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1998 Mitsubishi Pajero 1.8 - Suitable for 4WD Driving?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:16 pm
by Pajerosauraus
Hi all,

Just brought ourselves a 1998 Mitsi Pajero (It's the IO ZR GDI - not too sure what all that means..).

I am looking for opinions as to how suitable this is for off roading, it's a 1.8 so only a baby - certainly not planning on trashing it just yet, nothing extreme, we are only beginners ourselves and just learning the ropes. Also any suggestions as to any mods that might help - I know we need to get the road tyres off and put on something more suitable!

Cheers,
Ben and Jaimee

Re: 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero 1.8 - Suitable for 4WD Driving?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:12 pm
by lincooln
Pajero IO just means its the smaller version of a pajero, and GDI is Gasoline Direct Injection and ZR is probably a model number?

Well apart from Mud tyres I do not know exactly what there is that you can do to it. Have you got running boards on that? you would be wise to remove them.

Thats all the useless info I have for you now. :wink: :?

Cheers
Lincoln

Re: 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero 1.8 - Suitable for 4WD Driving?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:16 pm
by pjb
There's been some discussion about this before:
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... +pajero+io

Have a read.

Re: 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero 1.8 - Suitable for 4WD Driving?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 6:12 pm
by Cameron
they're not that much more 'well specced' than a rav 4 IMO. I did some work on one for a friend of the GF.
They've got a proper gearbox setup with centre diff lock and low range and all that so they'll be a lot more capable off road than a rav4, though. however, one of the main things that stuck out to me was how low the gearbox crossmember is to the ground. that'll be one of the first limiting factors when you're off road.
I wouldn't worry about changing tyres and all that til you've taken it over some basic, and dry tracks. go for a hoon down the river and all that and see if you're happy with where you can go. the first thing that'll cause you to get stuck is geting beached on that crossmember, perhaps, so, if you're looking at anythign too serious then it may be wise to upgrade to the full sized pajero or a suzuki vitara if you're still keen on the wee 4x4s as they're thenext step up in offroading.
you may find that you're happy with it's capabilities anyways :)

Re: 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero 1.8 - Suitable for 4WD Driving?

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:27 am
by Pajerosauraus
Awesome cheers for that!

Will be taking for a spin this weekend so will see how it goes.

I was having a look at the list of vehicles allowed at the 4WD Adventure Park at Woodhill Forest and the Pajero wasn't listed there however a Rav4 was.. Does anyone know if that's correct or maybe they just left it off the list?

Cheers! :)