[Tejas@perioimpl]

Weekend updates:

Another non working and non offroad weekend meant tinkering in the garage and also some work with the Pajero.

I loved the offroad mirrors that come with the New Jimny.

Looked around and found similar stuff on Banggood.com

Immediately purchased them and they got delivered 2 months later.

These mirrors help to show both the front and rear tyres. Immense help when navigating trails to avoid boulders, etc.

Mirror fits under the ORVM with a two sided tape. You can see both the front and rear tyres:




Different views:







The other side:



View from driver side of the passenger ORVM:




I was really worried about these falling off so I drilled and put two small screws to secure it to the mirror. After adjusting the perfect angle for me, I put araldite so they don't keep moving when the washer fellow does his job.




Though, honestly I'm worried that a biker may take away one of these during their slithery movements in the traffic because the height of most bike handles is just below the regular ORVM height.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Another project from last weekend sees completion:

The drawers were great but to access small items was difficult at times.

Thus I thought of installing Molle type panels on the rear windows.

Bought some mesh grills off amazon india:



The plan was to attach the top of the grill to the grab handle. For that need to make a bracket. Used an existing Aluminium strip and riveted it to hold on to the grill with a rubber insert.



Testing, works well:





For the lower part, smaller brackets and holes drilled into the plastic. Yea, some people don't like to do that but I have no qualms:





Removed everything, sanded and painted:





Attached stuff to it using velcro straps:






Will update as I populate the grill.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Will update as I populate the grill.

Does the mesh take heavy loads? And won't the items move around and rattle when on the move?

Could you also list out the items in the first-aid kit? Is it available for purchase in India?

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Does the mesh take heavy loads? And won't the items move around and rattle when on the move?

The item are secured by velcro straps. They are snug and do not rattle.

The mesh should take moderately heavy loads though I'm not looking at putting heavy stuff up.

Mostly, tyre pressure gauges, pens, wading depth stick, portable stool, knife, folding shovel and things like that.

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Could you also list out the items in the first-aid kit? Is it available for purchase in India?

Here's the pic of the kit.





I had picked it up from Decathlon in Barcelona last year.

Contents
1. Sterile compress 5×5 cm, 5 pieces
2. Non-adhering compress 10×10 cm, 4 pieces
3. Support bandage 7.5 cm x 4.5 m
4. Hydrophilic bandage 7.5 cm x 4 m, 2 pieces
5. Wound plasters 25×72 mm, 10 pieces
6. Wound plasters 60×100 mm, 10 pieces
7. Finger plaster
8. Knuckle plaster
9. Butterfly bandages, roll 2.5 cm x 5 m
10. Butterfly bandages (5)
11. Vinyl gloves 2 pairs
12. Alcohol wipes, 10 pieces
13. Trauma shears (small)
14. Tweezers
15. Safety pins 6 pieces
16. Sling
17. Mouth-to-mouth shield
18. Emergency blanket
19. Unbreakable thermometer
20. Burn bandage 10 x 10 cm
21. Finger cots, 4 pieces

Specifications
Dimensions: 100 x 60 x 170 mm (excluding header card)
Weight: 217 grams

Source: https://www.careplus.eu/en/first-aid...irst-aid-kits/

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Some pics from a small trail drive we did on Independence Day:






























Most important is to clean the car after the drive. Borrowed a friend's Karcher K2 and it did the job splendidly:

[jay140261]

Hello Tejas,

We have a 2008 Pajero SFX which we bought in 2009 and since a long time is being used by my wife as her main car. We are now planning to really get into overlanding as I have put up my feet and was going through your thread. You have a fantastically detailed thread and many thanks for sharing your journey.

I am told that unless we have a ARB original Bull Bar, airbags will not deploy. As you have an ARB clone what is your verdict. I read somewhere that there is not going to be any issue and that the airbags will deploy on collision which in 10 years. I have been in touch with Amin Marketing in Baroda and want to take a decision. We do have another bull bar but I have been warned that we will have issues in Bengal. The ARB looks like an OEM when we take the original guard off and hence am thinking of changing to the same.

Does a heavy Bull bar and a roof rack make a dent in the fuel efficiency of the Pajero?

Looking forward to your inputs.


Jayesh

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by jay140261

Hello Tejas,

...I am told that unless we have a ARB original Bull Bar, airbags will not deploy. As you have an ARB clone what is your verdict. I read somewhere that there is not going to be any issue and that the airbags will deploy on collision which in 10 years. I have been in touch with Amin Marketing in Baroda and want to take a decision. We do have another bull bar but I have been warned that we will have issues in Bengal. The ARB looks like an OEM when we take the original guard off and hence am thinking of changing to the same.

Hi Jayesh,

The Pajero airbag sensors are inertia type and do not need a physical impact to deploy and I assume this bumper should be fine.

The pajero never had a great FE and honestly I don't think a bullbar should make a big dent in FE. It's like one more passenger in the vehicle.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

So needed a waste bin option in the car. The ready ones for the car are either too small or don't fit in the door pockets of the pajero. Thus, had to adapt and improvise.

Aliexpress to the rescue. Bought a kitchen door trash receptacle.

