Offroad-Express

So if I was in the market and had about 10K to spend on a diesel swb, what should I expect to get for those dollars.

what should I be looking for in regards of 'danger signs' (walk away indicators)?

Not looking for a beast but something that I can do shiney runs and have some fun, travel comfortably reasonable distances and use as a daily driver. How difficult are they (depending on the model of course) to set up for offroading (tow hooks, lifts, etc)?

Any models to avoid?

Sorry to ask such Noob questions, but this marque of vehicle is totally new to me (was looking at nissans and toyotas) but these look to fit all my needs quite nicely (if I can get a difflock as well even better).

Heath

for 10k you will be getting alot Pajero, you can get a good swb 2.8d-3.5p for under 4k if you look around (trade me).
they are cheap to set up for 4x4 and spare parts are cheap and easy to come by.
cheers Nath

10K Fark is that going to have gold plated bead lock rims

Check out my thread mainly my last post for break up on price so far

10K is the absolute max (tyres, hooks etc) and ready to roll. Of course if I can get one for a bit less that is just silver plated with maybe double overhead chrome dipsticks that will be fine also.

Been surfing the web and noyiced a lot of autos and bugger all manuals. How are the autos in these (any models to avoid?), have heard horror stories or should I hold out for a manual?

Would prefer manual 2.8 (or 3.2 if I could find one) diesel.

How hard is it to fit hooks to these? What is the max tyre size without cert issues or extra mods?

Another noob question are all these Paj's torsion front?

All Pajero's are torsion front pre 2000.

Auto's are prtty robust. Same gearbox as surf and Prado Jeep etc, The Aisin 3040.

10k would but you are very nice one and put extra's on it. I reckon you could get a vehicle, front bar, snorkel, and an ARB front locker should have spent about 10k.

2.8's and 3.5's came out late 1993 and the 2.8's can need their injector pumps done up but are generally a pretty good motor. They are still using the same block today in the D-id tritons and Pajero's.

33's will fit with relative ease (they don't even need a lift) onto one of these the 2.8 and 3.5 came out with a slight factory body lift to gear a bigger transmission. To big an offset and they will rub however std offset should be ok (just).

Have a read here of what I've done to mine if you are interested.
viewtopic.php?t=2159

Glen

Glen been reading your build and it is almost what I want to acheive (lockers is an optional extra I hadnt really decided on but is on the very top of the extra's list underlined in bold type). I am looking for something that is almost standard with limited mods that will take me almost anywhere (not hard core or rock climbing - back wont stand the pounding).

I like the build of PR's (Bubble's wagon), looks just like the wagon I envisage for me.

You two guys seem to be the Paj guru's on here.

The gearing of the 33's would that make much difference to off road ability? would 32's be a better compromise?

Guess I just have to keep looking for a low mileage manual 2.8 diesel hard top then (done the soft top thing and it sucked - damaged easy and broken into too many times).

Cheers

for 10k should be able to find a evo model

You can come and have a look at mine if you want heath, It's a 94 3.5 v6.I've done a 3-4" suspension lift and put it on 32" BFG mud's (they fitted without the lift) I can show you how i did my hooks and winch install too.

Cool.

Just gotta find one now (not keen on the evo ones - too pretty and no money left over for other stuff). Why are manuals so hard to find (must just be my bad luck at the mo.)

LOLYF wrote:You can come and have a look at mine if you want heath, It's a 94 3.5 v6.I've done a 3-4" suspension lift and put it on 32" BFG mud's (they fitted without the lift) I can show you how i did my hooks and winch install too.

Saw it when you first got it. Was what got me thinking some time ago but I wanted soemthing bigger for towing, but now...

Thats right you did see it, pity it dosn't look so straight anymore its full of woodhill dents now

With there being so many SWB autos out there for reasonably cheap prices how hard is it to change them to a manual? Is the difference between Manual and auto that much of an issue?

Easy job or too expensive for what you get?

Also while I think about it, what are the cost benefits to diesel over the petrol (if any)? How much more expensive is the 2.8 diesel compared to the 3.5 petrol to run?

Yeah I know lots of questions (sounds like me doesnt it) but it pays to ask even the dumb questions.

So I saw a nice 3.2 auto SWB 1999 for 16G's today.

Any good? Or is that price a little 'Fat"?

.

Heath wrote:So I saw a nice 3.2 auto SWB 1999 for 16G's today.

Any good? Or is that price a little 'Fat"?

3.2 would make it the next model with independant front and rear but that motor didn't come out as far as I was aware until late 2000.....

Better on the road but a bit of a step backwards off it