Reader’s Rides & Off Road Vehicles

It started out life as a worn out 2.6L carb'd 5-spd Dodge Raider.  Very early in my ownership (about 4 years ago now), it developed some "issues" as they say.  It ended up being very, very rusted out underneath- holes in frame and gas tank, break lines that decided to fail (on an uphill run of course), compression was low, carb needed attention, etc.

It is now underway for rebadging to a Mitsubishi Pajero (as the rest of the world knows them), during which time much has been done to upgrade it- mostly with scrounged Mitsu parts thus far...

Current mods
- Base truck included the "off-road package" which included an LSD rear, driver's bouncy seat, headlight washers, and halogen lights.
- Frame off rebuild with most things being replaced/rebuilt.  Basically, took it apart and put back together on a new frame, fixing/replacing/servicing most things before they went onto the new.
- 2.6L turbocharged, intercooled motor from an 87 StarQuest.  Upgraded with 88-89 ECU and related, and a 14G turbo.  Fitted car's oil cooler in the process.
- Front axle housing swapped with V6 Montero for bigger brakes, and housing for next item.  Also upgraded to bigger V6 booster.
- StarQuest LSD from rear axle fitted into the V6 front on the truck.
- Custom t-case 2.85 Lo gears from OZ.  Not real crawlers to some, but nicely low for a factory case.
- Tonneau Top with the bulk of the roof's sheet metal cut out, and a convertible-fabric top fitted.  Windows are in the process of being converted to "Jeep-style" zip outs using clear marine vinyl.
- Body lift at 2" and suspension via add-a-leaf and t-bar twist.
- Extended breathers.
- Carpet out and sprayed with rattle-can bed liner.
- Gen II Montero seats fitted.
- 33" x 12.50" x 15" with BFG All-Terrain T/A KOs on 8" steelies.
Future aspirations
- Locking rear axle from a Montero Sport.
- Bumpers and related- winch, Hi-Lift brackets, etc.
- Snorkel.
- Lighting.
- Some music.