Update to the update: I did a thing.Rustled Jimmies update: JDM lyfe escalated quickly.

"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97) 02/12/2020 at 19:51 • Filed to: None

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Update: I did the thing and sent Japanese Classics money this afternoon. It is now a matter of paperwork and setting up shipping. This green glory should be in my garage in a couple of weeks.

I’ll take vanity plate ideas. I’ve never done one before, but it feels like a right-hand drive JDM import truck might rate one. I’m thinking something along the lines of “snail”, both to celebrate how slow it is and a turbo diesel reference.

I’m highly looking to forward to the slowest vehicle I’ve ever bought. It should check a lot of adventure mobile boxes. Big enough to sleep in, haul big things on occasions and doggos. At a couple of feet shorter than my RC/SB F-150, nice compact dimensions and geometry off-road. Has a brand new set of Falken Wildpeak A/T3Ws in 31x10.5R15, which are right about how I would setup tires for a truck like this. Already has the optional dual battery set-up from the factory. This truck has an LSD out back. The factory locking rear diff option would’ve been awesome, but my understanding is it was a fairly uncommon option when they were new and most of those trucks were snapped up a long time ago.

Long-term, and ass uming I’m fully satisfied with it after a few months, the plan will probably be to sell the F-150 and procure a pretty new and fun driving to work car. I’m thinking something along the lines of a Civic Si or GTI.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

As I posted the other !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , this 1994 lwb, diesel, manual, 4x4 Pajero has gotten my Jimmies rustled. After some phone conversations with Japanese Classics, them emailing a bunch of pictures of the underside and other various bits I was interested in, sleeping on the idea for a couple of nights and some not inconsiderable parts research, this is looking like all systems are go. This checks lots of adventure mobile boxes (and would allow one that isn’t my driving to work vehicle), and it even has a small turbo diesel/manual drivetrain to boot. Ever since being around the diesel defenders the Dutch Marine Corps used in Curacao, I’ve wanted a smaller 4x4/manual/diesel truck that I could sleep in.

It is strange to think I might be more excited about the slowest vehicle I’ve ever considered buying than any other. The full size/manual/diesel combo appears to be lot less common than either the swb/manual diesel or the auto/diesel in any configuration. I’m thinking this wouldn’t be hard truck to sell, especially in the Mountain West where most JDM imports are a not insignificant shipping quote away on either coast.

Unless I wake up felling any different tomorrow, I’ll probably move some money around in the morning and send them a deposit (I’ve already got a delayed start due to snow). After some lower than I might have guessed shipping quotes, the plan would likely be for it to be shipped from Virginia to New Mexico. I love the idea of flying out there and driving back (and it is a long weekend coming up), but my better judgement tells me I probably shouldn’t. My corvette was of very similar age and low mileage when I bought it (and was in great shape and didn’t need anything immediately addressed), and the first couple of weeks/month of putting it back into service as a big miles highway commuter from being an occasional weekend car revealed what the weak points were and what parts became unhappy with regular use. Finding that out on the way across the country with a JDM import up against a schedule strikes me as a less ideal way to sort that stuff out. Driving wouldn’t be any cheaper, and it would be long three days of interstate driving in a truck without cruise control.

Long-term, this would have to be paired with something fun (and much newer) to drive to work. I’d say miata, but that’s a well-worn path for me and this truck would have to pair with something faster to make up for it’s lack of acceleration. I’m thinking there could be a newer GTI or Civic SI in such a future scenario. C5 vette? Who knows (I know I won’t do a C4 again, been there and have the dashmat nailed to the garage wall), but that would be bridge a bit further down the road.

I’d say tell my why this is a bad idea, but this is Oppo. We live for these kinds of bad ideas. Even though the bottom two-tone is tan and not brown, this feels pretty darn close to the mythical brown/diesel/manual wagon ideal. Can RHD substitute lost points for not brown?

random001 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/11/2020 at 21:26

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As a former owner of one of these, this is very much not a bad idea.  I loved mine, and sorely miss it, even if it was the american auto gas v6.  You will love it.

