Looking at a possible Pajero purchase.

[mr.rhtuner]

Hey everybody, I found this forum looking for Pajero based discussion forums. I'm looking at getting a good suv, preferebly diesel, tough as hell, japanese and a good reputation.

So far, I've decided on the 1992ish Mitsu. Pajero or a same year Toyota Land Cruiser. I need enough space for my 2 dogs in the back, possibly a boat and to be able to go through woods/snow/fields without issues. I'm not into rock climbing so I won't be chopping up the suv.

I've come across globalgarage out in BC and they seem to get some nice Pajero's and for a good price, but I'm wondering how are these suv's?
Some off-road forums on the net won't really discuss the Mitsubishi Montero at all, not sure why but I guess it is something to do with it not being 'as good' as what you can get out there for the same price. I live in Ontario Canada but will be living in either Alberta or Petawawa Ont.

I'd want the 4-door model(long wheel base), possibly automatic, diesel.

How wise would the Pajero be for a first suv purchase? Anything problematic with them? common failures/faults? If I need to do work on it, how hard are parts to find/get?

How much KM's/distance will a tank of diesel last on a pajero, normal driving?


Thank you
bart

[bae146]

Well I have had a pajero for just over a year and a half now. When I bought mine there had been no work done to it other than making it compliant to register in Alberta. I had to do all the preventitive maintenance, (timing belt, water pump etc....) You can search all that stuff with the search function. I am glad I did all the work myself as I now know my pajero inside and out. Parts are not a huge issue as the 4 doors are the same as the Montero from the US. Engine parts for the 2.5 td are pretty common and most import dealers carry the stuff you usually need. Engine parts for the 93 and up 2.8 td are a little more scarce at the moment however you can source some of these parts at your local cat dealership. The 4 doors with the 2.5 come with 2 different gearsets, 4.88 and 5.13's. If ind the units with the automatic and the 5.13 are a bit limited for top speed on the highway, they tend to rev to high for my liking. However you can overcome this a bit with installing some 33" tires. 33X10.5 fit with no mods. With the engine properly tuned you should be able to go 11 liters per 100 kms. I think the 4 doors have an 80 liter tank so you have a good range. I have my 2 door up for sale at the moment but only because my daughter is learning to drive this year and my wife will not let her learn with a rhd. That and I got a smoking deal on a 2007 jeep rubicon!! (hmm locking diffs.....) I still prefer to drive the pajero as it is more fun to drive. Good luck with your search for a pajero. I think Mardy from amazing auto imports has a 93 four door on its way, and I am sure there are some other good dealers on this site that do as well. ( I have had good dealings with Mardy so I always recommend him ) If you need more info just let us know and we will all chime in with our experiences and help.

Doug

[loki]

don't count out the nissan Safari, they are excellent, landcruiser quality and power with a pajero-ish price

[PHIL]

Doug has lots of good advice here... couple of tiny number changes: lwb's come with 92L tank, which extends the range of these rigs by a long ways... 600 plus kms before you need to think about a fuel stop... and even then there's plenty left. Shorty diesel has a 60L tank.

The 2.5's shipped with 529s as their "tractor gears", whereas the 2.8's highest diff gear set is 490. More common in the 2.5 is the 488, which is a good highway runner.

If you're wanting to do lots of highway, I'd (gasp) recommend the auto, much as I like to shift my own. The final drive is lower, so your revs are down a bit compared to the screaming 5 speed, at speeds over legal...

Having had both, my opinion is that the 2.8 is a much more "usable" diesel, in terms of cold starts, and power on tap. But the 2.5 is still a great powerplant.

Oh, and second it for Mardy: He is a stand up guy!

[MardyDelica]

Hi, bart,
i do have the newer pajero 2.8 liter new engine 7 passenger. pls check my wed site & see this pajero;
i do full service on all th ecars i sell.
http://www.amazingautoimports.com/phpwcms/cars.phtml
cheers;
Mardy

[mr.rhtuner]

Hi, bart,
i do have the newer pajero 2.8 liter new engine 7 passenger. pls check my wed site & see this pajero;
i do full service on all th ecars i sell.
http://www.amazingautoimports.com/phpwcms/cars.phtml
cheers;
Mardy

Thank you everybody and Mardy.

I do like it being a 1994, 4dr, 2.8 Diesel and price...but I can't buy right now unfortunatly. I have to wait about 8-9 months to purchase it as I have to finish training with the army.


I've looked at a bunch of Japanese car imports, including Global Garage and rightdrive.ca and it's hard to find a good Pajero for the right price.

Global Garage mostly has the 2.5L diesel engines and rightdrive has the 2.8L diesel engine Pajero's but then they have a stupid high price listed aswell.

I'm still browsing and reasearching. If I find 'the one', I'll get it sooner and just have it sit in storage till I can have time to enjoy it.

[jessef]

Hi, bart,
i do have the newer pajero 2.8 liter new engine 7 passenger. pls check my wed site & see this pajero;
i do full service on all th ecars i sell.
http://www.amazingautoimports.com/phpwcms/cars.phtml
cheers;
Mardy

Thank you everybody and Mardy.

