Pajero Questions

Valski

New Member
I've owned two Pajeros in the past, a 1996 LWB GLS 3.5 V6 and a 1997 LWB GLX 3.5 V6.

I now have a 2000 NM Exceed, 3.5 V6.

Two things.

Firstly, a lot of my mates into off roading own Patrols and Cruisers and they put shit on me for having a Pajero. They say the Pajero's off road capabilities are not very good. They do say these things in moderate jest, however it annoys me all the same.

First two Paj's I owned were very capable off road, and I didn't do any mods to them with the exception of AT tyres.

I know Pajero compared to Patrols and Cruisers probably can't go quite as many places, but am I a sucker for wanting a decent off road truck after having bought a Pajero? Fact is I looked at Patrols and Cruisers and I didn't like them as cars. My truck doubles as a family wagon, and my family and I appreciate the luxuries of the Exceed. My best mate tried to convince me to go with a Patrol, but I like Pajero's. I would now have my third if I didn't.

Secondly, I'd like to do a lift, suspension enhancement and bigger AT tyres. I've seen a lot of info on this topic, but never before entered into the discussions because they were all very technical. I have no idea of the terminology used to describe what I need, so in basic speak, I want the lift for the reasons mentioned, so I have a car that is still nice to drive on road, with the capability to handle most off road conditions as well.

Any recommendations on what I need to achieve this would be welcomed.

Cheers.
 

Grey Ghost

5th Annual Victorian Gathering member
As far as lifts go, you should be able to do a 2 inch suspension lift fairly easily, However if you have airbags in that model (which I'm not sure of) it is illegal to do a body lift unfortunately. This would enable you to fit bigger tyres but bear in mind that if you start with 31 inch tyres and then fit 33's you only get 1 inch of extra clearance from centre of hub to ground (other 1inch of size is at top of tyre doing nothing!).
 

Davidman

5th Annual Victorian Gathering member
G'day Valski,
I have a 96 NJ GLS LWB Pajero. At present, I do not have any lift ( am looking at it, but like you and not sure of best way to proceed ) and only mods that benefit performance are tyres. Other mods include bull bar etc, but these do not assist in handling or performance, apart from saving the odd bit of panel damage. I have spent a bit of time 4WDriving with many other types of vehicles.

In my opinion, the Pajero can easily equal the Cruisers etc. It is not always the lift, tyres etc that determines where you can and cannot go, but also the line you take, your tyre pressure and other driving techniques. Several times I have seen non Pajeros ( used that terminology to avoid opening the proverbial can of worms ) go flat out at a hill or similar and fail to make it even half way due to getting hung up in ruts etc. Following them up a hill at low speed with correct tyre pressure and picking your line may not look as dramatic, but then when you are at the top, isnt that all that matters.

Could go on, but wont. No complaints with the Pajero. Mine is in my avatar to the left.

Tell your sh*t stirring mates where to go ( politely )
 
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stets

New Member
mate,

a 2 inch suspension lift is a great way to start and many of your local 4wd shops will be able to point you in the right direction. most of the tim with suspension components you get what you pay for. however, certain brands of shocks/springs are better suited to different terrains and driving styles. discuss the flex, ride quality, wieght characteristics etc with your dealer or suspension pro.

as for tyres, they make a big difference, probably the single biggest difference in vehicle capability and reliability off road. make sure you get a tyre with a decent sidewall construction (3 ply +).
an inch wider foot print is equal to half inch increase in hieght in traction stakes.

a foot print (tread touching the ground) is your traction ability. think of it like this, if you poke a 1 inch diameter stick into the sand, it is easy to push in and it will go in quite a way, where as if you try to push a 6 inch diameter stick into the sand, well good luck for trying. tyres are the same. width and diameter make a difference, if for what ever reason, you cannot go bigger, then consider going a bit wider to compensate. the more rubber on the ground the more traction.

also, dont forget about a diff lock. this is the ultimate sleeper featurein a pajero. fit one of these and your toyo loving mates will struggle to keep up. make sure you fit it to the rear first if you dont have an lsd rear diff, if you have an lsd rear diff, wack it in the front and then even your nissan loving mates will watch with awe as you crawl up that rutted track
 

Valski

New Member
Thanks for the replies all.

