Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?

[daniel.j.marshal]

I currently have a Mitsubishi Challenger its a very capable vehicle a lot of people over look it if your looking for something bigger but smaller then the cruiser/patrol it's a contender also can get a good secondhand one for mid 20's I'm upgrading to a Y62 though as good as they are they don't really fit 3kids under 6 in booster seats which sucks.


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[SEADOO]

Except they make the worst tow vehicles.

Auto's going into limp mode, when you want it to happen least. Autos swapping between locked and unlocked between 4th and 5th.

The manuals may be better, but the autos suck balls as a towing vehicle.

Apart from towing, they are a very capable 4wd.

[Pete79]

Except they make the worst tow vehicles.

Auto's going into limp mode, when you want it to happen least. Autos swapping between locked and unlocked between 4th and 5th.

The manuals may be better, but the autos suck balls as a towing vehicle.

Apart from towing, they are a very capable 4wd.

So that's all automatic Mitsubishi 4wds out then, or just all automatic vehicles in general?

The auto in my MN triton has never gone into limp mode, maybe I'm just not hard enough on it.... 
And pretty much all standard factory spec modern autos constantly unlock and jump around between gears. The 6 speed auto in my VE dunnydoor was hopeless at staying in gears.
It's only going to get worse with all of these 8 speed boxes hitting the market now.

[rotare]

So that's all automatic Mitsubishi 4wds out then, or just all automatic vehicles in general?

I'm guessing the comments were related only to the Misti Challenger.

For the last few models the Aisin auto gearbox fitted to the Mitsi Pajero is the same or very similar to the ones fitted to some Toyota 4wds...

[SEADOO]

So that's all automatic Mitsubishi 4wds out then, or just all automatic vehicles in general?

The auto in my MN triton has never gone into limp mode, maybe I'm just not hard enough on it.... 
And pretty much all standard factory spec modern autos constantly unlock and jump around between gears. The 6 speed auto in my VE dunnydoor was hopeless at staying in gears.
It's only going to get worse with all of these 8 speed boxes hitting the market now.

I was referring to the PB/PC Challengers only. It's a known fact the auto's will go into limp mode at the worst time.

Something to do with the self protect mode that's built in. If the fluid gets to hot, it just say fk you, I'm having a rest.

[Pete79]

I was referring to the PB/PC Challengers only. It's a known fact the auto's will go into limp mode at the worst time.

Something to do with the self protect mode that's built in. If the fluid gets to hot, it just say fk you, I'm having a rest.

Ahh, ok.
I suppose there are a few stories going around. A bit like dual cabs with bent chassis I guess.

[kylarama]

I was referring to the PB/PC Challengers only. It's a known fact the auto's will go into limp mode at the worst time.

Something to do with the self protect mode that's built in. If the fluid gets to hot, it just say fk you, I'm having a rest.

Probably not a bad thing. In most cars when the A/T temp light comes on its too late, the damage is already done.


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[petrolburner]

So that's all automatic Mitsubishi 4wds out then, or just all automatic vehicles in general?

The auto in my MN triton has never gone into limp mode, maybe I'm just not hard enough on it.... 
And pretty much all standard factory spec modern autos constantly unlock and jump around between gears. The 6 speed auto in my VE dunnydoor was hopeless at staying in gears.
It's only going to get worse with all of these 8 speed boxes hitting the market now.

No. The new autos coming out are just getting better and better!
My 7speed locks the TC in the top 5 gears, driven manually it won't downshif or  unlock the TC even if you have chosen a gear too high.
My experience driving an 8speed jeep behaves very similarly, and from what I have read of the 8speed in the LR's they also lock the TC and don't spend time 'between gears'

Older units like those found in the Pajero and the 200series do not operate as nicely and the driver has to be aware of TC slip and drive to avoid it or Pick a lower gear. Even with old autos a lockup kit can be fitted.

I love manuals, particularly in sports cars, but for towing the auto is now king IMO.

[KeithB]

My 2008 200 Series was a bit of a dog till I put a Richards lockup kit on it. Transmission temps in rough going dropped about 25 degrees and the cruise control works much better. Perhaps a consideration if you love the truck but hate the transmission.

