Want of the week: 1987 Dodge Raider - $2100

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
08/01/2018 at 09:50 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

At first I was slightly guilty that I keep posting shitboxes I find on Craigslist... but then I remembered where I was. This week’ s shitbox is a5-speed 1987 Mitsubishi Pajero Dodge Raider for sale locally, and it looks pretty damn clean!

I don’t have a lot to say about this one, really. It is a small offroader, which I like, but honestly looks a little bit too clean to be made into a beater.

Looks like a fun toy, but also an automotive curiosity I can probably pass up without too much heartache.

That said, it is unusual and therefore interesting to me.

What does the internet know about these?

DISCUSSION (15)

nerd_racing > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 09:54

Got a link? I have some friends that are collectors.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 09:56

Fellow Oppo Gmctavish has one

random001 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 09:57

That actually looks quite clean and perhaps I would like more details and can you hold it in your yard for me?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > nerd_racing
08/01/2018 at 10:53

Sure. I’ll post an update if I decide not to buy it haha. The price seems reasonable, if maybe a touch high. Any thoughts on that?

Tapas > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 10:59

Waaannnttt!

Is this anywhere close to Canada?
Sadly, I have no space right now to keep it. But I can figure that out...

vicali > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 11:15

L o o k s w ei r d w i t h t h e wheel on that side..

Rugged Simplicity > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 11:35

I had a friend in college with one of these. From what I remember, it was pretty good offroad.

You can get that one for $2,100 or this one for $7,500: https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/dodge-raider-1987/6651140333.html

nerd_racing > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 11:58

No clue. If it is as clean as it looks and it functions properly I’d pay that price for it.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > nerd_racing
08/01/2018 at 12:12

Haha same. Looks like a leaky boy judging by the driveway.

gmctavish needs more space > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 12:13

The 5 speed trans, while somewhat fun, is actually one of the weaker links in these things, they have delicate brass synch ros which could make shifting interesting by now, depending on the mileage. They need GL-4, or equivalent, even though mechanics might try and tell you that GL-5 will be fine. If it’s a 4 cylinder that has ever been overheated and hasn’t had the head replaced with a non jet valve head, there’s a chance it’s cracked. Or it’s like mine, has been overheated, and the head is just a ticking time bomb.

The factory Mikuni feedback carbs are angry, awful little things, and you can either spend way too much money on replacing it with a reman factory style one, or d o what many people do and get the kit for a Weber 32/36 or 38.

If it’s a V6, those have timing belts, not chains, so good to know when those were done, but are overall much less problematic than the 4 cylinder.

They’re very capable off road stock, but they can also fit 31s with zero changes, and 33s with only minor bumper clearancing. Do that, and I’m told you’ll embarrass a lot of people who’ve spent more money.

Now for that one in particular. I can’t tell for sure from the photos, but it looks like it’s not a “Sport” or whatever they were calling the trim in ‘87, so it might not have the LSD. I think that was only on the Sports or whatever with the slightly larger and wider alloys. Mine is, so it has the larger “pomegranate” wheels, and headlight washers. Also a bouncy seat, the base models might’ve not had the bouncy seat, but I can’t remember.

Kinja'd!!!

Tl; Dr: Lots of fun, but finicky, parts can be harder to find, but they are good little trucks. Maybe not as a daily unless it’s really sorted.

Oh yeah check the rear of the frame for rust, and the floors under the carpet if you can.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > gmctavish needs more space
08/01/2018 at 12:30

Thanks! Good info!

Mileage is either 100,000 or 1,000,000, depending on if you think the seller forgot that decimal points are a thing. I’m voting for 100k, but would be super impressed if it is the latter.

Engine is the 2.6L 4-banger. Amazing to find a car that “new” with carbs, but here we are.

While I am no stranger to parts being difficult to find (see: Alfa Romeo , Land Rover Discovery , Saab 900 ) I’m not sure I’m on board with another car known for head/ head gasket issues. (See: all of the above)

I’ve got a text in to the owner. Sounds like it is worth looking at, if for no other reason that to provide additional info for interested Oppos.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > gmctavish needs more space
08/01/2018 at 12:36

Such a wholesome suv

gmctavish needs more space > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 14:24

It’s worth poking around on the archived threads on 4x4wire if you’re still considering it, there’s a ton of Mitsu knowledge on there. If it were a V6, I’d say total NP and jump on it, but the G54B has a lot of potential to be a headache, as I’m currently experiencing. And yet, I still love the dumb little truck.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/01/2018 at 22:02

Given that this is a shorty, I’d have to give it a serious look. For an 80s 4x4, these handled remarkably well. So well in fact that they can make half decent rally or rallycross cars...a better option in my mind than making them a full off roader ...

The V6 out of a Mitsubishi Diamante would be a nice alternate. But I’ve also seen one with an Evo 2 motor and gearbox in it.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > nerd_racing
08/02/2018 at 15:18

Seller never responded and I couldn’t be bothered.

https://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/d/raider-4sale/6658780819.html