Offroad-Express

Hiya,

I have a 1983 Pajero SWB with a 1991 2.5 Turbo Diesel motor fitted.

I am struggling with the fact that the 83 model is not fitted with a lockable center diff, and am interested in transplanting a Transfer case from a newer model.

Question, Can i simply source a transfer case from a 1991 (or newer) Pajero and install.. will this give me the 2H, 4H, 4HLc, 4LLc options.. ie is the Center diff contained in the transfer case or another component.

As you can tell i aint too mechanical, and am just starting out..

Any help appreciated.

Neil

Hi Neil,
Just a clarification, your existing transfer case already is essentially "locked"

The transfer case from a 91(super select), will give you a centre diff that you can unlock "on the fly", nice to have but this may cause problems if you have the "auto" front hubs as they may not lock in properly with the centre diff open (it has a 70/30 rear/front power split I believe).
When they went to the superselect transfer case(in 91), they also eliminated the front hubs, replaced them with drive flanges, the front drive is activated by a mechanisim in the front diff so you may need to look at changing these as well. (the diff and both hubs to flanges)

You will also want to wire in an indicator on the dash to let you know when the diff is locked/unlocked, as they dont always unlock straight away

Hope this helps

That does help.. thats Matt.

I figured that my center diff was not locking as I can loose traction very easy.. if a single wheel starts to spin, the truck comes to a standstill. One of my friends in a 93 Pajero doesnt have the same problems...

Neil

Theres a few other reasons that you loose traction when your mate in the 93 dosent, can be as simple as tyre pressures.

We have a 89 that goes really well, and the wife brought a 91 for doing the school runs. When I took it (the 91) for a drive, it got stuck very easily, hardly any traction, yet it was on better tyres than the 89 (both sets of tyres were AT's, brand new on the 91).
Turns out the prob was the tyres on the 91 were at 39psi, dropped them down to 22psi, a world of diference.

Also the suspension on the 93 is alot more refined (in standard form) than on your 83 (your 83 is easier to mod however) and this may explain some of it as well

I'd check the front hubs to make sure they are engaging properly - sounds like you are in 2WD. Make sure the hubs are engaging and also check the obvious - has a previous owner pulled the front driveshaft off it or something silly like that?

Cheers

Steve