Offroad-Express

Hi, In the process of deciding what to buy as my first offroad 4wd. I'm struggling to choose between a Pajero SWB 3.5L V6, or to go with an Escudo or a Vitara.. I know posting this in a suzuki thread is going to upset someone, but I know from experience that If I rush out and buy something then find I've made the wrong decision then its chucking coin down the gurgler.

If I was to choose a Suzuki Vitara or an Escudo, What should I be looking for in terms of Models, Years, Engine Size, Kms...?

What would I need to do in order to make this a tidy but yet semi capable truck for back block hunting and adventuring...?

I'm wanting to spend around 6k on the vehicle, as a base. But then spend extra on modifications and something that I can piece together as spare coin arises..

The reason I say Tidy, is due to it also being my on-road vehicle, my work and back vehicle

Please don't flame Me if this is not the correct thread to ask this questions, and Mod's please move it to where it needs to be if its an inconvenience.

Ta,

Brad

Could the likes of this work? or should I be looking at larger engine Models??

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =609768991

There is plenty of aftermarket support for vitara's, heaps of cheap ways to lift them etc, best of all, to get places you dont need tyres over 31's in size, which in turn is even cheaper.

Problems with the vitara's are that the front diff housings are alloy, and if your doing alot of hard stuff they can break easily. Steel diff housings are out there, but you have to find the right vitara and gears etc, someone that knows more will tell you more. v6 vitaras have an issue with timing chains not being as good as they should be.

As for the pajero's, not as much support but as they are aparently the running gear is good and strong, the trucks i have seen have ended up having something big go in them like engine or gearbox, but that comes down to how well they have been maintained.

Hopefully someone can add to what i have written,

bradhimself wrote:Could the likes of this work? or should I be looking at larger engine Models??

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =609768991

That looks to be in pretty good nick, they are getting pretty hard in good condition these days so it would wise to get in before someone else does. The 1.6L models go alright, they're not speed machines but they are capable of doing 100k. The main problem with the 1.6Ls is head cracking issues due to the poor design of the factory exhaust manifold, that one has extractors fitted so should be fine. The 2L V6's can develop a timing chain rattle which is usually most obvious on cold startup. I would be checking to see if the timing belt has been done and general checks like what colour/condition is the coolant and oil. They do have an alloy front diff which can let go if abused but if you drive sensibly it shouldn't be an issue. For the usage you are suggesting a 2" suspension lift and a set of 235/75/15 mud tyres would be ideal modifications.

Pajeros have a pretty stout drivetrain, but the motors are thirsty and seem to have issues with oil usage. They can also be found (I think) with factory rear diff lockers which can be quite useful. The 3.5L V6 would give better road performance than the Suzuki.

Hi Brad, Welcome to ORE!!

I owned a 3.5lt manual pajero for a while and it was great fun! pretty reliable too. I was using it to get to work and back and the odd trip over over the gumfields or out to Pouto and south head. put some 33's on it with out any problems and it would go most of the places I was game enough to have a go at.
If you have a reasonable sized wallet I would go for the Pajero.

I thought my wallet was a resonable size...but after stopping at the petrol station every other day for a couple of years, and then doing the clucth, cam belt etc etc and the last straw was a scare with a possible cracked head - I was seeing dollar signs and threw the towel in and got a Suzuki Samurai.

Not sure about the Vitaras, but the samurai is friggin awesome to work on! There is room to get your hands pretty much any place you like and you can pull the gearbox with a couple of spanners and dont even need a jack!

Bottom line: If I had the money to throw at it I would definitely go for the pajero again. Pretty comfortable on the road, fairly capable off road, heaps of torque/power & a strong drive chain. Avg petrol about 15l/100km on road.

The suzuki is brutal both on and off road - frequently come home with bruises! but its cheap to run, parts are crazy cheap, and soo easy to work on! Just needs more power...

I am guessing your pics are based on swb - them paj's are very thirsty but solidly built n get off their ass. If you can tolerate the ride I 2nd a sammy but also how bout a navara or petrol surf if your thinking about a med sized 4wd? how far is wk each day etc might help - even those little 1.6 vits with mild rubber drink 10lt/100k... A dozel might not be a bad prospect

From what Im reading so far, it appears that the Suzuki would be a no brainer. Would I need to do a body lift? or a suspension lift? I want it to look semi staunch, as without a lift and decent tyres the Suzukis look like a mobility scooter.. Thanks for the welcome, and I do appreciate your guys help so far!