I'll keep you updated on my modification progress.

Today I'm installing a UHF radio. Not a vehicle mod as such, but a start. One more reason to play with my new toy.

I plan on getting out on a track in Sydney or it's surrounds in the next couple of weeks to have a play. Probably Heathcote road. Looking forward to it.
 

marc_mmg

New Member
Thanks for the replies all.

I'll keep you updated on my modification progress.

Today I'm installing a UHF radio. Not a vehicle mod as such, but a start. One more reason to play with my new toy.

I plan on getting out on a track in Sydney or it's surrounds in the next couple of weeks to have a play. Probably Heathcote road. Looking forward to it.


Valski - I too own an NM exceed and get the same ribbing from guys driving full chassis vehicles, but when we are doing 100 km/hr on the freeway or going up bells line of road I can assure you that all of a sudden the 100 series with a 2 inch lift and 33" muddies isn't as nice to drive! I haven't got mine bogged yet and I run it on Pirelli Scorpion Tyres, as one earlier post said if you drop your tire pressure and pick your lines it amazing what you can achieve! It aint gunna be a rock hopper, but thats not what I'm into. 90% of it's life is spent on the black stuff, and then when I want to have some fun it does it nicely.:)
 

Chucky

New Member
Also remember what people consider "Off-road" differs from person to person and group to group.
Pajs are a somewhat capable 4wd out of the box. Are they as capable as a cruiser or patrol, not a chance. Driver abilty will always play a part as will setting up the 4wd. But put the better driver in the more capable 4wd and he will always go further.
Also modding a paj will cost alot more than a cruiser or patrol. Most buyers of the paj wont do anything more than a few dirt tracks and the occasional stretch up the beach. As these require basic, if any mods, the need for aftermarket mods is not as high as cruiser or patrols so costs go up and availability go down.
Flame suit on for the above, but there is a reason why farmers, miners, military etc dont use Paj's.
 

theogs

New Member
hey there,,,we own a pajero too,,,no problems and never let us down in any conditions,,,i did a 2inc lift and had the torsion bars changed and would out,,good ride on road and good off road and nice clearance,,,,,if you going to heathcote road let us know,,we live close to there.......we just have to watch the cop patrols
 

cptmud

New Member
I have been surprised at how well pajs go off road. A little bit of lift, front locker and decent tyres will see them get most places
 

croozza

Active Member
Hi Mate
You are not going to get 2" in a lift, it will be more like 38mm for the Paj (at the very most) but they will still call it a 2" lift. Also keep in mind that with the lift you are going to narrow the track of the vehicle as it is independent all round, just the way they are. But you should still be able to take it to most places the others go, just look at your wheel placement and don't get suckered in by your mates and go into the hard stuff if you don't have to, go around it if you can.
 

Valski

New Member
Also remember what people consider "Off-road" differs from person to person and group to group.
Pajs are a somewhat capable 4wd out of the box. Are they as capable as a cruiser or patrol, not a chance. Driver abilty will always play a part as will setting up the 4wd. But put the better driver in the more capable 4wd and he will always go further.
Also modding a paj will cost alot more than a cruiser or patrol. Most buyers of the paj wont do anything more than a few dirt tracks and the occasional stretch up the beach. As these require basic, if any mods, the need for aftermarket mods is not as high as cruiser or patrols so costs go up and availability go down.
Flame suit on for the above, but there is a reason why farmers, miners, military etc dont use Paj's.

I know quite a few farmers who have pajeros of different ages, types, and they swear by them. Military don't use pajeros, but they would never consider them anyway regardless of off road ability because they buy the cheapest equipment they possibly can. (Hence they have land drover 110's)

Pajeros are not the type of vehicle military would use anyway. They are too nice, and soldiers would just ruin them. hehehe. Don't be offended, I was one of them at one stage and I broke lots of stuff.
 

