Thread: New 4wd - not LR. What to get?

Originally Posted by Randylandy

As for jeep I own a wrangler for last 4 years and has been a bloody good car very reliable however too small and loves fuel way too much.

Like you, I've had my TJ Wrangler for nearly 5yrs and found it to be the most reliable vehicle i've ever owned (or seen for that matter!). There's nothing to go wrong with them because they're so simple. They're small, cannot carry much, and are thirsty, but am keeping mine...the fun-factor and reliability decided that for me tbh. When the time came for a much larger and capable 4x4 arose, that's when the 300tdi D1 came along to share the drveway.

Here is something you might want to check on about the Pajero. A friend's relative removed the battery cable to clean the terminals and couldn't get it to start after wards, had to get dealer's mechanic to reset the computer, not sure if it was petrol or diesel.

My BIL has an 05 TD Pajero. On its 3rd injector pump $$$. He followed me offroad once on pine forestry tracks and bumped the engine bashplate on something which pushed the bashplate into whatever is behind it. Maybe the oil cooler? Didn't damage it but would have rubbed a hole in it sooner or later. Would make a nice bitumen tourer maybe but not cut out for much else.

Originally Posted by TuffRR

Interestingly i was at the local library today going through recent Overlander magazines and found an article which demonstrated my point. They were comparing a 100 series cruiser to a newer NT pajero on the basis of old technology vs new. The outcome would not be any different if the 100 was a D1. Essentially, in offroad situations and despite the large wheel travel advantage the 100 series had, the new Pajero with traction control was more capable off road.

The traction control in the Pajero allowed it go go where the cross axled 100 could not (likewise for a D1 or stock Deefer non extreme or County). The D2 however is a long way ahead with both ETC and the clearance and long travel solid axles. I have been off road with the Pajero's and they are good for what they are, but not up to the LR standard off road as you would expect. I have driven several NT's and they are good, but just that bit lacking off road and you get the impression that they would break something well before the LR product.

I also remember an overlander or 4x4 Oz articles (i have it in the dunny...) where they tried to follow a D2 V8 up state forestry trails with a Pajero camera vehicle and couldnt - the Paj was bashing itself and bottoming out and the D2 just wasnt trying.

Having said that if you dont want heavy off roading and like the beach and towing the Paj would suit the bill nicely if LR was off the menu. I have not heard of injector pumps going, and suspect it is fuel contamination that afflicts all high tech TD's if they get the bad dose...irrespective of brand.

Cheers

I thought it was dirty fuel for the 2nd pump too but he was told by the shop it wasn't fuel related. He didn't own it for the first one.
It handled the climbs fine but the clearance is non existent.

Originally Posted by ozscott

Having said that if you dont want heavy off roading and like the beach and towing the Paj would suit the bill nicely if LR was off the menu.
Cheers

This is the crux of it. Of the vehicles available, i think the Pajero is the best compromise. Just to remind people (because some of the suggestions have been irrelevant) it must be new, under about $60k RRP and be a comfortable car for city commuting. Will be some outback touring and many high country trips thrown in.

I'll get it fitted with a factory rear difflock and transfer the winch over from the D1. Any harder trips and i'll dust the RR off and try to get the Simex's round again. They are going to have some nasty flat spots after 3 years!!!

Originally Posted by TuffRR

This is the crux of it. Of the vehicles available, i think the Pajero is the best compromise. Just to remind people (because some of the suggestions have been irrelevant) it must be new, under about $60k RRP and be a comfortable car for city commuting. Will be some outback touring and many high country trips thrown in.

I'll get it fitted with a factory rear difflock and transfer the winch over from the D1. Any harder trips and i'll dust the RR off and try to get the Simex's round again. They are going to have some nasty flat spots after 3 years!!!

Mate if you get a diff lock fitted as an aftermarket even at the stealer, you will still get traction control on the front axle when the locker is engaged, whereas with the factory fitted one you wont...

Cheers