Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Gday Gday Gday

Well this is the first time on this site and I'm after some information.
The wife and I are considering travelling way up north to Cape York and we are going to buy a Pajero mainly for its size as the wife doesn't like the huge 4x4s.
I was wondering what would be a good model/ year to buy and also without going to extreams would it be a good idea to lift it? Which would be better petrol or diesel. Any hints would be greatly appreciated for a first time 4x4 owner.

cheers and beers.

as frank (bitsa) has said before get an escape - last of the old shape and with all the bits.
also search and try this question on www.exploroz.com as they are more into the touring thing over there..

Personally I would be looking at an NJ onwards (94+) lwb 2.8 TDI.
Mainly for reliability and the economy.
They put out good horsepower and torque (92Kw and 292Nm).
These motors have a very good reputation for longevity and reliability with 500K's very achievable with regular servicing. The turbo will probably have to be reconditioned a few times in it's service life.
The running gear is all from the 3.5 V6 with a virtually indestructable rear end and beefier 5sp gearbox & t/case compared to the 3.0 V6.
For a trip to the cape I would just fit a 2" suspension lift with polyairs in the rear to help carry the weight. The 2.8 TDI has a factory 30mm body lift over the earlier 3.0 V6 so a body lift is only required if you want to run tyres over 33".
Standard fuel tank capacity is 92ltr so range is good with the diesel but a long range tank is also an option.
If it was me :-
- 94 NJ 2.8 TDI 5sp lwb
- A/C (of course) & tinted windows
- 2" suspension lift with polyairs for rear coils
- quality shocks such as Koni
- 31" tyres such as a BFG or Cooper all terrain
- cargo barrier / secure luggage storage system
- possible long range tank = 147ltr
- dual batteries for running fridge and peace of mind
- bullbar with good quality spotties
- radio requirements ??
- snorkel
- full recovery kit with spares
- first aid kit
- GPS & mapping data
I would also highly recommend a 4x4 drivers course after your purchase and perhaps a first aid course. St John's Ambulance run a very good level 2 first aid course.
Joining a local 4x4 club will also provide you with plenty of imformation and tips as well as gaining invaluable offroad experience on club run trips.
Good luck

Frank's good at this stuff!

If I was starting again, I'd pretty much do what he's listed. For myself, I'd make two changes to Frank's list:

- Cooper S/Ts (a set of 6 31's in the shed - very happy with them.)
- Delete the GPS - I'm too much of a skin-flint, and a glutton for punishment too... But it would be handy...

Enjoy the trip!

Scott

Also depends on your budget and comfort zone.

Once again I agree with Frank,

I have the 96 NJ 2.8td
LR tank gives me over 1000k range and being diesel it doesn't vary a huge amount with normal offroad work there is also the option of a 2nd 50L tank which can be made out of stainless for water.

with nearly 300k KM on the clock it drives fantastic (barring the need for an injector service)

In its life The Gbox was apart once as 4wd would not disengage and the motor has never been touched. it runs a multi row timing chain instead of belt and has mechanical injection, so IMO much better than other diesels on the market for reliability.

Doesn't even burn any oil yet, altho there is a bit of oil visible in the intercooler so a turbo o'haul will be somewhere down the track.

even with all our gear in it it happily sits on highway speeds (slows a bit on hills tho) and the worst mileage I have got out of it on a trip is 11l/100km (other people claim 8.5 > 9l/100km with highway tyres)

Super happy with it.

A full size Aux battery tray is available, but unfortunately it means I have to virtually remove the intercooler to access the fuel filter. (simple job though, just a bit annoying)
If you get a diesel, get a snorkel. or at least move the stock air intake from behind the front grille to somewhere less likely to suck water.

have had a cpl of other friends buying mid sized 4bys lately, and they are all super impressed with the strength and engineering of the Paj.
Mightn't be quite the offroad weapon of a Patrol or solid front cruiser etc, but still very capable.

OK, that's enough crapping on from me now!

Oh yeah, highly recommend the 4x4 club bit, well worth it, and plenty of fun and good ideas to be had.

Rob

I did a trip to the cape this year and saw all types of 4x4 petrol and deisel so the choice is yours. It was a great trip and a few things made the trip more plesant. 1/ Cold drinks from the fridge (get the duel batteries) 2/ Traveling the Old Telegraph Track with all those creek crossings so go the snorkel. As far as tyres are concerned we ran MTR's and they never missed a beat.

Don't wait, go as soon as you can. I waited 7 years and regret it now. The next trip is already on the calander.

the cape hardly requries much to get there and back basicllay anything could get there... one of the magazines did in rav4's when they were first released... i did it running retreaded tyres (both examples ran the telegraph track)... a snorkel is a good investment though

the time of year will determine how hard core the cape track is

my old man has got 320k on his 2.8 with no work other than oil changes and its going very well still.