This one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3284...chweb201603_53

Here's a pic:



Open view:



At the back there are plastic hooks:




You attach the bag to the clips:



The bag gets closed:



Hangs from back seat pocket:



The car cleaner has instructions to empty dry waste and if any wet waste then to replace the bag.

This has been a great boon since my 3.5 year old travels with me and we can dup tissues, wrappers, etc

I also had to adapt this for camping. When we break for tea and have the awning open, an accessible waste bag is extremely important.

Heavy duty rare earth magnets made of neodymium to the rescue.

Used this:

https://www.amazon.in/GORILLA-ADHGGT.../dp/B00EUGCT22

Bought from UK though.

Magnets attached to the back of the clip:



Voila! Attaches to the car:



The angle of the hook and the bulge of the car mate perfectly! This angle also prevents the magnet from sliding down once weight in the bag increases:

[Tejas@perioimpl]

I keep getting similar PMs like the one below and thought it would be great to answer it int he open forum:

Hi Tejas,
I Came across your thread for overland conversion on your pajero.

Extremely detailed and too the point information given with a lots of do's and dont's.

A Big Thank you for that.

My pleasure.

I am from mumbai as well.

I don't plan on using this vehicle for specifically offroading, but driving to offbeat places, bad roads that i will encounter, and occasional camping.


Would request your valuable inputs on few queries that i have.

I am considering buying a Pajero SFX

When inspecting the vehicle what do i have to look out for?

Mostly look out for accident vehicles. These are the ones that come for sale most often.

The other thing that you need to check is the clutch and the 4x4 mechanism. If there is a big judder on changing from 2nd to 3rd above 1600 rpm then your clutch is dying.

The 4x4 light should stop blinking and stay steady in a few seconds of shifting 9Max 10 seconds). If it keeps blinking then the actuator solenoid may have an issue and that's a 20000 rupee part.

Also the fan for the rear ac compressor usually goes kaput and the OE fan is also 20k.

How is the spares availability and after sales service of the vehicle in mumbai?

Standard parts available off the shelf and others shipped from Chennai on order within a week at the most. Just go to the ASS I have recommended earlier - Noble Hub at Powai.

Considering everything checks out I would like to know how sane a decision would it be to pick up a pajero today and use it for at least the next 10 years.

Go for it.

What would be the yearly running costs of scheduled service and other nitty gritties that occur?

If car is in perfect shape, you are looking at max 8k service costs a year. That includes replacing all fluids and filters.

Anything else you think is necessary please add

Thank again!

Regards,
Kashif

Do ask here if you have any more queries.

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

These mirrors help to show both the front and rear tyres. Immense help when navigating trails to avoid boulders, etc.



Though, honestly I'm worried that a biker may take away one of these during their slithery movements in the traffic because the height of most bike handles is just below the regular ORVM height.

Update: these mirrors keep moving with the wind and no amount of meal / araldite / super glue keeps them at the perfect position for a long time. Removed them and kept. Wouldn't recommend them now.

[jay140261]

Hello again Tejas,

Do you know of a good service centre that can install a dual battery system? I intend to stay out for a long time and want to have a car refrigerator and some additional lights going. Someone who is good at installing deep cycle batteries, solenoids etc. to ensure that the second battery cuts off and charges according to the car being used.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by jay140261

Hello again Tejas,

Do you know of a good service centre that can install a dual battery system? I intend to stay out for a long time and want to have a car refrigerator and some additional lights going. Someone who is good at installing deep cycle batteries, solenoids etc. to ensure that the second battery cuts off and charges according to the car being used.

Dear Jay,

I don't know anyone in Hyderabad. In mumbai I know of a fantastic electrical guy who's just installed one for my friend in his Endy. He is my go to guy for all things electrical.

[WhiteKnight]

Originally Posted by jay140261

Hello again Tejas,

Do you know of a good service centre that can install a dual battery system?

You could check with New Mars enterprises. If that doesn't work, I could direct you to some Mitsubishi specialists.

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by jay140261

Do you know of a good service centre that can install a dual battery system? I intend to stay out for a long time and want to have a car refrigerator and some additional lights going.

Speak to Prabhu (Owner) from New Mars, nice guy. he should be able to help you out.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

The rear right door open light switch was spoilt due to the rubber protective cover coming off sometime and water corroding the internals.

The same wasn't available at the service centre.

With my borderline OCD, I wanted to have the light come on when the door was opened and the search for one led me to aliexpress.

Ordered one for just Rs. 136.38 with a $1 shipping. Cant get any cheaper. 2 months later it was home.

A quick note: when you order from aliexpress, there are two options, 2 pin and 1 pin. For the SFX (Pajero NL) you need the single pin option.

The old switch:

(notice the rubber cover missing)




New one fit with the protective rubber cover. Just one screw is required and the rear has a nice socket to plug in:



Back of the old switch to show that one pin is metal and the other is dummy plastic.



EDIT: I'll now try to open the older switch to see if I can clean out the corrosion and keep that as a spare.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Last weekend we went for a camping trip.

Before that got the battery serviced.

Attachment 1562111

After so much of care and maintenance, the battery finally started showing signs of giving up after 5+ years.

She refused to hold charge if not driven for more than 5 days and cold starts painfully long. With all the driving to remote places that I do, thought it was prudent that I replace the battery even though the battery guy said I could pull along this battery for a couple of months.

Old battery:



New Battery: