Have just done 210000 km on my 3.2 DiD, LWB and on the long drive from JHB to the Cape, had lots of time to think about life.
How does the "old" version with Diff lock compare with the "traction control" version.
Absolutely nothing wrong with my car, but still thinking sometimes to get a newer model.
Has anybody got some advise / thoughts.
Harald
I had the privilige to own both at one stage. A 2001 model without TC but with rear Difflock, and a 2008 GLS model with TC and no rear Difflock.
They are totally different to drive and one needs to adjust your driving style to each one.
With the TC you need to keep your foot on the load pedal even when it sounds as if something is slipping, the computer WILL take over and get you going again. The system works very well and keeps you going in extreme stuff. Even being extremely quick the TC still needs to spin/slip before it reacts. This leads to tyres spinning and dust kicked up as one traverse an obstacle. With the rear D/L the system keeps both wheels turning at the same speed, no matter what, so spinning is minimalised and one can use low throttle control to traverse obstacles. The TC however works on ALL four wheels so it will have an advantage over the DL in certain circumstances. I however still prefer the rear Difflock for off road stuff so in my case I would need to look at a GLX model Gen4 Pajero as they still have the rear Difflock, but they miss out on some nice luxury items which I realy like in the GLS models in South Africa.
CATS
ps- I sold the 2008 TC model and kept my 2001 D/L model for various reasons. Make of that what you may.
They are totally different to drive and one needs to adjust your driving style to each one.
With the TC you need to keep your foot on the load pedal even when it sounds as if something is slipping, the computer WILL take over and get you going again. The system works very well and keeps you going in extreme stuff. Even being extremely quick the TC still needs to spin/slip before it reacts. This leads to tyres spinning and dust kicked up as one traverse an obstacle. With the rear D/L the system keeps both wheels turning at the same speed, no matter what, so spinning is minimalised and one can use low throttle control to traverse obstacles. The TC however works on ALL four wheels so it will have an advantage over the DL in certain circumstances. I however still prefer the rear Difflock for off road stuff so in my case I would need to look at a GLX model Gen4 Pajero as they still have the rear Difflock, but they miss out on some nice luxury items which I realy like in the GLS models in South Africa.
CATS
ps- I sold the 2008 TC model and kept my 2001 D/L model for various reasons. Make of that what you may.
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)
Harald,
I wrote a long-winded story in the "drivetrain" section yesterday - have a look at it for some background.
Bottomline is: The T/C works. It is like an automatic washing machine, when you are used to a twin tub. Don't judge the detailed actions. Just trust the system and go.
A newer Pajero with-out the luxuries (GLX) doesn't seem fair. Pajero is a very seductive car and the luxuries bring that out better.
The stability control (which goes with the traction control) is a HUGE safety system. It saved me from a big accident without a shadow of doubt. I was on a very familiar dirt road and going quickly around a koppie on a left-hander. Next thing a big truck and trailer was coming in the oposite direction, but in the middel of the road (that is the real estate I was going to need at my speed). If I told this story in the pub tonight, I'll most probably have a gear change and a handbrake turn and stuff like that in. Truth is I tightened the line by pulling on the stearing and bracing for a serious impact into the trailer section. These things happen very fast. The electronics did the job. I could actually hear one of the wheels lock and next thing I was safely out the other side.
The electronic system is an upgrade and a part of the new SUV breed - go with the flow.
Roelf
I wrote a long-winded story in the "drivetrain" section yesterday - have a look at it for some background.
Bottomline is: The T/C works. It is like an automatic washing machine, when you are used to a twin tub. Don't judge the detailed actions. Just trust the system and go.
A newer Pajero with-out the luxuries (GLX) doesn't seem fair. Pajero is a very seductive car and the luxuries bring that out better.
The stability control (which goes with the traction control) is a HUGE safety system. It saved me from a big accident without a shadow of doubt. I was on a very familiar dirt road and going quickly around a koppie on a left-hander. Next thing a big truck and trailer was coming in the oposite direction, but in the middel of the road (that is the real estate I was going to need at my speed). If I told this story in the pub tonight, I'll most probably have a gear change and a handbrake turn and stuff like that in. Truth is I tightened the line by pulling on the stearing and bracing for a serious impact into the trailer section. These things happen very fast. The electronics did the job. I could actually hear one of the wheels lock and next thing I was safely out the other side.
The electronic system is an upgrade and a part of the new SUV breed - go with the flow.
Roelf
I got the Gen 4 with TC and difflock 
All I can really say is that I personally dont like the TC and with the moffieknopie engaged (as its also called) I feel that one has far better controll of the situation that sitting with the engine running at around 2000RPM and waiting for an ECU to decide when and how much power to put to which wheel.
Yes, as mentioned in other posts, the TC system on the Paj is very quick to react, BUT, as soon as the RPM change, the ECU has to reconsider its predicament.... and thats where one looses traction.
When I traversed the Namib in Aug last year, I tried the dunes with and without TC and or Difflock. (Difflock overides TC
) Both worked well and I couldn't fault either. Pulling away in deep sand though, I kinda was worried that the TC would need to think a bit, but she worked well.
