Doing up the Pajero

There's a good chance you'll lose the rear bumper when it scoops a good load of sand or mud, as it seems to be designed to do. Either re-inforce it or cut the plastic that extends towards the front of the vehicle.

Also I can't see the Rear Airconditioner plumbing lasting long once you go offroad - crack those pipes and your front airconditioning will stop too.

Some protection for the Intercooler also seems a good idea.

The NP got the least off-road use of the Pajeros I've owned, but these were the vulnerable areas I noticed on it.

For first hand advice I suggest the Pajero Forum - http://140.99.20.180/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8

I would suggest you loose the plastic-covered sidesteps as they will be damaged easily (as i found out).....the metal framework is fairly thin also. The price for replacement pieces for the sidesteps is ridiculous.

I would look at (if you haven't done it already) a good battery to handle the rough stuff (i ended with the red optima agm battery), plus allowing components for possible future fridge install.

hope this helps.

Andrew

JackMack,

You forgot the long range fuel tank. -on the CSR you will need to carry enough fuel for over 1000 KM of sand driving. If you take the distance that you travel now on a tank of fuel, then halve it, you will be close to the range that you will get in sand.

Eg; 60L diesel gets you 700 KM normal running.
in sand, 60L diesel may only get you 350 KM.

I am not saying that this formula is cast in stone, but it is something to be very aware of when travelling in the deserts.

Also don't forget water. 5L per person per day.

Second spare and tyre repair equipment.

HF radio or satphone. (these can be hired)

Fire extinguisher and comprehensive first aid kit. (upgrade to remote area kit when required)

All I can think of at the present.

HTH

Do you have traction control?
If you do, I doubt you need an air locker.
There are pro & cons, but check with ARB, you may need to turn off the traction control to turn on the air locker.

I think I would be trying it out first on a few short trips around home to see if air locker required. Assume you would be testing locally to test the vehicle and for you to get to know how it handles before a long trip anyway.

I have a Pajero NP DiD - just been over Simpson, Cape York, Penty, Gibb River Road.

I assume it's an Auto - Note you will have to drive in 4th all the time due to the oversize tyres, otherwise you will burn your ATF. I have GY Silent Armour - check out this post to see the condition of the tyres after:
http://140.99.20.180/forum/showthread.php?t=546

I do not recommend towing anything if your using oversize tyres.

I recommend:
- 2" to 3" Lift (King or Lovell Springs) $550 with fitting
- Bilstein Shocks $900
- LRA 60L Aux fuel tank
- Rhino rack + alloy tray (I have the size you are looking at - make sure they use large rivits otherwise the rack mounts will become loose.
- Snorkel brand up to you.
- Cargo barrier if you carrying kids or carrying gear above chest height in the back.
- 80Ah dual battery system.
- GME or ICOM CB (mounted or portable)
- Sat phone
- GPS with Shonkymaps or T4A

- NO SPOT LIGHTS unless you driving at night
- Bullbar is up to you (steel or plastic -I have the smartbar which is much lighter)
- If you have traction control, you do not need the lockers (unless your planning to drive in mud or wet slops for extended distances), your better off reduce tyre pressures right down...


With the gear on with oversize tyres budget on 550 to 650km per 100 Litres, not towing with the DiD.

I had a roo hit me at 10am in the morning - the 5-6' red roo ran into the side of the vehicle at near full pace just past a cattle grid (dented the drivers door which had to be be replaced)

The Aux fuel tank protected the rear bumper - with the 2" lift (which becomes 1" lift with all the gear) I lightly dented the aux fuel tank due when it hit the sand (on QAA line).

I would not get sucked into all the crap that 4wd places try to sell you and cooper tyres.

Hi jackMack,

I crossed the Simpson with 2 other guy's and their families we all towed campers.2 Pajero's 1 NP and 1 NM and 2004 Prado.All of us had no suspension mods at all.But we had other mods like daul battery's and a couple other things.
We made it across without one of us getting bogged but it had rained about week before we left so the sand was quite firm underneath.

Since then we have fitted polyair's, long range fuel tank.I plan on fitting a lift kit when I can see my way clear and some A/T tyres as well.

Scoof

I have an NP DID 2004 and use 265/75/16 BFG tyres and have an OME suspension upgrade. Have been everywhere with an offroad caravan and Cape York tenting it. No trouble with the tyres (Bob Jane fit and service my tyres), never drive the auto in 4th gear unless headwinds, and no ATF problems. Average 6.5kms/l towing and 8 -10 not towing. With the roofrack off on a country trip I can get over 10. The "oversize" tyres in fact give me more accurate odometer and speedo readings than the OE size tyres and there's still bags of acceleration and power.
I don't know how you can get an 80 a/hr second battery under the bonnet - an ARB dual battery install will only fit about a 50 a/hr which I find is enough anyway but I also carry a solar panel.
An auxilliary tank is an expensive way to carry extra fuel. I carry 2 x 20l containers and hardly ever need them - including Cape York. However Simpson Desert is a problem. I did look at a 60l aux tank but it seemed to hang pretty low at the back.
A steel sump guard from TJM for about $200 is a good investment for Cape York, also cargo barrier and snorkel.
Whilst air lockers would be the ultimate traction aid, the traction control works fine.
Happy travelling.