Hi to all. Very new to the offroad/4X4 scene so all you experienced guys and girls are welcome to supply as much info as possible.
I bought a Pajero Gen1 SWB and got it through roadworthy. The budget is small so want to get the most bang for my bucks. The plan is to make a couple of mechanical upgrades, change the air filter, better cooling and so on. Any other ideas will be welcomed. Don't see a lot Gen 1's SWB on the forum but I know they are out there.
Regards
The newbie
Arno
Welcome here. You have bought the original LEGEND Pajero!
What engine does yours have in? 4EPajero at one stage built up a beautifull gen1 and will probably be a good source of info. Sadly that Pajero is now keeping some of its mates on the road with donor parts.
Read here for some interesting facts on where it all began
https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... ?f=52&t=52
CATS
Welcome here. You have bought the original LEGEND Pajero!
What engine does yours have in? 4EPajero at one stage built up a beautifull gen1 and will probably be a good source of info. Sadly that Pajero is now keeping some of its mates on the road with donor parts.
Read here for some interesting facts on where it all began
https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... ?f=52&t=52
CATS
2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
Affiliate Member
That Gen1 chassis is standing at my place.
I think dad wants R10k for it which includes freshly covered seats. Although these are out of a LWB.
I think dad wants R10k for it which includes freshly covered seats. Although these are out of a LWB.
Good luck with your Gen1. My wife and I have owned a 1989 LWB Gen1 since 1999 when we bought it for R42,000 (suspected by SAPS to be a grey import but subsequently the claim was dropped as unprovable). We have been all over Southern Africa with it, including a 22,OOOkm five month safari to Kenya and back.
I find it cheap to run because I do all the maintenance myself and a pay a low insurance premium. Spares are usually easy to find (pre-1996 Colts almost mechanically identical), apart from body parts. Our Paj is the low cost model - no electric windows etc - it didn't even have free wheeling hubs until I fitted them and since I replaced the electronic glow plug timer with a dashboard switch, it has no electronic parts.
There are not many Gen1's in South Africa but there are lots still running in Kenya and the Mitsubishi agent there carries a wide range of spares for early Pajeros.
Keep in contact - I have fifteen years experience of running a Gen 1 2.5 i/c turbo diesel wagon.
I find it cheap to run because I do all the maintenance myself and a pay a low insurance premium. Spares are usually easy to find (pre-1996 Colts almost mechanically identical), apart from body parts. Our Paj is the low cost model - no electric windows etc - it didn't even have free wheeling hubs until I fitted them and since I replaced the electronic glow plug timer with a dashboard switch, it has no electronic parts.
There are not many Gen1's in South Africa but there are lots still running in Kenya and the Mitsubishi agent there carries a wide range of spares for early Pajeros.
Keep in contact - I have fifteen years experience of running a Gen 1 2.5 i/c turbo diesel wagon.
Attachments:
1986 Mark 1 Pajero 2.5L turbo diesel station wagon
1993 220si Toyota Camry saloon auto
1993 220si Toyota Camry saloon auto
My Pajero is a 1983 model left hand drive with the 2.6l 4cyl pertol engine. Restoring may take some time as some part are missing or in dire need of repair/replacement. The one good thing on the car is the engine. The heart is still pumping strong. On a drive to the Vaal dam I have notice a grinding noise in gear 4 and 5. Other than that she runs and drives well. I love the honesty, no electronic gadgets between you and the dirt. I have yet to see another Gen 1 SWB. They seem to be a bit rare.
Will be posting my progress during the restoration.
Will be posting my progress during the restoration.
Attachments:
There are a few SWB Gen1 Pajeros around but your is the only LHD that I have seen. There is a LHD long wheel base model in Eshowe which has a 2.5 turbo diesel motor, dated around 1990. There is also a RHD 1986 petrol engine LWB Gen1 in Richards Bay but I haven't seen it recently. I suggest that you contact Gerhard Fourie in East London. He is presently stripping a later model and may be able to help.
You mention that your is a basic model. Does it have free wheel front hubs? One must take care with the Gen1 because there is no interposing differential between the front and the rear wheel drive, so four wheel drive should never be engaged unless you really need it i.e. in very loose sand or mud. If you ignore this recommendation, the front and the rear drives can get 'wound up' when driven on hard surfaces and serious gearbox damage can result - often stretching and/or breaking the transfer chain.
The UK Pajero Owners Club has more early model activity as Pajeros have been in use there for a lot longer than in South Africa.
Email me at martruss@mailweb.co.za for other info.
You mention that your is a basic model. Does it have free wheel front hubs? One must take care with the Gen1 because there is no interposing differential between the front and the rear wheel drive, so four wheel drive should never be engaged unless you really need it i.e. in very loose sand or mud. If you ignore this recommendation, the front and the rear drives can get 'wound up' when driven on hard surfaces and serious gearbox damage can result - often stretching and/or breaking the transfer chain.
The UK Pajero Owners Club has more early model activity as Pajeros have been in use there for a lot longer than in South Africa.
Email me at martruss@mailweb.co.za for other info.
1986 Mark 1 Pajero 2.5L turbo diesel station wagon
1993 220si Toyota Camry saloon auto
1993 220si Toyota Camry saloon auto
Hi Marty
Still have to get out of the car an engage the 4X4 on the wheels. I've done this once and never needed it so far. It has enough power and grip to handle the basic in RWD. The SWB helps getting thru tight spots and those camel humps(so I hear). Do you have contact details for Gerhard as I need some aesthetic parts?
Regards
Arno
Still have to get out of the car an engage the 4X4 on the wheels. I've done this once and never needed it so far. It has enough power and grip to handle the basic in RWD. The SWB helps getting thru tight spots and those camel humps(so I hear). Do you have contact details for Gerhard as I need some aesthetic parts?
Regards
Arno