Valski

New Member
hey there,,,we own a pajero too,,,no problems and never let us down in any conditions,,,i did a 2inc lift and had the torsion bars changed and would out,,good ride on road and good off road and nice clearance,,,,,if you going to heathcote road let us know,,we live close to there.......we just have to watch the cop patrols

Cop patrols? Are people not permitted to use Heathcote for off roading?
 

Ekki Adventurers

4x4 Earth Contributer
Howdy,
We love our Paj and even though it is a limo on the blacktop we've done many km's off road (not just dirt roads) from Tassie to Townsville, Fraser to Flinders and our old girls' never let us down.
 

Chucky

New Member
I know quite a few farmers who have pajeros of different ages, types, and they swear by them. Military don't use pajeros, but they would never consider them anyway regardless of off road ability because they buy the cheapest equipment they possibly can. (Hence they have land drover 110's)

Pajeros are not the type of vehicle military would use anyway. They are too nice, and soldiers would just ruin them. hehehe. Don't be offended, I was one of them at one stage and I broke lots of stuff.

A paj would be cheaper than a 100 series or a 200 series, seen heaps of these driving around with defense plates on recently. And working at various mines around the place I am always thankfull when I get given the keys to a cruiser rather than a hilux, navara or patrol.
However you arer 100% correct that our defense force breaks things (Big company so why not:)) And if they are breaking cruisers and 110's, the paj wouldn't last the first round.

I not against Paj's. That are a good car for what they are designed to do. They are not designed to be placed against the cruisers and patrols. That are int he same class as the Pathfinder and Prado. And I would take the Paj over a Pathfinder anyday. It would be a close thing to the Prado, but I think the larger range of aftermarket parts available to the prado would win out.
 

Valski

New Member
I think it comes down to driver's skill and what you are using it for.

I have pushed my previous Pajeros much further than they are designed to go, and they performed very well. I have even towed a patrol out of a bog, that the Paj had no issues with.

Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated.
 

jasonw

New Member
you can find more info at the pajero club forum
and if you want a suspension lift look up bushskinz4x4
(im not allowed to post links yet)
as far as copping stick for buying a paj if your happy with the car and where it takes you thats all that matters
 
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joekar

Active Member
you can find more info at the pajero club forum
.........................
as far as copping stick for buying a paj if your happy with the car and where it takes you thats all that matters
Got to agree with both of these points.

I had a 96 GLS for 11 years and it was a great 4WD and did lots of travelling and tracks. It wasn't a rock crawling comp machine, but that was not what I wanted.

I bought a Patrol a couple of years ago to replace it, simply because I wanted something that would handle the increased rough road travel I am currently doing. Not that a Pajero wouldn't do the same roads, just that after 5 years of it the Pajero would look more second hand than the Patrol.
 

Swampgecko

New Member
I had the first of the monocoque bodied Pajero's in my club. I never copped stick about my choice, as on our first outing with them on highway rated tires, in wet and muddy conditions, we out performed some of the more traditional 4wd's in the group. This was on our training day and my wife did half of the off road driving that day as well.

As for mods, I did the 2inch suspension lift (or what passes for it), as you can't do a body lift on the monocoque body.

I heard all sorts of stories about the windscreen popping out when doing a snatch recovery and other such rot.

The best advice has already been given, be aware of your own and your vehicle's capabilities.

Cheers

Steve

PS: As I work in the aviation industry I am familiar with the term monocoque construction, but for those who may be wondering what it is all about...

mon⋅o⋅coque
   /ˈmɒnəˌkoʊk, -ˌkɒk/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [mon-uh-kohk, -kok] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a type of boat, aircraft, or rocket construction in which the shell carries most of the stresses.
2. Automotive. a type of vehicular construction in which the body is combined with the chassis as a single unit.
 
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