Pajero N series

Hi,

I have an owned an NJ 2.8TD Pajero since new (10 years). It is regularly used for touring and some off road. Ground clearence is not an issue. It has been lifted 2" and runs 31x10.5R15 tyres without a problem. The only issue is the front wheel travel , it lifts front wheels easily. I also have a full length roof rack which is used all the time, once again without a problem. I haven't done Cape York or the Simpson Desert, so can't comment on that. If you want a vehicle for heavy off road, it is probably not the best choice, but as a tourer, I have found it excellent. For heavy off road, my previous 4WD (351 Bronco) was much better. I also tow a hard floor camper trailer (1.2T empty) with the NJ without a problem.

Hope this helps,
Greg

Novice

I myself have owned a 80 Series Landcruiser and now a GU Patrol. However my parents owned a N Series Diesel Pajero, now admittedly compared to the modern diesels it was low on power and slow (ie on the highway 110-120 was flat to the floor). But in its defence it provided ten years of trouble free motoring, including numerous trips in to the Flinders Ranges, the Oodnadatta, Strezlecki and Birdsville tracks it even crossed the Simpson Desert and made it up over Big Red, so in my mind there is no question about its off-road ability. In quick summary a very reliable vehicle, that will take you anywhere off-road the average 4WDer would want to go, but it is bit slow on the highway. As for people laughing there will always be a bit of an elitist component to any fraternity, who drive the latest Cruisers and Patrols, which might see a dirt road twice a year, but when it comes down to it you could certainly do a lot worse than a N series Pajero.

I met with some people on the CSR last month that were in a Pajero, they had no issues at all other than a slow leak with one of their tyres!

for what you want to do , there a great vehicle , you will get alot of Nissan Cruiser folk telling you other wise , but i think there terrific vehicle for touring , not my choise for hard off road work , but most new vehicles arn't any better .

Hi Novice.
NM Paj since new in 2000. Petrol and automatic so the laughs were louder when we purchased it.
Have lifted it about 55>60 mm with OME suspension. Auxillary tank fitted. And a few other additions.
Just returned from 11,800 kms (mostly) towing an Aussie Swag, Melb to Darwin via Tibboburra, Innaminka, Birdsville, Darwin then home via Savannah Way Lawn Hill and etc. The guy on Big Red in his Landcruiser was duly impressed.
All in comfort, all with no issues.
Have a look at Pajero club site for more info.
Helen is 5ft 2in and refused to even test drive a couple of the more common trucks but after an hour in the Paj the decision was made and we do not regret it at all, despite the expensive service and parts bills.
Have a look at our trip report to see where we went.
Rusty

Hello There
I just traded a 2.8 litre non turbo ,got 6k for it,would have been a great buy but thats always the way. We did 250,000 kms since new in Nov1996 and never had any problems.We just completed the Canning ,3 years ago crossed the Simpson and explored around the East & West Mc Donald Ranges,Cape Melville North of Cooktown was also a fantastic Trip, Numerous camping trips into and around Brisbane and Northern NSW. Fuel economy was still 30 miles to the Gallon on Highway running but yes they dont like being pushed Hard.We ran around doing 95 to 100 kMS per hr at most.For a good priced vehicle I can fault it. We now have a V6 petrol Pajero 2 year old,Yes it is much nicer to drive but ecomomy has dropped to 22 miles to Gallon. I had the Suspension upgraded about 30mm but as above the downward movement of the front is restricted even when I cut back the rubber stoppers to Help.Still the vehicle rarely got stopped in the dunes.

Will agree with most of the above.
In the 20 years I have owned pajeros, 85 model bought new, 96 2.8 diesel model bought new and still current, been to the tip, out west, flinders etc. Still useful around town as a large station wagon come van for moving stuff for work.
Basic mod is heavier springs in the rear, which also gives a 2" lift - $200.00 king springs.
But it is a 4wd, and doesn't handle as well as a car. And it is more expensive to maintain than a 2wd car.
Best economy, 9.6 l/100k commuting brisbane to gold coast, worst 18l/100k towing 2tonne trailer sailor.
Friend has a 3.5l 99 and happy with it.
If you have any more specific questions, post them and we will try and answer them.
Did tour with 2 boys for 15 years, but just the 2 of us now.
Got to rethink the packing to see if we still need the roof rack.

Go for one of the later models (NM, NP)with the DID engine. Far more power and torque than the 2.8.
Here's some interesting numbers:--

Pajero DID
Maximum power 121kW @ 3800rpm
Maximum torque 373Nm @ 2000rpm
Kerb mass (kg) 2180
Ground clearance (mm) 225

Prado
Maximum Power 96kW @ 3600rpm
Maximum Torque 343Nm @ 2000rpm
Kerb Weight (kg) 2170
Ground clearance (mm) 207

LC100 GXL
Maximum Power 96kW @ 3800rpm
Maximum Torque 285Nm @ 2200rpm
Kerb Weight (kg) 2325-2370kg
Ground clearance (mm) 210

LC100 GXL Turbo
Maximum Power 150kW @ 3400rpm
Maximum Torque 430Nm @ 1400rpm
Ground clearance (mm) 210
Kerb Weight (kg) 2510-2550kg

Nissan Patrol 3Lt
Maximum power 118@3600
Maximum torque 380@2000
Ground clearance (mm) 210
Kerb Weight (kg) 2460

Nissan Patrol 4.2LT
Maximum power 114@3600
Maximum torque 360@2000
Ground clearance (mm) 210
Kerb Weight (kg) 2500

All figures from the appropriate web sites...

"They have no ground clearence", they have more ground clearance than the rest.

"you can't "lift" them", You can lift about 2-3 inches without any problems.

"you can't use bigger diameter tyres", no-one can legally use anything larger than +15mm from standard.

"the roof gutters will not support a full roof rack". Wrong. With properly installed rack you can carry 100KGs'. Think the rest are about the same. Wouldn't want any more than that an the roof anyway...

To sum it up, the Pajreo DID has more power (than all but a turbo LC), more torque (than all but a turbo LC), and more ground clearance than the others, so don't listen to the knockers.

A stock standard Pajero will do any "touring" trip you care to name. So will just about any other standard 4WD. Modifications and additions just make life a little easier. Would suggest the first things to go for are suspension update (standard suspensions tend to be too soft to carry heavy loads over rough terrain) a set of decent AT tyres (or better) and a bull bar for a bit of frontal protection. Then look at a cargo barrier to keep things where they belong and some basic recovery gear.

Join a club to get some experience and ideas on how to set up your truck.

Above all, have a go and enjoy the trip.....

Cheers........

PS No reason you can't use it as daily transport. Many of us do just that.

The DiD is really worth the extra; the engine is really good, and consumption is exceptional when compared to a petrol. Mine is lifted 35mm in front, 50mm in the back with a Bilstein/Lovell shock/springs combo, and it handles much better than stock. This setup is for touring, not rock climbing, and comfort over corrugations have improved a lot. Traction control is very effective (subject to tyre grip of course); I think the older NM DiD might be more affordable and might also have traction control, but do check.

hI there Ihave a nl 3.5ltr with the standard tyres 235's I had a little trouble in the mud with ground clearence ,went to the 31x 10.50 ,much smoother ride the tyres
lifted it by 35mm alone .Have not looked back since.

cheers
shane c