Tarmac wrote:I am guessing your pics are based on swb - them paj's are very thirsty but solidly built n get off their ass. If you can tolerate the ride I 2nd a sammy but also how bout a navara or petrol surf if your thinking about a med sized 4wd? how far is wk each day etc might help - even those little 1.6 vits with mild rubber drink 10lt/100k... A dozel might not be a bad prospect

Work is a 5-6min drive, so would love to stay away from the 3.5L.. Although those Paj's do look staunch on the road and are a tidy wagon. I'm trying to stay away from the size of the Surfs and Navaras, hence why I'm focusing on the SWB Vitaras, Escudos and Pajeros...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =610586974

Thats the Pajero that I'm currently interested in..

If you are looking at the Pajero type size as well, you could also add Isuzu MU to the equation. The reason I say this is hat if you are going to be doing some travel (you stated back blocks, adventure type work) the Zuk will do it's best to destroy your body stance. I have had Zuks for nearly 10 yrs now (as the wife's shopping cart) and they are bloody great for that. Can handle as much 4wd use as nearly all other standard IFS vehicles, but I found that any major amount of time spent behind the wheel was hard on the body.
The Mitzi and Isuzu will be kind to you in this instance. Are you hell bent on petrol powered wagons?

bradhimself wrote:

Tarmac wrote:I am guessing your pics are based on swb - them paj's are very thirsty but solidly built n get off their ass. If you can tolerate the ride I 2nd a sammy but also how bout a navara or petrol surf if your thinking about a med sized 4wd? how far is wk each day etc might help - even those little 1.6 vits with mild rubber drink 10lt/100k... A dozel might not be a bad prospect

Work is a 5-6min drive, so would love to stay away from the 3.5L.. Although those Paj's do look staunch on the road and are a tidy wagon. I'm trying to stay away from the size of the Surfs and Navaras, hence why I'm focusing on the SWB Vitaras, Escudos and Pajeros...

Pajeros are not any smaller than Surfs or Terranos/Navaras unless you are looking at baby Pajeros like the jr or io. Don't confuse the toughish reputation of the big Pajero with the reputation of the jr or io. Completely different wagons. Someone maybe able to correct me but I think one of them (jr or io) don't have a low range box.
On the up side of looking at a full size Pajero, it has the best IFS front end on it in the market. No mods needed and if you find one with a factory rear locker (most NZ new ones), It will surprise you where it will take you, even with one front wheel in the air when transiting ruts (known as the Pajero wave). One other thing to consider is that petrol 4wd's are not going to be economical no matter what the make. You are talking about a vehicle heaver than a car in most instances, has a lot more drive train to move and with the aerodynamics of a brick. But that is not why anyone one of us drives a 4wd. Plenty of good info and helpful buggers on here if you have questions.

rokhound wrote:If you are looking at the Pajero type size as well, you could also add Isuzu MU to the equation. The reason I say this is hat if you are going to be doing some travel (you stated back blocks, adventure type work) the Zuk will do it's best to destroy your body stance. I have had Zuks for nearly 10 yrs now (as the wife's shopping cart) and they are bloody great for that. Can handle as much 4wd use as nearly all other standard IFS vehicles, but I found that any major amount of time spent behind the wheel was hard on the body.
The Mitzi and Isuzu will be kind to you in this instance. Are you hell bent on petrol powered wagons?

Yeah I would prefer Petrol, and Pref Automatic Trans. The SWB Pajeos are much smaller than a Surf or a Navara..

I wouldn't say Hell Bent, But theres not alot of vehicles around under 200ks in the $5-8k bracket.. especially in diesel.

If your interested in the mu's they can look bloody staunch lol, theres a silver one that travels around here quite often, looks awesome.

Dirtydog wrote:If your interested in the mu's they can look bloody staunch lol, theres a silver one that travels around here quite often, looks awesome.

after markets would be a mission to access wouldn't they!?

What would I need to do to this to fit a set of muds on it? What size, rims, tyres? Who has the best deal for this stuff?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/613707237

At minimum, you buy a set of mud tyres and swap them for the current tyres. Standard size.

From there, it depends how big you want to go...