Stock #6190
The ragtop craze swept our stateside SUV market by storm in the 90’s, with Jeeps Trackers and Samurais trudging topless into the blue yonder to conquer beaches, trails, and rocky passes. Halfway across the world, the Japanese were having their own fun, with models like this 1992 Mitsubishi Pajero J-Top. Underpinned by a legendary 4WD drivetrain, and packed with stout Mitsu build quality and a choice 3-way retractable soft top, the J-top would have certainly been a hit in the USA. Examples like this are a testament to the brand’s innovation almost three decades ago. Finished in Silver metallic with a black accent roof, this Pajero shows well, and is set off by a rear tire carrier, OEM Rainguards, an OEM Bash Bar, and refinished 16″ aftermarket alloys. The original top is present but the materier is in below average spare and could use a refresh at an upholstery shop. Overall, the cosmetics on this compact fourbie are good, and the 115k verified and documented miles on the clock do a lot to solidify this Pajero’s value. The paintwork could also benefit from some touch up in a few spots, but for a weekend trail run or Cars & Coffee it should look right at home. Capable, unique, and durable through and through, this Pajero would make for a sound investment in a truly special Japanese Classic!
The interior follows an ethos that prioritizes simplicity, functionality, and ease of use. This can be seen through the simple yet spartan upholstery, which has resisted the past 3 decades on the road with nothing but a light stain here or there. The same can be said for the dash, which tucks nicely into the front of the cabin and has stood up to cracking or UV distortion like a champ. Positioned centrally, a manual climate control system works like a charm with Cold A/C and hot heat on standby for seasonal adventures. Adjacent Panasonic audio is also functional albeit a bit dated. Following the manual soft top, the windows also crank up and down manually. On the plus side, the power locks and mirrors are operable and work to make daily use a bit easier and the front portion of the top is electric and unfurls like a sunroof. These two-door Pajeros are deceptively spacious inside and two passengers can pile in the rear with ease. This cockpit is ideal for a beach trip or open air back road cruise, and sand is no match for the vinyl flooring. In other words, it’s the perfect summer companion!
The exterior and interior are impressive in their own right, but the US-equivalent drivetrain is what really sells this fabulous rig! The 4D56 is a tenacious turbodiesel powerplant and feels right at home under the bonnet of this Pajero. Ours is also fresh off a recent service and runs right as rain with the maintenance performed. We changed out a leaky valve cover gasket and performed an oil and filter service to top everything off, and a new 12v battery was also installed to aid ignition. Mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox, this 2.5 really comes alive and the transmission is also nicely geared for our higher stateside speed limits as well. Power is sent rearward and Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD is a real pro off the beaten path, allowing you to switch into 4WD at nearly 60mph if needed. Low range and a locking center and rear differential are helpful when traversing the path less traveled. We replaced the shocks with all new ones and the ride quality improved significantly. We also replaced both sway bar links up front to keep the handling in compliance. The steering is light and easy to articulate, the brakes have plenty of life left, and the Falken Wildpeaks are brand new on each corner. They look great, ride comfortably, and should deliver tens of miles of grip on all surfaces you may encounter! We even performed an alignment.