Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Just to follow on from something Gerrit said.

Before the days of IFS 4x4's you will almost never have seen an axle difflock, and certainly not an OE one.

The difflock appeared to overcome the problems with IFS articulation.

Just have a careful look on a trail one day where there are severe axle twisters, especially if there is a Wrangler around. These don't have a D/L as standard but the articulation is amazing, especially if they disconnect the anti-roll bars. I agree with Gerrit, 4 feet on the ground is always going to be 1st prize.

Not wanting to change the subject of the thread, but .....

SimonB wrote: I agree with Gerrit, 4 feet on the ground is always going to be 1st prize.

I agree (and disagree).
To me traction is 1st prize.

"Feet on the ground" (articulation) has one major advantage, which is traction.

Traction can be ensured by any combination of the following:

• "feet on the ground", which is achieved by articulation
• Traction control (not loosing traction when a wheel looses contact with the ground).
  This can be achieved by
  • diff locks (disabling the differential function of the diff)
  • Electronic traction Control (re-distribution power to wheels which have contact with the ground)

The disadvantage of traction control (DL or ETC) is that it puts a lot of strain on drive train components. With both axles locked, it is possible to transfer all the power (torque) to one wheel, with catastrophic results to components.

As always you're right Gerhard

I would then change my original statement to read something like "axle difflocks were introduced to overcome loss of traction as a result of reduced articulation"

SimonB wrote:As always you're right Gerhard

Not true!
I have many mistakes!

Fact is that there still is some unwarranted belief that articulation and/or DL is the be all and end all of traction.
It is not.
It was the machanical way of getting traction, before electronic TC.
It (articulation & DL) is still good, but not the only way of achieving traction.

PS Where it is much better than ETC, are the photos showing 1m long coil springs keeping all 4 wheel on the ground!

Check out the video clip about traction and articulation of the different models:

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&source ... P-8bpgBWqg

Anton

I was out of town for a few days, but here is my opinion again:

To defend my “solid axle” argument:
Any one of the three vehicles in question can cruise at a legal120km/h all day long, diesel or petrol. The massive un-sprung weight, and bump-steer of the Panhard rod, is a big draw back (safety issue) on a solid axle vehicle. Not to mention ride comfort and quality.

The “middelmannetjie” issue:
The diff on a solid axle is MUCH closer to the ground than that of an independent system. I understand the reasoning of the independent diff being under threat to drop down under heavy load over bumpy surfaces. But if the car carries a legal weight load, then the diff will NEVER come as close to the ground as that on a solid axle.

If you plan to ignore the legal limits (like most SA citizens are likely to do), then air-helpers can eliminate the independent shortcoming over bumpy roads, but nothing can help the solid axle shortcomings at illegally high speeds.

Difflock:
The Gen4 GLS can definitely have both the difflock and the T/C. There is a member on the forum with such a Pajero. Also if you search the specs on the web, you will find reference to the fact that the Gen4 T/C is designed to operate with a difflock.

I may be mistaken but at the cost of floor space you can raise the rear diff, on an independent rear suspension, and with the correct springs/coils/shocks, you can trump a solid axle on articulation and clearance?

4ePikanini wrote:I may be mistaken but at the cost of floor space you can raise the rear diff, on an independent rear suspension, and with the correct springs/coils/shocks, you can trump a solid axle on articulation and clearance?

... but at the cost of increasing drive shaft (and thus CV) angles.

I knew I made a good buy,but after reading all this, I made a GREAT buy

I don't see a difflock button on my Paj,does it mean that it doesn't have it?

Cas wrote:I knew I made a good buy,but after reading all this, I made a GREAT buy

I don't see a difflock button on my Paj,does it mean that it doesn't have it?

I think it will have electronic traction control applying brakes to individual wheels. It is not as effective in the tough stuff as a diff-lock but if you regularly need diff-lock to get out of tough situations then you chose the wrong vehicle.

The Gen4 is fantastic and true Mitsu style the best compromise between on-road performance and off-road ability. You will grow to love it!