I have used this forum a lot as source of information about Pajero and their faults and capabilities, so I decided to share my story about my off-road specific Pajero project. Maybe will contain some information for future readers. I have had or used several (4 or 5) Gen3 Pajero's for several years as daily drivers and had always been super satisfied with them, my previous pajero 3/NP in three years had few oil changes, overhaul of all braking components (twice ) and maybe one other repair. I have always liked off-roading, but since I live in Northern Europe, the off-roading is less camping, more daily courses, since any place is my country in at most 50km from hotel/motel, we do not camp, go on expeditions, but drive on forest roads that provide challanges to our vehicles and driving skills with water, mud, swamps, peat bogs and trees.I was looking at a Pajero 3 for couple of years to build for such weekend acitivities, but didn't find many good options with manual gearbox and difflock, and was afraid of the fuel pump problem, so when I found one for sale at 6650 EUR, I immediatly decided to buy it. My problem was that although it was only 10 years old (most of the off road specific 4x4s are more than 12 years old here) it had 342k km on the clock, which I wasn't too afraid off (mistake), as the car had good service history, didn 't have rust or any issues with engine, transmission, drivetrain, 4wd system. So I bought it, thinking it has resource of 500k, and as I planned to use it only on weekend (8k km per year) I thought I would be the last owner for it anyway, but would use it for three or more years. So here my project began, this is the first picture with everything stock.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oxAiiqRd5tyaOF613
My investments after this were:
1) Dragon Winch 10000lbs (You can fit easily a winch on Pajero 4, both manual and automatic). Worked, but slow and required quite some servicing, better choose Runva or SuperWinch.
2) Intercooler, engine and transfer case protection (6mm aluminium plates, custom made to protect the intercooler, which is in a ridiculous place, just above the front crossmember, directly where any rock or branch would hit, and the stock tinplate shield can not protect it. The fuel tank needs protection as well, I didn't do it, but if someone want's to use it off road - it's necessary.
3) 275/70R17 Maxxis Bighorn tyres 32". This is an easily fittable tyre on Pajero 4, I used rims with ET25, but you can easily use stock rims with 32" tyres, minor trimming of completly usleless plastic was necessary, but no harm done to the car. 275/70R17 also fits in the rear spare wheel holder without any trimming. I have seen 33" tyres on Pajero 4 and Pajero 3, but those are actually 32" tyres, as BfGoodrich has one inch smaller actual measurements, so 33x12.5 are actually 32" tyres, same with 285/70R17 Mud-Terrain KM2, they are actually 32" tyres. I checked Yokohama geolandar MT and they run true to the size also, like MAXXIS. I have also once seem Pajero 3 with 34" (actual measurement) tyres, but I do not understand how that car can drive for more than 3 km without braking CVs and HSs. Also do weigh the tyres, as some are heavier than other, and you want to put as little extra weight on the axles as possible, I threfore chose maxxis over cooper stt pro. The Bighorns were ok, but I did not feel any superb feeling with them, would choose yokohama or simex or interco next time.
4) Lovell's gas legend shocks and lovells extra heavy duty springs - way to go, superb Aussie product. Tried using spacers, but the suspension would sag after 2 outings, so you really need to go with good springs. 32" tires with lovells suspension gave me 30cm ground clearence below front crossmember and the 6mm bashplate. This is maximum you can get from pajero if you do not do suspension drop. Always go with the EHD springs with Diesel.
5) Lokka front locker - works, and very useful, since pajero has super heavy front end, but unusable due to steering interference. It pulls the car randomly to sides when locking/unlocking, unsafe. Either fit ARB air locker or don't bother.
6) Bravo snorkel - really good product, fits also with the xenon lamps I had.
7) 90cm led light bar (Chinese) - does it's job off road, gives flood light as high beam all around.
8) Lenovo tablet for OziExplorer - Android is complete crap, buy Windows tablet that can run PC version of OZi, not the broken Android one, it crashes 10 times per hour.
On this I spent around 3250 EUR, with installation, and was quite happy with this on paper.
Some mods:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/2nvxXer0TJtjldFh2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e41YnMZIZXBnttmq2
Some pictures in action:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/0KWfmLseI53eXRNu2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/haZ3JRurBhoaalGL2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/buX7RWAZCo8dSBTf2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tRgDqCCLw0UBfJnA3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UneRw0dhFcH8Q5B63
https://photos.app.goo.gl/OVtcnb4W8hAroKWp1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVW7bLuc8F0aybi12
https://photos.app.goo.gl/omHNCc3PrGRlIDUr2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8YJZIVUaqdt2JfSn1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/2ogR8lS7x2yWhMFv2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pe4Auu39ibWhOMEv2
Now comes the reason why I consider it a failed project - the pajero just can't get through tough offroad, loose ground. It does not "float", it's too heavy, the 4wd drive is crap and where land cruisers (70/80), patrols (y60/y61), g-wagon (w463) and jimny go easily, pajero just can't, it gets stuck any time the wheels can not reach solid ground within the 30cm of ground clearance, even with the triple lockers. Something is wrong with the independant suspension, wheelspin and power delivery and most definately weight. It's in the same loser league as jeeps, landrovers, vitaras etc.
