 1999 w/ winter pkg. I also already have monomax shocks.

[off-roader]

I would recommend the KYB's myself. I havent heard of KYB's failing but have heard of arbs failing.

[Monterorider]

I'd stay with Monomaxes and spend money, since you want to crawl on 4.9 gears and/or front locker or get a winch. Regardless I seriously recoment AirLift1000. Although I'm not sure of your budget.

[Silverwulf]

I've got @ $800 ish. The iron man set is @ $740 ish shipped, OME a tad bit more.

Here is my current issues:
1) Since Lt RR shock was basically gone, the spring has begun to sag and sits @ 1" lower than the rest.

2) the KYB Monomax shocks are great but considerably stiffer than original shocks, so now the front is "under sprung" meaning that the stock T-bars are not stiff enough. Example: When coming to a hard stop from around 60 mph once stopped I have noticed the front slightly creep back up @1" after stopping. This tells me that the shocks are stronger than the springs. The guy at ironman said their springs are stiffer and would need to replace the shocks to match the springs. I tried to explain that the monomax shocks were stiffer and physically larger and more heavy duty... but he just hears "kyb" and thinks its a $25 shock.

3) I'm hearing some clicking and clunking when the suspension flexes. One noise I have tracked to a broken rear sway bar link.
The other sounds like it is coming from the t-bar adjustment area. I checked the front sway bar links and found them to be good (surprise) I have also found the lt front inner a-arm bushing to make a clicking sound when I move the suspension.

Ideally id like to just get new rear springs and new t-bars as I feel that the monomax shocks would be suited to the stiffer springs. only problem is they are not longer by 40mm.

Springs and t-bars (iron ma, 1.6" lift) alone would only be @ $420 shipped....Actually now that I think of it I am going to order them through the shop and use our wholesale/resale lic.
Bushings for a-arms @ $50 for all 4 through my dads shop acct.
Roger Brown 2"body lift @$125
Rear spring spacers, 2" $??? (where to get them?)

That is a total of @ 5.5" lift for under $600. nice..
*~sigh. Gotta love older cars right?

[off-roader]

Here is my current issues:
1) Since Lt RR shock was basically gone, the spring has begun to sag and sits @ 1" lower than the rest.

Get a replacement spring at a local salvage yard from a low mileage vehicle that does not appear to sag, or buy one or both through msrecycling.com or car-part.com.

2) the KYB Monomax shocks are great but considerably stiffer than original shocks, so now the front is "under sprung" meaning that the stock T-bars are not stiff enough. Example: When coming to a hard stop from around 60 mph once stopped I have noticed the front slightly creep back up @1" after stopping. This tells me that the shocks are stronger than the springs. The guy at ironman said their springs are stiffer and would need to replace the shocks to match the springs. I tried to explain that the monomax shocks were stiffer and physically larger and more heavy duty... but he just hears "kyb" and thinks its a $25 shock.

Then I'd hold his 'opinion' suspect. Maybe get on 4x4wire to check their opinion. Also check some of the Australian forums and ask about the iron man product versus the KYB product.

Ideally id like to just get new rear springs and new t-bars as I feel that the monomax shocks would be suited to the stiffer springs. only problem is they are not longer by 40mm.

Call KYB support directly and ask for help with a custom fit application. Explain your situation and the requirement for 40mm longer shock. They should be able to help you find an alternative if they have one. That's how we did the same thing with the gen I montero's. You can find the longer gen I shocks part numbers on the FAQ post on 4x4wire's mitsu forum.

Rear spring spacers, 2" $??? (where to get them?)

Daystar makes them for Toyota Sequoia's which have the correct spring diameter for the Montero (gen I or II).

Also, realize with 2" of total lift you can already run 35's. Beyond that is just posing unless you're gonna also do gears and run 37's (which would then need 1" more of lift).

HTH.

[Silverwulf]

What I'd like to get away with is springs and t-bars and the spring spacer. Anything more and I wont fit in tha parking garage at work. As it is now I have 9" of clearance. 3.6" lift at the back puts me with 5.4" clearance. If I get 33" next time I need tires then its down to 4.9".... Can't "forget" to leave the rack on and take the truck to work.

I worked with a guy with an armada and he drove in the garage and wiped out his roof! $6000 bodyshop bill!

I also don't really want to fuss with a body lift.

[off-roader]

What I'd like to get away with is springs and t-bars and the spring spacer. Anything more and I wont fit in tha parking garage at work. As it is now I have 9" of clearance. 3.6" lift at the back puts me with 5.4" clearance. If I get 33" next time I need tires then its down to 4.9".... Can't "forget" to leave the rack on and take the truck to work.

I worked with a guy with an armada and he drove in the garage and wiped out his roof! $6000 bodyshop bill!

I also don't really want to fuss with a body lift.

I no longer fit in most garages...