Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I need new tires.

I am considering putting my original suspension / coils back onto the car and going for HT tires.

This would include removing my winch (Pajero doesnt get stuck so havent yet used it) and having a "STD" vehicle....

Pro's
HT tires cheaper than AT
HT's will probably last longer
Car will be lighter (no winch)
Drink less (lower and smoother tires)
Be quieter on the road (AT's are noisy)

Cons:
Wont look so cool.......

Looking at the above, it makes sense... What say ye?

If it is a daily drive, then makes sense.

You have already answered the question about the winch.
Now answer the one about the tyres: How many times did you REALLY need the offroad tyres?

I agree with you.
Just remember that AT tyres usually give higher km use than HT tyres. Consider the tyre cost as R/km.

Suspension? No real advantage to go back, except comfort?

Sell the winch and suspension, and buy a set of wheels for the offroad tyres (I have that for the Touareg).

Your reasoning makes sense - Which scare me!!!

I would rather not debate this with you as anything to do with justifying all my accessories on my car that I "needed" might just be blown away in the air.

So yes - I will not call you mad, but maybe slightly off, but that may be non-objective, having met you in person before

CATS

I used to take part in the Fundi and Swazi challenges never mind the monthly trip to try and get stuck
But
Honestly, been there done that, got Tshirts, caps and trophies .

Even if I embark on long over landing trips, the winch might come in handy to tug out a Landy, but thats about it. the STD suspension is more than capable to deal with Botz and Moz, if you ask me. Geez, I've had my LWB Isuzu Bakkie at Malongane and Ponta and my old Ford Courier all the way to Inhambabe, without difflock, offroad tires and lifted suspension.

My OME is now sitting at 170,000Km... I upgraded the front springs to HD about 4 years ago after the normal coils started sagging.

Cats, I love your rig. It just looks cool and knowing you too I know you use them and its not just for looks.

Yes, she's a daily drive and the one time I got stuck in Bots, the nearest tree was a far way away through even deeper mud than what I was sitting in. Hence a recovery from the rear. I've used it to winch tree stumps out and as a tight rope for my daughter.... No reason to carry an additional 50+Kg on the front.

Thanks for your answers, I guess I'm just making sure about my feelings.

AT tires are going to set me back around R3500 each (R14k)compared to HT tires or Maxtrek at R2500 = R4k saving at least.
Also, I think the tires might even last longer as the wheel alignment is easier to keep to, ie the alignment guys have actual specs to work to not having to mod them due to lifted suspension.

I don't think I am trying to justify my investment - but take my comments for what they are worth.

1. No raised suspension means that there are places where you will bottom out when loaded, even after removing the winch - the road to Nxai Pan is a good example.
2. I am tired of sidewall punctures from thorns on my Yokohama HTs - great highway tyres but they just dont cut it in places like Kgalagadi / Ndumo.

Andrew

Point taken

Kai

To remove all the suspension parts, winch etc is gonna cost you money in any case plus you are not really going to get any money for it second hand. I would say just replace the tyres with your choice of HT ones and leave the rest as is for now.

The winch and suspension lift will not make such a big difference on consumption figures that you will get any warm fuzzy feelings when you fill up. I mean it is never going to win any economy run competitions in any case being a large 4x4 suv.

Leave as is but change the tyres if you want. Cheapest current route of least resistance. . It will also give you a direct comparison of any saving in fuel, if any compared to the AT. Please keep some records and report back on that. I would like to know myself if it really make such a big difference.

CATS

I would not touch the winch and suspension, but buy an extra set of cheap steel rims for the off-road tires, and get HT's on the alloys. Keep the off-road tyres for the odd off-road trip.

I must admit - I got stuck in a salt pan once - it took 2 Land Cruisers with winches to get me out! They must still be telling the story around the camp fire!

Anton

Hi,

My two cents worth: For day to day driving in town and on tar I use Pirrellis on the normal alloy rims and when we go "off-road" (un-paved) then I use Yoki's A/Ts on 8" steel rims. The only hassle is that I have to swap wheels before and after every trip. I have been doing this for the last ± 5 years and have ussed one set HTs Nd one set ATs ansd is now on the second sets. No problem so far.

Cloyd