Pajero Weekend so far

"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97) 03/01/2020 at 10:41 • Filed to: None

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As a bit of a getting know the Pajero, I took it yesterday on some nearby dirt to try it out. These are a variety of trails running in a massive arroyo that I actually have some sites in for work, so it was a chance to directly compare it on trails I run in my work truck.

Holy rear suspension travel is this thing good on dirt. I was grinning like a little kid as it billy goated up a number of hills in 2wd that my 2016 F-150 work truck requires a 4wd mode to negotiate (and the rear diff locked to do with dignity on the undulations). I’m definitely a fan of the five link, coil sprung rear end and it’s articulation, and the factory limited slip in the rear is significantly more effective than I thought it might be. Overall, I’m tickled at how small it is. The wheelbase is so much shorter, and the geometry so much better, than the 1/2 ton to 1-ton trucks used to driving around the dirt. Throw it in 4-low and that little diesel seem to idle over just about anything at a snails pace.

It was a good little dirt session, and it confirmed that this adventure mobile is going to get anyplace I really want to take it, and without any modification needed. I have no interest in rock crawling, or running trails just for the sake of running trails, but rather I like to get to seriously remote camping and hiking places out in the desert or up in the mountains where other people aren’t a thing. This should do nicely.

About half of yesterday was spent Svending the interior. The truck has been smoked in at some point, and it had that layer of tar/whatever on just about everything. Many hours of scrubbing, cleaning, shampooing and detailing later, the interior looks almost like new save for a few wear surfaces. It smells a lot better, too.

The plan today is to work on Svending the outside.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/01/2020 at 11:26

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When I took my Isuzu off road in Nevada and California The suspension made sounds like it had never articulated that much before, not very comforting.

This is a fine little rig. I hate having to use 4wd on dry trails, I feel like it’s there to get me out of trouble, not into it. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/01/2020 at 12:18

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These updates are really making me want to import a kei class something because I love them...

DipodomysDeserti > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/01/2020 at 12:29

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You want to meet me in Middleofnowhere, Nevada, for a site analysis next week. Trying to figure out if you can grow pot in the desert using geothermal wastewater. Seems to be a few good Mexican joint nearby.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 03/01/2020 at 12:51

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It is tremendously fun to drive around. Both  the slow car/fast thing and being a throwback to another era of automobile.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > DipodomysDeserti 03/01/2020 at 12:52

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That seems awesome, but the commute might be a bit long.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/01/2020 at 12:57

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Yup, cool old SUVs! I see some once and awhile around here that are JDM imports...more D elicas than Pajeros though!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 03/01/2020 at 13:01

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When researching before pulling the trigger, I got the impression the folks in New Zealand and the Aussies really snapped up a lot of these trucks about a decade ago. There are certainly way more Delicias being imported to the states right now.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/01/2020 at 13:22

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Yeah, there are quite a few around here in Nova Scotia....not like ‘I see them every day’, but I do see one every week or two, which is a lot for here!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/01/2020 at 14:14

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Gray market imports are scarce here in Georgia. I never see RHD stuff. I have only ever seen one kei truck for groundskeeper duty as well.

But I’m happy to see you are enjoying the Pajero. I’ve found that a cheap ionizer and some baking soda on the carpet does wonders for the smoke smell. But getting the tar out is even more difficult, so you’ve already done the hard part.