Bull Bars,Snorkel etc Questions

Yellowfin
I will give an answer on the bullbar, If you want a bar for looks go for Alloy, Hit a decent sized Roo and it will bend or crack, If you want a Bar that will work when you hit that big Roo then go Steel,.I will give the Snorkel a miss and leave it your decision, Warn XD9000 winch is what I have and what I would buy if getting another.

Doug

If you're going to fit a winch in the future then get a steel bar. May have to wait a while as no-one has them on the market yet.
Fitting a winch will mean a suspension upgrade and dual batteries ;-)

Snorkel only required if you do a LOT of dusty road driving or water crossings.

To quote the Mitsubishi Owner Manual:

"Contact your authorised Mitsubishi Dealer before fitting any non-Mitsubishi accessory."

And to quote Mitsubishi Motors Australia own National Customer Service Manager:

"Mitsubishi do not condone the fitment of winched to the Pajero range of vehicles."

You have been warned!!

I fitted an ARB winch-compatible 'roo bar and a Magnaum 9000lb winch to my NP Pajero. The front suspension bushes were worn out before I did 100,000Km and the radiator support panel was cracked in 16 places.

Mitsubishi initially refused to fix either on warranty but eventually gave in under persistant pressure. If you read the owner's manual they were perhaps within their rights.

My advice...don't buy the Pajero. They are a good vehicle as long as you don't take them where you might take a Tojo or Patrol. If you go into the rough stuff you could end up like me:

. bonnet clip broke at 35,500 Km, bonnet flew open, bonnet, windscreen and roof stuffed. 3 weeks off the road. My mate's broke off the next day (he'd done 35,000 Km. His car was one day younger than mine when purchased.)
. Tail light globes kept falling out...now glued in.
. Injector pump valve seat shook loose, injector pump refurbished.
. Injector pump side-cover fell off, injector pump totalled, refurbished replacement fitted.
. At Mitsubishi's request, bonnet was replaced with a brand new one (after my mate's bonnet catch broke off for the second time).
. Front suspension bushes U/S, replaced.
. Radiator support panel cracked - replaced.
. Gauze filter on fuel tank intake sucked into fuel line and blocked the line.

All in all 17 weeks out of the 105 weeks I've had it since new have been spent out of action.

Think very carefully is all I can say to you.

Needless to say I didn't buy another Pajero to replace this one.

Yellowfin, go to the Pajero club forum.

Think you'll find Im.Away's experience to be the exception. What ya get when you "drive it like ya stole it" ;-))

Hi,
We have a steel bar which looks ok with our colour. Had to have all the plastic trim secured at first service though and I was told that it is likely to be the subject of a recall.
Be aware that the security alarm is probably not activated (page 1-14 of manual). There is a procedure to activate it.
We ended up with non-genuine alloy sidesteps which are woeful. Mind you the genuine ones are no better and the integrated sidesteps avail on the VRX & Exceed are not avail on the GLX. If you want sidesteps, ensure that they are described precisely on the contract. After some frank exchangeswith the dealer and Mitsubishi Customer "care less", we are working towards a solution.
Jon W

As I see it, a car company that has a history of warranty/recall avoidance like Mitsubishi will always retain the organisation culture.

Add to that a company that has struggled to make a profit in Australia for many years, only surviving on taxpayer handouts, you won't find any culture of helping out the customer.

A company has to have profits from which it can fund a "warranty reserve" before they will be good or generous with their warranty policy.

It's not only the car comanies where this phenomenon occurs, either.

Anywhere you go, unprofitable companies can not cover warranties.

Thanks Everyone
Given some of the responses I will post a separate broader thread as this has gone beyond bullbars etc. and raised some important issues re Pajero. I have done quite a bit of homework but unlike boats and performance cars, I am a novice on a steep learninig curve when it comes to 4wd and would appreciate further views on a number of issues. By the way, I contacted Mitsubishi re the warranty and winch issue and they have to check etc.. I will let you know their response - but given my experience to date, I have a feeling I already know more than they do which is not comforting!
Cheers
Tony