[SEADOO]

Probably not a bad thing. In most cars when the A/T temp light comes on its too late, the damage is already done.


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It's not when your driving up the Toowoomba range, then the auto decides to pack it's bat and ball and go home, when your towing the camper and you have a B-double up YA clacker.

The car will just stop. Mr Bishy says there is nothing, it's doing its job. But it always does its job at the worst and most dangerous time.

It's a known common problem amongst the Challenger community.

[Ragman]

Well if you want comfort and towing ability plus value for money.

VW Touareg, top notch comfort, handling and good off road especially if you get
one with air suspension. pick up a good 2011 model for 30k

[petrolburner]

When I first purchased my boat and needed a serious tow vehicle I had a good hard look at the Touregs.
They appear to be good buying based on the price second hand, however if you research and check out the owners forums they are pretty expensive and somewhat finicky to service, even having uneven tyre wear of only a few mm across an axle was 'out of spec' and could cause issues.

I was coveting a V8 or V10 option, maintenance and servicing on these beasts is frightfully expensive!!

Then I turned my attention to the D3 /D4 and researched hard again, too many bad stories in amongst the good ones. It felt like a lucky dip buying a Landy. (I still think they are beautiful vehicles)

In the end after a long research I came to the conclusion that as boring as they are the Japanese  made wagons offered the best reliability and don't really require any specialised servicing or need a specialist workshop plus being coil spring wagons they are all pretty comfy compared to the dual cab options.

Set a budget, then consider Pajero, Prado, Landcruiser and Patrol options. I still think the bang for buck winner is the Pajero. Mum and dads is nice to drive 👍

[Bird]

Well if you want comfort and towing ability plus value for money.

VW Touareg, top notch comfort, handling and good off road especially if you get
one with air suspension. pick up a good 2011 model for 30k

The Torque figures always appealed to me specially for towing... Just VW's reliability, parts and service costs always puts me off.
The 5.0 litre V10 turbo diesel engine is a unique configuration, and its power and torque figures are far beyond any yet seen. It produces 750 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm - the highest output of any petrol or diesel engine on the market.
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Touareg-2010/SSE-AD-4392407/?Cr=10 Nice....

[Merts]

Set a budget, then consider Pajero, Prado, Landcruiser and Patrol options. I still think the bang for buck winner is the Pajero. Mum and dads is nice to drive 👍

The Pajero's are a nice ride, but I gotta say, I am a bit envious of you and your Y62.

[petrolburner]

Yes the Y62 is step up in refinement over the Pajero, but it's in another class price wise as well.

A good friend of mine has a Pajero auto (I am guessing it's about 4 years old now) that cops an absolute pasting! We use it to go paddock bashing, chasing pigs around farms, hitting check banks at speed, flogging across freshly plowed paddocks, squeezing through lignum and salt bush.
It's in serious need of a lift as it is pretty low at the front on stock springs with a bullbar but it takes the abuse and comes back for more
An often underrated 4x4

[speewa158]

lf l was in you position l would get a Paj & that would be my 5th in a row . Comfort 4WD ability & all round performance  ( That should bring the worms out of their holes to add to the melee ) l have a NS  Oiler Manual  235Ks & ready for action . With any Oiler it has to breath  , so snorkel & bigger exhaust system is the go   Enjoy     

[Wortho]

I may be wrong about the diff lock. 

. Yep no diff lock by the sounds of it http://performancedrive.com.au/2017-isuzu-d-max-mu-x-not-getting-limited-slip-diff-diff-lock-0618/

[oldmate]

Yes the Y62 is step up in refinement over the Pajero, but it's in another class price wise as well.

A good friend of mine has a Pajero auto (I am guessing it's about 4 years old now) that cops an absolute pasting! We use it to go paddock bashing, chasing pigs around farms, hitting check banks at speed, flogging across freshly plowed paddocks, squeezing through lignum and salt bush.
It's in serious need of a lift as it is pretty low at the front on stock springs with a bullbar but it takes the abuse and comes back for more
An often underrated 4x4

Your right.  The paj is a very underrated 4wd. They are also very comfortable to drive. There are only 2 things wrong with and that is, 1) it's a Mitsubishi and 2) you are not he only person on earth, which means someone will see you driving it. If you can get past that, they are great!


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