When I was in Angola a couple of years back, there were more Pajeros than Toyota, just about. I have had a 1988 Nissan 4x4 Hardbody that gave me nearly 550,000kms virtually trouble free. My 1999 Toyota DC 4x4 2.7i has never had enough power to pull the skin off a banana, let alone a trailer and I have broken its chassis on both sides. Now repaired, I am going to fit it with the Lexus V8. However, have always liked the Pajero LWB 3500, particularly the up to 1998 which was the last of the box-ladder chassis. I have a company in Botswana and do a lot of work in Zimbabwe on conservation. 3 1998 Pajero were offered to me from IBC Japan at a good price and have imported them. The 2 standard ones have done 76,000 and 85,000 kms and the Exceed has done 96,000 kms. I had intended checking them in Durban prior to being transported to Gaborone but was caught by the Velvet Sky debacle. I went up to Gabs last week and they are very nice but in need of service so have booked them into VME Engineering there. They will then be transported back to Johannesburg. Should have them, together with 2 2004 VW Golf 2l Wagons I also bought, next week some time. All-in cost of the Pajeros is about R65,000 each and the Golfs about R41,000 each. Aside from the Bots number plates being a bit of a hi-jack risk, the introduction of eTolling will no longer be of an interest to me!
The vehicles were serviced in Gaborone and delivered by Transporter at 2am 27 April. At 9.30am took 2 of them for a 1000km trip to Eastern Transvaal. Going like a dream, totally in love.
I have a few minor hassles to sort out on the three Pajeros:
1. 1998 GDI Exceed: The centre instrument cluster is missing - Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Temp gauge/compass. If anybody can point me to a 2nd hand one, would be grateful.
2. 1998 GDI - The Super select does not engage the automatic gearbox to change down or hold a gear. Need this for steep descents. Is this a major problem?
3. 1998 GDI - The Rev counter is not working.
Will take them to a good autoelectrician in the first instance.
All will need bull-bars. I thought Nudge-em - any better suggestions?
4. Also need tow-bar hitches for the 3 vehicles. Any 2nd hand ones available?
I have a few minor hassles to sort out on the three Pajeros:
1. 1998 GDI Exceed: The centre instrument cluster is missing - Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Temp gauge/compass. If anybody can point me to a 2nd hand one, would be grateful.
2. 1998 GDI - The Super select does not engage the automatic gearbox to change down or hold a gear. Need this for steep descents. Is this a major problem?
3. 1998 GDI - The Rev counter is not working.
Will take them to a good autoelectrician in the first instance.
All will need bull-bars. I thought Nudge-em - any better suggestions?
4. Also need tow-bar hitches for the 3 vehicles. Any 2nd hand ones available?
I forgot to add: I need an English instuction manual as my Japanese is non-existant. If somebody has a spare, would buy or please can I borrow and photo-copy one?