Some Advice needed...

Thanks for the speedy reply.
I have to admit, I am not very good with my Car knowledge, something I will have improve on pretty quickly no doubt.
But I not long ago, posted a question regarding a 4runner 2.8l and everyone said that it would in no way have the guts to pull a van around Aus.... Now is that based on the Car or the fact it was only 2.8l?
I thought it was due to how many litres it had and as such have since been on the hunt for a much stronger beast, but now you say a 3 L was good, 3.5 better.

We were going to look at a 2.7 Petrol Pajero 1986, but decided against it because we thought it couldnt do the job. Right or Wrong??

It's a tough one trying to find the perfect vehicle!

The 4Runner 2.8 was a non-turbo. I'm told that bolting on a turbo from an import Surf absolutely transforms them.

For the Pajero's, best avoid the 3.5 DOHC engine in the NK's. It's basically a detuned sports engine when Mitsubishi needed a bigger engine, and is a bit peaky. Fair boogies when you give it some!

Later engines were 3.5 single cam, very similar to the 3.5's found in Australian Magna/Veradas. More usable grunt for towing.

However, any petrol Pajero will drink a lot when towing a van of the size you have quoted.

This place will give you heaps of info



http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=7

It's a 3L. looking at close to 300,000km.
So are you saying the 3l's better than the 3.5 in regard to timing belt?

I am having a good look around the site you suggested, cheers for that!

Angie, with 300 thou on it I would be really checking it out, they do start to get smokey, the 2nd gear syncro was bad in them with these sort of klms, also check for water/coolant leaks. If you dont mind me asking what sort of limit $$ wise are you looking at spending on a vehicle ?? I wouldnt even bother going down the path of a 2.8 diesel either in 4 runner or hilux dual cab they are gutless and pulling that sort of weight will drive you nuts and secondly I dont think you could tow it legally anyway. This is some thing else you really need to work out also, the weight of the van, people on board, etc as you dont want to be over loading. 20 foot is a fair size van to lug around and any 6 cylinder petrol 4wd is going to be thirsty, i would say probably in the vicinity of 18/20L per 100, then you would have some cases where you will face head winds, mountains etc you will probably see low to mid 20's. I know of a patrol here in Sydney, loaded and ready to go for an outback trip if that type of vehicle suits you. 4.2 non turbo, front locker, shower, duel batts, set up for towing, power outlets in the rear, heaps and heaps of gear, is owned by two older people (in there 60's) and they never bothered to use the patrol they used there prado instead. They fitted all the gear to the patrol it wasnt bought like that. It is 91 model but only done I think for memory 234k, there a great vehicle but maybe not what your after. Turbo diesel is the way to go if you can afford to get one. Even the non turbo patrols are a bit gutless BUT you can turbo them and it makes a huge difference. I wouldnt waste my time or money turboing a 2.8 4runner or hilux and dont even think about a V6 4 runner, the fuel bill will send you broke before you get out of your home town...............

Angie, I had the earlier model NG Pajero 3.0L petrol and towed a pop top van 22,000 odd km around Oz some years ago. Van weight was about 1600kg loaded. The Pajero was OK on the flat but struggled on any sort of hill. Add a good head wind and it was a pain. (sometimes back to 3rd on the 5 spd manual) The clutch took a bit of a pounding as well with my vehicle. Fuel consumption on these vehicles is pretty ordinary at the best of times, but with a van on the back, your consumption would be very poor to say the least. Expect to spend a lot of time refuelling !!