Looking for some first-hand experience: Diesel LC or Pajero

[CDNChris]

Hi guys. I'm looking at importing a vehicle from Japan in the near-ish future. Reason being I want a diesel versus gas and a better chance of finding a lower mileage one. I've been leaning towards an 80 series LC as they have a solid reputation, lots of aftermarket support and plenty in North America. I'm also interested in the 2nd gen Pajero Exceed's. I like their style but there seems to be a lot less support for them - community and product wise. In fairness, I haven't spend as much time researching Pajero's to really have an opinion on them. Between the two though, the Pajero's go for much less than the LC's, which of course plays a factor into which one to get. I do like the rarity of the Pajero's, which is a good thing and bad thing. So I'm here to ask how your experiences have been? Would you stick with Pajero's? Are the diesels great engines?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[jlocster]

Read up here on this Australian site, there's a lot more info on diesel Pajeros.

Pajero 4wd Club of Victoria forum ---> link

 

[JamesW]

I've a 2.8 tdi swb and a 3.0 24v lwb, and I would recommend the petrol all day long. The 2.8 feels like you're pushing it against its will to make it accelerate,the petrol felt like it always wanted to go faster. Though the diesel feels torquey it is still underpowered for a rig that weight,however it is still perfectly driveable,mine is driven daily for the last 5+ years by me.
I'd definitely recommend holding out another 3 years and getting a 2.8 over a 2.5,the 2.5 has the 4d56 engine,which is ridiculously slow and underpowered,you will be doing 3000rpm at 60,which is out of the engines powerband ,diesels are happier cruising at under 2500 rpm. The 2.8 came out in 93 and is a far nicer machine to drive.

Both engines crack the head if they overheat slightly,but so do most diesels of that era. It just requires that you keep the cooling in tip top condition,and if you feel it is struggling,dont keep pushing it on.
Where the TDI has the advantage over the petrol is going up hills,you don't really need to knock it back a gear,you just keep it on boost. Though the v6 didn't struggle with hills either.

Avoid the manual gearboxes,they are sloppy brand new,and even the 10 year old ones are starting to grind, and lose gears. The clutches seem to last forever provided they're not ridden or the crank seal doesn't leak into it. The manuals are also geared higher than the autos,so they don't like cruising as fast as them,

The truth of it is all diesels feel weaker than their petrol counterparts,you'll find the same in the land cruiser. But they are still both great. Though I'm not sure are they worth the premium they fetch in the states,when you consider the petrol ones are readily available,along with their parts.

Shoot me a pm I've you've any really specific questions about them

 

[CDNChris]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Canada so anything within 15 years is good to import.

 

[D4782]

Hey whereabouts are you in Canada? I'm in Calgary, I have a Pajero 1993 3.0 v6 (6G72). I haven't really had many problems with finding parts or anything as the 6G72 was a widely used chrysler engine. Plus RockAuto is great...
I use my truck for exploring K-Country around here, and previously the mountains in the lower mainland. However, it is mostly used as a daily driver in Calgary and on Hwy 2 (which is a windy autobahn) and it handles it like a champ.
What I'm getting at is.... come take it for a spin! See if you like how it drives. It's not powerful by any means, but certainly adequate. I've had it loaded with 5 people and gear and a christmas tree/sleds, plus a gigantic dog, and still kept up with traffic on the highway.

 

[Toasty]

The Pajero and LC Diesels are pretty well matched in the 90's models, neither being better or worse than the other in terms of power or reliability. They both pull stumps, they both crack heads, both get great MPGs and parts are easy to come by for both the Mitsu 2.8 and the Toy 3.0 Diesel.

As for the trucks themselves they are equal in terms of drivetrain strength, both are proven tough and reliable. The Pajero is independent front suspension and the LC is solid axle so the Pajero rides and drives better offroad and the TLC will make a better crawler on stock axles.
They have the same options for gearing and lockers, different options for springs but the same basic requirements to run 33's or 35's, same options for rock sliders and bumpers, same options for roof racks, same options for snorkels.
So in short the aftermarket is more mainstream for the TLC but all the same stuff can be bought for the Pajero and usually for a little less money (because the aftermarket companies know they can gouge the LC guys and they'll gladly pay)
All in all it's personal preference as far as solid axle vs IFS when you think Pajero coming from a Landcruiser world think 100 series Pajero=100 series LC.

Both are great rigs and both are proven machines world wide and the quality of them is unmatched by anything else you can buy, i love how solid both of these trucks are. The way the doors shut, the feel of the interior, how quiet they are on the highway and on high speed gravel you just don't get that in anything else (not Landrover not Jeep) even in the same make it's worlds apart (Montero sport/Challenger or 4Runner/Hilux Surf).

 

[CDNChris]

Great info. This is what I was looking for. I'm in Calgary too so I'm shooting you a PM.

Thanks guys!