Cash Rewards > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/11/2020 at 21:28

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I totally get why you're shipping it, but boo!

Future Heap Owner > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/11/2020 at 21:31

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This is awesome! Looks like a fantastic adventur e- mobile. It may not be brown, but that color scheme looks great. The white as a (large) accent feels louder than if the whole thing were white (does that make any sense?).

I’m excited to see how it goes! A nd hoping to see some real-world pics of it soon. I feel like it’s a bit big to be a wagon, but it’s hard to tell the scale in that photo. I suppose there’s no way it’s as big as the current-gen Outbacks that some people call wagons.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > random001 02/11/2020 at 21:31

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I always liked the Montero as child of the 90's, but they were a non-starter as tow vehicle. Now that I don’t actually have to own a tow vehicle anymore, it has opened up all kinds of options.  Were this an auto/diesel, I probably would’ve thought “neat” and then moved on with life.  The manual is what really rustled the jimmies.

random001 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/11/2020 at 21:32

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The Gen 2's were supposed to tow pretty good, but I never towed.  Awesome 4WD, though!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Future Heap Owner 02/11/2020 at 21:41

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It’s a couple of feet shorter than my 2017 F-15o regular cab/short bed (although it is heavier by a few hundred pounds ).

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > random001 02/11/2020 at 21:43

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Not for the kind of weight/t o ngu e weight I needed to tow, and I’m guessing for not much of anything with a 2.8L mechanically injected diesel.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Future Heap Owner 02/11/2020 at 21:58

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And the accent is more of an light tan color. It isn’t actually white.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Cash Rewards 02/11/2020 at 22:00

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I’ll try to make up for it with more adventures once it’s a known quantity.  If I had more vacation time built up on the books at the new job, I’d probably pack of suitcase tools and do it.

f86sabre > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/11/2020 at 22:05

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Let me repeat

I feel you in the excitement of buying your slowest car ever. When we bought the Mini it was the same way. 44hp of banging power, but off the charts on the fun scale.

If you have a reasonable line of sight to critical parts then the risk is low.  In your part of the world there wouldn’t likely be too much trouble selling it if needed.  

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > f86sabre 02/11/2020 at 22:14

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It looks like most everything is available, just not always quickly. I wouldn’t count on it as an only car for that reason. Pre-internet days would likely be a different story.  That engine was also used by Cat in a number of small skid-steers and excavators, so there are some number engine of parts painted yellow at a local Cat dealer. Research suggests the running gear under the truck is much same as the USDM Montero, and that stuff looks to be more available than I might have guessed this far down the road. Ditto for most of the body parts.

Derpwagon > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/11/2020 at 23:07

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Fo r what it is worth, I really enjoyed my 2012 SI sedan. I'd own another if I didn't like my truck so much.

Textured Soy Protein > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/11/2020 at 23:29

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I think you've come to the wrong place for discouragement of this endeavor.

VincentMalamute-Kim > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 00:17

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ooh, and it has cool fender mirrors. I was in Korea once and it seemed like all the SUVs had large convex postal truck mirrors mounted above the rear window.  And they all had little hood scoops.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim 02/12/2020 at 00:30

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I suspect those little hood scoops, like the one on this truck, are very functional feeding the intercooler.

VincentMalamute-Kim > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 00:41

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I think they were all diesels so t hat was my guess. T hen I second guessed myself since the scoops were so small . And I didn’t think anyone other than Subaru would do top mount intercoolers due to heat soak from the engine.

Y our photo confirms an intercooler. It’s so tiny though!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > VincentMalamute-Kim 02/12/2020 at 01:05

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You know what they say about a small intercooler.... a small turbo. 

VincentMalamute-Kim > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 01:16

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haha !

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 20:04

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Will your DMV allow “Wanker” through as a plate? You can tell them it’s the name of the car model.

speedyboi > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 20:10

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Just curious, did you negotiate on the price at all? Or are all the cars they sell final sale?

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 02/12/2020 at 20:13

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Probably not, but that was my first idea.  

