Frogo's iO
Hello all!
First off, kudos on this forum! I found it very helpful in the lead up to buying my first 4wd :)
I had been looking (waiting) for a Pajero iO for about 6 months in Perth, Western Australia. Then 1 month ago while in Margaret River (3 hours south of Perth) I found a cheeky little 5 door hiding in the local Newspaper! I couldn't believe my luck!
At this point see below for what she looks like: (Can't take credit for the nudge bar, spotties or roof racks, but I did add in the basket!)
We all know why we bought iO's and so far I am very happy with it! I often travel down south of Perth and explore around rural areas and was sick of having to turn around at "4wd only" tracks. As a city driver most of the time if I could avoid getting a monster truck, while still having capable off road abilities, I would be a happy man....And here we are.
I am about to embark on the slippery slope that is the sentence "I will just make a couple of modifications, only the basics" but we will see how I go. I am not very mechanically minded at all :( very keen to learn through the iO though, try to do as many mods as I can myself (while knowing my limitations) and keep learning as I go!
I am not looking to get into gnarly 4wding, partly because I am a student and funds aren't high, and I only wish to comfortably be able to search and explore new areas by myself without worrying about getting stuck (too much ;) In the small amount of 4x4ing I've done the paj has done everything I've asked of it, even if it is snow-plowing the beach :) so I would love higher clearance.
Therefore my wishlist is relatively small:
- Front Bashplate - the ones I've seen on here look perfect!
- A/T tyres - still tossing up which ones to get, I figure you get what you pay for in an A/T tyre - however I'm undecided on size - I'd like to go as big as I can that will still fit in my model - what are your thoughts on 225/70/16? Pushing it?
- Lift options - I will only get a lift if I'm still finding I need it after I get some tyres, and as funds allow. From what I've seen on here there are a few options for a lift, It's all a bit confusing for me to be honest, but I am learning (slowly) so not really sure what lift I'd be looking at! I'll cross that bridge if I get to it.
That's it so far! Not very exciting I know, but like the iO I am simple and just want function! I've experienced the 4wd capability of the iO and very, very happy - I'd love to see what it can do after a bit of a "growth spurt"
Any advice for a beginner is welcomed! Trying to learn as much as I can and this forum has been brilliant for getting to know my car a bit better :)
Here she is getting filthy at Two Rocks beach about an hour north of Perth
Thanks a lot for that! Good
Thanks a lot for that! Good info!
I think I will start with tyres, like you said I will speak/charm my local tyre dealer!
I think thats what I was kind of leaning towards in the way of a lift for the car, so thanks for clearing up which parts I need. Does anyone know roughly how much the labour to fit the springs etc would be if I bought the parts?
Im off down south now to test her out on some different tracks! :)
bash plate installed/tyre update
Just installed the stainless steel 3mm thick front bashplate!
Had a problem with the thread on the nut of the back left bolt...it just would not screw in!! Seems to be OK with just the other bolts, but I'm not sure - it seems solid and isnt rattling around or anything, think it will be ok? or any ideas on how to secure it?
20130831_092221.jpg
Also went to tyrepower to see about some tyres, turned out to be relatively cheap to get steel black rims as well as tyres ($1000 for 4 rims and maxxis bravo 751 all terrains)
Had a trial fitting for some 15x7 rims and they did not fit because the brakes got in the way :( he thinks 16x7's will fit but it will cost me an extra 50 bucks per tyre
Undecided if I will put these tyres and rims on now, or maybe wait in case I get a lift and get tyres after the lift...either way it will probably be a while away as I have some travels coming up so may just wait until I get back!
Here is a photo of the iO filled up with all our camping gear while we were in Dunsborough south of Perth
20130809_104215.jpg
(pictures not working - how do you upload pictures on a reply to a thread? :S)
how to...
Here is a link to how to attach picture
http://pajerio.com/forum/how-attach-images-post
I am pretty sure that you can fit the 15 inch rim on the io, but I think that you will need a different offset...not even sure if all brand could do it too, but I have seen some io on utube with them.
Happy io
You really should be looking at FIVE tires.
