Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi Guys.
I'm new to the forum and as a new guy have a lot of questions.
I'm the proud owner of a 1985 Pajero Turbo Wagon SWB.I't is powered by a 2.5 turbo charged diesel engin.
Can anybody give me some info on this specific model ? Is it the only of it's model in the country ? Is there anybody that owns a SWB that was brought into the country before 1987? I know of longwheel base Pajero's of the same year but no swb's.
Thanks for your time.
ET.

I have seen a couple of Gen1 SWB versions in Cape Town, but not sure whether they were 2.5's or not. Gerhard? You got any more info?

There are quite a few in the country.
My dad had one, but we lost track of what happened to it after dad sold it.

They are awesome little 4x4s. If I ever want to build something to embarrass most trail 4wds, it will be a Gen1 with a Di-D and lockers front and rear. A 4" lift and 35" tyres will round it off.

4ePajero wrote:There are quite a few in the country.
My dad had one, but we lost track of what happened to it after dad sold it.

They are awesome little 4x4s. If I ever want to build something to embarrass most trail 4wds, it will be a Gen1 with a Di-D and lockers front and rear. A 4" lift and 35" tyres will round it off.

So all you are missing are the lockers and 35's And the travesty is you drive a volksporsche now

SimonB wrote:

4ePajero wrote:There are quite a few in the country.
My dad had one, but we lost track of what happened to it after dad sold it.

They are awesome little 4x4s. If I ever want to build something to embarrass most trail 4wds, it will be a Gen1 with a Di-D and lockers front and rear. A 4" lift and 35" tyres will round it off.

So all you are missing are the lockers and 35's And the travesty is you drive a volksporsche now

No, mine is a LWB, which will never compete with the SWB when it comes to trails.
See some of the pics from my collection.

(That VolksPorsche is an absolutely amazing SUV. I did a quick 700km trip in it today. Pouring rain, gravel roads etc. Sportscar & SUV all in one!
For the real rough stuff, I'd still take the Pajero, though!)

There are a number of pre 1992 (i.e. imports) in South Africa but most of them are the lwb types.

Your Paj probably has a 4D56 engine. Check the engine number detail on the road license disk – it will start with the engine type and then a number which is stamped on the engine.

If so then you are in luck because mechanical spares for the vehicle are very easily obtainable from the Mitsubishi agents and also from many of the generic spares shops such as Midas. Some body spares are available from the agents (the side mirrors for instance) but you will have to give them the vehcile vin number to trace the correct components. Toyota six stud wheel rims will fit.

The 4D56 engine was used in the pre 1996 Colts and is presently used in the latest Hyundai diesel bakkies.

I have owned a 1989 2.5l intercooled turbo diesel station wagon for ten years and have travelled all over Africa south of the equator and have been as far as Kenya and back. It is a very robust vehicle with no external plastic and no electronics. It is comfortable and easy to drive with a light clutch, light power steering and good visibility. My wife much prefers to drive it than our Ford Telstar.

One word of advice – use only manufacturers belts. I had endless trouble using Gatorback alternator belts – they shred after 2 to 3,000 kms. Manufacturers alternator belts will last 150,000 kms and more.

If your Paj does not have free wheel front hubs I suggest that you fit a pair of AWM hubs (irma-aw@mweb.co.za) because you will save the cost in wear and fuel consumption in a short time. Without free wheel hubs the front drive shafts and front diff and propshaft continue to rotate with the wheels when not in four wheel drive.

If you need any technical help with your Paj contact me at martruss@mailweb.co.za