Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I find the Gen 3 Paj is a bit fast going down in 1st gear on compression. I find that am forced to use my brakes more than I would on a manual vehicle. I read somewhere that there is an Aussie solution of changing gear ratio but I cannot find the article.
Can any one give me any advice on this and the cost etc or should I console myself with using the brakes which I find a bit disconcerting on gravely inclines. How do Pajero's tackle van Zyl's pass without excessive braking? The reason is I am in the process of planning a trip to North Namibia.

greypaj wrote:I find the Gen 3 Paj is a bit fast going down in 1st gear on compression. I find that am forced to use my brakes more than I would on a manual vehicle.

Greypaj,

Just to clarify: is that Low Range, First gear? I assume you have the Tiptronic box?

It was discussed here: https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... 56&start=0 (regarding Gen 2, though)

Anton

If it is the Tiptronic DiD, then using the brake pedal is required on steep down hills.
Keep in mind that some of the more clever SUVs have down-hill-assist, which is nothing other than brake application.

Thanks Roelf for you input and the previous forum debate. I have the G3 autobox and I do change down to 1st Gear.
I think where the problem lies, is if one changes down to 1st gear at the point where the incline is serious, one gets the sensation of the vehicle running away from you, whereas if you change down to 1st gear before the steeper part you get aclimatised to the speed and have confidence to let it run with minimum braking. I have been experimenting on one steep area and am now feeling alot better about it. It all about getting to know your vehicle I suppose.

I do believe though that this is a weakness in transmission design. A lower gearing would have probably corrected this.

MikevR

How do Pajero's tackle van Zyl's pass without excessive braking?

Going down the obstacles of van Zyl's (some eight or ten of the worse ones) certainly requires excessive braking. I went down van Zyl's with a camper on tow. Sometimes you have to go as slow as you possibly can go by just releasing the brakes a little now and again. Even then you can find occasionally that you will slide with brakes at full lock. You move literally millimetres at a time due to the poor condition/non existence of road. Also building road with rocks to clear approaches etc. sometimes as regular as every 2 to 3 meters. The nice thing is it is mainly downhill which makes it easier. And when you don't have the obstacles it is plain sailing. No need to worry about the first gear speed then. It is either extremely slow going or else at a nice pace.

Re: Your planned visit to Namibia and Van Zyls Pass.

We, wife and I and another couple toured Namibia last year and in the process crossed Van Zyls Pass. My fully laden 2004 Pajero 3.8 GLS with only air springs at the back no other suspension modifications went down without any problems. The only advice I can give is that you must plan and walk your route down before driving it. Infact, it was so easy that I was a wee bit disapointed - but then, if you drive a Pajero, most difficult terrains are fairly easy.

Enjoy Namibia,

Cloyd de Klerk.

Sorry, I forgot to add the down-hill process: Going down Van Zyls, you will obviously be in low-range. Select first gear on the tiptronic side and keep it there. The auto-box will then stay in first without free-wheeling - the engine will be coupled. That should keep the speed down and prevent excessive braking.

Cloyd de Klerk.