Also went to tyrepower to see about some tyres, turned out to be relatively cheap to get steel black rims as well as tyres ($1000 for 4 rims and maxxis bravo 751 all terrains)
If you're changing the tire size you really should be looking at replacing all five tires - if not, when using the spare, on road in 2H/4H you'll be looking at increased differential wear, and off road, in 4HLc or 4LLc there's the chance of increased stress on the drive line - this is one where you have to weigh the odds.
7 rims
Also went to tyrepower to see about some tyres, turned out to be relatively cheap to get steel black rims as well as tyres ($1000 for 4 rims and maxxis bravo 751 all terrains)
If you're changing the tire size you really should be looking at replacing all five tires - if not, when using the spare, on road in 2H/4H you'll be looking at increased differential wear, and off road, in 4HLc or 4LLc there's the chance of increased stress on the drive line - this is one where you have to weigh the odds.
I went 7 rims,
4 for on road,
1 for a spare
1 as a second spare for long outback trips and if I break a rim etc
1 as a back-up to sit in the gararge for when in 2 years time the rims are out of manufacture and I crack one.
That's what you call planning ahead
I went 7 rims,
4 for on road,
1 for a spare
1 as a second spare for long outback trips and if I break a rim etc
1 as a back-up to sit in the gararge for when in 2 years time the rims are out of manufacture and I crack one.
That's planning ahead - I'm still looking for a 6th rim so I can have a second spare for long trips.
Sorry I didn't think to ask
Sorry I didn't think to ask about that stuff (my bad) BUT I do vaguely remember him throwing some numbers at me but I wasn't really listening (too devastated they didn't fit!). I went to tyrepower and looking at their website I think it was speedy wheels desert rat 2 (looks like it was that one anyway in a 5 stud), but I could be wrong...
This is what I remeber hearing:
0 offset - either on the stock rims OR the 15 inch black ones
18 + offset - think this was for the 16 inch rims that he told me would fit
Also said the PCD was 114.3 x 5 if i was to try buy 2nd hand rims
new rims (maybe)
My mate has just told me he is selling his 16 inch custom made black rims with +36 offset from his land rover discovery
I thought this was too good to be true! Then I found out they or about 10 inch (ish) wide
Would I be right in assuming these will not fit? :(
New steel rims and tyres
I thought it was going to be too expensive to get steel rims and tyres, BUT I found some hiding on gumtree that fit perfectly! here they are
They are 16x7 with an 18+ offset (not sure what brand, they say 'king" on them though). The dude said they came off a Dodge Nitro
So I took these rims into tyre power and got some maxxis bravo 751 all terrains put on (225/70/16) I probably could have gone bigger but I wanted them to be comfortably clearing the mud guards/strut pan. I could only get 4 rims from gumtree, so I will be getting a 5th once I get back from Africa. All up it cost me $950 for tyres (including 20 new steel nuts) and $200 for the rims :D
End result:
As you can see they stick out just a touch, guy at tyrepower said you may, possibly, probably, just, perhaps could get away without flares. Considering I'd rather not get them I don't think I will worry about it for now unless I can find some of those stock ones.
Will be testing them out down south in Margaret River/Pemberton area this week :)
Syndicate
2.0 litre io
Welcome to the forum :)
As far as lift goes, the quickest way would be to just buy king springs set, with the 'SP' front springs to suit your later model iO.
The later model (2 litre engine) all have the higher front strut pan as standard, which means a smaller spring length, but more space for larger tyres. You should get away with up to 225/75R16 A/T's, depending on the brand, Get friendly with your tyre shop and they should be able to test fit something for you.
Because of the smaller spring length, the lifted springs offered by Kings which were designed to lift the original model 35mmish would lift the newer model 60mm at the front, which is quite dangerous as the strut is maxed out with no 'droop' left. Through this forum, Kings were notified and make an alternative front spring for the later model. I believe its KFFS900-SP and KMFS90 for the rear.
If you require new shocks and struts (around 200k km, or if there are handling issues), it would be a good time to replace them with original KYB struts. As far as I know, the only ones listed in Australia are the higher pan struts. Other options are Koni's for nearly twice the price, or something more custom / adapted - see KTM300 or singlecell's builds.
Bash plate - the only thing I would suggest is maybe go for one without the fancy letters cutout if you are going to be dragging it through the sand, but its not really a big deal.
Hope this helps clear things up!
Size is not important; it's how you use it that matters!