She's all new and shiny

[spenceee]

G'day everyone,

Just thought I'd say g'day, just got my 2017 GLS Pajero yesterday. Been wanting a 4wd for years but finally committed!

She's very stock right now, so I thought I'd ask for some general advice. I want a car that's nice around town that occasionally goes on a beach or up a dirt road. The missus does not want gods gift to 4wds with all the fruit either on her nice new car so there is th a too.

I was thinking that at a minimum a lift plus underbody protection plates would be a starting point to go on a beach and not be terrified, particularly if I'm with some other people who have winches and snatch straps?

Mechanically should I be worried about anything and are there things I should do to look after the motor? I've never owned a diesel and I've read about things like catch cans, but sometimes they can be a bit of fairy dust rather than really protecting you. But I'd love to hear real advice from owners of my car if you have any. Don't be afraid to assume I am starting from 0 on this.

Otherwise I love the way the beast looks and feels and I've always loved the 3 diamond brand, so glad to have a much more respectable vehicle now.

Nice to meet you all virtually and I hope to follow up with the club post covid.

[Two Emms]

Welcome spenceee

I am a fan of protection plates (I like the term bash plates). I reckon they should be fitted at the factory, they are that important.

Catch cans are not fairy dust. They stop oil mist going into the motor.

By way of a basic explanation, as part of the pollution control, these motors feed hot exhaust gasses back through the motor. The combination of the oil mist and exhaust gasses clags the inlet manifold.

[Dicko1]

Bought a new Paj NW in late 2014. Within a week I had a catch can, egr delete and woolen seat covers.


Over the next few years all the mods gradually got put on as required. If towing I,d definitely get a new set of shockies and springs.

[Uxxo]

A stock Pajero is very capable offroad, so nothing to be terrified about about driving on sand with a stock vehicle.
Just remeber to turn the traction control off and deflate the tyres. You should always carry your own recovery gear, compressor and shovel when offroad.

Regarding a moderate lift kit: as far as I know it's either 40/50mm or nothing. A decent kit will cost $2K+. Do you really need it?

[BruceandBobbi]

A stock Pajero is very capable offroad, so nothing to be terrified about about driving on sand with a stock vehicle.
Just remeber to turn the traction control off and deflate the tyres. You should always carry your own recovery gear, compressor and shovel when offroad.

Regarding a moderate lift kit: as far as I know it's either 40/50mm or nothing. A decent kit will cost $2K+. Do you really need it?

A proper intercooler bash plate is highly recommended for sand. There are many reports on here of damaged intercoolers from sand driving.

It's ASC you need to turn off. You can't turn traction control off.

[cruisn06]

A stock Pajero is very capable offroad, so nothing to be terrified about about driving on sand with a stock vehicle.
Just remeber to turn the traction control off and deflate the tyres. You should always carry your own recovery gear, compressor and shovel when offroad.

Regarding a moderate lift kit: as far as I know it's either 40/50mm or nothing. A decent kit will cost $2K+. Do you really need it?

If you do the suspension yourself, it will only cost you about 1000-1100, add in an extra 300 if you also want air bags. Will ride like a dream and you get 40mm of lift

[Keithyv]

A proper intercooler bash plate is highly recommended for sand. There are many reports on here of damaged intercoolers from sand driving.

It's ASC you need to turn off. You can't turn traction control off.

Locking the rear diff (if you have it) will turn off traction control.

[BruceandBobbi]

Locking the rear diff (if you have it) will turn off traction control.

I realise that mate but if you don't have an OEM diff lock?

It is the ASC you really need to turn off for sand.

[Uxxo]

If you do the suspension yourself, it will only cost you about 1000-1100, add in an extra 300 if you also want air bags. Will ride like a dream and you get 40mm of lift

$1000 doesn't buy a quality kit, my Bilstein/Lovells was around $1700 in parts only and DIY is not always an option.
The point is, the OP was specifically asking for "a car that's nice around town that occasionally goes on a beach or up a dirt road" - A stock Pajero is more than capable of driving on sand or a dirt road.

Raising the centre of gravity of a car is not always the best idea, unless you really need that extra clearance

[BruceandBobbi]

$1000 doesn't buy a quality kit, my Bilstein/Lovells was around $1700 in parts only and DIY is not always an option.
The point is, the OP was specifically asking for "a car that's nice around town that occasionally goes on a beach or up a dirt road" - A stock Pajero is more than capable of driving on sand or a dirt road.

Raising the centre of gravity of a car is not always the best idea, unless you really need that extra clearance

There are other combinations just as good if not better for less money.

An ADR approved lift is fine. Our lift has no body roll at all. But as we are getting older we are looking at new suspension that is more comfortable but doesn't float like a boat.

[Two Emms]

I just bought a kings and lovells kit. $1100 delivered.

BUT, many years of 4 wheeling and a lot of research helped me. The OP may not have the advantage of experience. (Mind you there's a plenty of really good advice here for anyone who asks).

Add 5 or 6 hundred bucks for installation if you can't diy and it starts to be a big expense.

But I also agree that the pajero is very capable just as it rolled off the production line. As the OP gets more experience and wants to push things a bit, then a lift will be handy.

[cruisn06]

$1000 doesn't buy a quality kit, my Bilstein/Lovells was around $1700 in parts only and DIY is not always an option.
The point is, the OP was specifically asking for "a car that's nice around town that occasionally goes on a beach or up a dirt road" - A stock Pajero is more than capable of driving on sand or a dirt road.

Raising the centre of gravity of a car is not always the best idea, unless you really need that extra clearance

it most certainly does. cost doesn't always equal the best setup.

Cost break down:
dobinsons springs - 300 Im pretty sure I only paid 240 for them, but ill say 300 for safe room.
air bags - 300
rear 41mm foam cell tough dog shocks - 320
Front assembly dobinson struts - 530

Total build cost for a smooth ride on and off-road with car like manners on the highway at highspeeds ~120kmh loaded normally.
1450 all up.
or 1150 no airbags - I carry some serious loads so this wasn't an option.

With the pajero and the way it is I highly recommend a lift, as when you start airing down any clearance you had will disappear rather quickly.

OP- obviously your choice here. but it will help with some clearance in soft sand. personally I dont like digging

[Jasonmc73]

A proper intercooler bash plate is highly recommended for sand. There are many reports on here of damaged intercoolers from sand driving.

.

This is keeping me of the beach for the moment, along with rear bumber/ sand scoop

[craka]

Have to agree if you want a suspension lift, it can be done for under and installed for under 2K.
I had a Lovells/ulitmate kit installed about 3years ago with airbags for $1900 with wheel alignment.

Before doing suspensio, I would lash out on a intercooler and sump guard. I have bushskinz, some other on here have boos plates.

Edit: Time goes quick, just checked it was actually 5 years ago I had the suspension installed.

[spenceee]

Thanks so much for the good advice and welcome. I have been told that if you want to go anywhere remotely interesting a lift isn't optional. Really appreciate the costing info provided, I had back of the envelope assumed 2k for anything related to suspension.

Can I ask specifically about the bash plates that you guys have, I want everything from the front bumper to the diff covered by steel.

I have sooo much research to do. But learning. I want to learn and try and avoid big mistakes. Plus it's the family daily driver so it would be nice not to break it.

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