My Experience of Driving a Pajero

[The Pinkfingers]

I always thought they were fairly similar - same engine; different bodies. However,now that I'm driving a Pajero for a week while our Delica is in the shop, here are some immediate differences I noticed:

1. Gearing is different. On the (flat) highway our deli at 2500 rpms is going 100 km/h. The Pajero at 2500 rpms is at 90 km/h

2. Our Delica is WAY more peppy than the Pajero

3. Even though the engines are the same, that Pajero has a much more deep, throaty growl to it

4. And yet it is much quieter inside than our Delica

5. Pajero more luxurious: automatic air conditioning (just set the temp), heated seats, leather, faux wood dash, compass (along with altimeter, inclinometer, and temp)

6. For a family of seven, Delica way more comfortable. Back fold down seats in the Pajero are cramped even for our 9 year old

7. This may be my imagination (because of the hood), but the Pajero seems to have a much bigger footprint and is a bigger vehicle to handle

8. Adjustable shocks on the Pajero - soft, medium, hard (wish our Delica had those!)

I'll put more differences down as I realize them.

I like the Pajero compared to other SUVs (and am very thankful to have this one lent to us, so don't get me wrong), but we really miss the Jammy Dodger...

[jessef]

1. Most paj's come with two ratios (auto) 5.29's (tractor gears) and 4.88's (just like in Delica's)

2. Just the opposite with my Pajero and all of the one's I've driven in the past. Was much quicker off the line and on the highway/city. Especially with the intercooler.

3. All depends on which exhaust is installed.

4. Sound proofing is better

5. Pajero more luxurious: The Delica L400 has all of those.

6. Kiddie seats in the back. Not for long trips.

7.

Delica/L300 86-98 :

2,240 mm wheelbase
1,695 mm overall width
4,365 mm overall length


Pajero/Montero GenII 91-99 :

2,725 mm wheelbase
1,695 mm overall width
4,705 mm overall length

Pajero/Montero GenI 82-91 :

2,695 mm wheelbase
1,680 mm overall width
4,650 mm overall length

8. I've seen two Delica's with them.

The L300 Delica we have shares nothing with the Pajero/Montero's you see on the road (GenII). They share most of the drivetrain with the 1st Gen Pajero/Montero's (boxier body style).

[The Pinkfingers]

3. All depends on which exhaust is installed.

4. Sound proofing is better

5. Pajero more luxurious: The Delica L400 has all of those.

6. Kiddie seats in the back. Not for long trips.


8. I've seen two Delica's with them.

3. This sound is not from the exhaust - it's from the engine under the hood. It definitely sounds different than our Delica.

4. lol, I realize this - I was just making the point

5. But then I'd have to drive an L400...

6. See #4

8. Were they stock or after factory?

[FalcoColumbarius]

After market on the Miss Lil' Bitchi, and I have nine settings to choose from (it makes a difference). Nine is stiff; one is soft. On the tarmac I have the forward shocks set at 7 and the aft shocks set at 4 (good for cornering). Off the tarmac I have the forward shocks set at 4 and the aft ones set at 2 (better all round ride and you don't vibrate to pieces).

They are called "Ranchos" and you can get them at North Shore Off Road. The shocks are $135.00 apiece and you will need to do a couple of small mods on the rear axle (see: http://www.delica.ca/forum/pro-comp-900 ... -2985.html ).

There is a bluetooth set-up that you can get that will allow you to reset all your shocks from the comfort of your pilot's seat, however it was originally designed for the Baja and not our torrential rain forests and have had a tendency to rust thereby developing leaks. The powers that be are working to remedy the situation and I will be interested when the new system comes out because it really sucks when you are under your van, on your back in a puddle because it is just "persisting" down outside!

Falco.

[jessef]

3. All depends on which exhaust is installed.

4. Sound proofing is better

5. Pajero more luxurious: The Delica L400 has all of those.

6. Kiddie seats in the back. Not for long trips.


8. I've seen two Delica's with them.

3. This sound is not from the exhaust - it's from the engine under the hood. It definitely sounds different than our Delica.

4. lol, I realize this - I was just making the point

5. But then I'd have to drive an L400...

6. See #4

8. Were they stock or after factory?

Intercooler and yes both were stock with 3 pod gauge and 3 way selector where the blank one is on the left side of the wheel.

[The Pinkfingers]

Two more differences:

9. The instrument panel is really hard to see (too dark) unless the lights are turned on

10. Compared to the delica, it's a fuel-guzzler (and no, not b/c of my driving style)

[Pajerist]

Compared to the delica, it's a fuel-guzzler (and no, not b/c of my driving style)

No way, I got 9,6 L/100 km in city several times, but most often around 10L/100 km, e.g.last time measurement was 9,9 L/100 km in Van city.

