Budget Overland Shogun/Pajero Sport

[LooseNut197]

Hey folks.
Looking at competing in the Budapest Bamako rally in 2028, its a budget friendly Dakar-lite that covers an exciting chunk of Africa.
Looking at cheap 4x4s available here in Ireland and the Pajero/Shogun Sport seems like the best bang for the buck;
> Extrememly cheap, can get commercial ones with a new test for <3k
> Simple mechanical diesel engine; least likely to hate african diesel
> Ladder chassis
> LWB is stable and plenty storage/living space as needed
> Mitsubishi reliability (we have had a few other mitsi's in the family)
> Aircon common
< Slow but thats not a problem
< Overheating reputation so I'll upgrade the radiator and hoses plus waterpump etc..

I considered landcrisers also but they are violent money here. Full fat Pajero are pretty common too but almost all have been farmed to death.
Ive previously completed the mongol rally in a 1990 Corolla and am happy doing all jobs myself.

Want to know what jobs these jeeps benefit from, what would be good budget mods to make, and any other ideas/obseravtions for a trip of this type thanks!

[BarryMissioner]

I ran a 2.5td L200 Shogun Sport, my cousin had the van version at the same time, I think they were 2004/5 age. I liked mine & thought it was good value for money. They eat headgaskets as consumables so I'd definitely do that before your trip (do cambelt kit water pump at same time) not a particularly horrible job. Both of us had starting problems that both turned out to be I think an O ring in the pump, it's a known fault on that engine so look into that, again I'd do it as a consumable before it causes issues.

I found that era of body-on-chassis trucks quite uncomfortable for long journeys as you sit very low to the floor despite the height of the vehicle but everyone's different, maybe that seating position suits you.

Didn't find the Shogun Sport particularly good off road, it only has an LSD in the back axle, no locker at least not in the UK, the Nissan Patrol I had before was way better as was the L200 DiD I had after with a proper locker, probably not an issue with your use.

I had a Hilux surf before & prefered the Mitsubishi by some margin. Final consideration would be I drove but didn't own a 3.0 petrol Shogun Sport, that was much nicer than my diesel, I think that engine is considered more reliable too & wasn't much different on fuel being a rare manual petrol, auto might be a different story.

Sounds like an exciting trip, home you have a great time.