Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Guys,

A quick question for a friend, he wanted opinions on the NP model pajero, would be purchaseing a new, 3.2 DiD 5 spd auto. Prado being the other choice (new 1KD-FTV 3.0l direct injection model)

Just after some general feedback, he is not into hardcore 4wding but does tow a decent weight. (approx 2200kgs) but not that often.
I have driven one and they could use some slightly larger tyres but handled very well on road, fuel tank is very small, departure angle is pretty bad.
Warrenty is good, hopefully so would the fleet discount.

dtronic is available although not that much of a boost, anybody used one of these or and comments on using them ?

Evan

Everyone I know who owns one of these (NP 3.2DiD 5sp auto) absolutely luv em. Mainly the performance from the diesel combined with the 5sp auto and the excellent economy. On road handling is also rated very highly. One issue though for offroad work is the position of the intercooler it is vulnerable but there are factory and aftermarket steel/alloy bashplates available.
They go ok offroad with some decent tyres and the traction control seems to work well. There are quite a few suspension kits for them now.
I reckon that model (I'd go for a GLX without all the plastic crap) with a 3" Tough Dog lift, ARB winch bar, 32-33" muds, auxilliary tank, custom steel rear bumper (these are being done now), snorkel, spotties etc would be a great tourer and good for medium offroad stuff. There are ARB front lockers available now as well.
Get on the Victorian Pajero Club chat forum a lot of NM/NP owners there.

Yep - what he said!

One point that doesn't get discussed much is the second tank on the Prado - all that extra fuel is great, but the tank hangs lower than the rear axle tube, and almost as low as the rear diff, with nothing more than a full fuel load on board. Once you load up with a couple weeks worth of gear the tank will probably be the lowest point on the vehicle, and the first place to ground on ramp-over. New suspension is the obvious cure.

Lots of NM owners (Gen 3/first of the current body style) have gone back to upgrade to the latest model - that's gotta say something. At the moment the Pajero Club Forum has more discussion on current generation than earlier models - have a browse and come to your own conclusion.

Enjoy!

Scott

Evan wrote:Guys,

Just after some general feedback, he is not into hardcore 4wding but does tow a decent weight. (approx 2200kgs) but not that often.
I have driven one and they could use some slightly larger tyres but handled very well on road, fuel tank is very small, departure angle is pretty bad.

Di-D towing is good from all accounts, the torque is fantastic. If towing, and not into serious off-road work, the tyres are adequate. I'd suggest upgrading the suspension (Bilsteins shocks and King or Lovells springs seems to be the go; not sure who in Melb does it, but in Sydney you have North Shore 4WD for Bilsteins/King and Artarmon Automotive Bilstein/Lovell); although not bad out of the box, the upgrade makes it great on and off-road from personal experience with the Billies/Lovells. The intercooler position is a problem, and is a trade-off between better cooling, and protection. I'm still working on a bash plate for mine; the old one is cactus, and I managed to bend the 6mm prototype steel in the rear section (I didn't think it was that hard a hit either...). The 5 speed auto is one of the best around in Jap 4WD, and works very well with the diesel. The ARB Delux bar looks very good (IMHO), but does add weight to the front (and may take gettting used to, especially taking corners fast); the biggest problem I'm having is the rear bumper; that tears too easily, and I'm still waiting on a long term solution (either original plastic, but with protection, or custom alloy or steel).