Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey Guys,

I've been doing a lot of reading through your very helpful tech section, as I'm looking to upgrade from my zook to something a little more comfortable on long trips.

I've pretty much decided I want a Gen 2, but was wondering which variant would have the best offroad capability, and aftermarket parts/mods available.

ATM I'm looking at a 3.5L Manual NJ LWB. Are there any issue with this combo.?

Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Paul

You can develop that into quite a formidable off-road beast.

The 3.5 already has the factory body lift, so 33s will fit without much trouble. The DOHC has plenty of power for running larger tyres on the highway, but torque off the line/for low speed crawling might suffer a little.

Crawler gears will soon be available, and a front ARB diff lock makes a fabulous difference off road. ARB don't make a rear diff lock for it - factory diff lock is currently the only option, and they're a little hard to come by. If the rear LSD is in good condition, and you install the front diff lock, you may find you don't need the rear. The drive train behind the 3.5 is pretty solid too - you're not likely to break anything.

If the price is good for the age/condition, just do it.

Scott

I know that you specified manual, but if you ever were to consider an auto, then I would try to pick up an NJ Exceed .they are still available now for a much better price than the 70k retail price when new.

They have ALL the goodies, including dual air & rear diff lock. I sourced my locker from an NJ Exceed & it has been used in 2 Pajs now & with the ARB front locker & auto trans I reckons its almost unstoppable. Cant wait to get the low range gears from Hardmann Bros.

cheers

Yep I would try and find an auto.
They crawl offroad so much better standard than a 5sp the only issue will be downhill gearing offroad. The 5sp has the overall better low range reduction but the auto is unstallable offroad.
As Scott said front ARB locker is available only a factory locker for the rear (if you can find one).
Factory 35mm body lift so 33"s are a no brainer, drivetrain is almost Nissan Patrol strength. The front IFS has proven itself running up to 33" tyres.
3.15 low range gears will be available soon.
A great truck to mod up.

Footnote - Ian the 3.5 V6 input gear diameter/spline count is identical to the 2.85's (Mark has now confirmed this).
This is good as the NL auto gears are the same as the earlier auto versions (V4AW2 & 3 as used for Gen 2 3.0 V6 & NJ-NK 3.5 V6 = V5A51 used for the NL).
Now there is a huge chance that the V5A51 (Invecs 2) 5sp auto used for the NM/NP is also the same
Mark is talking December.

Bitsamissin wrote:Footnote - Ian the 3.5 V6 input gear diameter/spline count is identical to the 2.85's (Mark has now confirmed this).
This is good as the NL auto gears are the same as the earlier auto versions (V4AW2 & 3 as used for Gen 2 3.0 V6 & NJ-NK 3.5 V6 = V5A51 used for the NL).
Now there is a huge chance that the V5A51 (Invecs 2) 5sp auto used for the NM/NP is also the same
Mark is talking December.

Sorry Frank. For the perceptually challenged does this mean the 2.85 gear sets fit the 3.5 auto transfer case, or will some of the 2.85 gears be re-used in the 3.15 gear set?

Scott

Thanks for the info guys.......

Not too keen on the auto, as the downhill control is a bit of a problem. Although I agree for most other offroad situations the auto would be better than the manual.

I'm also taking fuel consumption into consideration, as this will be used to touring as well, and in general manuals use less fuel than autos.

I'va also heard a lot of reports of autos overheating during the summer up here in QLD. I do plan on doing a bit of beach work, and that works the auto quite hard.

Also, with the 3.5L what sort of km's do problems start to occur.? I know this depends on how the engine was treated/serviced, and I'll obviously be trying to get a service histroy, and the lowest possible km's for the money I can afford.

Anything else that ppl think is useful.?

Scott the V4AW2 4sp auto was used in the Gen 2 3.0 V6 (NH/NJ). The 2.85's fit this t/case.
The V4AW3 4sp auto was used in the 3.5 V6 (NJ/NK) it is essentially the same auto except that it is electronically controlled. The t/case for this gearbox is the larger one which the 3.15's will fit. We know the output shaft of both these auto's is the same diameter/spline count.
For the NL Mitsu used a totally new 4sp auto V5A51 but we weren't sure if the output shaft is the same. If it was different then there would have to be 2 variations of 3.15's one for the early 3.5 auto's and one for the later ones. We had to know if one set of 3.15's would fit all Gen 2 3.5 V6's thats why I deliberately sourced a NL auto t/case because I knew it was mated to a totally different auto compared to the earlier NJ/NK versions. Now this is established there is a big chance the 3.15's will fit the NM/NP which use this same auto but updated it to a 5sp (Invecs 2).
It is just a process of elimination because Mitsu loved to change things.
I hope this explains things

thanks Frank,

thats good news & confirms what you said

cheers

Caveman wrote:Thanks for the info guys.......

Not too keen on the auto, as the downhill control is a bit of a problem.