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > speedyboi 02/12/2020 at 20:17

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Their advertised prices are what they sell the car for.  A number of other JDM importers seem to do that as well.  This truck seems to be priced at about the middle of the market for these, factoring in mileage and condition.  The price looked even better once you factor in the 5-speed.  Most of them out there are autos these days, and a 5-speed lwb seems to be even more uncommon.

Deltyn drives a meh car > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 20:33

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Congratulations

f86sabre > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 21:35

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Awesome! Go for the plate! I put 90KAIJU on the Mini. It’s a strange beast being a British car that was sent to Japan and then coming to the states.

functionoverfashion > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 21:39

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This is awesome, I’d love that rig. Congrats! 

UserNotFound > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 21:46

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Woohoo! Congrats! 

And now that it’s too late to back down, it’s t ime to tell you the ugly secret.

Pa jero is Spanish for “wanker.”

:-)

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > UserNotFound 02/12/2020 at 21:48

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I already knew that.  

Under_Score > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 21:52

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96M0NTH

84M0NTH

SUBPRIM

UNDR600

UserNotFound > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 21:52

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I figured but I wanted to say that anyway lol

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 23:22

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Clifford the Gen3 says Hi

Time to break out google translate:

KATATSUMURI is going to be too long. Google seems to think you can break it down to KATATSU (progress) and MURI (unreasonable), which is a nice way to describe a snail, and either of those work in this context. MURI’s also one of the three types of waste in Lean, along with MURA (unevenness) and MUDA (waste of the more conventional nature) - either of those works, too

SURO

TORAKKU (how many letters do you get?)

WANKA (according to Google, that’s how it translates. I find it hard to believe Japan didn’t have a word for it before they met the English)

JDM4X4

HammerheadFistpunch > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/12/2020 at 23:43

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Congrats! Much stoked for you

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 02/12/2020 at 23:46

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I think we get seven letters.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 02/12/2020 at 23:50

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Strike that, up to eight  characters.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 02/13/2020 at 00:01

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Oooh, this gives me some ideas.  I’m thinking maybe “mattari “ as in to chill out in a state of laziness.  

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch 02/13/2020 at 00:06

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Thanks. I’ve casually wanted a small, manual, diesel adventure mobile, although I had no specific plans for one. I wasn’t particularly looking for one when I was casually browsing Japanese Classics (as one does), but this caught my eye. Generally, my attention always gravitated to various version of Land Cruiser, but the prices always struck me as steep. The Pajeros seem more reasonably priced and likely to still be plenty rugged for what I want to do.

While I’ll treat this well like all my vehicles, an occasional bit of desert pin striping on a truck like this will  bother me a lot less than a new Tacoma that I’d also be driving to work.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/13/2020 at 03:35

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Congrats! And welcome to the club!

I’m curious, why choose a RHD model?

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/13/2020 at 08:18

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Back in the day, the US got this model as the Montero and only with gas motors. They were kind of seen as expensive and slower (but very capable off-road) that weren’t really aimed at the American market back in the day, so they sold in relatively small numbers. They barely exist anymore, much less in this kind of condition and low mileage.

The only way to get a diesel (and one in good shape) is to sample the previously forbidden fruit of JDM import models that are now turn ing old enough to get passed the 25 year rule.

speedyboi > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/13/2020 at 09:50

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Got it, thanks! 

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/17/2020 at 02:14

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We got plenty of diesel Pajeros in Europe, but I guess finding a good one might be hard

Rufant > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/28/2020 at 15:32

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Great stuff, congrats!

I look forward seeing your adventures in the Shogun :)

My own personal Mitsubishi episode didn’t go well.

https://overland.kinja.com/that-time-i-got-it-all-wrong-it-was-time-to-face-fac-1720097801

Don’t let the deter you, the solid rear axle models are much better and I’ve had mates get years of fun out of them.

https://overland.kinja.com/escape-to-the-border-1784245082

I’ll share this to O&E, it’s much slower moving than oppo these days, but people still drop in from time to time. If you want to be an author let me know