(updated)NOS wheels, probable Pajero prospect

"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97) 04/10/2020 at 15:36 • Filed to: None

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Update:

I got a the spare tire swapped over to the new wheel this morning, and put it on the truck while visiting the doggos over lunch. I’m a happy camper with the fitment, so I think ordering four more of these ar wheels is a go. For under $100/wheel shipped and mounted, I think this is going to be the wheel bang for the buck choice for my application.

Center caps won’t work with these (or any other non OEM wheel), but cleaning up the hubs and fresh coat of black paint should look plenty good enough for a 26 year old adventure mobile. They’ll get some new lug nuts, too. This old school wheel design is certainly period correct.

The big thing I don’t like about the Pajero is the old, worn and corroded 5-spoke aftermarket wheels, as it has the affliction where seemingly every import JDM of this era never has the original wheels.

These NOS American Racing wheels in 15x7 (OEM size), -6mm offset (not OEM) and 108mm center bore (also not OEM, but the only thing you find not OEM that fits this far down the road) checks a lot boxes. Cheap, period correct and the look works.

They also look surprisingly close to the remaining original spare on the truck. I really wish the truck still had the other 4 optional Ralliart wheels. Watching Japanese auction and used parts sites, it appears these wheels are all but impossible to find.

My first choice would be a used set of Montero wheels in good shape, but a month of keeping an eye out hasn’t turned up a set in decent shape. A set of refurbished OEM wheels and center caps is more than I’m willing to spend for a 26 year old adventure mobile.

The one downside is no aftermarket center caps I’ve found for any wheel fits over the abnormally large Pajero hubs outside of ones for the OEM wheels. For adventure mobile use, I think some fresh paint on the hubs with some decent period correct wheels will work, especially for well under $100/wheel shipped.

Jag trunk volume: about 1 Pajero wheel with a 31x10.5r15 tire. I’ll have the new tire from the spare mounted up tomorrow to confirm I happy with the fitment. If so, I’ll order four more wheels for that five-tire rotation lifestyle.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 00:13

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Isuzu wheels may look a bit more appropriate but I don’t know if they have the same lug pattern. Hers the ones on my 1990 pickup.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/10/2020 at 00:54

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They actually do, but it goes back to the cost vs. condition issue. Most used sets are well used by now, and a refurbished set+shipping get more expensive than this is worth to me pretty quickly. I looked at some these, though.

A lot of Toyota truck/suv OEM wheels from the period would look good, but they would require machining the center bore larger to fit.

SmugAardvark > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 00:57

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Man, wash that XE!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > SmugAardvark 04/10/2020 at 01:01

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It might get a bath this weekend, depending on how dusty it is forecast to be next week. It’s actually c lean save in the insect mass casualty incident on the front bumper. That’s inevitable around here.

thatsmr > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 01:21

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Just me, and corona motivated cheap, I always liked the black steelies I  had for my Astro. Uber cheap and period correct for sure! Otherwise those a/r rims sure are pretty

UserNotFound > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 07:35

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I like them, they look good. Shouldn’t be too hard to 3D print some nylon center caps with Mitsubishi logos (or Ralliart or Dakar or whatever you want). Painting the hubs with some rust convertor and some hammered black will work equally well.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > thatsmr 04/10/2020 at 07:38

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I would consider steelies in silver for it. There are some 5 spoke ar wheels I like for it , too, but black seems to be the current trend lots of wheels come in . With  few exceptions, I dislike the black wheels look.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > UserNotFound 04/10/2020 at 10:23

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It would be easy enough to making something for the rear. The front hubs are the ones that would be much more difficult to deal with.

Bill Nickeas > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 14:13

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I have an OEM set from my 1995 SR with the center caps posted on Offerup and craigslist Chicago. 

Longtime Lurker > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 15:42

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Looks good!

Braddock > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 15:47

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I like the new ones!  what size are the old wheels? Idk where you’re located but I’ve got a set of 4 or 5 factory wheels in good shape no tires, I’d consider trading for the 5 spokes. Would also sell em , like 80 for whole set

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 15:51

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I call dibs on first shot at buying this if you ever sell it. lol

I love this thing. I am still impressed by your fleet swap. Somehow you went from best to bestest

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Braddock 04/10/2020 at 16:00

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The 5-spokes are 15X7, -7mm offset, 108mm center bore . I’ve not figured out who they’re made by, beyond they were made in Taiwan some time ago. I’m in Las Cruces , NM and I could be interested in a trade for a set of 15x7 factory wheels.  Email me at froc0107@gmail.com.

RPM esq. > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 17:11

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I think those new wheels look great on it. Good find.

A Boy and His Longtail > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 04/10/2020 at 18:11

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I’m usually not a fan of that style wheel, but boy if it doesn’t look good on there! Keep us updated!