Greetings, folks!

This forum has been such a Godsend . . .

My beloved Rebecca the Raider (1989 3L V6, SWB M/T) has started tilting to the right side. The right, rear side is about 1-2 inches lower that the left side.

The local (cherished!) shop expects that the rear coil springs need to be replaced. Is that a reasonable assumption, and, if so, are there any particular coil springs that you recommend? I would love to get any additional clearance, if possible, without the extra expense of adding lifters.

I found a pair of rear OME coil spring on:
http://www.rocky-road.com/mitsubishi-montero-lift-kit.html

Are there better springs available or are the OMEs the best for my stock Raider? Can the shop just swap them out for the old (stock) coil springs or is modification necessary?

Thank you!!

Richard Fairbanks

Why does the shop think the springs are shot? Leaning? Squatting?

Bless you, rxinhed! Thank you SO MUCH for replying!

Yes, as I probably did not describe it properly (I used “tilting”), the Raider is leaning badly to the right. I have been noticing it for a year or more, and as it is slowly getting worse, asked the shop for their assessment, and they presume it is the right coil spring.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I had also found a page HERE that said:
“Gen2 coil springs were desired and also a direct swap. In the Gen1's they were said to have provided a little extra lift (about 0.75 to 1.5" lift) without having to install an actual lift kit.”

Would Gen2 coils be better/cheaper than the OME coil springs?

I would like to get them ASAP, thus advice on a source near Utah would also be appreciated.

Thank you (all) so much!

Richard Fairbanks

Richard,

You have a fair amount of used options within the Montero community. There are several active parts Monteros on the Facebook pages, just have to get some contact there.

I have personally installed Gen 1 LWB springs in a SWB for a gent from Sacramento. While he reported a slightly stiffer ride, he did not find any lift from that conversion. He later installed some Gen 2 springs and visited me, proudly displaying a marked 1.5" raise over stock. This is a drop in conversion, but must use the rubber isolaters from the donor Gen 2. I measured against my 87 Raider leaf spring and was so jealous of the clearance his V6 Montero had.

Cheers,
Russell

Thank you so much, Russell!

It sounds like Gen 2 coil springs would be a good, reliable choice. Besides the Gen 2 coil springs and rubber isolators, is there anything else (including advice!) that the shop would need to swap out the worn-out Gen 1 coil springs for the Gen 2 springs? Given that I am camped out in a remote location, I really would need to get the Raider back at the end of their day.

> This is a drop in conversion . . .

Forgive me, Russell, but I don’t know what you mean by that!

I’m also concerned about the wisdom of using used coil springs, coming from such old cars. I am quite ignorant about replacing coil springs. Would it be safer to just get new springs and rubber isolators that would have Gen 2 specs.? Is there one manufacturer/brand that you would recommend? OME seems to get lots of press, but they’re not cheap . . .

I also must confess that I don’t know which are the exact models that qualify as Gen 2!

Please forgive me for my ignorance about all this!

:-)

Thank you!!

Richard Fairbanks

The springs to get will be the 94-97 model years, as these are now 20 yo vehicles no one wants. Most of the former soccer mommy cars won't have sagged springs due to use as commuter only. The used springs can be had for $50+, depending on the source. Unless you are upgrading suspension bushings, shocks, tires, and the like, why not recycle something? The OME and new stuff is lots more money.

The method to replace the springs is very straightforward, but is easiest with a lift. Raise the vehicle, dismount the lower shock connections and panhard rod. Pull out old springs, push replacement pieces in place. Lower vehicle to compress the new, taller springs, reassemble shock and panhard rod connections.

If a shop is doing this, process is about 15 minutes duration.

Russell

OMG!

Russell!

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

Those Gen2 coil springs are a Godsend!!

• The ride is SO much smoother, especially with fifty gallons of water sitting directly over the rear axle.
• I gained 2.5" of lift on the side that was tilting down (right side), and 2" of lift on the left side.
• There is so much more clearance above the 33" Boggers, that they look tiny now!   ;-)
• The rubber isolators (The pads next to the springs that stop any metal-on-metal banging when the springs are full compressed. Or did you men the pads that sit at the top of the coil springs? I just reused those originals, as they were fine.) were also very much appreciated, as the ones on my ’Becca were badly torn up, but the used ones I got look like the previous owner(s) never took their Montero/Raider off asphalt! You were absolutely right about recycling!
• The Gen2 rear coil springs are the exact same length and diameter as the Gen1 springs, the only difference is the gauge of the steel rod. They were exact replacements for the Gen1 springs. Your instructions were very helpful! (It still took about an hour to make the swap.   ;-)   )

THANK YOU!!!

Richard Fairbanks

You're welcome, sir. This is the purpose of the forum. Cheers

I see that Russell has you taken care of.