I do like it being a 1994, 4dr, 2.8 Diesel and price...but I can't buy right now unfortunatly. I have to wait about 8-9 months to purchase it as I have to finish training with the army.


I've looked at a bunch of Japanese car imports, including Global Garage and rightdrive.ca and it's hard to find a good Pajero for the right price.

Global Garage mostly has the 2.5L diesel engines and rightdrive has the 2.8L diesel engine Pajero's but then they have a stupid high price listed aswell.

I'm still browsing and reasearching. If I find 'the one', I'll get it sooner and just have it sit in storage till I can have time to enjoy it.

The prices that rightdrive.ca are asking are astronomical !

Keep looking. They are around. Before the Delica-craze, Pajero's were a dime a dozen in the JDM market here in Canada.

[mr.rhtuner]

The prices that rightdrive.ca are asking are astronomical !

Keep looking. They are around. Before the Delica-craze, Pajero's were a dime a dozen in the JDM market here in Canada.

I've been wondering why most of these import dealers have more Pajero's for sale then Toyota Land Cruisers? Price and availability?

I can't wait to pickup a Pajero, need a good SUV and like what they have. I might end up going with the 2.5L for the smaller engine to have possibly some better fuel consumption compared to the 2.8L

[MardyDelica]

hi, the reason is that landcruiser is too expensive to buy, if you just think one good landcruiser is about from $17,000 to $ 21,000 price tag.
as per pajero its cheaper more popular in asia & europe. back home in the phils. landcruiser is just a regular car. if you own pajero in the phils your rich m got money & mostly own by senator , governor & rich people who has money.in asia , europe pajero is pupolar & reliable.
as per toyota its all electronic. when you got problem then its expensive to fix.
as per 2.8 pajero & 2.5. th e2.8 is better as it got power. as per economy thru my experience its about 1 kms to 1.5 per liter difference. but the power has big difference.
hope this help.
cheer:
mardy

[mr.rhtuner]

Thank you Mardy, that's what I thought about the Land Cruisers and the availability of them here.
I'll keep you contact information and check your site when I am ready to buy as I'll have to shop around and see what I can buy and condition.

Thanks again!

[supplespence]

After chatting with my mechanic a few times, I have been told that the toyota diesel engine has many more problems than the mitsu... and he says i made the right choice buying the pajero, even though i personally have had some rotten luck with my engine/tranny. regardless, i have become emotionally attatched to my 91 pajero LWB. it really is an increadible vehicle.

I bought mine from global garage. the guy was really nice, but my batteries died on the ferry ride and i held up traffic on the boat for a while, it was a bad start.

[Luna-Sea]

http://www.delica.ca/forum/91-fully-srv ... -4204.html
You should go have a look at this one and soon!

Right on!

[mdrive]

After chatting with my mechanic a few times, I have been told that the toyota diesel engine has many more problems than the mitsu... and he says i made the right choice buying the pajero, even though i personally have had some rotten luck with my engine/tranny. regardless, i have become emotionally attatched to my 91 pajero LWB. it really is an increadible vehicle.

I bought mine from global garage. the guy was really nice, but my batteries died on the ferry ride and i held up traffic on the boat for a while, it was a bad start.

I think your mechanic thought about Prado Land Cruiser. Those are not good, but you can not compare HDJ81 or any Land cruiser with 4.0 or 4.2L with anything, those are the best of best SUV money can buy. 81 Land Cruisers only comparable to Nissan Safari, Pajero won't even come close. HDJ81 Land Cruisers are not EFI, they don't have head problems. As long as Con Rod Bearing is replaced, and other preventive maintenance are completed the car is ready for anything.

[supplespence]

I think your mechanic thought about Prado Land Cruiser. Those are not good, but you can not compare HDJ81 or any Land cruiser with 4.0 or 4.2L with anything, those are the best of best SUV money can buy. 81 Land Cruisers only comparable to Nissan Safari, Pajero won't even come close. HDJ81 Land Cruisers are not EFI, they don't have head problems. As long as Con Rod Bearing is replaced, and other preventive maintenance are completed the car is ready for anything.

Good to know, thanks for the info.

[kpsxtyone]

Hi,

I myself am looking to purchase a 94 Pajero with 68K KM 2.8D. I did the initial test drive and it does feel better than the 2.5 D that i test drove. The engine compartment is very clean, no oil leaks or turbo leaks just light dust. I still have to test drive in the hwy to see if there is any noise i may hear in the bearings at 100kmh. The interior is clean and the sunroof works fine (it doesn't get stuck or anything like that)

Any more tips i should know? The guy will have it safetied and emission tested before i sign the papers. Paint on the outside is OK i will however do a wax on wax off kinda thing when i get it and do oil spray for our salty roads in Ontario.

Just wondering is this engine uses a timing belt? or timing chain and when do i have to replace it? If i get it, i do plan to do oil change, tranny fluid change, air filter (change/clean) and flush the rad and put fresh coolant.

As for the phyrometer at what point should i be concerned with? i know it measures temp from a surface but what is the ok and not ok zone on the dial?

Thanks !
Ryan