The other major issue is Pajero can not handle tough offroad, its fragile. It has too many too weak parts. I changed 3 wheel bearings (no improvements over Pajero 3), one halfshaft with CV joint, and probably two other were broken as well by the time I sold it, all seals at diffs and CV boots, 3 ABS sensors, steering pinion, rear differential (it just internally destroyed itself), clutch, 3 times parking brake mechanism, fuel tank, and twenty other small parts in drivetrain. I paid around 4750EUR for these repairs in one year. The parts are 3 times more expensive than for Mercedes G-wagon and 2 times more expensive than for Toyota Land Cruiser.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/0ydiJWXbXIiAlRzO2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ysF9Uj7shoFNuSYl1
So I sold the car after 14 months in parts and I can only suggest to avoid Pajero for real, tough off road. I would still consider a 2010 and above pajero with milage less than 225k km for driving on gravel or solid country roads, but not for real adventures. Thanks for all the knowledge in this forum, and hope this helps someone avoid the same mistake I did.
Last picture with bighorns
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qjjzlK4Fl6gVfnI62
Last picture with winter studded tyres
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hjxyEuCaevEySFmU2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oxAiiqRd5tyaOF613
My investments after this were:
1) Dragon Winch 10000lbs (You can fit easily a winch on Pajero 4, both manual and automatic). Worked, but slow and required quite some servicing, better choose Runva or SuperWinch.
2) Intercooler, engine and transfer case protection (6mm aluminium plates, custom made to protect the intercooler, which is in a ridiculous place, just above the front crossmember, directly where any rock or branch would hit, and the stock tinplate shield can not protect it. The fuel tank needs protection as well, I didn't do it, but if someone want's to use it off road - it's necessary.
3) 275/70R17 Maxxis Bighorn tyres 32". This is an easily fittable tyre on Pajero 4, I used rims with ET25, but you can easily use stock rims with 32" tyres, minor trimming of completly usleless plastic was necessary, but no harm done to the car. 275/70R17 also fits in the rear spare wheel holder without any trimming. I have seen 33" tyres on Pajero 4 and Pajero 3, but those are actually 32" tyres, as BfGoodrich has one inch smaller actual measurements, so 33x12.5 are actually 32" tyres, same with 285/70R17 Mud-Terrain KM2, they are actually 32" tyres. I checked Yokohama geolandar MT and they run true to the size also, like MAXXIS. I have also once seem Pajero 3 with 34" (actual measurement) tyres, but I do not understand how that car can drive for more than 3 km without braking CVs and HSs. Also do weigh the tyres, as some are heavier than other, and you want to put as little extra weight on the axles as possible, I threfore chose maxxis over cooper stt pro. The Bighorns were ok, but I did not feel any superb feeling with them, would choose yokohama or simex or interco next time.
4) Lovell's gas legend shocks and lovells extra heavy duty springs - way to go, superb Aussie product. Tried using spacers, but the suspension would sag after 2 outings, so you really need to go with good springs. 32" tires with lovells suspension gave me 30cm ground clearence below front crossmember and the 6mm bashplate. This is maximum you can get from pajero if you do not do suspension drop. Always go with the EHD springs with Diesel.
5) Lokka front locker - works, and very useful, since pajero has super heavy front end, but unusable due to steering interference. It pulls the car randomly to sides when locking/unlocking, unsafe. Either fit ARB air locker or don't bother.
6) Bravo snorkel - really good product, fits also with the xenon lamps I had.
7) 90cm led light bar (Chinese) - does it's job off road, gives flood light as high beam all around.
8) Lenovo tablet for OziExplorer - Android is complete crap, buy Windows tablet that can run PC version of OZi, not the broken Android one, it crashes 10 times per hour.
On this I spent around 3250 EUR, with installation, and was quite happy with this on paper.
Some mods:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/2nvxXer0TJtjldFh2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e41YnMZIZXBnttmq2
Some pictures in action:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/0KWfmLseI53eXRNu2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/haZ3JRurBhoaalGL2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/buX7RWAZCo8dSBTf2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tRgDqCCLw0UBfJnA3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UneRw0dhFcH8Q5B63
https://photos.app.goo.gl/OVtcnb4W8hAroKWp1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVW7bLuc8F0aybi12
https://photos.app.goo.gl/omHNCc3PrGRlIDUr2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8YJZIVUaqdt2JfSn1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/2ogR8lS7x2yWhMFv2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pe4Auu39ibWhOMEv2
Now comes the reason why I consider it a failed project - the pajero just can't get through tough offroad, loose ground. It does not "float", it's too heavy, the 4wd drive is crap and where land cruisers (70/80), patrols (y60/y61), g-wagon (w463) and jimny go easily, pajero just can't, it gets stuck any time the wheels can not reach solid ground within the 30cm of ground clearance, even with the triple lockers. Something is wrong with the independant suspension, wheelspin and power delivery and most definately weight. It's in the same loser league as jeeps, landrovers, vitaras etc.
The other major issue is Pajero can not handle tough offroad, its fragile. It has too many too weak parts. I changed 3 wheel bearings (no improvements over Pajero 3), one halfshaft with CV joint, and probably two other were broken as well by the time I sold it, all seals at diffs and CV boots, 3 ABS sensors, steering pinion, rear differential (it just internally destroyed itself), clutch, 3 times parking brake mechanism, fuel tank, and twenty other small parts in drivetrain. I paid around 4750EUR for these repairs in one year. The parts are 3 times more expensive than for Mercedes G-wagon and 2 times more expensive than for Toyota Land Cruiser.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/0ydiJWXbXIiAlRzO2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ysF9Uj7shoFNuSYl1
So I sold the car after 14 months in parts and I can only suggest to avoid Pajero for real, tough off road. I would still consider a 2010 and above pajero with milage less than 225k km for driving on gravel or solid country roads, but not for real adventures. Thanks for all the knowledge in this forum, and hope this helps someone avoid the same mistake I did.
Last picture with bighorns
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qjjzlK4Fl6gVfnI62
Last picture with winter studded tyres
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hjxyEuCaevEySFmU2
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