On rocky sections / climbs (at Hennops for eg) I tried TC. No way..... remember that the Gen 4 needs around constant 2000 RPM and even in LR, thats too fast for me. Here the moffieknopie does wonders as one can be assured of 100% wheels turning at say 1200 RPM crawling nicely up that obstacle.
All I can really say is that I personally dont like the TC and with the moffieknopie engaged (as its also called) I feel that one has far better controll of the situation that sitting with the engine running at around 2000RPM and waiting for an ECU to decide when and how much power to put to which wheel.
Yes, as mentioned in other posts, the TC system on the Paj is very quick to react, BUT, as soon as the RPM change, the ECU has to reconsider its predicament.... and thats where one looses traction.
When I traversed the Namib in Aug last year, I tried the dunes with and without TC and or Difflock. (Difflock overides TC
) Both worked well and I couldn't fault either. Pulling away in deep sand though, I kinda was worried that the TC would need to think a bit, but she worked well. On rocky sections / climbs (at Hennops for eg) I tried TC. No way..... remember that the Gen 4 needs around constant 2000 RPM and even in LR, thats too fast for me. Here the moffieknopie does wonders as one can be assured of 100% wheels turning at say 1200 RPM crawling nicely up that obstacle.
KaiV,
No arguing, if you have both D/L and T/C, then surely you have the best of both worlds.
Do you have the diesel or petrol? I found that my previous Pajero (DiD LWB GLS) and the current one (3.8V6 SWB) react very different to the electronic inputs. I think that the electronics were designed for the petrol engine. The most obvious is the way the DiD almost comes to a halt, when you want to take off quickly and there is gravel on the road. The 3.8 almost accelerates faster. The little "wheel lights" just flicker and the power keeps coming in a smooth and controlled way.
I paid a visit to a dealership in Feb with the specific intention of finding out about both T/C and D/L in the GLS. The salesman said "yip, both are there", but I could not find the D/L while in the car. He then phoned the tech guys who said T/C on the GLS and D/L on the GLX. How did you get both (optional extra)? Or was the salesman right?
Roelf
No arguing, if you have both D/L and T/C, then surely you have the best of both worlds.
Do you have the diesel or petrol? I found that my previous Pajero (DiD LWB GLS) and the current one (3.8V6 SWB) react very different to the electronic inputs. I think that the electronics were designed for the petrol engine. The most obvious is the way the DiD almost comes to a halt, when you want to take off quickly and there is gravel on the road. The 3.8 almost accelerates faster. The little "wheel lights" just flicker and the power keeps coming in a smooth and controlled way.
I paid a visit to a dealership in Feb with the specific intention of finding out about both T/C and D/L in the GLS. The salesman said "yip, both are there", but I could not find the D/L while in the car. He then phoned the tech guys who said T/C on the GLS and D/L on the GLX. How did you get both (optional extra)? Or was the salesman right?
Roelf
Hi Haroldharaldl wrote:Have just done 210000 km on my 3.2 DiD, LWB and on the long drive from JHB to the Cape, had lots of time to think about life.
How does the "old" version with Diff lock compare with the "traction control" version.
Absolutely nothing wrong with my car, but still thinking sometimes to get a newer model.
Has anybody got some advise / thoughts.
Harald
Last weekend, a mate and I went to Atlantis Dunes. We both drive the 3.2 DiD SWB, only he has the DL and I have the TC.
Not sure what made the difference, but there was one 'obstacle' he could not make while I could.
Reason could be the tyres I had on (Hankook MT- see thread elsewhere under Wheels & Tyres)
CC
2006 Gen 3 Pajero 3.2 DiD SWB (aka Sho't Left)
Drawer System DIY
Burnco Front and Rear Bars
Hannibal Roofrack
Drawer System DIY
Burnco Front and Rear Bars
Hannibal Roofrack
I've got the 3.8 with TC. Love it to bits.
i think the difference comes in with the TC on a diesel. 200 rpm in a diesel is much faster than 2000Rpm on a petrol. Thus at 2000 in my petrol, I'm still crawling along!!
If I ever wanted DL on my car it would have been at Standerton. I was able to get both my front wheels on to the top of a rock, but the rear wheels were still on the gravel, guess what, i Just stood there making nice black marks on the top of the rock. Think the DL would really have pulled me up.
i think the difference comes in with the TC on a diesel. 200 rpm in a diesel is much faster than 2000Rpm on a petrol. Thus at 2000 in my petrol, I'm still crawling along!!
If I ever wanted DL on my car it would have been at Standerton. I was able to get both my front wheels on to the top of a rock, but the rear wheels were still on the gravel, guess what, i Just stood there making nice black marks on the top of the rock. Think the DL would really have pulled me up.
It was (or may still be) strange.
My Paj came with DL. The one right behind it (allocated to another chap) had no DL...
At the time there even some coming without roof rails.
My Paj came with DL. The one right behind it (allocated to another chap) had no DL...
At the time there even some coming without roof rails.
KaiV,
Interesting, all being sold at the same price no doubt.
Thanks...
Interesting, all being sold at the same price no doubt.
Thanks...