Left hand drive Pajero?

[Braymond]

Hi,
I am looking into buying an older Pajero, around a 92'-94' and was wondering if they have a left hand drive available in North America? And if not, is it possible to convert it over to one?
Cheers.

[Mr. Flibble]

The LHD version is called a Montero.

[pajerry]

Haha, clicked on thread to write the same thing..

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c ... 72376.html

Or.. here is your LHD Pajero! http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c ... 10064.html
If I had to do it again, I'd say to hell with the JDM's. Diesel isn't that great..

In fact, I'd buy a toyota! :)

[mararmeisto]

Haha, clicked on thread to write the same thing..

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c ... 72376.html

Or.. here is your LHD Pajero! http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c ... 10064.html
If I had to do it again, I'd say to hell with the JDM's. Diesel isn't that great..

In fact, I'd buy a toyota! :)

Flail the unbeliever!

I will acknowledge that I had a Toyota moment once too, but then I got better.

[Mr. Flibble]

I had a Toyota, and changed to a Delica!

I would've bought a new Hilux if I was allowed to though.

[jrrodger]

If you look on the Pajero UK forum, there are a few gents for the US that are converting a Montero to run with a 2.8 Diesel (engine swap). and basically registering it and insuring it as a LHD.

Just to comment further on the Toyota argument. I looked at the land-cruiser when I purchased the Pajero and I would say that there are the following advantages of a Mitsu Pajero:

1) Price-point. You pay larger price for the Toyota reputation. I recon you pay 20% more for similar models/features. From my discussions with Land-Cruiser JDM owners, the reliability is almost the same as the Pajero.

2) 4 wheel disk brakes are pretty standard in all the Pajero models that I have seen. Stopping power is better period/hence a Pajero is slightly safer to drive. Stopping power even better still if you want to get after-market disks. This is very important for the stop-go nonsense I go through every day commuting in Toronto. Just make sure you have good rubber on the wheels.

3) Off-Road-Handling. We are talking bulky steel frame trucks, but I think the Dakar success of the Pajero speaks for itself.

4) Simplicity. Maybe it is just me, but I find the Pajero to be slightly easier to work on in the Engine area. The 4 cylinder takes less space. This point may be arguable for anyone who knows how to work on the Land Cruiser.

5) Seats. The seats in the Mitsubishi are the most comfortable of any truck in my opinion.

The following are my perceived advantages of the Toyota LC:

1) Insurance, the insurance people have heard of a Land Cruiser and are slightly more-willing to insure (even if it is a RHD). I have not found too many insurance companies that even want to consider a Pajero for an insurance policy.

2) Parts support, there is a dealer network for Toyota in most parts of Canada. There are a few Toyota dealers that will even sell RHD used Land-Cruisers in their show-room. Sorry to say but the Mitsubishi dealer network is not as strong unless you go to the US, Japan or UK for parts.

3) after-market modifications. You can get lots more stuff for a LC to customize it (bumpers, snorkels, suspension mods etc), and many after-market truck shops can sell you stuff right off the shelf. Whereas the Pajero you have to research parts or invent your own parts, or pay a large $$$ for shipping from over-seas (UK/Aus/Japan). I have seen a guy that has a mechanical Winch for his land-cruiser, and have not found anything that compares for the Pajero.

In the end, I am hopelessly stingy and bought a 1993 Pajero because it was cheaper to buy and had a Diesel Engine. I have appreciated forums such as this one for knowledge and part #'s. However I can say that it has been a real roller-coaster to find parts. I have had to buy 6-pack for my key parts guys to rifle through their parts-bins for odd parts and fittings on occaision.


JR