Good luck!

[loki]

comparing one specific Paj to one specific deli isn't that useful IMO, comparing two brand new vehicles like this would be ok but once they are 15+ years old you would really need to try a bunch before being able to come to any useful conclusion as so many thing happen to a vehicle in 15 years, wear and tear, repairs by good average and bad mechanics, factory parts, after market parts, and the mods that different drivers do can and do drastically change aspects that may not be apparent to someone that hasn't driven them before.

not trying to ruffle any feathers here, it is interesting to hear more about Pajs though, I would like to get a 2 door one and WVO it some day :)

[The Pinkfingers]

comparing one specific Paj to one specific deli isn't that useful IMO, comparing two brand new vehicles like this would be ok but once they are 15+ years old you would really need to try a bunch before being able to come to any useful conclusion as so many thing happen to a vehicle in 15 years, wear and tear, repairs by good average and bad mechanics, factory parts, after market parts, and the mods that different drivers do can and do drastically change aspects that may not be apparent to someone that hasn't driven them before.

not trying to ruffle any feathers here, it is interesting to hear more about Pajs though, I would like to get a 2 door one and WVO it some day :)

Good point. I should be more clear: I'm not trying to present a report or do an official survey of many vehicles. I'm just sharing my experience of driving a Pajero, from a Delica owner's point of view. That's all.

Rather than think of this as a classroom mechanics lesson, think of it of a bunch of delica folks at the pub, and some guy (me) says, "Hey I drove a Pajero this week and it sure is different." Delica folk say, "Really? Do tell." So I do tell, because they just bought me a beer to wet my whistle.

[loki]

comparing one specific Paj to one specific deli isn't that useful IMO, comparing two brand new vehicles like this would be ok but once they are 15+ years old you would really need to try a bunch before being able to come to any useful conclusion as so many thing happen to a vehicle in 15 years, wear and tear, repairs by good average and bad mechanics, factory parts, after market parts, and the mods that different drivers do can and do drastically change aspects that may not be apparent to someone that hasn't driven them before.

not trying to ruffle any feathers here, it is interesting to hear more about Pajs though, I would like to get a 2 door one and WVO it some day :)

Good point. I should be more clear: I'm not trying to present a report or do an official survey of many vehicles. I'm just sharing my experience of driving a Pajero, from a Delica owner's point of view. That's all.

Rather than think of this as a classroom mechanics lesson, think of it of a bunch of delica folks at the pub, and some guy (me) says, "Hey I drove a Pajero this week and it sure is different." Delica folk say, "Really? Do tell." So I do tell, because they just bought me a beer to wet my whistle.

I figured that was what you where going for, but I don't like to make assumptions. Again I do like to hear the differences.

[jrman]

Have driven a friends Pag when visiting them on Gambier where they keep it. They've got a solar battery tender and other than that - they've had no problems keeping this vehicle on the "remote" Gambier location - well - remote for a mechanic anyway. Drive's nice - very comfy - definitely different than a Deli though. Love them both! Wish I had room for one of each.

[jessef]

Two more differences:

9. The instrument panel is really hard to see (too dark) unless the lights are turned on

10. Compared to the delica, it's a fuel-guzzler (and no, not b/c of my driving style)

Something wrong with their display. Mine was razor sharp.

My Paj got 9-10L / 100km average and the other Pajero owners I know are about the same.

Aside from the super select, all of the differences you noted are really strange as I've driven 9 different Pajero's and none of them have these issues your replacement has.

Odd. Are you sure it's not a pre-91 (GenI) with the 2.4 or 2.5 without the intercooler and super select ?

[The Pinkfingers]

Two more differences:

9. The instrument panel is really hard to see (too dark) unless the lights are turned on

10. Compared to the delica, it's a fuel-guzzler (and no, not b/c of my driving style)

Something wrong with their display. Mine was razor sharp.

My Paj got 9-10L / 100km average and the other Pajero owners I know are about the same.

Aside from the super select, all of the differences you noted are really strange as I've driven 9 different Pajero's and none of them have these issues your replacement has.

Odd. Are you sure it's not a pre-91 (GenI) with the 2.4 or 2.5 without the intercooler and super select ?

No, nothing is wrong with their display. It's the big overhang above it. When the sun is in front or beside, it creates a dark shadow. Sun behind or lights on is fine.

It's a 1993 Paj.

[jessef]

Regardless. They are great vehicles.

I would not own a Delica had it not been for my Paj's and the requirement for more room.

They handle really well in rough terrain but have that luxury feel inside.

[The Pinkfingers]

They are fine vehicles. I'm not down on them at all - in my first post I comment several times on some positive differences to the Delica. (But I like my Delica more... )