20 Years of the monocoque Pajero

[Mundy55]

An interesting article in Unsealed 4x4 regarding 20 years of the revolutionary monocoque Pajero.

Nice to have someone praise it rather than denigrate its off road capabilities for a change.

Link is here:

https://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/revolutionary-monocoque-pajero-turns-20/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Revolutionary+monocoque+Pajero+turns+20+%2B+all-new+Ford+F-150+pick-up+revealed&utm_campaign=Unsealed+4X4+EDM+-+29th+June+2020

[Ian H]

Yes, I just read that and was going to post it here too. The Paj is a warhorse and built tough and it's a lot less like a truck than my mate's Ranger. I'm not looking to sell it any time soon, it's too good.

[Pushbike]

A truly great pedigree.
A little clarification, probably stated elsewhere on this forum, but for the uninitiated.
The term monocoque is frequently misapplied to unibody cars. Commercial car bodies are almost never true monocoques but instead use the unibody system (also referred to as unitary construction, unitary body–chassis or body–frame integral construction),[14] which uses box sections, bulkheads and tubes to provide most of the strength of the vehicle, while the skin adds relatively little strength or stiffness.
For a detailed discussion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monocoque

[Miner]

Lots of people all who don’t know any better also assume that because it doesn’t have a ladder chassis and body it’s no use off-road... not knowing that as well as having the unibody framing, it’s also got effectively an integrated ladder chassis of external reinforcement. A design which morning doubt has been copied umpteen times since. [emoji1360]

[craka]

Lots of people all who don’t know any better also assume that because it doesn’t have a ladder chassis and body it’s no use off-road... not knowing that as well as having the unibody framing, it’s also got effectively an integrated ladder chassis of external reinforcement. A design which morning doubt has been copied umpteen times since. [emoji1360]

And no doubt stronger to a comparative ladder only chassis.

[BruceandBobbi]

https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/2020-land-rover-defender-prototype-debuts-at-goodwood

[Old Paj]

20 Years On

It is more than 20 years for the Paj though!
The first Paj was released about 1984 in Aus.
In Jan 1985 we bought our first Paj (hence Old Paj on the forum, because it was when the forum first started) 2.6lt of petrol power at 49.9c/lt (ACT).
On 19 August 2005 we then bought an NP, 18 months after I retired from the Army. 380K Kms on it is still going strong, but with a new owner who I do actually see regularly and he tells me it is up to 417K.
As an interlude, at the end of May 09, we bought an Jan 06, NS with 55K on it and moved it on to the BIL in Mar 17 with 322K on it, who bought it for towing his work/business trailer (Awkward Rural Fencing). This was SWMBO car, so we were running 2 Pajeros.
In Jan 17, we bought an NX.
SWMBO now sadly drives a Holden Captiva because "the seats" suit her better than the equivalent Mitsubishi product.

Do we like Pajeros?
I suppose I would have to say yes!

[Jimbo2]

Seven years on I've "retired" my NW Pajero, no I didn't sell it, I put in the garage. Why, because its such a good tow vehicle, and so good off road, and I have put so much effort into making it a truly great touring car that I cant justify using it as my run around car any longer.
I love the 4X4 system, being able to simply shift into 4H on the fly while towing gives confidence in slippery conditions, a few mods and its equally capable as any other "true" 4x4 we have travelled with. And, the only reliability issues I have had have been of my own making.
To replace it with something else would be a lot of work to recreate what I already have.
I now have a 2009 ford Ranger for around town, its useful, but really shows itself to be no where as nice or refined as the Pajero.
So, now the Pajero is reserved for trips away, I guess it gets to do all the fun stuff as a reward.

[Peterng]

The Pajero is just a bloody good all round medium sized 4wd wagon with real off road cred which has endured over 20 years.
Auto journalist in some cases want to put the Pajero out to pasture for it uses engine and drivetrain technology which has been superseded and constantly updated...
But has it...
There is still questions about the Ford Rangers' auto overheating and throwing tantrums..
Amaroks' v6 diesel drinking oil that would make the Colorado seem like a "tea totterer".
Then there is the auto in Amarok which has been know to throw a "hissy fit"...not forgetting its "electrics" which have been known to just "give up the ghost"..and thus Limp Mode comes into effect on the freeway whilst doing 100kph..or the electric "park break" that will lock and will not release..
Jeep..well, we will not go there...you could write a book as thick as "War & Peace" about the issues of the Jeep...then there is the "after sales service"..which Jeep have been known for...
Toyota's...several 4wd models are having issues with their DPF's...not forgetting sucking in dust around the sides of the plastic airbox...that means you..Landcruiser...and the classic D4D rattle as injector meets piston..
Oh..I almost forgot..Pajero doesn't need to pretend it's tough and ruggered...Pajero won Dakar..not once..but 12 times..a record that no other manufacturer has come close too..and it won with its' monocoque chassis.
Yep...20 years of refinement...it may not be flashy..but with a tried, trusted and tested 3.2ltr diesel with a near bullet proof drivetrain...against some of its opposition...Pajero is a bargain!

[old Jack]

Well said!

Basic and Boring is normally the most reliable, that is why I have a Povo Pack Challenger!

Value for money, reliability, capability and longevity it is hard to go past a Mitsubishi 4wd.
Isuzu used to be the same but lost their way about 10 years ago.

OJ.

[BruceandBobbi]

Was at my mechanics today. They had Lexus version of the Landcruiser in the workshop. They were ripping out the fancy Lexus suspension set up whatever it is and installing a new coil and shock system.

Sometimes basic old school is best.

[syedali]

Was at my mechanics today. They had Lexus version of the Landcruiser in the workshop. They were ripping out the fancy Lexus suspension set up whatever it is and installing a new coil and shock system.

Sometimes basic old school is best.

I couldn't help but shine some light here. Owning an LX470 myself, I can tell you that although Lexus's Automatic Height Control (AHC) system which is basically a hydraulic suspension control system is very reliable, YET it is not meant for heavy-duty offroading. It is more than adequate for General family outdoor adventures, Towing, Overlanding but not the crazy stuff. It has load ratings as well so if you plan to load-up your rig, you're definitely gonna need to replace it with a suitable shock absorber system.

[dreamerman]

Honestly, I bought a new NX because I can't afford any other real 4x4 (dual cabs excluded). If I had the money I would have bought a $90k full-sized Landcruiser. Lucky for me it was a good decision to buy a NX.