Pajero (Mitsubishi) to Jeep.... what's differnt?

[Kimmyh51]

Hi everyone

I have had a Pajero 4x4 before and loved getting off road in it.

Amyway I sold it when I relocated, and I am now thinking about a jeep.

I would like to know what the key differences are between a 4x4 such as the Pajero I had (fondly named 'Pajy') and a jeep

I have driven a jeep once, on the beach, and the first thing i noticed was that i had to start in 2nd gear not first, and where in my Pajy I used to use 4L in soft mucky sand he(the guy who owned the jeep) used4H and kept saying ' you gotta start in 2nd or you will get stuck! - however he seemed convinced that i was going to get stuck anyway that the sand was terrible to drive in and difficult etc... I started the thing in 2nd as per his request and then drove up and down the beach at a reasonable speed (sorry but off road at speed appeals to me lol - and there was no one on the beach and no creeks etc)

Also on this one, the tyres had to be down to 15 psi, which may have just been the tyres?

Anyway if anyone knows - what differences betwen the Mitsi and a Jeep would i experience? My pajero had no major issues and for me as a beginner, it got me through everything I attempted, on road tyres too. Eventually the hub locks (lock hubs not sure of correct term) died on it and it was getting old anyway so I sold.

Anyway I am not sold on a jeep yet, but people say its the best to get, so I am wanting to find out/.....

what will i find is 'better' on a jeep if i get one, from the Pajero

and what will just be different, that i should be prepared for

ie how do i need to drive differently in certain conditions/terrain, than I would have in the pajero?

and what are the things that tend to 'break' on them?

I see myself mostly using it to beach drive and also get to off road camping sites, but Id also like to join a club and get into some really rough stuff - if it isnt going to totally trash the vehicle...

 

[coldwater]

Hi everyone

I have had a Pajero 4x4 before and loved getting off road in it.

Amyway I sold it when I relocated, and I am now thinking about a jeep.

I would like to know what the key differences are between a 4x4 such as the Pajero I had (fondly named 'Pajy') and a jeep

I have driven a jeep once, on the beach, and the first thing i noticed was that i had to start in 2nd gear not first, and where in my Pajy I used to use 4L in soft mucky sand he(the guy who owned the jeep) used4H and kept saying ' you gotta start in 2nd or you will get stuck! - however he seemed convinced that i was going to get stuck anyway that the sand was terrible to drive in and difficult etc... I started the thing in 2nd as per his request and then drove up and down the beach at a reasonable speed (sorry but off road at speed appeals to me lol - and there was no one on the beach and no creeks etc)

Also on this one, the tyres had to be down to 15 psi, which may have just been the tyres?

Anyway if anyone knows - what differences betwen the Mitsi and a Jeep would i experience? My pajero had no major issues and for me as a beginner, it got me through everything I attempted, on road tyres too. Eventually the hub locks (lock hubs not sure of correct term) died on it and it was getting old anyway so I sold.

Anyway I am not sold on a jeep yet, but people say its the best to get, so I am wanting to find out/.....

what will i find is 'better' on a jeep if i get one, from the Pajero

and what will just be different, that i should be prepared for

ie how do i need to drive differently in certain conditions/terrain, than I would have in the pajero?

and what are the things that tend to 'break' on them?

I see myself mostly using it to beach drive and also get to off road camping sites, but Id also like to join a club and get into some really rough stuff - if it isnt going to totally trash the vehicle...

Man, that's a lot of stuff to cover there. "Better" is an argument waiting to happen, and every owner of every different 4X4 will tell you theirs is best! For most if not all of us here, the JEEP reigns supreme over all others. Only you can decide which vehicle is going to fit your needs the best, but from what you say your needs will be, a stock TJ would do everything you need and more. It also gives you a good platform to build on as you need, as far as lift, winch options, lockers, body armor, and more things than I could list in 40 pages! Virtually every off road scenario will require a different approach in vehicle, and mental attitude. The airing down of tires is common in any situation that unstable ground is encountered, including rocks. When a tire is aired down, it vastly increases the footprint of tread that will contact the ground, and will give more grip, and what we call flotation. Meaning the tire will act more like the bottom of a boat, and "float" over soft ground, rather than an inflted tire which is more narrow, and will dig in and become stuck. Most of us here will tell you that we have dropped tire pressure to as low as 10-12 PSI off road, so the tires look nearly flat. As far as breakage, if you are hard on anything, it will eventually break. No vehicle is immune to hard use or abuse. The best strategy is to learn HOW to properly use your ORV, and things will hold up much better, and you will be safer. For me? The JEEP is the god of all 4 wheel drive vehicles. Mine is 31 years old now, has been through hell and back, rebuilt to new, and ready for the next 30 years of wheelin fun. The major components have hundreds of thousands of hard miles on them, and continue to rock on! Jeepers don't just "own" jeeps, we love them like family members, and fuss over them like spoiled children. That's why we say.."It's a Jeep thing..you wouldn't understand" Few people I have known that get one, ever escape the need to constantly have one in their life. It's an addiction Research will be your best bet, talk to others that own them. Join a club and attend the runs to see what real wheeling really is, and you will see Jeeps at their shining best.

 

[CJ]

Coldwater made an excellent reply...

The best part of the reply was this quote - "It's a Jeep thing..you wouldn't understand." Until you actually have one and feel that bond, the statement is just a saying. I know many people who have sold their Jeeps only to remark later (sometimes years) that they miss them.

Now, as an added note... There are MANY capable off-road, semi off-road and on road vehicles out there. I have seen some Suzuki wheelers that were absolutely amazing as well as Broncos and more. But - they are not for me!

A Jeep is for me and always will be. As Coldwater said, my CJ is over 35 years old has been through hell! It is now going through another rebuild... My CJ is not a throw away vehicle...

The real question you have to ask is, are the differences between a Mitsubishi and Jeep enough for you to choose? Also, you really can't compare a new Mits to a 30 year old Jeep (what this site is about) on a level playing field. The manufactureres intentions are completely different.