Actually, not as much of an issue as you may think. Mine crawls downhill quite well and would be awesome with some of Frank's gears.

how dose the older 2.5 intercooled turbo diesel go as far as spinning biger tyres go and dose any one make lockers or lift kit fro them, i'm talking a 89 ng shorty if that helps

Well guys, after much searching looks like I might have found a candidate at last.
It's a 94 NJ Exceed, 3.5L auto with a factory rear diff locker.

Just have to convince the wife it's a cool car now.

If it passes a pre sale inspection, then I'll probably get it.

hey man, I thought you didnt like autos!!!

Guys we have a convert here.................

I thought the 3.5L was only available in '95 onwards?

South, the 3.5 was an option for NJ's and I think it was standard fitment for NJ Exceeds only.

Yeah, Ian......I thought I'd take your advice and give the auto a go...not sure if I'm a convert yet.

I've just gotten back form another test drive...the good news is my wife likes the car. .....the bad news is I have some doubts as to the condition of the car.

It felt very wallowly when cornering, or going over big lumps in the road, and the auto felt a bit clunky on changes, esp 1st to 2nd.
Is this just what the Pajeros are like, or does this one sound like it's been flogged a bit.
It only has 150,000kms, but no service history for the last 40,000kms.....well nothing in the book.

Any opinions guys..???

Cheers
Paul

The wallowing would probably be that the standard adjustable shocks are stuffed or are on the softer setting. There should be a switch in the middle console to change the setting.

Dont try to replace the Mistsu adjustable shocks, I believe they cost a fortune. Just get some good quality shocks if you do buy the vehicle.

The auto could be a bit of a worry, usually the change is almost unnoticeable, these autos are very good.

There is a power, normal & hold setting that controls the auto shifts, its in the middle console, try changing that.

If in doubt , try to test drive another auto of similar vintage.

I had my old NK for over 300,000ks & the auto reamined to same from day one.

good luck

Thanks Ian,

Yeah, I found the adjustable shock control, and had a play around with that...it didn't seem to make any difference which setting I had it on...but I did leave it on the hard setting for most of the drive.
I think it may not have the adjustables installed anymore. I also noticed that it had non standard springs...as the rear coils were yellow, and the front torsion bars were white. I would have thought the factory ones would have been black. The shocks were also white.

I'm a bit concerned about the auto though, as that first change was a bit harsh. The other changes were smooth though.

I'm going to try and drive a couple of others this weekend, so I have something to compare it to.

Caveman wrote:South, the 3.5 was an option for NJ's and I think it was standard fitment for NJ Exceeds only.

Yeh, We have an NJ GLS with the options list ticked I just remember seeing that it was a '95 onwards option, never mind...

As for the auto, it probably hasnt been flushed for a while... Check the fluid if it smells really bad and isnt colourful then it needs a service, by that i mean a full flush including torque convertor.

Sorry this is almost off topic, but an auto equiped 4x4 can go downhill as well as, if not better than a manual.

I think the technique is called "drive over braking", at the top of the hill apply enough pressure on the brakes to hold you in place with your left foot, and lock your foot in that position.

Next apply throttle to move down the hill, do not move your left foot off the brake peddle. You can go down hill as slow as you like.

This technique also works for climbing slippery slopes without lsd's or lockers, you need to apply a bit more brakes, which gives all four wheels a resistance to work against (stops two wheel spinning and going nowhere)

The above is just there to say - dont be afraid of buying an auto based on percieved downhill performance.[/u]

Well I went out a drove a couple of other Pajero's on the weekend.
So I've now driven:
94 NJ Exceed 3.5 Auto
95 NJ GLS 3.5 Manual
93 NJ GLS 3.0 Manual
93 NJ GLS 3.0 Auto

I have to say that the manuals feel much better (to me) accelerating, and control wise.
The last 3 all handled much better than the Exceed, and the 3.0L auto felt very smooth compared to the Exceed as well. I think the Exceed is a bit passed it, even though it's only done 164K.

I'm pretty much set on the 3.5 manual now, but what I really want to know is are these trucks good offroad.???
It's hard to gauge by just taking it for a drive on the road...obviously. Would a Paj be able to match the offroad performance of my old 92 Suzuki Sierra.??

I want to use the Paj for touring, which the zook is crap for, but I still want to be able to go out with my mates and do a bit of tuff stuff. I know it's hard to find a vehicle that's a good tourer, and still good offroad, but with my research the Paj seems to be the best compromise....

[subliminal message]Zook[/subliminal message]

i think you will be pleasantly suprised by the off road ability of the paj. i run a diesel nl and dont seam to have problems off road wheeling with lifted patrols. of course the nissans have more flex and clearance but the paj keeps up on its std suspension. suppose it depends on how extreem you want to wheel.
personally i think they are a good compromise, handle good on road and can hold there own off road. most people will knock them though !!
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