1982 – 1991 The
Original.
The vehicle that launched the Pajero dynasty. Body-on-frame. Live solid axles. Dakar debut in 1983. The Gen 1 is the rawest, most mechanically honest 4×4 ever to wear the Pajero badge — and now a growing collector’s piece in South Africa.
The Pajero That Started It All
When Mitsubishi unveiled the Pajero concept at the 1981 Tokyo Motor Show, nobody fully grasped what they were looking at. A year later, in May 1982, the production Pajero arrived — and within three years it had won the Dakar Rally, the most demanding motorsport event on earth. What followed was a 12-win dynasty that earned a Guinness World Record no other 4×4 will ever match.
In South Africa, the Gen 1 Pajero arrived to a country hungry for capable, affordable 4x4s that could handle the Karoo, the Kgalagadi, and the farm tracks of the Highveld. It delivered. The simple body-on-frame construction with solid axles front and rear meant any competent mechanic could fix it almost anywhere — a crucial quality for SA conditions.
Today, at 35–44 years old, the Gen 1 sits at an interesting junction: too old to be a practical daily driver, too historically significant to ignore, and increasingly too collectible to overlook. The right Gen 1 — especially a canvas-top SWB or a well-preserved LWB with full history — is becoming a genuine investment piece in the SA classic 4×4 market.
“The Gen 1 is mechanically honest in a way modern vehicles can’t be. It doesn’t try to hide anything — it’s all there, in front of you, fixable with basic tools.”
| Production | 1982–1991 Japan; exported to SA 1982–1991 |
| Also known as | Mitsubishi Montero (USA/Latin America), Mitsubishi Shogun (UK) |
| Chassis | Body-on-frame · Solid front & rear axles |
| 4WD | Part-time — 2H / 4H / 4L |
| Dakar wins | 1985 · 1992 · 1993 (3 wins from Gen 1 era) |
Evolution: 1982–1991
SWB, LWB & the Canvas Top
Gen 1 Engine Guide
At this age, engine choice fundamentally determines ownership experience. The 4D56 2.5TD is the standout option for SA conditions — mechanical injection, robust construction, and decades of parts availability.
| Code | Engine | Power | Torque | Notes | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4D56 | 2.5L Turbo Diesel (from 1986) | 73 kW | 210 Nm | Mechanical indirect injection — simple, rebuildable, widely supported. The SA favourite for reliability. | Best Buy |
| 4D55T | 2.3L Turbo Diesel (early) | 62 kW | ~190 Nm | The original turbo diesel, pre-1986. Less common in SA. Parts increasingly scarce. Functional but superseded by 4D56. | Decent |
| 6G72 | 3.0L V6 Petrol (12v) | 104 kW | 220 Nm | Smooth, responsive V6 introduced 1986. Crank angle sensor a known weak point. Cooling system needs attention at this age. High fuel consumption in SA conditions. | Good Option |
| G54B | 2.6L 4-Cyl Petrol (early) | 82 kW | ~190 Nm | Pre-1986 early models only. Rare in SA. Carburettor-fed — requires specialist knowledge. Avoid unless you have a specific reason. | Avoid |
The 1986–1991 models with the 4D56 2.5TD are by far the most practical Gen 1 purchase for everyday use in South Africa. The mechanical injection system means no expensive electronics to fail on a remote trail — a critical consideration for anyone planning to use the vehicle in the bush. Parts are shared with the Mitsubishi Colt and early Triton, making sourcing straightforward.
Complete Gen 1 Specs
| Production | May 1982 – 1991 |
| Platform | Body-on-frame · Ladder chassis |
| Front suspension | Independent double wishbone, torsion bars |
| Rear suspension | Live axle, leaf springs (SWB) / Coil springs (LWB) |
| SWB wheelbase | 2,350 mm |
| LWB wheelbase | 2,695 mm |
| Ground clearance | ~200 mm |
| SWB approach angle | 44° |
| SWB departure angle | 34° |
| 4WD system | Part-time: 2H / 4H / 4L |
| Transmission | 4 or 5-speed manual / 3-speed auto |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 kg (braked) |
| SWB fuel tank | 65 L |
| LWB fuel tank | 80 L |
| Kerb weight (SWB) | ~1,450 kg |
| Safety | No airbags (era-correct) |
| Dakar Rally wins | 1985, 1992, 1993 |
Known Issues & What to Inspect
What to Pay
The Gen 1 market in South Africa is strengthening. Classic 4×4 appreciation is real — a well-preserved original is now a collector asset, not just an old truck.
The Gen 1 Pajero is at a pivotal moment in its life cycle. It’s old enough to be genuinely mechanically challenging to maintain, but young enough that good examples still exist at reasonable prices. The canvas-top SWB is already a collector piece. The LWB with a 4D56 diesel and documented history is an honest, capable vehicle that will go almost anywhere with appropriate preparation. Buy with full knowledge of the maintenance commitment required — and buy the best example you can afford. The Gen 1 that needs work will always need more work than you budget for. The clean one you pay more for upfront will cost you far less over time.
The Gen 1 era Pajero claimed three Dakar Rally overall victories — in 1985, and then again in 1992 and 1993 with evolved Gen 1-derived machinery. That first win in 1985 proved the Pajero’s engineering to the world. Total Pajero Dakar wins across all generations: 12 — a Guinness World Record.